Sunday, September 25, 2011
Travel Nostalgia: An Aerial View of Baguio City
Travel Tip: Use Stored Value Tickets (LRT and MRT)
Do you frequently go to and travel within Metro Manila?
Do you prefer commuting aboard affordable, air-conditioned, fast, traffic free, reliable mass transportation?
If you answered a "yes" to the questions above then commuting via the elevated LRT (Light Rail Transit) Lines 1 and 2 and the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) will give you value for your money.
You can save money and time if you will choose to buy a stored value ticket (SVT) instead of a single journey ticket.
Here are some of the advantages of using an SVT:
First, You get to save money. A stored value ticket (LRT 1 and 2, MRT) is worth Php 100.00. A single journey ticket costs Php 15 (Monumento Station to Baclaran Station or North Station to Taft Avenue Station). If you pick the stored value option you get to ride at least seven times, given that each trip's regular cost is Php 15.00, because you get the last ride almost for free because of the "Last Ride Bonus". Seven stored value tickets, at Php 15.00 each, costs Php 105. You save Php 5.00 each time you buy a SVT. There are special SVT for Senior Citizens, if I am not mistaken, they can purchase an that SVT for only Php 80.00.
Second, You save precious time. With a stored value ticket at hand you can proceed directly to the ticket barriers instead of lining up at the ticket selling booth every time you commute via the LRT or MRT. Lines to purchase tickets are almost permanently long during the rush hours in the morning and late in the afternoon/early evening. Lining up can be a hassle especially if your are trying to catch a meeting, an event, much more a scheduled flight! With an SVT you dont have to again and again get your wallet and look for small bills and coins. The saved time can be used for other more important matters.
Third, SVTs have Longer Validity. A stored value ticket for the LRT Line 1 (Blue) And Line 2 (Red) is valid for 6 months from the date it is first used. While for the MRT an SVT worth Php 100.00 is valid for 3 months from date of first use. Thus a SVT is good option also for those who visit the Metro Manila on a weekly or monthly basis.
I hope that with the reasons mentioned above you can try using a stored value ticket when using the LRT and/or MRT. With such things like the SVT traveling within Metro Manila is made more comfortable.
Reminder: Please secure the SVT you purchased at all times. A lost SVT is money wasted.
To know more about the Light Rail Transit System here is a link to their website: LRTA
To know more about the Metro Rail Transit System here is a link to their website: MRT
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Makati: Lunch with a View
It was my first time to dine, earlier this day, at the Jollibee branch located at the ground floor of the Insular Life Building at the Makati CBD (Central Business District). I got seated with my lunch tray by the tall glass window (or wall) of this branch which is a good move. Why? Aside from enjoying good (tasty) and affordable food ( prices in all branches of a fast food chain are standardized) while in Makati I also got a splendid view for no additional cost.
While sipping ice cold Coca-Cola, sitting comfortably, I can see the busy stream of vehicles on the palm tree-lined Ayala Avenue as the traffic from Paseo de Roxas merges with it smoothly. Ayala Avenue is known as one of the most prestigious office addresses in the Philippines and it is said that it is the "Wall Street" of the Philippines. I also got a good view of the Ninoy Aquino monument guarding the entrance to Paseo de Roxas. My seat location offered refreshing views of iconic buildings at the Makati CBD such as the pink Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Allied Bank Center, Ernest & Young, SGV & Co Tower 1 and 2, i Academy, and the HSBC Branch at the Enterprise Center.
I savored more the taste of the burger and fries combo with a glimpse of the modern, sleek, glass-walled Tower One and a portion of the lush Ayala Triangle Gardens. Its fun to watch the street scene while eating. Clean. Verdant. Modern. A slice of progressive Philippines at its best.
Definitely a splendid view of the Makati Central Business District is a good compliment to a lunch at Jollibee.
So the next time you are in Makati and want to eat lunch on a budget, better try Jollibee Insular Life Branch, select your seat fast to get and see that splendid view by the window.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Travel Nostalgia: The Manila Bay Sunset
It is great to watch a sunset, it is a graceful signal of transition between day and night. Being in different places gives you a chance to see the sunset in different ways This part of the day, along with sunrise, is probably the most photographed part of a day. Photographs serve as good link to the past. As for me, instead of photos, I recall the famous sunset by the bay in Manila from memory. The Manila Bay Sunset is one of my favorites for it reminds me of sweet memories that I'll always remember.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Malolos City: A Short Visit to the Bulacan Provincial Capitol
This week I got an opportunity to drop by the Bulacan Provincial Capitol and meet up with a friend. The building has a prominent location and can seen from the busy MacArthur Highway. If you are in Malolos it is worth your time to drop by and see this place. The structure is painted white giving it a very clean look. The Provincial Capitol was built before the advent of the Second World War. It has undergone restorations and re-decorations at different points of time and rule of the different Provincial Governors. It houses most of the offices of the different departments of the Provincial Government of Bulacan. Because of its size and the quiet strength of its simplicity I fondly call it the "Palace in Malolos".
Monday, September 12, 2011
Postcards to Indonesia, Estonia and Finland
Friday, September 09, 2011
Quezon City: Our Lady of Peňafrancia at the Radio Veritas Chapel
Ina |
At the Radio Veritas Chapel |