Philippine Travel Notes

Flats are flat, and they look and feel... well, flatly flat. That's flat! This afternoon, I was leisurely walking to NAIA Terminal 3's Gate 120 (the farthest) when two rushing Cebu Pacific ground staff overtook me. Whatever came into my mind, I clicked to capture those feet Whatever was this for?! Ah well, maybe because those feet were noisy (they were almost running), or, maybe because those flat shoes have lately been a hot topic I heard on the news - was that Canada? Yeah yeah, I think that topic was about women (groups of them, many of them) campaigning against companies from compelling them to wear high heels. That is probably the reason why I took that pic! Let's weigh-in on the topic, for the sake of 'wala lang' hehe! Dapat ba? Hindi ba dapat? Whatever! I think what should prevail is what these people like to do to their feet (and bodies). They want it that way, so be it. As I always say, walang basagan ng trip, right? Unless, some are misinterpreting...

I pass by at least 2 airports a week, and I swear, this is the first time I saw this 'enterprise' racking up hefty 'pesoses' fast! Which, on the other hand, is an extra expense for many "alarmed passengers". Here's my story: Due to the number of passengers entering at the first few gates of NAIA 3, I asked my driver to let me off at the farther gates. Am not sure if I entered at the 4th or 5th gate/entrance. But it's a technique! This thing is what I saw upon entering the first x-ray area: A company, yes a business enterprise, that wraps (mummifies!) your luggage in clear industrial plastic! Maroon bag: the subject being mummified! Blue shirt guy: worker White shirt guy: passenger, owner of maroon bag - says he paid P200 for that wrapping thing, he further said "di bale nang mag-bayad ng extra, kesa naman mabiktima". Hmm, he has a point! So, this is the government's solution? To avoid passengers being victimized by THEIR employee...

Another event, another activity in my exciting life. This time, venue was at the Acropolis Clubhouse in Greenmeadows QC. Evening-to-night-time event, so no need for too much thinking, this meant that the going-home time would be way too late in the night (if not the wee hours of the morning), plus, I could be drunk (if not wasted). Meaning, going home (to Fairview) would not have been even near practical. Thus, the need for me to find a place to stay overnight, and the easy choice was Microtel Acropolis! Not that I have stayed in this hotel before (I haven't even seen it yet), but being a Wyndham member, I already knew and know the quality of stay (yes, me ganun?) I would experience. Not grand, but good! Not to mention that this hotel sits right beside the gate of this posh village (Acropolis). How do I know that? A eh, even if I had been Visayas-based the past 7 or so years, in the decade immediately prior to that, I worked my ass in a (9AM to 9PM) office based inside Eastwoo...

In a world where gadgets surround us every minute of our lives, all transport conveyances also try to keep up in giving passengers, the utmost in terms of safety, comfort and convenience. Yes, they do! Take the case of charging ports (or charging points, receptacles, plugs. saksakan whatever you call it in your language or dialect)! They are now getting to be everywhere (sometimes paid, sometime free) and we rejoice at seeing them (usually to save our day) for renewed energy to our gadgets - whether we are gamers, FB chatters, video addicts or just the plain and common nagkukunwaring executives! Sometimes though, when we do not often visit a place or not often ride a transport mode, we do not really know that these charging points can actually exist here and there! It's just a matter of knowing, finding, asking where they are. Take the case of airplanes. Did you know most of them have these?! Okay, still on my Cebu to Manila (premium economy class) PAL flight, there was this...

This can happen.., you can do it! When flight crews are not that attentive to details, or (probably) when they could not care any less, coupled with your skin's pachedermal thickness.., YES, this can be done! Look at this: the last two of three rows on Premium Economy of flight PR1852 from Cebu to Manila I took this photo immediately after the aircraft doors closed because, I wanted to show it to "my dear assistant" that I, seated 23A, was 1 of just 3 passengers on premium economy (the other two seated at 21J and 21K); and that although just a little bit more spacious than regular economy seats, there is really no emergency exit, therefore I do not want to be in this class which I think is a waste of money. That was what occupied my mind, because I always like the big space beside an emergency exit seat due to my " thank God for my long legged " sabi nga ni Melanie Marquez hehe; and that I am not really a fan of the premium economy food even if hot (heated),...

Nothing special on this topic. I was just on an FB Chat last night with some of you my dear readers, about PAL's Mabuhay Lounge in Cebu. I was there this morning, here are some photos, as promised! This is 'generally' the length of the lounge (domestic flights only, none at international wing)... The glass door at right is the (only) passenger entrance, and immediately facing it is the attendants' counter. The walls up front, to my right (not in picture) and where I was seated when I took that photo, are lined with lounge chairs and small tables. To the left are round dining tables and the buffet island. Which is a little bit clearer here... Notice that wooden panel at left? Behind that are cubicles: to the left edge of the photo is a massage cubicle. There is a massage bed but the masseur or masseuse is not free - they come from the blind masseurs' group that also have a massage service corner out in the more public pre-departure area. From the vantage of ano...

Hey, good news to all you Pinoy Travelers. There's an easier way to renew your passport! Do it at the DFA offices in the provinces. It doesn't matter where you are from or where you reside now. I renewed my passport at DFA Tacloban! It was quick and easy! It took me probably just 45mins! Here's my story... My passport had been more than a year expired and I could not find the time (and courage) to go for a renewal. I know all about those stories - the online scheduling (always no slots available), the choices of which mall you prefer etc., I have also frequently seen the long lines at DFA in Mandaue where I live. Since last year, I have been frequenting Tacloban due to some work assignment. I keep passing by that little building beside the Leyte Provincial Capitol which was previously a prison (yes kulungan) now occupied by field offices of some government agencies like DSWD, DTI and the passport office. Every time I pass this area, I would always remember my urgent ...

As mentioned in a previous story , I like to hang-out in this place when I want to de-stress, be calm or when I just feel like there is nothing much to do other than "tunganga"! Well, today I needed to make some excel files running a lot of formulae, emails and powerpoint presentations. But doing them at the office or doing them elsewhere did not make any difference. So I did them here while chillin' out! Noontime and on a Wednesday... of course the beach was devoid of any human beings... This was my view to the left. I promptly noticed that there is already a wooden fence between Patio Victoria and the Baluarte Beach Resort. Hmm, I thought for a moment what the fence was for... and of course, I didn't like it. Especially that Patio Victoria and Baluarte Beach Resort have the same owner. My lowly mind did an imaginary debate, telling the owner it is against the law, and it ruins the natural attraction of having a contiguous sandy beach. Especially if you, the owne...

I arrived at the beach early, and my first impression was: "OMG wow, so this is Paraw Regatta 2016! OMG because I have not seen this many boats (Paraws) about to compete in one place. In fact, I even think this is the only such competition in the country (Zamboanga Vintas are way smaller than these)! I could not even fit in one shot of my camera, the length of beach laden with paraws of different sizes! You see the paraws at both edges of the photo? They're not the ends of it. There were just too many! These were the boats (Paraws) to my left... And these were the boats (Paraws) to my right... Alright, I do not have many things to say about these Paraws as of the moment, but let me show you some of the sail "paintings" (also a contest). They somehow lend character or identity to each Paraw! Lucky for you my readers, below is like a photo album! Unlucky for me, they take too much space 😆 Those are not all of them. Just some of those I got to...