Philippine Travel Notes

This ride of only about 5 kilometers, took exactly 26 minutes. Yeah, that long! Ah yes, the world-famous Metro Manila traffic hahaha! Yet, I secretly wished for this ride to crawl a little bit slower! I wanted to see more. This was nostalgia time for me! Resorts World Manila and NAIA Terminal 3 Were Part of Villr Airbase How and why is that? Well, in my younger years, I often passed via this vicinity. This area we were departing-from was part of Villamor Airbase (earlier Nichols Airbase), until a big portion was expropriated in 1995 to become NAIA T3 and Resorts World . I do still remember many things here. For example, diagonally across HIE is PAFAM or the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum . It is technically just across the road. But I don't even know now, if one can go there by just crossing the road, as there are now three flyovers leading to, or from, various expressways and urbanities like BGC! Well, if you can cross from HIE (Holiday Inn Express) or ...

As if this is anything worth shouting to the whole world about, ano? Bear with me the probinsyano. I knew this was being built, but it's not everyday (anymore) that I hear, much less see and pass by, the traffic wonders of the metropolis! There are none of these twists at where I usually am, these days! So okay alright, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 and hailed Grab Car. As the ride went on, driver asked me where I wanted to pass: "sa old domestic road o NAIA-X". I exclaimed "aba, bukas na yun? sige let us pass there"! I learned, drivers need to ask this question, as there's an extra toll that you'll have to pay! It climbs a rampway after the gas station (before the corner that turns right to the domestic road) at a place I remember to be 'six eleven' (Pildera). I recall this was a flood-prone area, so goodbye baha na! Then it goes to the height of the highest level of 'Park-N-Fly' building, then there's a fork in the road (up ther...

A wonderful trip! This was not a DIY nor a packaged tour. We went to see Puerto Princesa (its attractions in and around the city) with only flights and hotel bookings firmed! We did not do any prior tour arrangements, but all just fell into place smoothly! Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. This was what I can probably call as a tour that was filled with a series of accidental luxuries! Here’s the story… To celebrate something, a friend invited me for a go-around of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Ahuh, without even checking my calendar, I said "yes, let’s go" - even if that invitation was just 5 days before intended departure. Why? Because the last time I was there was probably in the late 80s or early 90s! I did not know he meant I was being invited with free tickets and accommodations! And I did not also know there were six of us – all friends – traveling together on this tour. Wow! This friend, the host, the inviter, isn't well versed on t...