EMONG'S JOURNALS

Making travel plans during the Holy Week? The Philippine Holy Week long weekend is one of the most anticipated holidays yearly. It’s the time of the year when most travel out of town to reflect, unwind, and reunite with their families and friends. Last year, NLEX saw a 10% to 15% increase in traffic volume, which is something to be expected this year. With the long weekend approaching, it’s important to be prepared for the road with the expected exodus of motorists filling in highways and expressways. Discover how you can have a safe, efficient, and hassle-free driving experience with these five travel hacks curated by MPT Mobility. Pre-plan your travel essentials. Before buckling up, it’s important to prepare what you’ll need on the road! Aside from your clothes and snacks, ensure you also bring a first aid or medicine kit. Long drives can get stressful and boring, so have a road trip playlist ahead as well to hype you up. And for tho...

Ce bu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier, is giving every Juan an early Christmas gift as it brings back its trademark Piso Sale in time for the BER months. From September 7 to 10, 2023, CEB travelers can book their flights to select domestic destinations including Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Laoag, and international destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Macau, Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei for as low as PHP 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of surcharges and other fees. The travel period will be from April 1 to August 31, 2024 , allowing passengers to book ahead and score value-for-money fares. Aside from the Piso Sale, the airline is also offering a special 27% discount on CEB Transfers for all its routes serving Boracay, making travel to one of the world’s best island resorts much easier and more affordable. CEB currently flies to Boracay 8x daily from Manila, 2x daily from Cebu, and 6x weekly fr...

When you plan your trip from Makati City to Taguig and vice versa, one of the problems you will have to face will be to figure out the best way to get around the two cities. Although there are many fast and modern options to rely on like getting a Grab ride, most commuters choose to ride a more viable alternative - buses. Presenting the Comet electric buses. These eco-friendly transport vehicles now have a new commuter route from San Lorenzo Place Mall to McKinley Hill and vice versa starting June 5, 2023. For your easy reference, San Lorenzo Place Mall is located at EDSA corner Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City, while McKinley Hill is at Florence Way Street in Taguig City. Here's how you can get a ride on the CityLink Comet electric buses GETPASS app Follow this step-by-step guide to avail this service: 1. Download the GETPASS app.  2. Create an account, then log in.  3. Join the organization: Citylink.  4. Generate...

Makati Mayor Abby Binay today said the city government has partnered with the Department of Tourism for the first-ever "Hop On, Hop Off" (HOHO) bus tours to promote the city's heritage sites, museums, and lifestyle centers. Mayor Abby said Makati was chosen as the pilot site for DOT's HOHO bus tour, a tourism recovery program that promotes Metro Manila through a modern bus system and a mobile app. It offers seamless and contactless travel options, allowing tourists to explore strategic hubs easily. "Makati City boasts a rich tapestry of history, art, and natural beauty that deserves to be celebrated. With the launch of the HOHO bus tour, we aim to bring this exceptional experience to the forefront, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in our city's unique heritage and experience the diverse offerings that Makati has to offer," she said. Mayor Abby said the HOHO bus tour in Makati, which operates Wednesday to Frid...

The world’s Best Low-Cost Airline is supporting the healthy return of international leisure travel this summer with AirAsia Fly Fest, the biggest travel festival that will offer the best-value deals on airfare and tours. Riding on the popularity and marketability of the double-digit campaign, more than 170,000 seats are up for grabs from as low as PHP33 for domestic and PHP833 for international per one-way base fare with the 3.3 Sale. AirAsia Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs Steve Dailisan said “This festival will surely delight bang-for-the-buck seekers and revenge travelers who want to make their travels memorable and affordable this summer. As an airline that pioneered low-cost travel in Asia, we remain responsive to the changing needs of our guests who deserve nothing more than convenience, great value deals, and world's best service. We hope to see you there."    Happening on 4 March 2023, at the BG...

From the rich cultural heritage of the Queen City of the South to the untiring charms of Baguio, these local destinations should be on your travel radar this year. This 2023, there’s definitely no slowing down Filipinos’ revived wanderlust. Whether it’s a well-deserved retreat to your favorite city, exploring a hidden gem you’re visiting for the first time, or rediscovering one of the Philippines’ many beautiful islands — travel is definitely a treat that everyone is looking forward to this year. As more countries reopen their borders and airlines add more flights to international hotspots, the latest data from Airbnb reveals that domestic destinations remain top of mind for Filipinos. If you’re wondering where to travel next, read on for the top trending destinations in the Philippines, paired with the most extraordinary Airbnb Stays hosted by locals ready to provide you with their best tips (and well-kept secrets!) to make the most of your destin...

• The restart of its South Korea flight is the latest effort in the airline’s strong bid to return to its pre-COVID international capacity.   • AirAsia Philippines triples sales of ancillary products in the first half of 2022. AirAsia Philippines resumes flights to Seoul (Incheon), South Korea starting 14 June 2022. Seoul is the latest addition to a line-up of other reactivated AirAsia Philippines international destinations including  Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Hong Kong, as the airline accelerates its route expansion campaign this year.   The world’s best low-cost airline now flies tri-weekly to the South Korean metropolitan city – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The AirAsia Philippines Manila-Seoul flight departs at 5:35 p.m. from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and is estimated to arrive at the Incheon International Airport at 10:40 p.m.  AirAsia’s return to Seoul follows the recent announce...

The Department of Public Works and Highways will undertake reblocking and repairs, on the following roads which started 11p.m. April 22 until Monday, April 25: 1. EDSA Guadalupe Makati City NB innermost lane (bus way) from Urdaneta Road (Besides Phoenix Gas Station) going to EDSA Guadalupe Cloverleaf (near Guadalupe MRT Station) 2. Along C-5 Road (SB) 2nd lane 3. EDSA-Caloocan SB before Biglang Awa St. (3rd lane from sidewalk) 4. Along EDSA (SB) Service Road Corner 11th Jamboree to Timog Avenue Intersection- TImog Avenue Corner Kamuning Road, (2nd block from sidewalk), Quezon City 5. Along C.P. Garcia Avenue before Katipunan Avenue (3rd lane from sidewalk) 6. C-5 Road along Pasig Blvd. Southbound infront of burger machine & along Doña Julia Vargas Westbound infront of Philippine National Bank 7. C-5 Road Northbound (3rd lane) 8. C.P. Garcia Ave. fronting Institute of Mathemathics (1st block from sidewalk) 9. EDSA Quezon City (NB...

There’s a new and safe way to enjoy the famous white sands and lush tropical scenery in Boracay as ‘revenge travelers’ go to the island in droves. GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, lets you enjoy a convenient and hassle-free stay at the tropical paradise while staying safe. Using the GCash app, you and your family can now enjoy a worry-free vacation experience, from your transport to booking your travel activities and even your resort. In partnership with GCash, E-trikes in Boracay can now be paid via the GCash QR, so no need to worry anymore about having the exact change when going around the island. Going in big groups? You can also use the KKB and Request Money feature on the app to easily divide the expenses with your family and barkada. With these features, you can go on a food trip around the island to savor local treats like Chori Burger and cool down with fresh fruit shakes by the white beach, get the famous Boracay hair-braid ...

Starting today, April 8, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in coordination with the Philippine National Police - National Capital Region Police Office and various local government units’, traffic bureaus, and other government agencies, will activate its Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2022 (Oplan M.A.S.S. 2022).  Under MMDA’s “Oplan M.A.S.S. 2022,” a total of 2,681 personnel will be deployed starting April 8 until April 18 on major thoroughfares, major transport hubs, and key areas in the metropolis to ensure the safe and smooth flow this Lenten season.  “Majority of the traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to provincial bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches, to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters expected to travel to nearby provinces to take advantage of the long Holy Week break,” said MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes.  Focus of the operations will also be on entr...

The world’s best low-cost airline also rolled out 20% sale on flights and 50% off on hotels to aid Filipinos going back to provinces for the holiday and Summer season.  AirAsia Philippines, in anticipation of the influx of guests flying for summer and the Holy Week, moves its domestic operations back to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4. This applies to guests with inbound and outbound domestic flights on and from MARCH 28, 2022.  The transfer to NAIA Terminal 4 is also in conjunction with the recent announcement of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade on February 28, officially reactivating the terminal’s operations after being closed for more than two years due to the pandemic.  AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan said, “Travel is set to rebound as seen with the increase of passengers traveling via air transport and the relaxation of travel protocols. As we expect...

Baguio City imposes new policies as to leisure travel restrictions, limits and requirements effective January 6, 2022 and will last till January 18, 2022.  Below is a list of  NEW LIMITS & REQUIREMENTS for LEISURE TRAVELS as per the city's EO 01, s. 2022  1.  Limited approval of up to 4000 individual registrations per day for yellow and purple QTPs *yellow QTPs= for tourists staying with friends or relatives, or not staying overnight. *purple QTPs= for tourists staying in accommodation establishments without standalone triage units  2. Additional approval for blue QTPs up to 70% guest capacity of accommodation establishments with own triage *blue QTPS for tourists staying in accommodation establishments with own standalone triage units  3. Vaccination cards or certificates for adults, showing full vaccination *(not required for minors) *full vaccination means 2 weeks after the last dose  4. Negat...

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has modified select Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) and Public Utility Bus (PUB) routes from Bulacan and Valenzuela to Metro Manila to serve passengers going to the North Luzon Express Terminal ( NLET) following the expected increase of passengers returning home to their provinces this New Year.  Here are the following modified routes based on the recently released Board Resolution No. 156 s. 2021:  PUJ 1) Monumento - Sta. Maria, Bulacan via NLEX (Allowed to get off and board at NLET and VGC)  Fare: to be based on existing fare guide for PUJs PUB 1) Monumento - NLET via VGC (Valenzuela Gateway Complex), NLEX (formerly Monumento - VGC via NLEX)  Fare: P33.25 (Students, Seniors, PWDs: P26.50) 2) North EDSA - NLET via VGC, NLEX, Mindanao Exit (formerly North Edsa - VGC)  Fare: 36.75 (Students, Seniors, PWDs: P29.50) 3) Angat, Bu...

Metro Pacific Tollways Corporarion (MPTC), today launched the ‘2022 Happy Holideals’ holiday promo for all Easytrip RFID account holders, with up to P4-million worth of raffle prizes to be given away.  Registered individual Easytrip RFID account holders plying MPTC’s toll roads — North Luzon Expressway (NLEX); Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), CAVITEX C5 Link, and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) — during this holiday season will have a chance to take home one of two brand-new Geely Okavango Urbans.  Twenty winners will also win Php 100,000 each.     “In spite of the challenges that the pandemic brought to us over the past year, we hope to give our motorists a delightful holiday experience by providing this ‘holideals’ with extravaganza-full prizes,” said MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco, adding that, “this is also our way of encouraging toll road users to use our Easytr...