Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
The Versatile Philippine Tricycle
Looking for a cheap ride that will drop one off at the exact address? A cab is too expensive and a jeepney will only go so far. A bus won’t fit in alleys. So what’s the remaining option? A tricycle ride.
The tricycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that rules inner roads and alleys. Well, on second thought, it rules even highways at times. It can go from one street corner to the next, or one town to the next, or one city to the next. There are times when it goes from province to province. Why not, when in fact it is actually a motorcycle?
When the tricycle was first used as a Philippine transportation vehicle, no one seems to know. A few claim they hadn’t seen the thing before the Japanese time. Many aver tricycles started appearing on the road scene after World War II. Others declare it almost co-existed with the converted GI army jeeps. Accordingly, excess body parts left after the conversions were used to assemble sidecars attached to motorcycles, and thus the “tricycle” that has been known since in Philippine transportation.
The tricycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that is so versatile. It is adaptable in rural and urban applications. It can serve passengers rain or shine. It can take one to several street corners, the next town, or even the next city or province for the right contract fare. Tricycles are known to rule even national highways.
For instance, they are seen amid MacArthur Highway leading a train of cars, buses, and trucks behind them, which often cannot overtake and have to keep pace with them. This Philippine transportation three-wheeled vehicle can traverse highways, city streets, inner roads, alleys, dirt paths, and even in places where there are no identifiable pathways. Tricycles strike anywhere.
Normally, a tricycle can accommodate 4 passengers (including the driver), if safety measures are considered. But often one will see this Philippine transportation vehicle carrying 10 to 20 passengers, mostly daring students or youths, squeezed in the sidecar and at the backseat behind the driver, some hanging from the rear and side of the sidecar and more atop its roof.
This Philippine transportation mini vehicle is often seen carrying loads of market goods, hardware, or furniture and appliances. Tricycles even act as ambulances carrying patients or the injured to hospitals.
Nothing beats the versatile Philippine tricycle, which can be the third wonder of Philippine transportation, following the crazy jeepney and the monstrous traffic.
The Philippine “Jeepney”
Nowhere else in the world can ingeniously innovated army jeeps be seen racing along inner roads and main highways except in the Philippines. The “jeepney,” a coined word in Philippine transportation jargon, means an army jeep in its civilian (not necessarily smaller) version. The jeepney, with its driver, is commonly referred today in Philippine transportation as the “King of the Road.”
It was first conceptualized after World War II when US army jeeps used in the war littered the war-torn streets of devastated Manila. After mapping and cleaning up operations the damaged army jeeps remained crowding up the city. The Americans were reluctant to take the huge junk back home so they left without the war relic with them. Philippine transport ingenuity came into the picture.
How could Filipinos re-use the metal scraps? The body was good and the motor was a bit salvageable. With a little imagination and tinkering skill, they came up with a demilitarized jeep they christened “Jeepney.” Furthermore, with a little art work and resourceful upholstery, the whole thing became transport-friendly and was soon test-run on the road.
The first jeepneys were short Philippine transport public vehicles with front and back seats. The back seats were lateral, making two rows of passengers facing each other. Only three persons per row could sit. The front seat accommodated three passengers, driver included. Later, these Philippine transport vehicles were embellished with waving bright colored ribbons, miniature metal models of horses or planes, toy wind mills, ribboned steering wheel and shift stick, and small mirrors and more hangings everywhere.
Much later the Philippine transport artists came in. They rendered the thing in full color, with liberal amounts of multi-colored stripes and arcs and curves, making it look like a Muslim vinta on the road. The jeepney’s ceiling was painted with rustic scenes of native huts and rice fields, coconut palms dancing in the wind. Right above the driver’s seat were painted names in wavy styles, often names of the driver’s wife and kids, or mistresses.
Today, the jeepney is a modernized 21-seater Philippine transport vehicle equipped with stereo components and loud speakers, push buttons, roving and fog lights, electric fans, tweeters, buzzers, and other fancy accessories for a hit-tech look. The driver even has a “co-pilot” beside him. Some jeepneys in Makati are even fully air conditioned.
Philippine transport has a superstar in the jeepney—this road king of a public vehicle ingeniously derived from a vintage US war jeep.
Philippine Transportation: The Bike Advantage
With cities getting more congested and the thoroughfares more clogged—and the prices of fuel soaring, to top it all—the bike is a good transportation alternative.
In fact many have already opted for a bicycle for their transportation mode going to and from the office, daily. Some have alternating days for bike-riding to the work place. Many have been using bikes for cross city or even cross province treks. Biking is affordable, easy, cheaper to maintain, and good for the health. Here are some tips to further enhance the use of bikes as a transportation mode option.
Always wear a quality helmet and goggles when biking. Bike helmets are not that strong against strong impacts, but they’re better than nothing. They’re not designed for head banging competition, anyway, but for added bike transportation safety. It is expected of bikers to avoid any collision. Goggles are important to prevent dust and other small particles from hurting the eyes while biking. They also prevent perspiration from getting to the eyes. These are important transportation safety factors when biking.
Wear light and slightly fit clothes while riding a bike. Loose clothing can easily get tangled with rear view mirrors or any projecting parts from other vehicles. On the other hand, don’t wear clothes that are too tight. Free-flowing blood circulation while biking is important. Remember, this transportation mode is dependent on pedal power, and that means constant leg pumping that perks up air and blood circulation in the body. Let these processes flow freely in the body.
Always wear biking gas masks. Check the pollution level in the city one is in and make some pollution precaution accordingly. Never assume that a place has tolerable pollution levels. With the trend these days, any city in the country, and in the world, is likely to have high pollution levels. Active lungs while pumping the bike pedals would easily take in carbon dioxide. So a health safety precaution for this open transportation mode is the gas mask solution.
Leave early for work or any destination. Arriving early gives enough time for rest and shower after biking. Bring a small back pack to keep extra shirts and the office uniform, if any. A portable clothes iron may also be handy. Usually, bikes take 25 to 30 minutes to travel a 20-kilometer distance. So adjust traveling time for more rests after a sprint with this transportation option.
A practical transportation option today is a bike. It meets the demands of everyday city life.
Philippine Transportation: Roaming with a Scooter
Heavy traffic used to be as seldom as ice hailstorms in the country. But today, light traffic is almost like a miracle in Philippine transportation. Heavy traffic has become a rule rather than an exception. But enter the scooter. Both motorists and commuters have discovered a new way of surmounting heavy traffic problems through the scooter, the latest fad in transportation.
Scooters have become a popular transportation option, not only on inner roads, but even on main avenues and highways. When going to the office, the mall, or making an inter-city trek, or just plain roaming around the vicinity or visiting the park, the scooter, as a new transportation alternative, has become a favorite among a growing number of people, in cities or in provinces.
The scooter is definitely cheaper transportation than a car or a van. It takes up less diesel or gasoline. It has lesser parts to maintain, repair, or replace in case of a breakdown. It is easier to troubleshoot. And in a worst scenario—in case of a breakdown in a major thoroughfare, this transportation vehicle is easy to push, or even carry, to a safer lane for repair. No need to worry about being towed.
Parking is never a problem. This transportation option needs a mere niche for a parking space. In fact, 12 scooters can be jam-packed in a car parking slot. This mini transportation is even more a wonder at home. Especially in today’s growing concern on availability of garages at home, owning a scooter is never a problem. Scooters can be parked right inside the living room or bedroom.
This road wonder of transportation is never daunted by any heavy traffic. No matter what traffic may be threatening out there, scooters can easily squeeze in and out of road jams and bottle necks. Some scooter motorists even use the sidewalks to bypass long queues of cars. Scooters may not be as fast as other posh cars on the road, but they are able to circumvent any Manila rush-hour heavy traffic. In that sense, they’re “faster” even than the fastest sports car in the world.
Finally, even on rainy days, this transportation vehicle is still on the go. By just cladding oneself in an armor of a raincoat overall and boots, the scooter driver can be back on the road as in sunny days.
This versatile Philippine transportation trend today, riding a scooter, seems to be the perfect transportation choice very compatible to the country’s declining traffic situation.
Negros Navigation: Philippines Shipping Pioneer
Nenaco is also known as Negros Navigation Co., Inc., a shipping company in the Philippines. Negros Navigation is among the oldest shipping companies serving domestically in the Philippines.
Negros Navigation started its business on July 26, 1932. They have been pioneering in a lot of shipping industry programs that the quality of shipping services in the Philippines might elevate to world class standards.
In the 1960’s, Negros Navigation was the first to have fast, luxurious, air conditioned, brand new passenger ships operating in the Philippines. In the 1970s, Negros Navigation was first shipping company in the Philippines to have a modern passenger terminal located in Manila’s North Harbor. They also started offering cruises to various tourist spots in the Philippines.
In the 1980’s, Negros Navigation launched what is called the containerization program in cooperation with the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) project of the Philippine Government. In the 1990s, Negros Navigation was included in the list of companies of the Philippine stock exchange.
Today, Negros Navigation is already known as the safest, most enjoyable, and most economical means of transportation in the Philippine seas. Negros Navigation is said to be the home of the Dancing Porters. Their porters don’t just transport the your baggage they also dance in choreographed numbers during the departure and arrival to entertain passengers.
On board the Negros Navigation vessels, various kinds of entertainment are available to all passengers. You can try their parlor games, videoke contests, bingo, variety shows, and comedy shows. Negros Navigation uses an online ticketing system to expand their clientele.
The following ports in the Philippines are currently being served by Negros Navigation: Bacolod, Dumaguit, Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Estancia, Ozamiz, Coron, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Dipolog, Iligan, Roxas, Dumaguete, Iloilo, and Tagbilaran. The company’s vessels are St. Peter the Apostle, St. Joseph the Worker, San Paolo, St. Ezekiel Moreno, Princess of Negros, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Mary Queen of Peace.
Negros Navigation’s passenger accommodations and services vary in every vessel. The accommodation classifications are Suite Room, Admiral Cabin, Business, Tourist, Tatami, and Budget room. All accommodations are air conditioned except for the Budget room.
Convenience, amusement, and comfort are the key attractions of Negros Navigation’s vessels. Enjoy the cuisine and the ship’s friendly ambiance. The crew is committed to give passengers a great experience aboard the ship. Well-trained and competent ship officers and crew assure the safety of Negros Navigation’s passengers.
Through the years, Negros Navigation renders excellent passage and freight services in the Philippines’ domestic shipping industry. They continue to bring innovative service to clients throughout the Philippines.
A Metro Leisurely Ride
Almost everything in Metro Manila is in a hurried pace. Even pedicabs (a manual tricycle with a sidecar) race each other to take in commuters. But it’s a different experience with the local Philippine calesa.
Inspired by the horse-drawn carriages of the Spanish elite in early times, Spanish-time Philippine transportation conceptualized the Philippine calesa. But it was a far cry from its Spanish counterpart which was elegant and more suited to the taste of Spanish elitism. The “carwaje” had stylish European features drawn by a handsome and decorated horse manned by a uniformed cavalier (just like the ones in Vigan and Fort Santiago in Manila), while this Filipino re-make was more suited for mass appeal, sometimes drawn by a small and sluggish potbellied horse driven by common folks.
Today, like the transformed Philippine jeepney and motored tricycle, this public Philippine transportation vehicle is overly dressed up and painted. From being a common side street makeshift vehicle that left a trace of horse filth along the way, the Philippine calesa is now one of the major tourist attractions in many places in the country. It is a major Philippine transportation sight in Zamboanga in the South of the Philippines, Vigan in Northern Luzon, and in Intramuros, Manila.
In the walled city of Intramuros, it is a thrilling experience to roam around the historic vicinity in a Philippine calesa. Once a visitor takes his seat in this Philippine transportation carriage, everything seems to stop. The fast city pace becomes arrested in a sudden nostalgic slow-paced tour of the walled city, taking one back to past times. For a tour fee of P250 or more (for a big group) a calesa trip will give the visitor a detailed inventory of the various historic sites in Intramuros. And coming from the calesa driver in the local dialect or in English, the P250 is a real bargain. These calesa drivers are no longer the Spanish-time common folks who plied the city route for a mere livelihood; these are well-trained tourist guides who can recite accurate details on the various sites plus a bonus of warm and enchanting public relations works. Drivers (and horses) of Philippine calesa in Intramuros can be so patient as to drop off and wait for tourists in certain Wall sites for picture taking and reflection. This Philippine transportation certainly adds tourism value to Intramuros.
The Philippine calesa is a vital legacy in Philippine transportation that benefits the tourism industry for all time. To miss riding them is to miss a part of the past.
Jeepneys: Only in the Philippines
Jeepneys are one of the Philippines’ most loved genuine attractions. All over the world, they only can be found and run on Philippine soil. But do not underestimate its capabilities, because it can bring you wherever you want to go, that is by land of course, and foreigners are enchanted by its prowess and uniqueness.
Jeepneys go hand in hand with Filipino ingenuity and craftiness. Philippines’ glorious history has a role in its origin. From the remains of the World War II American vehicles, Filipinos created a smart and illustrious way to enjoy them; that was how jeepneys came to being.
Started as a six-seater vehicle, through the years, the design and the capacity has improved to many variants and builds, but nonetheless, still very Filipino in nature. Even a single jeepney has a unique quality over others, thanks to its owner who contributed his own personality to make it one of a kind.
Philippine transportation, that is as we can say, transportation by land has been conquered and ruled by jeepneys. They are the “Kings of the Road”, as most people say. With a much improved engine and power nowadays, they can outrun some branded car models. And they still remain the main mode of transportation all over the country.
You can not find a place or town in this country, where you can not see a jeepney.
The Philippines is a nation divided by seas, since it is an archipelago, but is majestically united by its fondness of jeepneys.
Almost every Filipino has dreamed, or at least has once dreamed of having or owning a jeepney. It is a status symbol, especially in the countryside. A family who owns one has a reputation of being well-off and financially stable, though it is not very prevalent in urban areas. Elders would say that you can raise and support a family if you own one.
Jeepney drivers are well known in the society as well. There is even a tag line for them, they used to say that “every jeepney driver is a sweet lover”, and this naturally give smiles to every ones’ faces; especially their wives!
Filipinos’ loving and caring nature can be seen and felt in how they manage and maintain their jeepneys through all these years. In Metro Manila alone, you can still find a jeepney which was assembled thirty years ago, and still in running condition, giving income to its owner. And this is all about maintenance and hard work of its owner because engine or other troubles would mean less income. That is why they love their jeepneys so much.
Some Scooter Disadvantages
Scooters are fast becoming a popular Philippine transportation today. However, there are some disadvantages in using scooters. A careful consideration of these disadvantages would help make scooters still a much preferred Philippine transportation.
Scooters are too light to take on major roads, let alone on highways. They can easily be side-swept by fast cars especially in Philippine major thoroughfares. Trucks are much heavier side-weepers that pose a greater danger to scooters. This light transportation is often taken in fast lanes where it virtually becomes impossible for scooters to assume effective defensive driving. Scooter-riding on major roads and highways poses a great danger to both its passengers and other motorists. The wise thing is to keep scooters on secondary roads and minor street systems.
Scooters are easy transportation targets for car-nappers and car-jackers. There have been many instances in Philippine transportation of scooters snatched or grabbed from owners. The same is true with parked scooters. Transportation thieves can easily get away with such light transportations. Some car-nappers load them in small vans and easily get away without being noticed. So the safe thing to do is to use scooters only in safe and secure vicinities, and keep them parked inside the house or in buildings.
Scooters expose its passengers to the elements. This transportation mode offers no protection to its riders against rain, searing heat from humidity and nearby vehicular engine heat, harmful sunlight, dust, pollution, and flying debris. Helmets and jackets or raincoats are not enough transportation protection, especially in extreme cases. Water splashes from accumulated water on streets are also potential dangers to this open transportation vehicle.
So it’s best to schedule travel on a scooter on sunny days, early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Aside from wearing a gas mask, helmet and jacket, bring an emergency raincoat and a pair of boots as a regular transportation preparation. And make sure to plan a transportation route that affords plenty of sheds and covers, like a tree studded lane and tall buildings along the road.
Finally, scooters cannot accommodate a family. They are inappropriate as a family transportation, or even for simple family roaming in the park. Most importantly, scooters cannot be used for emergencies. It can hardly be used to rush a pregnant mother to the hospital, or a seriously ill or injured patient.
Scooters are a good Philippine transportation option to meet the growing challenges of traffic in the country. But there are disadvantages that need to be remedied to keep scooters a wise option.
C-5, A Fast Route to Novaliches
What’s a fast route or an easy metro travel option to North Quezon City, or Novaliches and Fairview?
Going to Novaliches can be a very arduous task coming from south of Metro Manila via the Kamachile intersection where the highway splits into North Luzon Express(NLEX) and Quirino Avenue. Traffic can sometimes be a bottleneck experience even at Balintawak, EDSA. The same can be true coming from Manila via A. Bonifacio Avenue. So what can be the wisest metro travel advice or a really fast route to north of Quezon City?
A really fast route is taking Circumferential 5 or fondly called C-5 by metro motorists. At times new drivers ask where C-5 begins. Well, one can hardly tell. It’s a big circle traversing Metro Manila, and circles are known to have no beginning, no end. A good place to start coming from south of Metro Manila is to take the Villamor Exit going to FTI-Tenement.
This metro travel will end up at the C-5 Paranaque entry point. From there, it will be a long but fairly smooth sailing, passing portions of Taguig, Pasig, and the famous Eastwood district. These places afford interesting scenic sites like the Heritage Memorial, a hilly army training camp, a view of The Fort, Market Market Mall, Tiensesitas, and the classy fast food and business district of Eastwood.
After Eastwood is the long Aurora Flyover that offers a sweeping view of Marikina, Cainta, and the hills of Antipolo, landing on Katipunan Avenue, passing Ateneo de Manila and Merriam College. This fast route takes us into the UP Diliman Campus and out Philcoa area and into Quezon Memorial Circle. Then the metro travel turns right on Visayas Avenue, left on Congressional Avenue and right on Mindanao Avenue. Finally the fast route turns right on Quirino Avenue past Splash Manufacturing Company.
On Quirino the last stretch of this metro travel leads easily to Novaliches or Fairview. Together this fast route from Paranaque to Novaliches takes only one and half to two hours, compared to the traditional EDSA through NLEX route that can last from three to three and half hours.
South to north metro travel using the traditional EDSA through NLEX route can often be grueling, to say the least. But an alternative fast route can be a wise option especially in rush hour traffic. The ride not only becomes a lot faster but the sights and sounds more pleasurable and relaxing, reducing the stress of a typical metro travel.
Here’s For a More Enjoyable Philippine Travel
Traveling around cities in the Philippines can often have lots of hassles, in private or public vehicles. But travels can be made daily pleasant experiences if the following tips below are observed.
Never go out the house without informing somebody of one’s travel destination. Even with mobile phones around, it’s still advisable to let people at home know one’s travel plans and options, special or everyday travels. With mobile phones in hand, it’s good to inform a guy or two about travel status, at least every two hours.
Keep informed beforehand of the latest road lane travel policies of a locality. One-way or two-way lane policies can sometimes change over night. Traffic updates on TV or in the radio give helpful travel tips on this at times. Or better, watch out for road signs or posts.
In Metro Manila, always be aware of car plate number policies. They are called number or color coding regulated by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Each day of the week is regulated by a specific MMDA number or color coding. If a car’s plate number falls under a specified coding for the day, it’s banned from travel in highways and streets. The travel ban is on for specific travel hours of the day.
In special group trips, make sure rented public vehicles are not overloaded and necessary travel permits are secured. In any case, no children are permitted to ride in front of any vehicle. Make sure seat belts are always strapped to the driver and passengers, and drivers are not allowed to call or text messages via cell phones. This is not just a safety travel precaution but also to avoid travel hassles. Authorities on field work are hot over erring vehicles on the road. To avoid delays and travel hassles, pay attention to these rules.
For travels on foot, never ever forget to use pedestrian overpasses and lanes. Some cities are very particular about jay walking. Some people ignore it simply due to laziness. Jaywalking can prove to be a terrible travel hassle. That’s not just about the fine. Think of the humiliation and waste of travel time waiting at a police or MMDA precinct.
Make every travel activity pleasant by learning to go by the rules. Everyone has the right to travel, but everyone is also obligated to observe travel rules. In cars or out on the streets, travel will be a joy if we know how to travel in style and in propriety.
