Manila City Tour Itinerary

Itinerary and expenses recorded on September 1, 2009.

Manila City Tour (historical tour)
Manila City
Specs: Intramuros, city parks, colonial churches, National Museum, malls, Pasig River sights.



Notes:
. I used Makati and Malate areas as reference points for the start of this itinerary since many hotels are located in those areas. After breakfast, take a taxi to Intramuros.
. Taxis charge an initial P30 flag-down rate and an additional P2.50 after every 300 meters. This rate is not to be confused with the more expensive airport taxis (yellow taxis) which initially charge P70.
. Intramuros was the walled city of Manila during the Spanish colonial era. It is now a popular historical tourist destination, event venue (weddings, debutante balls) and photographers’ favorite hangout. A great deal of Spanish architecture is preserved in Intramuros.
. Entrance fee to Fort Santiago is P75 per person.
. San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines built during the Spanish colonial period. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
. The Clamshell pavilion features products from different regions of the country. Check to know which region is featured on your date of visit. It is open from 10:00AM-10:00PM on Tues-Thur; 10AM-12:00MN Fri-Sun, and 3:00PM-10:00PM on Mondays. Admission is free.
. Other notable places to see in Intramuros are: Manila Cathedral, Light and sound museum, Casa Manila Museum, Schools, and the Golf Course. A map of Intramuros is available online at www.intramurosadministration.com.
. The Calesa ride costs about P250 per person. On your way to Rizal Park, your Calesa will pass by the Quirino grandstand – a wide outdoor amphitheater where many national events are held.
. Rizal Park, named after the Jose Rizal (Philippines’s national hero who was executed here), is also known by its former name: Luneta Park.
. Kilometer 0 (zero) is found in Rizal Park. All other kilometer markers you’d find on the road are referenced from this point.
. There are many sections and mini-attractions in Rizal Park which I’m sure you will come across on your way to the National Museum. Entrance fee to Lights and Sound of Rizal is P50.
. Entrance fee to the National Museum is P100. The museum is open Wed-Sun 10:00AM-4:00PM.
. Arroceros Park entrance is located near the LRT Central Station and Quezon Bridge (Quiapo bridge). Getting there takes just a short taxi ride about P50, passing by Manila City Hall and SM Manila.
. Getting to Paco Park also takes a short taxi ride, about P60. I recommend taking taxis instead of jeepneys on these short distances because it saves time.
. Paco Park is an old cemetery built in the late 1700s. It features a circular fort and a church in the middle. It is open Mon-Sun (except Wed) from 8:00AM-5:00PM and every Friday by sunset. Entrance fee is P5.
. Jeep fare is currently P7 per person. You will pass by the Andres Bonifacio shrine and Metropolitan theater on your way to Escolta.
. Boat fare from Escolta to Guadalupe is P45 per person. The airconditioned Boat/Ferry will cruise by Manila Post Office, Malacanang Palace, Nagtahan bridge, Oil depots, and Makati City Hall (in that order) among others.
. Picture taking is not allowed in the vicinity of Malacanang Palace.
. The cities of Makati and Mandaluyong are separated by the Guadalupe Bridge.
. The Rockwell Powerplant Mall used to be an old thermal power plant operated by MERALCO (electric company).

Options:
. This itinerary is not made for people driving a private car. Parking and traffic will be a problem and you can’t bring it with you when you take the Pasig Ferry ride.
. Walking tours are becoming popular in Manila. They are usually operated by a one-man company. Search the web for more info. You won’t need this itinerary if you sign up for that, though.
. Jeepney rides in this itinerary can be substituted by taxi rides.
. Make sure you bring enough cash in low denominations because not all taxi drivers in Manila are friendly enough to give out exact change. More often than not, they make an excuse of not having enough change, and therefore they get to keep it.
. Entrance fees posted on this guide are standard adult rates. Students get discounts if they show their IDs.
. You can choose to take lunch at SM before going to Arroceros park or just skip going to the park altogether. I suggest having late lunch because of the volume of students taking lunch in the mall.
. If you arrive late at the Escolta ferry station, do not worry, just wait for the next boat trip. This gives you time to explore Binondo (Chinatown) area.
. Pasig ferry afternoon boats leave Escolta at 12:00NN, 1:49PM, 3:00PM during weekdays (Mon-Fri) and 1:33PM, 2:33PM, 4:00PM during weekends. For more detailed schedules, you may contact their office.
. There many things to do in Powerplant Mall. There are movie theaters, bowling lanes, shops and restaurants. You can choose to spend dinner here and head back to your hotel later at night to avoid heavy weekday traffic around 5:30PM-8:30PM. The mall is open until 10:00PM.

Budget: around P1070 per pax
Budget estimate for 4 people:
210 Taxi fares
1000 Calesa
60 Jeepney fares
800 entrance fees
180 Pasig ferry
1600 food share (lunch, merienda)
400 misc (other fees, tips, etc.)

*Calesa is a horse-drawn carriage.
*Jeepneys or jeeps are colorful public utility vehicles – truly Filipino.
*LRT is short for Light Rail Transit, a commuter train.
*Merienda is the Tagalog term for a late-afternoon snack.

Intramuros official website:
http://www.intramurosadministration.com
Intramuros Visitors Center phone number: 02-5272961
Pasig Ferry information phone number: 02-3854234


Pasig Ferry

View of Pioneer skyline (in Mandaluyong) from Pasig Ferry. Guadalupe bridge on the right side.

NIN - Nine Inch Nails: Wave Goodbye 2009

NINE INCH NAILS: Wave Goodbye Tour 2009
Live in Manila
August 5, 2009 - Wednesday - 7:00PM
Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

"Trent Reznor officially confirmed that Nine Inch Nails are set to tour the globe this year for one last time before going on hiatus indefinitely, as 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of their first release." - Splintr.com

With a special performance by Pupil.

Ticket prices:
Patron VIP (Reserved Seating) 4725
Patron (Reserved Seating) 3938
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) 2625
Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) 2100
Upper Box B 1050
Gen. Admission 525

For ticket reservations and seating charts, click here (Ticketnet). Ticketnet hotline: +632 911-5555.

Image print-screened from splintr.com.

Fete De La Musique Manila 2009

Fete de la Musique 09: Music Is Language
June 20, 2009
Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Avenue Ortigas, Pasig City

Free Admission on all stages (genres)

BAND LINE-UP SCHEDULE

ROCK/METAL – METROWALK PARKING LOT (OUTDOOR STAGE)
Music Starts @ 1:00PM

GINRUM &TRUTH
KATOLIKO
BADBURN
WITCHTREESYMBOL
FINAL VOW
ANGULO 2:00PM
COG 6:00PM - 6:25PM
BLOODSHEDD 6:30PM - 6:55PM
FASPITCH
THE AMBASSADORS
THE YOUTH
INTOLERANT
IMBUE NO KUDOS 8:00PM
SIN 8:25PM
STARSCREAM
TYPECAST
VALLEY OF CHROME 11:00PM -11:25PM
APRIL MORNING SKIES 11:30PM - 11:55PM
PILEDRIVER
BLUE BOY BITES BACK
CAMPBELL
OREMUZ
ETERNAL NOW
MARYZARK
IXION
HILERA

POP/ ALTERNATIVE – METROWALK CENTER PLAZA (MAIN STAGE)
Music Starts @ 1:00PM

STONEFREE
MAYONNAISE
DANITA
ALAMID
THE BERNADETTES 3:00PM
MIKE’S APARTMENT
DECEMBER AVENUE
GASULINA
CHILITEES
SHIFT
ARMAS
CIRCA
URIE’S ATTACK
THE CAMERA WALLS 9:45PM
THE OUT OF BODY SPECIAL
MANILA BUS
THE CHARMS
SALAMIN
ENEMIES OF SATURN
EPHESUS
PURPLE CHICKENS
CALLALILY
ALIBATA
CHUBIBO
CORPORATE LO-FI
DICE & K9 MOBBSTARS
BURNING BUSH

JAZZ – ARUBA
Music Starts @ 5:00PM

YOSHA
SINOSIKAT
EARTH TRIO
BRASS MONKEYS
ELEA AND JAZZ JAZZIN’ PROJECT
JUAN PABLO DREAM

WORLD / FOLK – MARINA
Music Starts @ 7:00PM

SYALAM
BRIGADA
PERYODIKO
KADANGYAN
BANDANG MALAYA 9:00PM
REPUBLIKA DE LATA
THE CHONGKEYS
524

ELECTRONICA / GOTHIC / NEW WAVE – METRO PHI BAR
Music Starts @ 7:00PM

SWITCH
THE EDRALINS
TURBO GOTH 9:05PM
TAKEN BY CARS
SKIES OF EMBER
TETHER
FUNERAL FROST
SCARLET TEARS
THE LOWTECHS
PEDICAB
US 2, EVIL-0
FUN CITY BOYS

REGGAE / SKA – LOVE TO LAUGH
Music Starts @ 6:00PM

TROPICAL DEPRESSION*
REGGAE MISTRESS*
JUAN PABLO DREAM
SKABECHE 10PM
SAGOR
COFFEE BREAK ISLAND*
BAMBU SPLIFF
PINK COW
JEEPNEY JOYRIDE
NEIGHBORS
TANGO BITOY
PEACE PIPE
COLLIE HERB

BLUES – ELBOW ROOM
MUSIC STARTS @ 7:00PM

SNAKE CHARMER
BLUE JEAN JUNKIES
JONIVER
BEMBOL ROCKERS
NICOLE AND CARLO 9:00PM
PLAYPHONICS
HOUSE OF RAVENS
DR. CROWLEY
LADY HIGH
POWER TONE

HIP-HOP/RNB - MUGEN
MUSIC STARTS @ 6:00PM

PAMILYA DI MAGIBA
MIKE SWIFT/J.HON
CB AUTOMATIC
KRAZYKYLE
SINAG
PEOPLE’S FUTURE
ILL- J

***Please feel free to comment on the line-up, especially about the time they are playing so we can make a good reference. Thanks!