The Globe Steel Monument at SM Mall of Asia
NAIA Airport : Head to SM Mall of Asia
Excitement is an understatement when the plane landed safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 7:50 am. We arrived as scheduled, but we were advised to wait for our bus to fetch us, for a couple of minutes, at the waiting area, the portion with red mark in the airport (see photo below).
Pavement with Red Mark - Passenger waiting area
When the bus has arrived, my son has that guts to get inside ahead of me. Maybe because, perhaps I was with him. As a protective father, my eyes constantly stuck on him. That's Manila or Metro Manila, as a whole. We do not know the unpleasant incident may happen, that is why I am watchful and wary at all times.
He has faster pace than me. As much as I could do, I don't want to lose out of sight from him, I have to be fast also. At times, I reminded him to slow down and avoid showing off of over excitement to the public.
Father like son
It might lead us to an unpleasant incident. I reminded him that Metro Manila has a lot of "nice people", in order for him to keep slow.
At times we need to be straight with our words to our children, especially on this type of occasion just to keep them aware of possible circumstances.
His favorite bookstore
We rode a taxi outside, just a walking distance from the main entrance of the NAIA Airport, , with a fare rate of P120 pesos, and a driver who was that very kind to us.
DIY : 12 Travel Tips for Visayan or Mindanaoan Travellers (applicable also to other travellers, local or foreign alike):
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- Avoid contract engagement with taxi cab. As much as possible, negotiate using a taxi meter.
- Give some extra after getting off from the taxi as a sign of appreciation of good service, if there's any.
- Be friendly. Avoid projecting an angry face.
- Ask the taxi driver of his home town. He will surely talk to you with all the great details about his hometown if he is from the province. Great advantage, especially if he's from Visayas and Mindanao.
- Take a peek with the taxi meter and observe closely the frequency of every turn.
- Be observant and sensible.
- Do not travel alone.
- Do not bring heavy luggage if you are traveling alone. Ask somebody from your relatives or friends to fetch you up at the airport or at the port area.
- Ask the guard on duty if you are not familiar with the place.
- Always project a good vibes and smile. (But do not smile at all times, it may project a wrong image).
- If you are with your child, hold them firmly. Eyes should constantly stick to them.
- Importantly you must have presence of mind and be focus at all times. Orient your children as much as possible.
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- Fly with Cebu Pacific Air now and avail their promo fares, a review
- Aerial Shots : The bluish earth called our HOME
- DIY : 12 Travel Tips for Visayan or MindanaoanTravellers
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nice tips bosing!
ReplyDeletehi james!
Salamat James.:-).
ReplyDeleteGaling naman ng tips ni Kuya Bonz... Thanks...
ReplyDeleteSalamat Olan. :-).
ReplyDeletegreat tips for all travellers! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletegot a lot of useful tips not just for people from Visayas/Mindanao but to me as well. I learned something especially from that taxi part :)
ReplyDeleteBeing born and living in metro manila, it never occurred to me that people actually travel here a la tourist. I feel like there's not much to see, ugh, how shameful. I should go around.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The types you gave can also apply to mm-residents. :)
Those tips are applicable to Manila residents too :3
ReplyDeleteit's never a good idea to negotiate with the taxi drivers to be honest. Just stick to the meter~
And if they're insistent just move on. There are plenty of taxi hanging around in NAIA. And if you can, try to look for the green ones. They rarely try to negotiate~
Nice tips! Pero minsan kung sino pa yung taga Visayas or Mindanao na taxi driver yun pa ang nanloloko sa mga kababayan nila.. :(
ReplyDeleteIs Manila a dangerous place? If so, why is that?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I've been to Manila a lot of times but it still gives me the eerie feeling of danger when I am there. Maybe this has something to do w/ my past experience in this city..
ReplyDeletehave a nice day! :)
Thanks for sharing, nice and helpful tips for travelers:)
ReplyDeleteI've been living here in Manila since I was born and I can only advised you to be aware of the place and people around you, now a days you can't really trust anybody..
@Driving Peace, any highly urbanized city presents some level of danger mostly because there are lawless elements and unscrupulous people anywhere we go. This is why travellers should always take care not to fall prey to any of their schemes and watchful of their valuables.
ReplyDeleteThese tips are very helpful for every traveler. As for me, I want to travel around the world.
ReplyDeletegood tips for many travellers. you and your son are really look alike... pareho pa ng pose sa picture eh ;-)
ReplyDeleteSpanish Pinay
good tips for many travellers. you and your son are really look alike... pareho pa ng pose sa picture eh ;-)
ReplyDeleteSpanish Pinay
Really helpful tips. Buti mabait ung taxi driver na nakuha nyo po. Minsan kasi may swapang na driver like my recent incident, just like hours ago from now while I'm writing my comment. Kids are excited especially to new places that's why parents/guardians should really be on sight with them.
ReplyDelete@Liv : Thanks.
ReplyDelete@JayL Aquino : Yong sa taxi part, like asking them about there home province, especially if they are your kababayans, would of great advantage. Since you can exchange thoughts and talk with the same dialect.
@RAE : You should go around metro manila. Explore the place, and you will find or discover something. :-).
ReplyDelete@LAdy Spring : Nice tip too. Thanks for sharing that tip. It is also helpful.
Nice travel tip here. I so agree with you eying on your children. I have a 3 1/2 and 1 year old kid.
ReplyDelete@January.
ReplyDeleteTama yon. kaya doble ingat nga kami. Alam ko ang pasikot sikot sa Metro Manila. Kaya hindi rin nila ako maloloko..:-). Thanks for that. dagdag tips din.
@Driving Peace : Meron lang ibang lugar. At malaki ang chances dahil Urban Centers kasi.....Pero kung sa dahilan, hindi ko rin alam. Baka nga marami na talaga ang below sa poverty line. :-).
ReplyDelete@EDs : We have of the same vibes. I happened also to me when I was in Cubao. Na snatch ang beltbag ko. Siksikan kasi. Sa misis ko naman, sa Libertad, na snatch ang gold bracelet niya. inutang pa naman. Lalong lalo na sa may baclaran. Maybe I should replace manila to Metro Manila. :-). Thanks to this one EDs.
ReplyDelete@miekee_18 : Watchful talaga po tayo palagi, kahit hindi sa Metro Manila. Maski sa ibang urban centers. Thanks miekee...sa reminders. Helpful too.
ReplyDeleteTama, wag kontrata, may metro naman. World/Cord is a taxi company I trust.
ReplyDeleteAko, I don't like giving extra to those drivers who asks right away pero when the service is good ako mismo mag volunteer not to ask for change. My lolo always gives a tip. As much as 20 pesos sometimes. Hanggang 5 or 10 pesos lang kaya ko, unless maybe sa airport ako nagpahatid (malayo kasi) :)
nice tips, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNice tips! I used do some when I travel alone well even when riding a taxi i also do and in fact when I'm alone I message my relatives/friends the plate number of taxi I took. (: Happy BLOGGING!
ReplyDeleteA friendly tip when one is travelling. If you have time to check on google, about the place it would help. I was born and grew up in the province but found that Manila can be either a good or a bad place, depending on ones' experiences. People vary in so many things. Those professional users can sense if you are new in the city or not and that is when they take advantage of you.
ReplyDelete@Ladymoxie : Maybe most of the travelers feel like what I felt also especially when we are together with our loved ones. Thanks to this additional tips LadyMoxie.
ReplyDelete@Techie Liz. At least we know the very basic in travel before we try to explore the other world aside from the Philippines.
@Spanish Pinay. Thanks for that kind appreciation. Nagkatuwaan lang din kami na pareho ang pose naming dalawa. While waiting with our baggage.
@Clint. : Meron talagang mapagsamantala. Dahil daw sa kahirapan ng buhay ngayon. My question here clint, tama ba yong dahilan nila na dahil sa kahirapan daw? Lalo lang nila pinalubog ang buhay nila sa karma. Thanks clint for sharing also your experience.:-).
ReplyDelete@Jhari : When I was in Cebu before we went to Manila. I saw many street signs giving warnings to keep watch on our children because of the incident on kidnapping. Just for the organs trading syndicate.:-(. So careful talaga tayo and be watchful with our kids at all times.
@Vera : Thanks Vera on this tip. We also experienced that when we were in Luneta Park. The driver told us to give more on top of the meter. That kind of attitude is really annoying.:-).
ReplyDelete@Rosemarie-Pinay Singlemom : Thank you too.
@Rochelle O. : That our drill with our family circle, everytime we ride a bus or a taxi. Especially long travel.
Helpful tips. I'm happy you had some bonding time with your son.
ReplyDelete@Sarah : You mean professional swindlers, when you say "professional users"? This is my first time reading this phrase....:-). So people in disguise and befriending you for their hidden purpose or intention.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a must to be vigilant in travelling especially when we have our children with us. I am also an observant with regards to the taxi meter and some suspicious or extra movements the driver makes. I also send the taxi body number/plate number to my hubby in case something might happen.
ReplyDeletegood tips for many travellers. you and your son are really look alike... pareho pa ng pose sa picture eh ;-)
ReplyDeleteSpanish Pinay
I understand how us parents can be really protective (and I know sometimes it's suffocating too). I have a toddler and we always argue because she wants to run around the mall and I wanted to hold on to her.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips on using the taxi: Use the meter, be nice and talk to the driver, (if I may add)take note of the plate number and body name, give a tip if it was a pleasant drive.
@Seth. : If my wife is on travel or vise versa, we also do by sending the plate number. for them to know also my/our whereabouts while on the road.
ReplyDelete@Gene : I guess Gene, I will consider this one for my next tips. Thanks both of you, Seth and Gene. :-).
Great that you post tips like this. It's better that people this things to make them aware when travel and hiring a cab.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila!
ReplyDeleteNice tips. I like that you are straight with words. We live in the city, but I remind my daughter about the "nice people" all the time. Even, I, myself, don't feel safe whenever I'm outside. You're lucky the driver was nice, may iba, they take advantage pag alam nilang bagong dayo.
Great tips for those who travels in a certain for the first time :)
ReplyDeleteEven if I have been working in Metro Manila, I always have problems with taxi drivers...kainis! But I give a tip when I know the taxi meter is correct, and the driver is nice.
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips. Ang cute niyong dalawa. Bonding moment talaga. At uy ha, a father blog. This is a good find. Reading perspectives from a father.
ReplyDeleteThose were great tips not just for tourists but for locals as well. Other must-see places here in Manila include Manila Ocean Park, Rizal Park, NIDO Science Center, Enchanted Kingdom(in Laguna actually) and Club Manila East/Splash Island.
ReplyDeletenice tip. I guess its very hard to find a kind and honest driver this day.
ReplyDeleteSo true! Very helpful tips.. In such big and busy places as Manila we should be careful and mindful or ourselves and our things.. :) Buti talaga at nakakatyempo tayo ng mababait na taxi driver.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful tips :) you're right. One shouldnt show too much excitement as onlookers/snatchers might notice. as your said this is Manila.
ReplyDeleteI agree on like father like son. You got the same pose :)
Great bonding as well.
good tips here bonz! one more tip, contact the ptb guys for a free tour guide! :)
ReplyDelete@Marco Polo Demo. : This is my way of sharing my experiences. Hopefully that these are helpful to everyone who read this blog.
ReplyDelete@Verna : I am just uncomfortable travelling with my loved ones, especially metro manila.
@Gelo : Thanks
ReplyDelete@Ding | The Pinoy Explorer : Lagi kasing nauuna silang maningil ng pandagdag. Dun ako naiinis. :-).
@Miss Chievous : I'm glad to hear that from you, "A father Blog".
@Olga : Thanks for the additional tips of other must see places in Manila. :-).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I am always wary of taxi drivers but my husband is always being victimized by shady taxi drivers.
ReplyDeleteinteresting post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I'm from south of Manila and still practice most of your tips especially the "smiling" part. :)
ReplyDeleteA smile is brought about by another smile...
I appreciate your effort in coming up with these 12 tips for travelers. They're very practical and useful.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of having 12 tips for travelers indeed this is ok! And having a chat with the taxi operator this will really build rapport unto them, they will just keep talking and talking sometimes which made the ride ok and you will feel comfortable with them. But always check the meter because we can never tell. Also good thing that you included that if you don't know the place ask the security guard (even though sometimes i find it not useful) nice List!
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