Travel Via Bus From Manila to Tacloban + Pasay Tacloban Bus Terminal

This is my story on how I traveled via bus from Pasay to Tacloban last Dec 23, 2014.  My flight was cancelled that day so I had to take my chances with the bus.

Below are the steps on how I did it.  This was my first time to ride a bus to Tacloban and we had to ask our way.

1.  The bus station is located a few blocks away from MRT Taft Station.  It is at the right side of the road going north.

2.  Inside the bus station, there are several bus lines. All buses were fully booked, but I was able to ride on a bus that caters "jump seat".  These are small mono block seats that they place on the isle of the bus.  There are buses that does not allow this type of seat.  But some of these bus lines allow this.  The cost of my trip was P 1,500.00.

This bus does not look conditioned, but I took it anyway.  I heard from the passengers that this bus was "colorum".

3.  We waited inside the bus to start between 12 noon to 2 pm.  Finally it started.

4.  After an hour, one of the wheels needed to be changed.  I checked the area, we were still somewhere in Muntinlupa. We waited for about an hour for them to change the wheels of the bus.  I was already thinking of backing out with this situation.

4.  At about 4 pm, we continued our way.

5.  At 7:30 pm, we arrived at Lucena.  We ate our diner in a canteen nearby.  After more than 30 minutes, we were again on our way.  

6.  A few hours after, the air conditioner jammed.  So the bus had to stop and they tried to fix it.  The passengers pleaded the driver to move along, and not to worry about it.

7.  At 9 am Dec 24, we arrived at Camarines Sur.  We had a late breakfast.  They were also able to fix the aircon.

8.  At 11:30 am, we arrived at Matnog.  This was where we had to cross the sea via ro-ro.  There was a really long queue of buses, trucks, and private cars.  Everyone wanted to go home.

In Matnog, I was not oriented on how to go about before going inside the boat.  I was glad that some of the passengers know how it is done. So here are the following notes that you should know:

a.  You need to go outside the bus and buy a terminal fee worth P30.00 in their office.  Leave your things           inside the bus and just bring what is important, like food, toothbrush, soap, and your bus ticket.

      You can also buy food outside.  There are many canteens and stores in the area.

b.  You have to enter inside the terminal since this is where you will be waiting for your bus to be called.

      But if you are already inside, you could no longer go out until the name of your bus is announced.

      So, before you go inside be sure to check that you brought along everything that you need and leave the           things that you don't need inside the bus.   

     The guard had to explain to the passengers that it is prohibited to go outside.  But the people inside                did not know that that was the rule. And by the time they knew it, it was already too late for them.

c.   When your bus is announced, show your terminal ticket to the guard as you go outside.

d.   On the way to the boat, exchange your bus ticket with boat ticket.  An assigned person outside the boat        will do this.

e.   Fall in line as you go inside the boat.  When you go up the boat, you need to write your name on a sheet of paper provided.

9.  We waited in Matnog for hours! We were able to board the boat at around 5:30 pm, and the boat started at 7 pm already. 

10.  The wind was a bit strong when the boat started, and the waves were high.  It rocked our boat. Maybe this was the reason why, before the boat started, there were food vendors inside.  Some were selling Bonamin (something to drink so you don't get sea sick).   One passenger vomited.  But thank God after less than 2 hours, we arrived across safely in Allen Northern Samar. We got off the boat and looked for our bus.

11.  At 9 pm, the bus started again.

12.  Our bus stopped over Calbayog at around 11:15 pm.  

13. The bus left again at 11:30 pm.

14. Finally we arrived Tacloban at 3:30 am December 25!  Thank God I'm home!

So in total for this trip, from Pasay to Tacloban, it took us 1 day and 8 hrs or  32 hours 

(Dec. 23,2014, 2 pm to Dec 25, 2014, 3:30 am)

This was an exceptional time of the year due to Christmas rush.  Everyone wants to go home.  I think on normal days, it takes only 24 hours to travel.

By the way, some other expected costs for this travel is for your food. In some stop overs, the food is a bit expensive (P100+ per meal).  So, if you are on a budget mode, I would suggest that you bring your own food.  

I hope this will help you in your travel from Manila to Tacloban via bus.

Thank God we are all safe home. God is truly good.

The Feast Talk - Look Up - Push Mo Yan - Notes

I attended another powerful talk at the Feast PICC.  The series is entitled Look Up, and this was talk number 3 - Push Mo Yan.  As to not forget what this talk was all about, I am placing my notes here. 

Dean Pax Lapid, one of the leaders in business shared about how God blessed his business specially when he was already in his second part of his life.

 

He gave us an exam - fill in the blanks, on the story of his life.  Almost all of us answered "CANCER" and "DIED".   This just shows how we see retirement.

 But this was the correct answer.

 

 He shared to us another perspective of what retirement is all about.  Retirement is not equated to being "expired", nor it is equated with being "retarded".  He showed us that there is a brighter and a fuller life in retirement.

 

 

 

Bro Bo Sanchez added more to what Dean Pax Lapid shared. 

 

Recent studies shows that older people are happier people.  He sited examples on why this is so.  One example was that older people experience more freedom.  Freedom from what other people might say.  They realize that since they have lesser time to live, they would no longer care on what others may think, but they do what they think is most important for them to do.

The first question in mind when you get old is, "What have I lost?"  He sited one example about there will come a time that you start to lose family members and friends as you go old.

 But this is another encouraging bible verse he showed.

 

Instead of asking what have I lost, ask What have I gained?

He sited an example on how you gain wisdom through the years.

In order for you to gain more at the second act of your life, you need to prepare for it.  With 3 simple yet powerful tips, we can all be prepared to receive the blessings from God on our second phase.  Because what you sow, in the end is what you reap.  

First one is to plant healthy seeds.  You need to keep a healthy lifestyle.  Eat fruits and vegetables.  Exercise daily. 

 The second is to plant wealthy seeds.  Be a good steward of the wealth that God have provided for you.  Invest and create multiple income streams.  Develop your talent and skills so that others will be blessed as well.

This abundance formula has always been taught at the Feast.  When you receive your salary, or income, give 10 percent to God, keep 20 percent and invest it in the stock market or other good investment facilities, and 70 percent is for your daily expenses.  As a Catholic, we are not required to tithe or to give 10 percent to God.  We are taught to give with a cheerful heart.  We give because we love God.  We give because we cannot contain the blessings that God has given to us.  But I believe that this is a great way to start giving to God. 

 

Finally, plant holy seeds.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  God is the source of all happiness and joy in this world.  Always seek God's wisdom.  Always seek God's mercy and grace.  Read the bible, attend mass.  You can also attend the Feast weekly.  It is one of the best way that you can seek God.

 

Note:  This is not exactly the talk, I added some comments and reflections as I wrote this. 

May God bless you who would read this.