I know this more as Araneta Center-Cubao Station. The station is the intersection between LRT and…read moreMRT station. The station is the 8th station for trains heading to Santolan Station and the 4th station for trains heading to Recto Station. The station is named Araneta Center-Cubao because it is connected to one of the most recognizable and popular landmarks for events that happen in Manila: Araneta Center Complex. Around Araneta Center are shopping malls like Gateway Mall (connected to Araneta), Ali Mall (said to made because of Muhammad Ali after 'Thrilla in Manila' happened), Shopwise, and Farmers Plaza. Of course, the main reason people go here is for Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ever since I was in college, this was were I would be for UAAP basketball games and concerts! Taking the MRT/LRT to Araneta Center was the fastest and most convenient way to get to these events. Plus, you didn't have to worry about traffic and parking. Since the location is right in the middle of Cubao area, Araneta Center-Cubao station is transportation depot for buses, taxis, and jeepneys. As with all MRT/LRT Stations, try not to go during the peak, rush hour time (yes, I know, peak hours here are ALL hours!). Also, be more aware of your surroundings and the stuff you are bringing with you. Better to be safe than sorry!

Clean, organized and fast. Best way to get around to avoid traffic. It has separate cars for senior…read morecitizens, PWD and female only passengers. This is really nice.

This station is crazy!…read more I think I was just lucky yesterday. There weren't many people in the station and waiting for a train here wasn't that bad. But trust me. During rush hour, this place can get crazy. If you're waiting for a train here, be ready for people to push or shove you so they can get in. The people here have also mastered the art of packing themselves in the train even though they don't fit. If you do find yourself in this station during rush hour, hang on to your bag, stop texting or calling or chatting on your phone, put your wallet away and hope for the best.

This station on the MRT line 3. The station is named after the Magallanes district of Makati but…read moreserves passengers to/from other districts in Makati and Taguig (BGC Fort). This station is also directly connected to Alpha land Southgate Mall and Tower. The station is also part of the Teleperformance building. I use this stop to get to Alphaland for events that I used to attend in the area. The station is the closest station to the South Luzon Expressway and to Chino Roces Avenue. Meaning this will bring your to Little Tokyo area. This is also the best MRT station to ride when or if you are heading northbound. Just ride at the southbound side then, once at Taft Station, you can go on the train heading back north. Do yourself a favor and avoid taking the MRT during the 6-8PM rush hour! The station will be open til 11PM.

LRT 2 Katipunan station offers a unique environment unseen so far anywhere in Metro Manila. In what…read morecomes the closest to a train station resembling the more sophisticated train stations in Singapore, Germany, and Japan, the Katipunan station is located underground. Security is appropriate in the area, and now with the addition of the Beep system, purchasing of tickets is now faster than ever before. If you feel charitable, donations can be made to Red Cross personnel positioned within the premises, similar to all LRT/MRT stations in Metro Manila. The actual train platform also looks clean enough, with alert security personnel keeping discipline enforced. However, its underground location can leave awaiting passengers sweating, especially during long waiting periods. This goes away, though, upon entering the actual train, which is definitely the best of the three mass transit lines in the city. Sufficient spacing, comfortable temperatures, and a history of the train rarely (if not never) breaking down suggests a smooth, comfortable ride to your next destination. Obviously, our mass transit system remains abysmal compared to what it has the potential to be. But signs that we are taking the right steps forward with this aspect are evident. And LRT 2 Katipunan Station is the best example of this growth, no matter how slow the rate has been.

My first reaction when the train rolled into the Katipunan station was, "Oh shit! I'm underground!"…read moreWe don't have any underground train stations, as far as I'm aware, and I thought the train broke through into another dimension, and I'm in more civilized Metro Manila with a functioning DOTC and much better infrastructure. I wasn't, to my dismay. Apparently, the station was just built that way, which begs the question: WHY WASN'T EVERY STATION BUILT THAT WAY? Why couldn't we have an unobtrusive subway that had lines leading to the entirety of the metro? We can spend millions of pesos on gigantic weird-ass eggs like that one near the airport but we can't spend money on transport infrastructure? Gah!

Roosevelt Station didn't exist back when I first moved to the city, but I'm very thankful it exists…read morenow because I just moved to Roosevelt and if the LRT station wasn't there, I wouldn't know how to get in and out of my neighborhood. Because of the fact that it is till brand spankin' new compared to the other train lines, it's still relatively clean and well-maintained. It's also more spacious, maybe owing to the fact that the owners learned their mistake now that the older stations are always filled to capacity. It also has escalators - but they're almost always broken, so don't even bother.

The Roosevelt Station (also referred to as Munoz) is the northern most station of LRT Line 1…read more Coincidentally, it is the closest to my residence, so I had the privilege of getting first dibs on the train seats. This of course mattered little during rush hour, as it becomes a wild and physical scramble for a spot inside. It is newer than most LRT stations as it is part of the extension to the original line that spanned until only Monumento. The Balintawak station is the other extension stop. The mezzanine level is very spacious conveniently has a handful of food stalls for a quick bite before heading to your destination. There also are a few ATMs. Back when I used to take the train almost everyday, I'd stop by the Dunkin' Donuts by the station steps for a few butternut and choco butternut munchkins to serve as my breakfast in times of hurry. Just a couple of wishes: I wish that the escalator didn't break down as often (it's a long way up), and I also wish that more people simply knew how to properly pronounce the name of the station.

When I was a freshman in Ateneo with a LOT of free time, I would sometimes visit my friends in UST…read morewhen I finished classes early. I would take the LRT from Katipunan all the way to Legarda station, which is just before the last stop Recto. Here was where a lot of people got off, because here was where you could get to a lot of different universities. Most of the people who get off are Thomasians, I just have to follow their lead to get to UST. The station itself is clean enough, but given the sheer volume of people who go here and buy tickets regularly, you'd think more cashiers would be open. Also, it can be a bit of a squeeze to fit into the LRT here, because of the multitude of students trying to go home at night. Still, I like the station enough and I don't hesitate to take the LRT to Cubao or another stop to avoid having to ride a jeep and brave the pollution.

It's a shame that I resent our public transportation system, since my childhood days I've been fond…read moreof riding buses, jeepneys, UV's and of the course the ever timeless LRT/MRT. Though with the introduction of mobile based apps such as Uber, Grab, Angkas etc., I actually avoided riding the LRT/MRT due to the fact that it SOMETIMES caused me great discomfort and utterly made me depressed like why did I even bother riding this thing? It's sometimes a blessing or a curse, depending on the day! I completely dread the rush hour, honestly. I remember it takes about five trains just to get inside in Doroteo Jose station. Alas, this has been part of my life and maybe I just need to accept the fact that the LRT/MRT is there when I actually don't want to ride home with an Uber or a Grab.

Je-sus christ. So, my normal route in terms of the train (mind you I only take the train twice or…read morethree times a week) is LRT1 and MRT. I am a very unfortunate person. When I go to Marikina, I normally take the LRT-2 to either Katipunan or Santolan. And I wish I could take the LRT-2 all the time instead of the almost hell hole that is the MRT and LRT1. There's air conditioning. AIRCON. THAT WORKS. AND IS ACTUALLY COLD ALL THE TIME. It's cold even when the place is full as hell, so it's pretty amazing. And not only that, it doesn't break down all the time. And it doesn't suffer from the creepy-as-hell stops and random screeching noises that have come to characterize the other two trains. And the stations themselves has plenty of food and drinks and ATMs. Really, LRT2 is the train that all other trains systems should become. I know that it's probably like this because it's relatively newer, but if anything, it shows that our trains need a face lift.

The first Light Rail Transit (LRT) station if you are on your way to Recto Station, the Santolan…read moreStation takes you into the heart of Marikina and it can also be the beginning of a journey that takes you onward to the train up to the next nearby stations, Katipunan (if you're in the mood for being near universities and eating places along a major highway street), Cubao (for those who want to go to Gateway, Farmer's Market or Araneta Coliseum, for example), or Gilmore (home of many technological and electronic finds). However, if you're going outside of the Santolan Station, you can also witness the different food stalls near the area or the jeepneys which are marked to take you from that station to elsewhere in Marikina, Pasig and Rizal. A variety of options await you, and the nearby SM Marikina is also an interesting place for those of you invested in shopping options.

As far as train stations go, this one is left behind in the past so don't expect it to look like…read morethe year 2000 or anything. This place is badly in need of a major facelift. However, I'm writing about this place for educational/historical purposes: I was amazed to see photographs of the old train systems of Manila, and to see the oldest train on display! Back in the day, you can consider our train system to be very impressive and world-class. They have a humble museum/err...display going on here for a dose of history. Seeing photographs of how majestic these structures and transport systems were was fascinating. Photos show how trains all over the country were--on bridges, or spanning rice fields and cliffs. I would love to go back in time to have experienced these. Outside of the station is also a part of an old train, and it's really amazing to see one in person. Everyone who takes the PNR is aware of all these things already, so naturally all these to me are pretty new, like stepping into a historical museum. I really recommend you experience riding the PNR, if you still haven't. It's not going to be a walk in a park, but it a hell of an experience that's also easy on the pocket (and most convenient way to commute from the South to Tutuban/Divisoria area!). Lines go crazy here though when rush hour approaches, so try to be early. Or bring a fan.