Your bus number (8628) Do not give discount fare to students. Please make an action. It is against…read morethe law. The conductor is rude.

Raymond Transport is the 'workaholic' bus line plying the Manila-Bicol route. You can see their…read morebuses rolling on along Maharlika Highway any time of day. Their center of operation is in Quezon Province, but they have a big terminal in Sta. Ana, Manila. Unlike other bus companies, Raymond buses trek to the far flung towns and municipalities of Bicolandia. They travel to the towns of Sabang and Caramoan in the Partido (round the back of Mt. Isarog) area of Camarines Sur and even reach Gubat, Sorsogon. The bus company boasts almost twenty trips to Bicol every single day. Their first bus of the day leaves Araneta Center Bus Terminal at 4:00am and trips do not stop until 11:30pm. Raymond occupies a special place in the hearts of the masses because their fares are really affordable. Their main bus types are Economy (open-window) and Standard Air-conditioned. During peak seasons like All Souls' Day and Holy Week, when all bus companies bound for Bicol are fully-booked for weeks, Raymond Transport will surely be a passenger's last resort. There's always room for one! Just be advised that their buses have numerous stopovers. In fact, their buses are allowed to pick up passengers anywhere along the highway. Also, the cafeterias where the buses make stopovers tend to be less than sanitary.

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.

I actually do quite like the PNR. It's really not too bad if you're willing to forego a bit of…read morecomfort for convenience. Yes, you heard me. Convenience. I actually enjoyed riding the PNR from Parañaque to places in Manila such as España and Tutuban. For a really small fare (less than Php 20 or 30 if I recall correctly), this train can take you to Manila in about 45 minutes to an hour, faster than if you were to commute on the road which will entail buses, jeeps, trikes, LRT, and whatnot. The trains are very old, and the coaches are mostly packed to the brim, but if you're a trooper, you'll be fine. I might even say that you haven't truly commuted if you have not experienced riding the PNR at least once. It's also great how these trains actually have schedules that are surprisingly on time.

Ah, the Philippine National Railway. What must once have been a source of pride is now generally…read moreregarded as nothing more than a source of traffic--especially if you've ever tried to pierce the fortress of Makati at rush hour. But if you were one of the brave souls on board, the story becomes completely different. This venerable line can ferry you, your family, 6 large boxes of pancit canton, and a California king bedframe from Makati toDivisoria in under 45 minutes for less than a hundred pesos. Funny how when you do the math, things start to add up. Yes, sure, the trains look like they were trawled fromManila Bay. These rolling, rusting buckets of bolts, however, are pivotal lifelines for a wide array of businesses within the Metro. The PNR is also crucial for students and workers across the city, providing traffic-free and safe (mostly!) travel from Manila through Makati to the near South for only 10 to 15 pesos. Just remember that these trains aren't your MRT or LRT--each station has it's own schedule that's followed surprisingly closely (one of the great mysteries of life). Next time you need quick and affordable transportation, don't let the PNR get in your way. Get on instead.

Poor management Poor response of guard on duty…read morePoor treatment to stored value card holder I really experience today how they response to a bulk of commuters... Pinapasok nila ang dagsa ng tao n wlang stored value ..sa sobrang daming tao..ying mga may stored value pinapila din nila in same manner.. Madaming dumaang bagol at iilan lang ang sumsasakay kasi nkapila lahat sa pagbili ng ticket ... Ngsuggest ako to give convenient dun sa may stored value n ibahin ang pila at ng makausad at mkasakay n sa mga dumadaang bagol..hindi naniwla nagkibit balikat na lang... Kung kelan malalaa n sitwasyon saka lang aaksyon ang nakauniform na head ng guard ng LRT... POOR RESPONSE.. NAKAKASUKA

One of the more popular Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations and one of my most visited LRT terminals,…read morethe Vito Cruz Station takes you straight in front of De La Salle University, which is one of the top universities in the country and the one which is famous for its competition with the Ateneo de Manila University. Approaching this station, you will see right away the new developments and facilities which cater to the DLSU students - new buildings, a university mall right beside it. The station also leaves one in the same area as the university belt, leaving such other prominent institutions of learning like the University of Sto. Tomas and the Philippine Women's University as not too far away; just a few stations more, or a taxi or a pedicab, and you'll surely make it there from the Vito Cruz Station. But, just to be clear, the reason why I frequently get off at this station is not to visit other universities, but to go to see the CCP. From Vito Cruz Station, you only need to turn right to the street nearest to your right and walk until you reach the Rizal Memorial Stadium, outside of which orange shuttles going to the CCP Complex are located.

As much as we Filipinos have been so westernized, there is but one small part of our history left…read morein the city - it's found in the old capital of Manila which is Intramuros. If you have a friend visiting Manila, I suggest you take him to the Intramuros Tour of Carlos Celdran. The tour lasts about three hours and trust me, you won't get some typical tour where Carlos has a boring script and is tight with time. Carlos maps out Intramuros by sections and while the participants walk along with him he theatrically explains the history of the Philippines. He talks about the country in such a comic way. For sure your foreigner friends will laugh at some his jokes. Carlos' way of discussing is very interactive. He sometimes may need participation from the audience when it comes to things. Other than that, his company is surely enjoyable. At the end of the tour, you get a sweet surprise of halo halo to quench your thirst.

There's no better way to understand history a bit more than doing a literal walk-through with the…read morepioneer in walking tours of Intramuros, Manila - Carlos Celdran. Armed with a clearbook, a lapel, and mobile speaker, this man clad in his barong and hat will take you through time. The tour has several stops consisting of San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and Fr. Blanco's Garden, and lastly, Fort Santiago. I've taken this tour twice - once as a college student and again when I brought foreign friends to see Intramuros. On my second tour, Fr. Blanco's Garden was being renovated so it was replaced by a quick tour of the courtyard of San Agustin Church. This tour is best for adults (as opposed to teens or kids) as he talks fast and gives jokes that have underlying meaning, or need a bit of quick analysis. We were also advised that the tour works best for big groups as participants try to focus more and gives better interaction dynamics between the tour guide and the group. I personally saw truth in that. All in all, it's a great crash course or a nice refresher on old Manila's history. If (Intramuros) walls could talk, it would probably agree, criticize and laugh with Carlos Celdran.