For a frequent traveller like me, public transportation, especially the provincial buses add a…read morelittle spice to the adventure. They are usually more exciting and eventful than going to your destination via air. And for my recent visit to the province of Mindoro, my friends and I took Dimple Star for the first time. If I'm not mistaken (because I was not the one who organized the trip), this bus line was the only one who can take us all the way to Sablayan. Their terminal needs a bit of work, buses are cramped in a small lot and the passengers don't have enough space while waiting for their buses. Some, like me, preferred to wait on the street. Their conventional 5-seats-per-row buses (if that's how you call it) can also be quite uncomfortable for long-hauled trips. Their playlist, which they played almost throughout the trip, really needs to be changed. Like ASAP. It was a night trip and they played cheap remixes of pop songs which I normally hear on jeepneys and sidewalks. It was as if they didn't want anyone to get a shuteye.The driver was also quite boorish and arrogant. If that was his way of staying awake, then I'm not complaining. Gladly, my friends and I got to our destination alive and safe and that can be attributed to the expertise of the driver and the rest of the staff. Since they have monopoly over some destinations, including more of those that I'd want to check out, I'll just put my earphones on, turn up the volume and blindly step aboard.

Visit Apo Reef on a budget via the RORO. While it sounds like a daunting idea to travel at sea on a…read morebus and on a boat no less, it's the cheapest and comes highly recommended by season travelers. But you don't really spend the entire boat ride on the bus mind you. Dimple Star is the only bus that goes on the RORO but if you do manage to book the air conditioned bus, it can prove to be a comfortable ride to the port and the buses are also pretty much well maintained. The terminal is a bit hard to find and the traffic in the are is really bad so leave your house two hours ahead of your scheduled departure time if you want to make the trip. The terminal needs A LOT of work so it helps to bring a car and driver so you can wait for your bus comfortably. There's also no waiting shed so it's pretty much a must. If you're hungry, local street concessionaires offer full meals and drinks for you to load up on before your trip.

Aside from the bus and terminal, let me get this out of the way... 90% of the fun of this terminal…read morewas taking a different bus to Manila, arriving around 8-9 PM, and then spending a few hours roaming around the streets of Manila waiting on my bus to leave at 10! It was a total 'feel like I'm in a movie' environment! I can't wait to visit Manila specifically for more exploring. Out of the distance buses I took in the Philippines I think I appreciated this one the most. The terminal was simple and easy. Holy week was coming to a close so there were those travelers but I also got to enjoy a basketball game between Asian teams while there with a bunch of other people passing through. Fun stuff! I'm glad this bus company was put together. I didn't have a single issue on the 9-hour bus ride. The driver also stopped every 3-3.5 hours for a CR break. The CR breaks were also around 20 minutes so plenty of time. One of those breaks also exposed me to another foreigner... I'm not entirely sure if he was American but he was more than happy to tell me that men can step on the other side of the wall to pee. Noted friendly stranger... but I'm next in line. If I learned one thing while in the Philippines, it's that there are a ton of people out there doing their hussle. Stopovers and before the bus left weren't any different. A few guys came up on the bus and made a pass trying to sell anything from headphones to buko pies and other snacks. I tend to be prepared wherever I go but accessible snacks and/or other things(such as headphones) are still nice to have access to. If I'm ever taking a 5+ hour trip in the Philippines again, I won't hesitate to take Ohayami.

Ohayami Trans were supposed to pick us up at Lagawe in the designated area where they usually park…read morethe buses next to a gas station but they ended up parking across the street and we weren't even aware we had to cross over until we decided to walk since it was taking so long. Terrible service!!

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.

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.