I know it's called Cheap & Free Manila, but this actually deals with Metro Manila. Manila, the country's capital is a part of the National Capital Region or Metro Manila.

Metro Manila is composed of 14 cities and 3 municipalities: City of Manila, Mandaluyong City, Marikina City, Pasig City, Quezon City, San Juan, Caloocan City, Malabon City, Navotas, Valenzuela City, Las Piñas City, Makati City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, Pateros, Taguig City


TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

To and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 and Centennial Terminal 2 (for Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines flights)

The easiest way to and from the airport is to take a cab. The sad thing is, there aren't any metered cabs in the Arrival level of the international airport. There are only airport taxis, which charges a pretty hefty sum. From the airport to the Makati area, it would cost anything between Php300 - 400, around Php400 - 600 to the Manila area, and about Php700 - 900 to Quezon City.

However, there are metered cabs dropping passengers up in the Departure area. There's a pretty high chance that you will be asked for a fixed price before you get in. It would still be pretty high, but not as steep as the prices for the airport taxis. A ride to Makati would be around Php100 - 150, Php 130-200 to Manila, and Php200-300 in Quezon City.

Another option is to take a cab to the nearest MRT Station (Taft) or LRT Station (EDSA), then ride the train to your destination. But that's only advisable if you don't have a lot of stuff with you and if your hotel is just relatively close to the train station.


To and From the Diosdado Macapagal Airport (for those flying in and out via Tiger Airways and Air Asia)

There is a shuttle that goes to and from the airport to SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The fare is Php300 one way via Philtranco bus. They have a kiosk at the arrival area of the airport and in SM Megamall, they're at the back of Building A.

Travel time from Megamall to Clark is approximately 1.5 hours.

Shuttle schedules are as follows:
TO: Clark , Pampanga
FROM: MegaMall
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
0700 AM
1100 AM
1200 NN
0800 PM*
Tue/Thu/Sat
0700 AM
1100 AM
1200 NN

TO: MegaMall, Manila
FROM: Clark
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
1230 PM
0530 PM
0600 PM
0130 AM*

Tue/Thu/Sat
1230 PM
0530 PM
0600 PM

* - Except Monday


Airport Tax
NAIA I and II charges the passengers Php550 airport tax, while the Clark Airport charges Php350. Both are to be paid in cash.

LODGING

in Manila
Friendly's Guesthouse
1750 Adriatico St. Corner Nakpil St.,
Malate, Manila
http://www.friendlysguesthouse.com/
* Free Wireless Internet Access for Laptop Users

Malate Pensionne
1771 M. Adriatico Street
Malate, manila
Tel.: 523-8304
http://www.mpensionne.com.ph

Pension Natividad
1690 M.H. del Pilar
Ermita, Manila
Tel.: 521-0524

Mabini Pension
1337 A. Mabini Street
Malate, Manila
Tel.: 523-3930/524-5404

Joward's Pension House
1730 M. Adriatico St.,
Malate, Manila
Tel. +632-5214845

Yasmin Pension House
453 Arquiza St. Ermita Manila
Tel.: 524-5134

YMCA International Hostel
350 A. Villegas St.
Ermita, Manila
Tel.: 527-6394, 527-6392


in Pasay
Kabayan Hotel - Pasay
2878 Zamora St.,
Rotonda, Pasay City
Tel.: 891-7878 to 79
http://www.kabayanhotel.com.ph/


in Makati
Travellers Inn
7880 Makati Avenue
Makati, Metro Manila
Tel.: 895-7061

Makati YMCA International Hostel
7 Sacred Heart Plaza St.
San Antonio Village, Makati City
Tel.: 899-6103,

Fersal Tourist Inn/Apartelle Makati
107 Neptune St.
Bel-Air Vill., Makati City
Tel: 897-9123
Email: fersal@skyinet.net

Saint Illian's Inn
Santillian St.
Makati City
Tel: 893-0754
http://www.saintilliansinn.com


in Quezon City
Four Seasons Hometel
111-B Scout Lozano Street
Tomas Morato, Quezon City

MCR Pensionne House
76 Kamias Rd.
Quezon City
Tel: 922-0599, 922-4337,

Kabayan Hotel - Cubao
12 St. Mary Street
Cubao, Quezon City
Tel.: 891-7878 to 79
http://www.kabayanhotel.com.ph/

Fersal Tourist Inn/Apartelle
49 Annapolis St.
Cubao, Quezon City
Tel: (63+2) 912-5852
Email: fersal@skyinet.net

Fersal Tourist Inn/Apartelle
245 P. Tuazon
Cubao, Quezon City
Tel: (63+2) 912-8000
Email: fersal@skyinet.net

CHEAP EATS

You will never go hungry in Manila. In every street corner, expect to see a sidewalk vendor selling candies, biscuits, fishballs, banana-que , barbeque, or balut. If not, there are also sari-sari stores, which is the local version of the convenience store. There are also lots of carinderia around, which are small eateries, wherein you can get a meal for less than Php50.

The convenience stores around Metro Manila like 7-11 and Mini Stop also sell rice meals, pasta and dimsum starting at Php30.

However, if you aren't feeling adventurous, there are a number western chains in Manila like Mc Donald's, KFC, Burger King, Wendy's, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Shakey's, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, etc. But you're not here for them, right?

You may want to try out Jollibee, a local fastfood chain serving western fare cooked and seasoned to suit Filipino palette. They have burgers, fried chicken, sweet-style spaghetti, meat and dessert pies, sundaes and other local favorites. Jollibee combo meals (burger/spaghetti/chicken, fries and drink) costs around Php50 - Php120. There's a number of Jollibee branches around the metro and you can expect to see at least one in any mall. Just look for the big orange bee.

Another local chain to try is Max's fried chicken. This is a sit-down restaurant, but that isn't too expensive. Combo meals start at Php100, and comes with one glass of iced tea or soda. They also have an a la cart menu; you might shell out around Php150 - 300 for a la carte orders.

Before I give you the list of cheap eateries, I'll give you a list of food you must try in Manila

Street foods

from the taho vendor (they only come out in the morning):
Taho - soft bean curd mixed with arnibal (liquified raw sugar) and sago (tapioca balls)

from the fishball cart (all deep fried):
Fish ball
Squid ball
Chicken ball
Kikiam
Kwek-kwek/Tokneneng - chicken or quail eggs coated orange batter, deep fried and dipped in vinegar with onions and chili
Green mangoes with bagoong - Mmmmmmmm!

from the banana-que stall (all deep fried):
Banana-que - bananas coated with brown sugar then deep fried
Turon - bananas coated with brown sugar, wrapped in paper-thin spring roll wrapper then deep fried
Kamote-que - sweet potato coated with brown sugar then deep fried
Lumpia - a big spring roll, but instead of meat, the filling is sauteed bean sprout, carrots and green beans, dipped in sweet & spicy vinegar

from the barbeque stall (all grilled):
Pork barbeque
Isaw - pork or chicken intestine
Betamax - cubed pig's blood
Adidas - chicken feet

from the balut vendor:
Balut
Penoy - boiled duck egg
Chicharon - crispy pork rind


Viands (best with rice)
Kare-kare - pork/beef, ox tripe and vegetables cooked in peanut butter sauce and accompanied with bagoong (sauteed shrimp paste)
Kaldereta - spicy stew, either made with beef or goat meat
Sinigang - sour soup, can be made with pork, fish or shrimp
Adobo - either pork or chicken. No other words for this viand, except for yummmmmm
Inihaw na baboy/manok - grilled pork or chicken
Nilaga - boiled pork/beef with vegetables in savory broth
Tinolang manok - similar with nilaga, except with chicken and ginger

Cheap snacks at the Ayala MRT station, 2nd level. On the corner of Ayala Ave + EDSA, in San Lorenzo:

Urban Mix Café

Most items under P100 (about US$2).


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To complement Nina's street food list, here's Ivan Henares' Dictionary of Philippine Street Food

Departure tax is now P750.

ENTERTAINMENT: ONGOING

Free Friday Concerts at Paco Park

This is an atmospheric old park that has free concerts (generally of the classical music/madrigal singer) variety on Friday nights. BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks... that's my tip). I believe it starts at 6, which really means it starts at 7.

Paco Park is on the corner of San Marcelino Stret and Gen. Luna Street in Paco.

description and pictures

Schedule for Paco Park and Rizal Park (scroll to bottom for current month)

On the link above, I believe "Concert at the Park" at 5:00 p.m. are free concerts at Rizal Park.

Your timing couldn't be better....

ENTERTAINMENT: EVENT

Tropical Depression (Filipino Reggae Band) Performs

free free free reggae!
10 p.m., September 15 and 29, 2007
Chakik's Musician's Bar
City Golf Plaza
Julia Vargas St., Ortigas, Pasig


Listen on Myspace


Heh, happy to oblige CR. I am living vicariously pretending I am the one headed to Manila, you know.

ENTERTAINMENT: EVENT

Shakepeare's "Love's Labour Lost"
September 15 - October 7, 2007
Repertertory Philippines
Onstage at Greenbelt 1 (Paseo Roxas, in front of the Asian Institute of Management)
(+632)887-0710


Shakespeare's "most flamboyantly intellectual play", set in Manila's University belt of the mid-1980s, just prior to the EDSA Revolution that overthrew Marcos. Just for the shoulder-padded, one-sided hairdo, Duran-Duran channeling costumes alone....

General (non-orchestra) seating is P250/about US$5. You can splurge out on better seating for P350 or P550 tickets.

link

Included in every email we send to travelers enquiring about a place to stay near the Manila airports since most of them want to minimize their time spent in Metro-Manila.

MANILA ARRIVAL: Usually we advise our guests to take one of the Taxi / Transport services which is after immigration and customs and just outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( NAIA ).

1. Outside of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Road( NAIA Road ), after the second set of sliding glass doors, look to the LEFT for a transport booth. We like Nissan Taxi. PAY ONLY P150 ( U$3+).

Don't go RIGHT, they try to RENT you a car with driver P500++.

At the NISSAN Taxi Kiosk, give our address:

Villa Carolina Townhouse, Roxas Blvd.& Bayview Drive # 31, TAMBO, Paranaque, Metro-Manila, Philippines. This is 10 minutes from all 3 airports and near Bayview Towers.

Stress "Tambo" so they know the location is near the airport. You will be given a receipt which you must sign when you arrive at The Townhouse Hotel/ Hostel!

OR From all three airports, you tell the taxi driver to follow NAIA Road & turn RIGHT on ROXAS BLVD until Bayview Towers is on your right. You're 1 minute away!

Continue straight on Roxas 150 meters. Turn RIGHT on the FIRST small street, BAYVIEW DRIVE. The Townhouse is 30 meters ahead on your left. WELCOME "HOME" !!
OR - You can use our TOWNHOUSE AIRPORT SERVICE: We' ve had problems meeting new arrivals at the International Airport ( NAIA ) because of its design but if Bill or Lorna are at home we are more than happy to pick you up at the ARRIVAL EXTENSION AREA . If we're not home call to request our driver to pick you up or please follow the directions above.

1. Change a little money inside the airport be sure and ask for small change in P1 peso coins for the phone. Okay?

2. When you first go outside the airport you can NOT see this area. You go through the second set of sliding glass doors and see a 4+ lane road with a dividing island. Whether you exit on the right or the left move toward the center and walk across the 4 lanes ,proceed downward, turn left or right continue downward on the sloping ramp.

3. In the middle are phones where you can call us. Manila Tel. #s; 854-3826, 854-1435, 854-0161, Bill's Cell Tel# 0918-283-7251 and Lorna's Cell Tel # 0928-250-1275. We're only a mile and a half away but with the traffic it should take 10 -20 minutes depending on traffic. Look for a Medium Blue Honda Civic. We charge P100 for 1 or 2 persons and P120 for 3 or 4 persons.
EMAIL US YOUR ARRIVAL DATE and which type of room you prefer to:
bill_lorna@yahoo.com OR lorna_ec@hotmail.com

EXHIBIT (TEMPORARY)

Forty, Filipino and Fabulous: Interior Design Exhibit
through October 31
Paseo Center in Salcedo Village, Makati
Free

This is an exhibit of interior design and furniture design by the graduating class of the Philippine School of Interior Design. Looks pretty cool.

link: Metroblogging

link: Click the City

christina, do you know of anything cool happening in March that we must see? We'll be in Manila for about a week, probably Bohol a few days, and either El Nido or Boracay.

I'll send you a PM Mars. I just scan various blogs + event pages -- I can give you those links + some tips. Also check the top 10 Philippines list, that has some ideas for Manila + elsewhere.

What a great list, Nina! Thanks for doing that.

My two favorite websites to check out the happenings mostly in Metro Manila are:

Click the City

Philippines Time Out

They usually have all the info you need about events, schedules, sales, concerts, etc.

Why do I always find these events to post about as they are just finishing ... arrrghh

Anyway, for anyone in the Metro Manila area who loves film, free stuff, and a chance to chat with artists in a non-commercial setting, I give you...

Mogwai Cinematheque's Truly Independent Filipino Film Fest

It's located in Quezon City, at the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao. Looks like a fun hangout place even when there's no film fest on , but the film fest finishes on Jan. 12 (tomorrow) with a discussion.

You can read about the "why" of the festival here. Thought up as a counterpoint to the more commercially-driven Manila Film Festival currently underway. There are daring and interesting films in Philippine cinema, but as is the case in most places, they don't get the same exposure as more mainstream fare like romantic comedies and melodrama.

quote:

In 2006, when attempting to discuss the problems of the Metro Manila Film Festival with one of the Philippine’s most prominent female film directors, I was told “what do you want from me? A quote?!"

… that was disheartening.

Later in the conversation the former FDCP head said “why don’t you just start your own festival!?”

And so it is.

- Alexis A. Tioseco, Editor, www.criticine.com December 2007