Want to visit Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan on a tight budget? Here's latest information on how to get there plus standard price of island-hopping/boat ride rentals for day tour or overnight tours.

UPDATED: November 2015

Travel Guide to Hundred Islands National Park:

One of the large boats for hire for island-hopping in Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Hundred Islands Rates/Fees (to be booked at Lucap Wharf in Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Entrance Fee and Island-hopping rates are standard, no worries against overcharging here

Day Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP40.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): Ph1,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP1,300.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP1,500.00

Overnight Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP80.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): PhP2,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP2,500.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP3,000.00

A bit of spelunking/caving on one of small islands



How to get to Hundred Islands National Park:

How to Commute to Hundred Islands

from Manila, take a bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan

Bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan:
Victory Liner
Cubao to Alaminos, Pangasinan via Camiling, Tarlac
Fare: PhP393.00
Trip Schedules: 4am (first trip), 5:30am, 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am,
10am, 11am, 12nn, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
10:40pm, 11:50pm (last trip)
Travel time around 5 hours

Five Star Bus
Cubao to Alaminos: PhP393.00 (air-conditioned) PhP300.00 (ordinary)
Pasay to Alaminos: PhP403.00 (air-conditioned) PhP308.00 (ordinary)
Trip schedules: please call Five Star hotline +63.927.712.4349 for the latest bus trip schedule


Driving Directions to Hundred Islands:

From Manila, head to EDSA then NLEX and SCTEX all the way to Tarlac then take the road going to Camiling, San Clemente, Mangatarem (Pangasinan), Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador, Sual, and Alaminos

Activities:

swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach bumming (some beaches have lots of jelly fishes (dikya) if in season), rappeling

Coming Up:

Hundred Islands Beach Resorts, Hotels, Accommodations

Labels: Ilocos Region, Islands, National Parks, Pangasinan, Travel Guides

For those like Tutubi who'll be stuck in Metro Manila for Holy Week and needed to chill literally, all SM malls in Manila are closed in Holy Week, there's Walter Mart, by the way, that will be open on Holy Thursday.

So to answer the question is Walter Mart open during Holy Week?

UPDATED March 2016

Walter Mart Mall Schedule for Holy Week 2015:

March 24, 2016: Maundy Thursday All malls open (up to 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.)
March 25, 2016: Good Friday All malls closed
March 26, 2016: Black Saturday All malls open (up to 8 p.m., 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.)
March 27, 2016: Regular mall operating hours

WalterMart Mall locations:

North Luzon

Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Plaridel, Bulacan
Guiguinto, Bulacan
Sta. Maria, Bulacan



Metro Manila

North EDSA, Quezon City
E. Rodriguez Sr., Quezon City
Pasong Tamo Ave., Makati City
Dr. A. Santos Ave., Paranaque City


South Luzon

Gen. Trias, Cavite
Dasmarinas, Cavite
Carmona, Cavite
Trece Martires, Cavite
Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Cabuyao, Laguna
Real, Calamba City, Laguna
Makiling, Calamba City, Laguna
Tanauan City, Batangas
Bicutan, Parañaque City
Sucat, Parañaque City


Related Post:

Ayala Malls Holy Week Schedule
LRT, LRT2 and MRT Holy Week Schedule
Trinoma Mall Hours Holy Week

Labels: Holy Week, Malls

UPDATED March 2016)


Tutubi knows most people will leave Metro Manila during Holy Week, but this time, he won't be one of them in escaping the summer sun of the metropolis to the beach or Visita Iglesia outside Mega Manila. He intends to stay in the big city probably to drive around to enjoy traffic-free thoroughfares (except EDSA).

If you're like Tutubi staying again in Manila in Holy Week, brace yourself for super heavy traffic on EDSA and other parts of the city as DPWH will have concrete re-blocking from Tuesday (April 15) to Sunday April 20. Normally, MMDA suspends number coding starting Tuesday April 15. Makati though, historically, does not suspend number coding during Holy Week


Only SM Baguio is really open for business during Holy Week (Robinsons in Tagaytay is also open)

Herewith is the Updated latest Schedules of SM Mall Hours Schedule for Holy Week 2016:

March 21, 2016 Monday NORMAL SCHEDULE 10am to 9pm
March 22, 2016 Tuesday NORMAL SCHEDULE 10am to 9pm
March 23, 2016 Wednesday NORMAL SCHEDULE 10am to 9pm
March 24, 2016 Maundy Thursday CLOSED
March 25, 2016 Good Friday CLOSED
March 26, 2016 Black Saturday OPEN (10am to 10pm) (others up to 9pm only)
March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday OPEN (10am to 10pm) (others up to 9pm only)

Normal schedules of malls: Mondays to Thursdays is from 10am to 9pm and 10am to 10pm on Fridays to Sundays. Restaurants around SM Mall of Asia are open.

Select SM Mall of Asia during Holy Week:

Veranda Tenants – Regular Operating Hours
SM by the Bay – Regular Operating Hours
SM Marketmall Dasmarinas
Wet & Dry Market – 24 Hours
Bagsakan – 24 Hours
Mezza Savemore – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Malate, Robinsons Magnolia, Forum Robinsons (Pioneer) are all closed except Robinsons Tagaytay (similar to SM baguio) which is open and on regular mall hours.

Ayala Malls' Trinoma, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Fairview Terraces are all closed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday but open on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Bonifacio High Street will be closed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday except for some restaurants around the mall. there are also station of the cross at the Fort.

Lucky Chinatown Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, 999 Mall, Fisher Mall, Starmall, Puregold, Metro Gaisano, Walter Mart (Waltermart), SunStar Mall,

Disclaimer: Some malls have different operating hours e.g. in Holyweek 2008, SM Baguio was open due to the influx of tourists and holy week vacationers to the City of Pines.

List of SM Malls for your information along with contact numbers (tip: call them up to confirm)
SM City North EDSA
SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint)
SM Megamall
SM City Cebu
SM Southmall
SM City Bacoor
SM City Fairview
SM City Iloilo
SM City Manila
SM City Pampanga
SM City Sucat
SM City Davao
SM City Cagayan de Oro
SM City Bicutan
SM City Lucena
SM City Baguio
SM City Marilao
SM City Dasmariñas
SM City Batangas
SM City San Lazaro
SM Center Valenzuela
SM Center Molino
SM City Sta. Rosa
SM City Clark
SM Mall of Asia
SM Center Pasig
SM City Lipa
SM City Bacolod
SM City Taytay
SM Center Muntinlupa
SM City Marikina
SM City Rosales
SM City Baliwag
SM City Naga
SM Center Las Piñas
SM City Rosario
SM City Tarlac
SM City San Pablo
SM City Calamba
SM City Novaliches
SM City Masinag
SM Marketmall Dasmariñas
SM City Olongapo
SM City Consolacion
SM City San Fernando
SM City General Santos
SM Lanang Premier
SM Aura Premier
SM City BF Parañaque

It's recommended to try to call the published telephone numbers of Mall operators for the updated schedule. You can also try to contact the official websites of SM Prime Holdings, the Operator of SM Malls, for the official schedule for Holy Week 2014.

Some SM Malls, mostly those outside Metro Manila, have free parking. Others have flat parking fee from PhP50.00 for covered parking and PhP25.00 for open parking.

Note: No information on Eastwood City Mall if open during holy week.

Related Post:

Ayala Malls Holy Week
LRT, LRT2 and MRT Holy Week Schedule
Trinoma Mall Hours Holy Week

SM mall hours holy week 2015, is SM open during holy week?, SM Mall of Asia Holy Week 2015, What are SM mall hours in holy week?

Labels: Holy Week, Malls

For people looking for updated information in going to Gapan and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan towns along the route.

ES Transport

ES Transport bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City is on EDSA north-bound near New York Street, Genesis Transport and opposite Victory Liner and Reymond Transportation

Telephone Numbers:
ES Transport Cubao Contact Number: +63.2.912.5975; +63.2.421.4339

Bus Fare/ticket prices (to be updated):
Cubao to Jaen: PhP
Cubao to Cabanatuan: PhP

Route/destinations:
Cubao to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija

EDSA, NLEX, Sta. Rita exit, Baliuag, San Rafael, San Ildefonso,
San Miguel and Nueva Ecija towns of Gapan (and San Isidro), San Leonardo (and Jaen), Santa Rosa, Cabanatuan


Related Posts
Bus Terminals in Cubao
Bus Station in Pasay/Taft/LRT Buendia
Bus Stations in Pasay Taft EDSA Rotonda

Labels: Buses, Public Transportation

Wishing to visit the cool mountains of the Cordilleras to escape the summer heat? There's currently only one bus line going
to Banaue, Ifugao for you to see the Banaue Rice Terraces.

These information on Ohayami Trans Bus to Banaue, Kiangan, Lagawe and Baguio City (Benguet)

Ohayami Bus Company Trip Schedule
Sampaloc, Manila to Banaue, Ifugao daily at 9pm and 10pm
Bus Fare/Ticket Price: PhP450.00 one-way
Ticket may be reserved but you need to pay for it in advance

Main Office: Ohayami Shop , Dullagan, Pob. West, Lagawe, Ifugao, 3600
Manila terminal: cor, J. fajardo st., Lacson ave., Sampaloc
Contact number: * 09276493055 , * 02-5160501 (manila) * 09175617344 (ifugao)
Email: reservation@ohayamitrans.com
website: www.ohayamitrans.com




How to get to Ohayami Trans Bus terminal:

for an updated, accurate online map of Ohayami Trans Bus terminal, please click here

From LRT 2 Pureza Station, walk along Ramon Magsaysay then board a jeepney with signboard Tayuman (The Tayuman - Lardizabal jeepney route) at the corner of M dela Fuente (formerly Trabajo). Drop off at the corner of J. Fajardo. You can walk here, take a pedicab or a jeepney bound to Quiapo (the Quiapo- Lealtad jeepneys) and alight after crossing A.H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes). There's a Seaoil gas station opposite as landmark.

From LRT Tayuman Station, walk along Tayuman Street going to Oroquieta then board a jeepney with signboard Lardizabal (The Tayuman - Lardizabal jeepney route). Drop off at the corner of J. Fajardo and Vicente Cruz. You can take a pedicab or a jeepney bound to Quiapo (the Quiapo- Lealtad jeepneys) and alight after crossing A.H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes). There's a Seaoil gas station opposite as landmark.

If you're taking the jeepney from Taft or from Quezon City, alight at the corner of Espana and Lacson (near UST) then walk to the terminal (going to Nagtahan Bridge). You will pass by G.V. Florida bus terminal.

*the Ohayami Trans bus station can best be reached by taxi from LRT 1 Tayuman station, and LRT 2 Legarda or Pureza station.

Driving directions to Ohayami Trans Bus Station:

from Makati, the easiest route (but not necessarily the fastest as always) is via Buendia, right to Osmena Highway, right to Quirino Avenue cross Nagtahan Bridge to A.H. Lacson then turn left to Fajardo St.

from Quezon City, head to Quezon Avenue, pass Mabuhay Rotonda (formerly Welcome Rotonda) to Espana Boulevard then turn left to A.H. Lacson


Related Posts:

Where to Stay in Banaue Accommodations/Hotels
How to get to Banaue Rice Terraces, How to get to Banaue, Ifugao

SCTEx
Bus Terminals in Cubao
Bus Station in Pasay/Taft/LRT Buendia
Bus Stations in Pasay Taft EDSA Rotonda

Labels: Cordillera Administrative Region, Ifugao, Public Transportation

Just two away from Manila is this hideaway of the rich and famous, of which Tutubi is neither of rich nor famous, via CAVITex and the new Kaybiang Tunnel connecting the towns of Ternate, Cavite with Nasugbu, Batangas, Pico de Loro is synonymous with the nearby Mt. Pico de Loro well-loved by mountaineers.

Located inside Hamilo Coast of Nasugbu, Batangas is a condo resort development with a hotel and beach club. It has Pico Sands hotel for guests and events (like a planning session attended by Tutubi that's why he was able to gain access to the facilities), weddings, prenups, parties, swimming pool, a beach for swimming, swimming pools, a man-made lagoon surrounded by mid-rise condominiums for sale/lease/rent or member-only use.

Pictures of Pico De Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas:


the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

the two queen size beds of Pico Sands Hotel room. Room also comes with a 32" LCD TV and cable TV provided by Cignal with several HD channels (but do you go to places like this just to watch TV? c'mon!)

the key card access of Pico Sands Hotel

Pico Bar and Restaurant just near the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

sample menu for order and pick-up from your room via Pico Bar and Restaurant. The hotel does not have room deliveries. Just an FYI on food prices and menu for budget purposes


the shower has a sliding glass door with shower controls quite far away from the shower. very nice as Tutubi opens the shower but stays away from it to avoid eeither too cold or too hot water

lotus and lotus flowers floating on the man-made lagoon

the placid water of the man-made lake of Pico de Loro is perfect for early morning photo opportunities


Comments/Review of Pico de Loro:

Coming Up:

The beach of Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas
How to Get to Nasugbu, Batangas

Other interesting places in Nasugbu, Batangas:

Club Punta Fuego
Munting Buhangin Beach Resort
Beach Resorts for Summer Outing

Disclaimer:
as always, this is not a sponsored post. You may get in touch with Pico de Loro for the latest room rates, day tour rates if not posted on Pico de Loro official website.

Labels: Batangas, Batangas Resorts, Calabarzon, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts, Southern Tagalog