Manila-Makati-Pasay-Paranaque (MMPP) Mass Transit System

Looks like Metro Manila residents will have more fun traveling around the Financial and Cultural Districts soon. The PPP Center has approved the establishment of the Manila-Makati-Pasay-Paranaque (MMPP) Mass Transit System, that will connect Makati, CCP Complex and Manila Bay.

Initial plan plots its start from C5 in Taguig, going through the Makati CBD (via Buendia), crosses Taft Avenue to get to CCP then Mall of Asia, then finally EDSA-Ayala. From there, you can ride the Fort Bus to go to The Fort and Serendra/High Street.


See below the statement from the PPP Center website.

The project involves establishment of a mass transport system (MTS) that will provide interconnection among Makati – Manila CCP Complex-Manila Bay areas.

The proposed alignment of the aforementioned MTS is from the C5-32nd Street roadway to EDSA-Buendia-Makati Avenue-Ayala Triangle-Buendia roads crossing PNR Buendia Station, LRT 1 Buendia Station to CCP Complex and Mall of Asia to EDSA Ayala to complete the loop up to Makati Ayala Triangle.

Implementing Agency: Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
Indicative Date of Issuance of RFP: 28 January 2013
Scope of Services: Pre-feasibility study, feasibility study, PPP structuring , preparation of bid documents, and advisory support until financial close

Metro Manila Directions tried plotting where these stops might possibly be located in Google Maps (of course, not accurate yet) :

Parking: More Fun in the Philippines

Last week the Department of Tourism launched another video for the #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines campaign. All I can say is witty and refreshing. Makes us wanna go on a vacation. :) Oh well, at least there's a place in the Philippines where parking is fun. If it's in Metro Manila, what do you guys think should be the catch phrase?

How to Get to Manda Centrale?

In case you haven't heard yet, the organizers of Mercato Centrale at the Fort and Mezza Norte at UP-Ayala Technohub have opened their newest venture - Manda Centrale at - of course - Mandaluyong. Folks from the booming area around Shaw Blvd and Greenfield District and surrounding areas of Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan have something to look forward every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (from 6pm to 3am).

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2013 Official Philippine Holidays

Photo from pinoycharts.com

Just a quick guide to the 2013 Philippine holidays. Plan your vacation now! Check those group buying sites now for special travel deals!

Regular Holidays:

• January 1 - New Year's Day (Tuesday)

• March 28 - Maundy Thursday

• March 29 - Good Friday

• April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan (Tuesday)

• May 1 - Labor Day (Wednesday)

• June 12 - Independence Day (Wednesday)

• August 26 - National Heroes Day (Monday)

• November 30 - Bonifacio Day (Saturday)

• December 25 - Christmas Day (Wednesday)

• December 30 - Rizal Day (Monday)

*Expect number coding to be suspended during the regular holidays. Special non-working holidays are case-to-case basis but historically, number coding has been suspended as well for obvious practical reasons. Special Non-Working Holidays:

• March 30 - Holy Saturday

• August 21 - Ninoy Aquino Day (Wednesday)

• November 1 - All Saints' Day (Friday)

• November 2 (Saturday), December 24 (Tuesday) - Additional non-working days

• December 31 - Last day of the year (Tuesday)

*February 25 - EDSA Revolution - will be a special holiday for schools only.
*Note that for Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha, the national holidays will be "proclaimed after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined..."