AirAsia Philippines - AirAsia Low Cost Airline‎

ABBEY: So this is our first time to fly with Airasia, and I can say we have a pleasant trip. We took the one-hour flight from Manila to Kalibo. As usual it is more exciting to board the plane using the good old "ladder" or whatever aviation term they call it. Just make sure to avoid the engine :) 

We were greeted by their pretty staff Celina and managed to give a smile and a wave to our camera. I was surprised that they also offer meals on that short flight. Maybe for fliers who got no time for a bite to eat on the way to the airport. I got mine as well; chicken adobo. It was good and definitely filled up my half-empty tummy.

After our Boracay escapade, we took the same airline. This time as we enter the cabin, the stench filled our nostrils. It is as if the plane was used to carry frozen meat products. Strong smell of beef was over the place. It died down once we're up on the air. We landed in Manila at the exact time we were told. Thanks to the Captain and crew for a good flight.

WILL: Due to some unforeseen tragedies involving the planes last year makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable on hopping in at our AirAsia flight to Boracay. But all we do is say a prayer and ask for good voyage. :) 

I am expecting ZestAir planes that was acquired recently by AirAsia. And on last minute they send an email that they will use their own red plane for our flight. Wooohooo! 

NAIA Terminal 4 is their ground. We were astounded to saw that our flight was moved earlier at 9:40am instead of 10:40 without prior notice. Email or call was not received. Luckily we arrived at the airport at 7am. We checked in at around 8 and I keep an eye on the screen for us to board. 9am passed but the screen still flashes counter open for checked-in. Then an announcement was called for boarding for 10am. It is really stressful for passenger like us that do not know the exact time for our flight. Do not get me wrong that we do not ask for clarifications from the crew. Two different crew informed us 2 opposite facts. WTH!! Anyways, we boarded and was greeted by an all smile crew. 

We had our in-flight meal and it is awesome for that amount. We landed and depart Kalibo airport as per schedule. 

Please make your system and crew more accurate. For sure we will fly again with AirAsia. Please do not stop the exciting and the cheapest promo I have ever seen. :)  

Philippine Airlines' International Flight - Manila to Singapore

ABBEY: The flight going back to Singapore last November 24 is my first international travel on board Philippine Airlines. It was a good trip. Flight attendants gave warm welcome to the passengers, distributed headphones and pillows. We had chicken afritada for lunch and its delicious as well as their leche flan. We got some landing difficulties as the runway was not cleared so when we expected the plane to touchdown the engine roared and minutes later we were up again in the sky. Finally we landed safely and came to halt on our gate. It was a nice ride.

I want to take this opportunity, even though this is regarding my parents' return trip to Philippines. I would like to commend the crew in PAL flight 103 (LAX-MNL) last Nov 6 California time. Their crew assisted as much as they can for the need of my mom as she was in a stretcher due to her illness. They really gave a helping hand showing that they care during that 14-hour flight. 

Again, PAL many thanks.

WILL: We need to extend our supposedly 3-day vacation in Manila when Abbey’s mom got home from USA. It is only a month before our desired flight and it’s very hard for me look for a cheap fare Manila-Singapore. Every budget airline was checked but all my efforts was futile. Then I started to check the flag-carriers planes and found the cheapest with Philippine Airlines.

Ticket are way cheaper than CebuPacific, we booked a one-way ticket to Singapore. This is Abbey’s first time to be on board in their plane. I am expecting a Boeing 747 but a PAL’s version of airplane bus parked in front of our gate.

I am gunning for Abbey’s comfort that’s why I purchased the tix also, I want an extra leg room for him but we were too late to request for it, and yeah you must top-up to have those seats also.

Unlike other budget airlines, PAL have a movie on board, food to linger on and complimentary coffee, tea, and water. It’s a good experience. Sometimes splurging is not so bad after all.

Next time, if we are really, really rich, I am hoping for a business class. Ha!

TurboJET (Hong Kong - Macau)

ABBEY: This is the vehicle that drove us to Macau (an hour ride from Hongkong). One way ticket costs 160hkd. The ferry is spacious and has comfy seats. The ride is smooth and we arrived safely to Macau. 

The attendant who distributes the embarkation card is kind of annoying though. Some people didn't understand what he is saying  (Forn-ner which he means foreigner) and he came back to those people telling that it is a simple English. If he could speak it more clearly then he'll be more understandable. 

WILL: This is the most popular way to go from Hong Kong to Macau. When we saw the queue, I perspired a lot and fearful that we might not get a ticket for our voyage. Every window we ask if there's available seat for two, my prayer was answered when Turbo Jet opened for a new schedule and the boat will be leaving in an hour time. 
      As we set our foot at the ship, we were happy to see a clean and comfortable seat for everybody. I sat happily and closed my eyes. Suddenly, Abbey is poking me telling me that we reached Macau. The sail is peaceful indeed and its just an hour ride. Thanks for Bonamine for taking out the sea sickness in me. 
      Turbo Jet is very recommendable. Check this out once you planned hoping between Hong Kong and Macau.  

Philippine Airlines Domestic Flight / Cebu to Manila

ABBEY:  This is my first time to ride Philippine's flag carrier. A bit of issue though when the flight was delayed for two hours due to technical problem. I understand those issues. But we were only notified thru mail. We gave our contacts when we bought the tickets. It just so happened that we got a wifi connection and my wife checked her mails. I asked the staff, what if we didn't check our mails or we didn't have a wifi connection. They asked for apology and appreciate that. Maybe the process could be enhanced to avoid it. 

The flight is good. The pre-flight emergency procedure video is entertaining and informative. Hope I can ride again on PAL but this time an international one.

WILL: Well, I am proud to be one of the passengers of the Philippines flag carrier, PAL. I already experienced the international and domestic flight from this airline and the best take-off and landing of aircraft is the definitely one of the smoothest. High five PAL. 

      This is our first time to take PAL together, from Cebu to Manila last November 30. They e-mailed us twice and for the flight being delayed for around 2hours. Its okay for us as we do not have some urgent appointments back in Manila. Yes the said delay made me frantic but that day I don't want to stretched-out the problem, so I just keep my mouth shut. 

      Well, the flight is nice. The seat obviously more spacious and more comfortable. I paid Php2,355 for the two of us. Very affordable isn't it for a one way with free snack. 

Victory Liner Deluxe Bus to Baguio

ABBEY: We booked our tickets for our Baguio trip at this liner. One way ticket costs 750. The bus has comfy seats for the customers during the long ride. You can do also "number one and two" as it is equipped with a comfort room. 

Added perks are the drink with biscuits. We didn't have the time to eat them; we're asleep most of the travel time. You can reach Baguio 4-5 hours one-way.

WILL: I am quite hesitant to ride on this bus, why?, this is expensive. The air conditioned bus from Manila to Baguio is just Php445 whereas this deluxe bus is Php715. 
      The air conditioned one has 4 stops for the passengers can alight out of the bus and do some stretching and can go to the bus stops' toilet, this ride can take up to 6-7 hours. 
      While, the deluxe one has no stopovers and have its own toilet. The ride was awesome we reached Baguio 4 and half hours. The bus is so clean and comfortable, you can recline the chair and have its own footrest. The ticket comes with free biscuit and a drink. Steward is there to assist you. Lovely isn't? Its like you are in a plane. Oh by the way, their seat is bigger than budget planes' seats. ;) 
      Hooray for victory liner. Try this one, you'll never regret paying almost double. ;) 

Tiger Airways - Singapore to Manila

ABBEY: At first I was hesitant to book out flight in this airline but we tried it when they conducted a fare sale. We got our ticket for 5k php. An additional 15kg check-in baggage costs 1071php.  

Upon checking in an hour before our flight we were accommodated warmly by their staff. Any flight-related query that we have were answered politely. The seats and food are almost the same as the other airlines. 

The flight is smooth and We arrived at Singapore on the expected time.

WILL: Tiger Airways is one of the budget airline that Filipinos can avail en route from Singapore to Manila.  Their plane lands and departs at NAIA 1 & Budget Terminal. Now, they also offers Davao and Cebu destination. 

      Plane is similar to other budget-fare planes. They have this black seat covers and I think they have more than 5 stewards on board. But I have some concern on this, If they have a lot of people on board, why the magazine holders have some trashes?

      Happy to experienced to ride this plane. I hope we can get more fare promos soon ;) 

Bintan Resort Ferries Pte Ltd

ABBEY: These ferries are bigger than the one had at our Batam tour. It has an upper and lower deck, a bar and kiosk and comfort room. Videos are shown on board. It's spacious and the windows are clear so you can see the vastness and beauty of the sea. Just like the Batam trip we both got seasickness. Good thing i managed to sleep during the return trip :)

WILL: Wow, this is quite a big one compared the one we had when we go to Batam. Wan Sendari is very big that but it do not have that enough strength to muster the big waves of Singapore and it gave me a real dizziness for the first time on my life and blowed it away.

      But do not get me wrong, there is nothing to do with the ferry. Actually all hands are up to its clean and very accommodating staff. 

      I love the ride but I am hating the big waves. 

Sengkang LRT Line

ABBEY: I used to ride this line in my first year at Singapore. We used to stay at Fernvale. Its is divided into two;east and west Sengkang. Be sure to know which color of the train will be arriving before hopping in else you will have to go back to Sengkang interchange and ride the correct one; just like what happened to me :)

WILL: Well, this is the first LRT line I had ridden when I went back here in Singapore, Sengkang LRT. Here at Sengkang was the first house were Abbey stayed. 
This is quite confusing for me until now. That we live in other place, we sometimes ride this line for checkups and when we go to the Sengkang sports complex for some swim. 

Green Line MRT

ABBEY: 

This the line I'm using when I'm picking up my wife from her office. 

Here also is my way to our church and airport.

Only few places I had visited like Chinese and Japanese garden, City Hall, Raffles Place to name them.

WILL: Green line MRT. This is the only line for Singapore Airport. Also, I used this MRT to go to our office, the Singapore's Business District... Tanjong Pagar. It also serves people who will go to the Singapore Convention Center, Jurong and the Chinese & Japanese Garden. ;) 

Circle Line

ABBEY: When I got here in SG, Circle line was not yet opened. It served the public in the year 2010. The rail transit gives ease for the commuter to connect the other 3 lines. With this line, anyone can roam around the island easily. As I've seen in NatGeo, as the whole line is fully automatic, it can fix the defective train and get back to service in only an hour. Of course, even if its fully-auto, this can be still override by humans, when the system goes out of control. When this railway completes, this will be the biggest automatic subway system in the world.

WILL: Yellow or circle line is the newest MRT here in Singapore. Actually some of the station is not yet operational. Every station different architectural designs. The best or me is the bras basah station. Glass ceiling and a very long escalators. Unusual indeed. I wonder what will be the other stations looks like. 

Jetstar

Abbey:
I booked on this airline when I went back to Philippines. Their free check-in baggage is 20kgs that's why I had a shopping spree of Philippine goodies to bring here at SG. Like other airlines, Jetstar also offers seat sale. This gives us another alternative way to get back and forth to SG and Phil.

WILL: This jetstar is quite similar rates to our cebupacific. It is another budget airline to look for. They sale up to 5$ from SIN-KUL. Unlike other budget planes, they have a cafe, they serve pre-cooked foods. Very unlucky of me, we never taste any of their foods, why?, because my eyelids dropped me into a deep slumber. The landing was so smooth, very good pilot eh.

Airphil Express

ABBEY: This airline suits the time when we went back to Philippines last Chinese New Year. The flight attendants were accommodating. Seats were the same as Cebu Pac. We're looking forward to catch their seat sale when we go back on summer.

WILL: Maiba naman! Let's try the budget airline brought to us by Philippine Airline.
      
This is another low cost airline from Philippines, their only International flight as of now is Singapore and they are offering a sale as low as 1800 Php and pag minalas ka and you badly need to go home, they can offer u as much as 15000 Php.
The airplane is nice. But what I really love on our flight is they serve our favorite instant noodle for 75Php. I hope they have a hand soap and they have a ready disposal bag for puke. Tataka ako, sila lng ata ang wala nun sa mga nasakyan ko na airlines, you need to call FA for just a piece of bag. Hay!  

MRT Purple Line ( North - East ) Singapore

Abbey:
This is my line simula pagdating ko ng Singapore. My employer provided my first week of stay sa isang hotel near Farrer Station. Then 3 days after, I found a room in Sengkang. When my housemates' HDB contract ended, we moved to Punggol which we are residing currently. Our house is a 15-minute from Punggol MRT station. Kaya talagang may excersise ako before and after work.


I can say na ito yung 2nd sa pinakamabangong MRT line. Huwag ka nga lang may makakasabay na may anghit :) It only cost S$1.86 for the whole line fare. All stations of the line are underground. Pero hindi naman nakakabore yung byahe, kasi may mga ads in LCD screens, sa tunnel ng mga stations and even sa windows.

Will: Well, I didn't much appreciate their train on the first time when I took my ride in it, I have a stopover here in Singapore. It was the Green Line. But when Abbey moved in to Punggol, I was astounded to see the Punggol terminal station. I can compare it on Philippine's international airport. 


There is seat for elderly and disabled that they always sure to leave it vacant. People are very courteous. They respect each other's right of way. Very safe. They keep on reminding the public that the safety and cleanliness lies on the hands of people riding it, which is very true! So nice trains!

Cebu Pacific Air - It's Time EVERYJUAN Flies

Abbey: Nakakatuwa kasi naging motto ng Cebu Pacific ang "Its time everyone flies" kasi isa ako sa mga nakalipad na. Not literally na lipad like Superman, but makasakay ulit ng erpleyn with an affordable fare. Almost every month may promo fares sila, kaya naman ang sarap umuwi sa Pinas. Kaya si Wilma, mga kapatid ko at kaibigan e naka-subscribe sa alert ng promo fares ng Cebupac.

Di talaga maitatanggi that it helped a lot of our kababayan abroad na magbalikbayan. Pero there are still issues that glooms the company. I hope it will be resolved soon.

Wala pa naman akong flight na nasakyan na may nagsasayaw na FA, babae man o lalaki. :)

WILL:  Pasensya na Ros kung ikaw ang napasama sa pic. Wala kasi kaming picture s airplane ni kuya. hehehe.
       
Cebu Pacific.. Sinong di makakakilala dito? First I thought the Piso Fare was a scam, until I got a ticket for only P40.00 MNL-CEB. Then yung CEB-MNL sinagot na ni Den. hehe. I am one of their client constantly checking the fares and their promos, domestic and international.
       
Pinakamaganda ata nasakayan ko n flight nila eh yung Palawan to Manila with Denise and her family, iba yung seat cover, hindi leather. Parang CX ang dating nun. Then first and always international flight ko with them is MNL-SIN-MNL. Then dahil international na, akala ko may food na, hehe, wala pa rin. My usual flight was morning, kaya i got a hot tea as always for P50.00.
       
Twice lng ako nanalo sa games nila. I got a pouch and a coin purse. Tapos ng games, sleep n ulit.