Wednesday 17 March 2010

GUESSING GAME 13 Comment



For Pesos 480, you get a one way ticket on the Manila-Baguio liner in a clean, comfortable and below freezing aircon bus. Do you recall the old BAL Station, opposite Quezon Elementary School? For a couple of years in operation, it is a sleek, wide-area bus station, and you can buy your ticket in advance. Buses normally leave on the hour, but best to check first if indeed there is a bus which meets your departure needs.
This is the bus company's website: www.victoryliner.com
Rudy Lambino said...

I did hang around with the shoe shine boys at 'La Patria' and 'Igloo' Cocktail lounges along Harrison Road during pre and early grade school days. The GI's feeling homesick usually invite and treat me in for an 'egg sandwich.' Hanging around with these GI's, I came to learn how to say (S*@!#$>?) expletives that I carried on in my adult life.

Along Mabini Street from the corner of Session Road to Harrison Road are stand-up bars (one of them owned by Lapid .......now I recall hanging around with the Lapid kids) and refreshment parlors which cater to travelers and after five Baguio folks who take their rum & coke, and whisky shots seriously to quench their alcoholic taste.

This street block was used as a bus depot for out-of-town buses, primarily for Dangwa and BAL. The bus depot for Pantranco and Victory Liner were located near Baden Powell Hall (was that the Gov Pack Road extension?)

Dangwa does not run anymore except for a few interior routes, BAL was dissolved, Pantranco's terminal is still close to Baden Powell Hall, while Victory has modernized. I don't know if Philippine Rabbit still runs, also Marcita's and Times Transit for "lowland" destinations.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Sad to say, our old reliable BAL's, Pantrangs, and Times have seen better times; new players with good units and services are presently lording over the north route like Partas, Genesis, Victory, Farinas, Florida.

Times trans has disbanded due to labor problems and came out with a new company - Dominion Trans ( same dog but with a new collar). Marcitas Liner has trimmed its units(buses) into mini ones but is now in its twilight years as aircon vans are keeping a tight competition in almost all routes - LU to Baguio vv, Dag-Baguio vv etc.
& the Ilocos.

For the once mighty and dominant Phil. Rabbit, its now about to turn turtle as the only remaining route it services are Baguio- Mla. and Mla-Tar/PampZamb

Remember the JD/MD trans,Halili& the Baby buses in Mla during our college days? Like life, they also had their own cycle.....

Rudy Lambino said...

Hi Anony...
Because of my long absence from 'Pinas, what do I take to get to Baguio as soon as I get out of the Benigno Aquino Terminal? I guess that is the major commercial airport terminal in Manila (MIA when I left 'Pinas). I hate to ask somebody to fetch me at the airport when I attend our grand reunion next year.

Can we get the 'Welcome Committee' to prepare 'guide suggestions' for transport and places to stay in Manila and Baguio.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rudy,
You can always take a DOT authorized taxi and bring you to the Victory LIner in Pasay City i.e. if joeA won't be around to fetch you.
For hotels in mla, you can try Marriot hotel situated in Newport City - a newly developed city just across Ninoy Aquino Int'l Apt Terminal 3.

Rudy Lambino said...

I will remember - DOT taxi to Victory Liner; and if I arrive in the evening, a DOT taxi to Marriot hotel in Newport City. Thanks Anony