LakBayan: Via Philippines Joins Hands With Jam and Philtranco Bus Liners As Travel Partners

(Left-right) Jam Liner and Philtranco’s VP for Marketing
Christine Guevarra, Jam Liner and Philtranco’s President
 and CEO Dennise Trajano, Via Philippines’ Sales and
Marketing Manager  Maricar Chao and Via Philippines’
Finance Manager Leonora Wenceslao

Traveling is indeed becoming more fun in the Philippines with  Via Philippines, the Asia’s largest travel network, announces its partnership with two bus liner giants in the Philippines namely, Jam Liner and Philtranco Liner last Feb. 14, 2014 in the City of Manila.

This partnership is a step to more future partnership of Via Philippines in making a effective and efficient travel transactions such as online bus booking system, reservations or bookings can be done easily with just a few clicks away. Via’s accredited travel agencies would just simply input their point of origin and the destination and then, it’s done. Their clients don’t need to go through long queues in bus terminals and scramble to secure bus’ seats.

LAKBAYAN: Zest Air offers to airlift relief goods for free

To help flood victims in the National Capital Region and its nearby provinces, Zest Air is accepting free airlift of relief goods to Metro Manila. Interested charitable organization, non-profit, socio-civic or religious groups may avail of this service by sending an e-mail to Zest Air head of cargo team Ernest Bernal at mnlcargo@flyzest.com.

Relief goods should be packed in boxes with a list of items, their estimate value, size and weight in kilos including the complete contact details of their counterpart NGO or consignee.

Zest Air provincial cargo stations in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban will start accepting relief goods and donations for free airlift to Metro Manila starting today, 21 August.

LakBayan: MurangLipad.com Helps Passengers of Cancelled Flights

Here’s great news for travelers! Murang Lipad, a division of Triplestar Travel & Tours, announced that it is offering flight reservation assistance to passengers affected by flight cancellations. It services ticket reservation of all major carriers in the Philippines, particularly Tiger Air, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Jetstar.  

To avail of specialized travel assistance, passengers may call the reservations hotline at 849-0100. They may also call Murang Lipad for free by visiting www.muranglipad.com and clicking the WebTalk Button. Office hours are extended from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily to accommodate travel needs of affected passengers.

Roar Good Time With TigerAir

“We set ourselves differently from other Low-Cost-Carriers in terms of safety and reliability.  We are associating ourselves to this strength and capability by adopting the Tiger Airways brand in our marketing portal, liveries, and the pursuit of customer satisfaction,” President and CEO of Tiger Airways Philippines Olive Ramos says.

Tigerair, Asia-Pacific’s leading value-for-money airline has announced during its inaugural flight that it will aim for leadership by pioneering target destinations and expanding its route network by offering safe and reliable flights and sincere service to its passengers.

Skyscanner reveals Pinoys’ favorite European destinations

Site shows 53% increase in online flight search to Europe

Next stop, Europe!

Leading flight search engine, Skyscanner has recently reported an increase by 53% in flight search to European destinations this year. Following the decision to lift the ban on Philippine Airlines by unanimous votes among the European Commission’s 28 member states, Skyscanner also revealed top destinations of choice among Filipinos.

LakBayan: Tiger Air Offers Its Inagural Flights To Phuket At P3,499 Only

Tigerair, Asia-Pacific’s leading value-for-money airline is now offering Manila-Phuket at Php3,499 roundtrip ticket, all in. This special inaugural fare may be purchased today until August 4 only. Travel date for tickets sold is September 3 and 7.

Since its official entry into the Philippie skies last July 3, Tigerair has vowed to open route networks that will bring guests faster and more conveniently to major destinations and tourist attractions across the region and the Asia-Pacific.

“We are happy to announce that effective September, we are flying to Phuket, Thailand twice a week every Tuesdays and Saturdays to accommodate as many passengers who wish to visit Phuket,” says Olive Ramos, CEO of Tigerair Philippines.

LakBayan: AirAsia celebrates 5th World’s Best Title with 2 million Promo Seats

Fly from Clark International Airport to Kalibo, Davao, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur from as low Php 320 all-in

AirAsia was recently named the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax, and to celebrate, launched a ‘high-five’ themed campaign with the hashtag #Hi5AirAsia to collect as many ‘high-fives’ as possible from the public throughout the region. The high-fives were translated into the number of total promotional seats available for the campaign which started Monday, 8th July 2013.

Two million ‘high-fives’ were collected throughout Asia, and to thank all AirAsia guests for their overwhelming support towards the campaign, 2 million promotional seats will be available from a base fare of RM0.05 (exclusive of taxes & fees) to all of AirAsia’s route network.

Anya Resorts and Residences: First in luxury, first in assured investment returns

For many years, no other resort development in the Philippines could truly prove its claim to be world-class—until now. Anya Resorts and Residences is the first truly world-class resort in the Philippines, located just one and a half hours away from Metro Manila, according to luxury resort maven Andrew Sparrow, who is part of the team of international experts responsible for the design and development of Anya.

“Filipino hospitality is world-renowned. Despite this, there is no Philippine chain of hotels that can truly be called a world-class resort. Anya aims to tap resources within the country and create a world-class Filipino resort brand infused with the warmth and hospitality that Filipinos are known for,” said Sparrow. 

Korean pop superstar Psy is Asiana’s new ambassador

Psy, who skyrocketed to worldwide fame with “Gangnam Style,” has signed as Asiana Airline’s (OZ) new honorary ambassador.  The Korean pop star, whose real name is Jae-Sang Park, has been credited for boosting Korean pop music or K-POP’s popularity on a global scale, and helping to widely promote Korea as an international brand. 

Under the agreement, Asiana will fly Psy in top class seats to any Asiana destination worldwide for one year.  In turn, the pop star will support Asiana’s internal corporate events, PR and marketing projects, and through video shoots as Asiana’s honorary ambassador for social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.

LAKBAYAN: Third Travel Massive Manila happens this April 19

The 3rd Travel Massive Manila will once again bring together the travel community with the theme “Counter Culture Shock”. The event will be held on April 19, 2013 at Kasbah, The Fort Strip.

This time, speakers will share their travel stories and culture shock experiences. Networking activities are organized for travelers, travel bloggers, travel companies and professionals. Travel videos will also be featured while guests enjoy their free drinks. Games and raffles will be held in between speakers where participants will win prizes, including a Kindle Fire from Skyscanner Limited. Anyone can share their travel stories during the open mic segment. It is a night for and by the travel community.

LAKBAYAN: Philippines’ AirAsia’s big seat sale is back!‏

Book your trips for 2014 now and enjoy early bird savings through Philippines’ AirAsia’s big seat sale promo starting today (April 2). All-in promo fares from as low as P599 only for international and domestic destinations are available for booking via www.airasia.com from 2 to 7 April 2013, and the travel period will be from 1 January to 30 April 2014.

“AirAsia continues to change the landscape of low-cost travel. With our big sale promo, planning a trip is easiest with our all-in fares and rates clearly laid out for our guests, so grab those promo seats now and enjoy huge savings,” Freddy Herrera, AirAsia Inc. Commercial Head, said.

For payment convenience, AirAsia’s payment partner service provides guest the option to pay for promo seats booked online in cash through any 7-Eleven and Bayad Center outlets nationwide.

“AirAsia believes in providing convenient service to make traveling easier and more affordable for our guests. In the coming weeks, we are expanding our cash payment partner service to include Cebuana Lhuillier and other popular outlets and banks so that more and more people will have access to our promo fares and bargain deals,” Herrera added.

LAKBAYAN: SEAIR offers nationwide PHP 99 sale, promotes domestic tourism

Here’s great news for travellers! Southeast Asian Airlines, Inc. (SEAIR), in partnership with Tiger Airways, announced that it is offering PHP 99 fares for all its domestic destinations.

The special rates are for booking on March 12-13, 2013 for travel on October 1 to November 30, 2013. To avail of the promo, passengers must book their tickets at www.tigerairways.com.

The airline offers flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 to Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, and Bacolod. It flies to Boracay (via Kalibo) from both Clark and Manila. SEAIR has  also recently announced that it will start flying from Manila to Laoag on April 4, 2013.

LAKBAYAN: Philippines’ AirAsia introduces new customer-friendly services with new hotline and cash payment partners

Philippines’ AirAsia, the low cost carrier with the youngest fleet, today announced significant changes in its customer call center. Starting February 25, Philippines’ AirAsia’s new customer hotline number will be 742ASIA or 742.27.42.

“To provide optimum customer care service for our guest, AirAsia is launching two new significant innovations. We have a new customer hotline that is easy to remember and we are also rolling out our cash payment partner with 7-Eleven store for our passengers who want to avail of our online promo and other privileges but would like to pay in cash instead of using their credit cards,” AirAsia Inc. Commercial head Freddy Herrera said.

AirAsia’s payment partner service provides the convenience of using cash when paying for AirAsia promo fares and other online purchases at www.airasia.com.

LAKBAYAN: SEAIR flies to Laoag, offers PHP 599 promo

Southeast Asian Airlines, Inc. (SEAIR), in partnership with Tiger Airways, recently announced that it will start flying to its newest destination, Laoag, on April 4, 2013. Flights will originate from the Manila Domestic Airport or Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4.

SEAIR is offering introductory fares to Laoag at PHP 599 for travel on April 4 to August 31, 2013. Passengers must book their tickets via www.tigerairways.com to avail of the special rates until February 21, 2013.

The northernmost city of Laoag is the capital of Ilocos Norte. Laoag means “light” in Ilocano and the city is nicknamed “Sunshine City” for its year-round sunny weather. Laoag has an interesting mix of tradition and modernity, reflecting Spanish and Ilocano heritage. Kalesas or horse carriages still cruise the streets of downtown Laoag, bustling as it is with numerous business establishments, as the city is also the center of trade and commerce in the region. For history buffs, must-see sites include the Museo Ilocos Norte, which houses prehistoric tools that were used for hunting and fishing by early settlers, and the Sinking Bell Tower of St. William’s Cathedral, the largest and tallest in the country at 45 meters. Gourmands can explore the city through partaking of popular local dishes like bagnet (crispy pork belly),longganisa (sweet sausage links), empanada (a deep fried pastry stuffed with longganisa), and the simple but tasty vegetable soup dinengdeng.

LAKBAYAN: SEAIR offers ‘2 for 1’ promo for Valentine’s Day

For a limited time only, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), in partnership with Tiger Airways, is offering a ‘2 for 1’ promo for all its domestic and international destinations. Through this promo, travellers will only need to pay the equivalent of one ticket for two persons.

Passengers must book their tickets via www.tigerairways.com on February 13-14, 2013 for travel on June 15 to October 10, 2013. After selecting the flight booking details for a minimum of two persons, passengers must choose the “2 for 1” fare in the flight search results to avail of the special rates.

SEAIR flies to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Boracay (via Kalibo) from its hub at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga. It offers domestic flights from the Manila Domestic Airport or Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 to Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, and Boracay (via Kalibo).

Boracay Garden Resort offers special rates at the 20th Travel Tour Expo

Visit Henann Resorts’ booth at the 20th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) at the SMX Convention Center from February 15 to 17 and get as much as 40% discount on published rates and 20% discount on Boracay Garden Resort’s packages.

Based on twin sharing, pay as low as P5,471 net per person for a two-day stay in a deluxe room. The package is inclusive of roundtrip transfers via Caticlan, daily buffet breakfast and set dinner. Travel period is until March 31, 2014 except on super peak dates.

LAKBAYAN: Cafe Lupe at Rizal Park

Luneta has indeed reinvented itself from the dark days years ago. And as featured here in MTL with amazing transformation of the biggest urban park in the Philippines can now again claim its glory as a tourist destination for both foreign and local tourists. 

And with the Christmas and New Year season giving time for people to go out and spend time with family and friends. And indeed it was filled with a sea of people going around the park for the free concerts, bazaars, and the park features like the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Kilometer Zero marker, Quirino Grandstand, and of course the Rizal Monument.

LakBayan: OneA Events Place

Planning to have bonding time with family and friends? Why not try something different and a little outside the busy Metro Manila but not way too far. And Antipolo comes to mind, there could be some places to go but which has good food, great music and a stunning view all in one.

Well all of these can be found in OneA Events Place (Pronounced as O-Ney-Yah) in Sumulong Highway. And we had several events held here which we truly enjoyed the venue very mush especially the view of Metro Manila. Just over a year in operation but it has held many events and also is becoming a favorite place for KTV.

We had a small get together with Bloggers to battle it out who will be the OneA Videoke King and Queen. So did I win? Check the results at the bottom of the article.  We also had a time to dine at Cafe Lupe which provided the great food we had while enjoying the new music and videoke. #Cheerio

LakBayan: Nurture Spa Village

Circulation is Life, Stagnation is Death.

This is the mantra that I want to speak in everyday life for a new lifestyle that I want to happen, gradual yet effective. 

Don't panic, I'm still the same crazy blogger you know for this blog, but I am now trying to trying a better lifestyle with the help of my experience in my first Glamping Experience at the Nurture Spa Village in Tagaytay City. It was actually my first time in the wellness spot even though I am a frequent visitor in Tagaytay. 

Glamping come from two words, Glamour and Camping. Seems to be two words with very opposite meanings. But at Nuture Spa, they actually made it to a reality with a very unique experience for each individual. Indeed Nurture Spa Village has been known througout the years a a great place to unwind and also for couples wanting to escape the very hectic and stressfull city living. And even up to now, they are a favorite venue for weddings, proposals and even a weekend getaway from their busy lives.

LAKBAYAN: Gran Prix Hotel Manila

As a thrifty yet practical traveler like me, I'm not usually a fan of hotels when travelling because I get weary with the location, the amenities and even the price. These factors hold me back and makes travelling stressful rather than relaxing. Well I'm glad that there is an "econotel" like Gran Prix Hotels and Resorts. They are actually exists in high traffic places like bus stops and main roads which is a great advantage above other hotels.

Grand Prix Hotels are located in key areas like in Ermita, Pasay, Cubao, and have provincial branches in Tarlac, Boracay and Cebu. Soon they will also have a branch in Palawan. We took a look at one its (biggest) branch in Ermita which is just a few steps away from Robinson's Place Manila and also nearby shops, money changers and restaurants. It is within the building where Tesoro's shop is located.