Philippine Islands – Discover the beauty of its 7,107 islands

 Overloaded Tricycle

A tricycle (often abbreviated to trike) is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for recreation, shopping, and exercise. In Asia and Africa, tricycles are used primarily for commercial transportation, either of passengers in pedicabs, or of freight and deliveries.

Human-powered trikes are usually powered by pedals, although some models have hand cranks. Motorized trikes can be powered with a variety of methods, including motorcycle engines, smaller automatic transmission scooter motors, and electric motors. The term “tricycle” may or may not include motorized Three Wheeled Cars, depending on local laws.

Tricycle is one of the common transfortation in the Philippines. There are many

ON THE streets of Manila in the Philippines, the jeepney, with its bold colors, flying streamers, and host of other eye-catching ornaments, is a familiar sight. It is a uniquely Filipino solution to a problem that nations around the world are grappling with mass transportation. To anyone who has never been to the Philippines, however, even the word “jeepney” is strange. Authorities suggest that it is a combination of the words “jeep” and “jitney” (small bus). Allow us to introduce you to this fascinating vehicle.

In his book Urban Mass Transportation, George M. Smerk spotlights a common problem with mass-transport systems: “It has often been charged that mass transportation is inflexible, meaning usually that a transport line cannot be altered to meet changing needs of the population over time.” This is not true of the jeepney, however. The jeepney has shown itself flexible, economical, and easy to operate. Let’s take a ride

THE new minimum fare for public utility jeepneys in Cebu starting today will be P6.50.However, not all jeepney drivers are expected to collect the new rate in an effort to compel government to heed their demand for a P1.50 increase, instead of the provisional P.50 fare hike.

Anticipating confusion from both the drivers and the riding public, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Director Romulo Bernardes will be holding a press conference today, “to guide everyone on how to go about this (implementation of provisional fare increase).”

In an interview over radio dyLA yesterday, Bernardes also appealed to both drivers and passengers to make sure they are prepared with loose change.

“Mag-andam lang pud unta sila kay this is public service anyway,” Bernardes said, adding that students and senior citizens can still avail themselves of discounts.

Bernardes, who was in Bohol yesterday when President Arroyo held her Cabinet meeting, also said that

Planning your trip to the Philippines:
Travel light – limit the things you carry with you when you travel. If at all possible, carry just one 9″ x 22″ x 14″ bag with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. If you can manage to limit your bag to this size, you don’t have to check-in your luggage at the airport. Upon arrival to your destination, you can go directly to customs while everybody is waiting for their luggage at the carousel. Pack light and pack smart. When choosing what to bring, think in terms of what you can do without rather than what might be handy for the trip.

When you travel to the Philippines, bring light clothing specially if you’re visiting in summer. Cotton Tees, shirts, pants and walking shorts are your best bet. For ladies, a hat with brim will help protect against the heat of the sun. A

Philippine Jeepney

The most common way to get to the Philippines is by plane; Manila and Cebu City are the only major entry points. There are flights between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia, Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. Departure tax for all flights leaving the Philippines is 550, payable in cash only (US dollars or Philippine pesos).
It’s possible to travel by sea between the Phillipines and nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Schedules and rates are prone to change, however, so it’s best to be flexible in your plans.Travel Tips…

• Dress for the weather – hot! Light clothing is ideal year-round, and absolutely during the hot and dry months from March to May. Temperatures average from 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C. Mean humidity is at 77%.
• Never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the