WAY TO DISCOVER
Through the Jeepney Tours, discovering Metro Manila’s attractions is made easier. It doesn’t hurt that it makes use of the jeepney, a local icon, too.
I admit: I, too, believe in the existence of (thus I abhor) the concept of the “imperialist Metro Manila.” Just because the country’s capital is here, doesn’t mean the other parts of the country ought to be forgotten – for how else can you explain the existence of such government bodies as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, as if Metro Manila alone needs to be developed; or the throwing of military people to Mindanao as a form of punishment for their ill deeds while in Metro Manila, making the place a deterrent to bad behaviors; or the inclusion of news reports of police beats in Metro Manila in the local channels of, say, Davao City or General Santos City, even more than the local police reports, as if a fire in Quezon City ought to worry someone from the south whose own houses may have been razed by fire, too, but are not getting media coverage.
But I’d be the first to admit, too, that arguably because of the focus on Metro Manila, it is one of the (if not THE) country’s most developed (even if haphazardly done) – thus, most visit worthy. From the City of Manila’s famed walled city of Intramuros (where the Spaniards “imprisoned” the Chinese) to Las Piñas City’s bamboo organ, and from Marikina City’s olden shoe shops to Makati City’s bustling central business district, just about everything is in Metro Manila 16 cities and one municipality (Pateros).
With this, discovering everything that Metro Manila (and even beyond) has to offer can be, well, a lot of work.
Arguably unintentionally aiding better the situation is Jeepney Tours, a “breakthrough in Philippine tourism that offers a convenient and daily sightseeing tour to travelers to explore the best of Metro Manila, with the intent of leaving a positive image of the Philippines with every single ride.”
In a way, Jeepney Tours centralizes travelling around Metro Manila – unifying tourism, and, by doing so, cuts emissions associated with similar endeavors, albeit not in unified manners.
RIDING AN ICON
“The Jeepney Tours is a tourism breakthrough that we are extremely proud of. Despite all the challenges, our profound commitment to the tourism industry fueled us to develop a major tourism infrastructure that transports the tourists to a day filled with fascinating experiences, a day packed with cultural learning and beautiful memories that will make them remember the Philippines at its best,” says Clang Garcia, Jeepney Tours managing director.
The focus on the jeepney is because “you can’t say that you’ve been to Metro Manila if you haven’t had the chance to ride the cultural icon of the Philippines, the jeepney,” the company says in a prepared statement. After all, the Jeepney is a unique transportation that can only be found in the Philippines. Originally made from the US military jeeps that were left to the Filipinos after World War II, giving it the powerful engine of an army jeep, the vehicle’s body was remodeled with the addition of some metal roofs, before being decorated with vibrant colors. It has rapidly emerged as a creative and popular means of public transportation, tagged as the “King of the Road” as it became an enduring symbol of Philippine pop culture.
Jeepney Tours make use of a custom-built air-conditioned jumbo jeepney that can easily seat 20 people, taking them to select thematic destinations.
Intramuros: A Cultural Heritage Tour
Metro Manila is the urban capital of the Philippines. But more than serving as the premier gateway to any destination in the country, it also serves its own menu of attractions and activities – among the major ones is the City of Manila’s walls of the old historical town of Intramuros, worth discovering “to find out for yourself why it is hailed as one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world,” Jeepney tours states.
Spa and Shopping Spree
“From power spending down to flea market bargaining, one will never run out of options while exploring the malls of Metro Manila, (an) uncontested shopper’s paradise,” Jeepney Tours states, adding that after busybodies get their fill, they “can then pamper their body after a day of discoveries as they unwind and get the treatment they deserve amid a relaxing atmosphere of a serene spa.” This is certainly “an exciting way to spend a day in the city.”
Sunset Cocktail Cruise
Manila Bay is known for its captivating sunset. But while “locals and tourists are known to hang out and spend their lazy afternoons by the bay along the historical Roxas Boulevard, a far better treat is to seize the moment while riding on to the sunset with a cocktail cruise. Before sailing away to the cruise, tourists will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the City of Manila en route to the Manila Bay harbor where they will board a yacht to experience a memorable ride. And then onboard, guests may explore the wide docks of the yacht, and after watching the sun go down, different wines and beverages served to be enjoyed with the sea breeze of the cool night.”
Pampanga Escapade: Fly, Dine and Spa!
Going outside Metro Manila is easy, too, with Jeepney Tours. Just a short ride away to the north is the charming province of Pampanga, a place mixed with a proud cultural heritage and fast developing sites that cater to the international community – definitely “a haven for people who want to experience the leisurely pace of the countryside.”
The Charm of Tagaytay
Tagaytay is the perfect day trip destination outside Metro Manila. “A scenic drive to the countryside treats the traveler’s eye to sights of pineapple plantations, colorful fruit stands, flowers in bloom, ridges and mountains swathed in green and a breathtaking view of the famous Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest volcano. Tour this extraordinary city onboard our jeepney.”
“The Jeepney Tours is an essential introduction to Manila in a fun and informative way and it links the travelers to the main attractions of the city. It is a perfect gift… to experience all the magical sights and sounds of Metro Manila in an entertaining, comfortable, and secure environment,” the company states.
And what can be better than that?
For more information about the Jeepney Tours, call (+632) 9946636 or 6386644; email info@jeepneytours.com; or visit jeepneytours.com.
