My First PNR Trip From Alabang (after a long while)

After a long wait (and numerous reschedulings), the new and improved PNR has reached Alabang. It commenced on April 15, 2010. However, it is not as smooth as we all expect.

First thing, the new station is quite far from any entry point, either from Montillano Street (where the old station is located) or from Molina Street, a small side street beside Alabang Starmall. And there’s no entry/exit point from the mall, which the station is located on its back.

Another thing, there is a discrepancy between the fare when you buy your ticket at the station. From Alabang to Sta. Mesa, it should be PhP15.00 only, whereas on the station, they charge you at Php20.00. The train conductor told us that the fare should be adjusted from the flatrate PhP10.00 to PhP15.00 from Paco to Sta. Mesa, and from PhP15.00 to PhP20.00 from España onwards. I went to Buendia, paying PhP15.00.
Anyway, the new and semi-improved Alabang PNR station is a welcome development to all of us. On the other hand, the PNR management should address their numerous issues quickly.

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Passengers patiently waiting for the train

No ticket booth, no problem (as long as they overcharge the fare.)

There are passengers, but not as many as before.

I don’t know with this one though.

The end of the station. Construction in the area by TransCo.

The train arriving at the new station

Passengers waiting to board the train

The gap between the train and the station.

The train still waiting for passengers

A view of Montillano Street as the train passes it by.

Exotic Restaurant (Kalayaan, Laguna)

After Kamay ni Hesus, we went straight ahead here at Exotik Restaurant.

Exotik Restaurant, as the name implies, offers exotic food like sting ray, frogs, and the like. But they also serve non-exotic food. Too bad we didn’t ordered exotic dishes, as it takes time to cook and we’re too hungry to wait. Haha!

The entrance going to the Exotic Restaurant. This is another uphill climb.

The pasalubong shop.

Wood carvings at the pasalubong shop, most likely created at nearby Paete, Laguna

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The many views of Exotik Restaurant

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Their native chandelier

This is their exhaust, which I believe is not necessary since it’s very cool at the cottages

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To complete the exotic theme of the restaurant, here are their exotic pets (but they don’t cook dishes using these animals)

This monkey is very naughty, as he tries to steal my camera.

My uncle posing with a giant sawa (The snake’s body is much more bigger than my body…)

An albino snake.

Not sure with the name of this one, though.

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Views of Laguna de Bay

You can also see the old church of Kalayaan, Laguna.

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How to get to Exotik Restaurant:

The Exotic Restaurant is located at Brgy. Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna. Take the South Luzon Expressway, exit at Turbina. Head towards Calamba, turn right at the Old National Road. Go straight ahead, passing through Calamba, Los Baños, Victoria, Bay, Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan. The end of the Old National Road is at the Pagsanjan Church. Turn left and go straight ahead. You will pass through Lumban and Kalayaan. Along the way you will see the Caliraya Power Plant. The Exotic Restaurant is along this highway, and you will see a sign (and a quite volume of traffic).

Construction of New Alabang PNR Station

These photos are from the ongoing construction of the new Alabang PNR Station, specially made for the PNR’s DMU units. Supposedly, these DMUs should start their service at Alabang last April 4, but was postponed since the station was not yet finished, and some rail sections between Sucat and Alabang aren’t finished too.

The new station is just behind the Alabang Starmall, and is a few meters away from the old Alabang station.

Some children playing around.

That is the only way to go to the platform area… I hope as of now.

Some work around the station

Another view of the station

This shows that the rail rehabilitation works seems to end here… I hope it’s not.

The gate at Starmall (left side) might be the point of entry towards this new station.

The only stair

All aircon trains cancelled. (at the old Alabang station)

2nd Trip to Kamay ni Hesus (Lucban, Quezon)

Last Thursday (Maundy Thursday), I joined my relatives to their Visita Iglesia, as their tour guide of sorts. Our first stop is the Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon. This is my second visit to the pilgrimage site (see link), but this time, I am one of the pilgrims.

From this vantage point, you can see the long queue going to the stations of the cross.

Some men constructing the Via Dolorosa.

Well, just a closer look at the long queue of people.

The area where the faithful light up their candle and pray (sorry, forgot the name)

The long queue start at the Garden of Eden portion.

When man tries to reconstruct paradise, this is the result.

And after a long and tiring climb, we finally got here at the top.

Parting shot.

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How to get to Kamay ni Hesus from Manila:

1. via Lucena

Take the South Luzon Expressway, exit at Turbina. After Turbina, just go straight the Maharlika Highway going the Bicol way. Afterwhich, you just go straight, passing through San Pablo in Laguna, Candelaria, in Quezon. Then, go towards the poblacion (town proper) of Tayabas. Head towards the road going to Lucban and you will reach the Kamay ni Hesus shrine.

2. via Sta. Cruz

Take the South Luzon Expressway, exit at Turbina. But you go to the direction of Calamba. Turn right at the Old National Road, then go straight ahead. You will be passing through Calamba, Los Baños (you will also pass through UPLB), Victoria, Bay, Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan, all in Laguna. The end of the Old National Road is at the Pagsanjan Church, turn right and follow the mountain road. You will passing through Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and the poblacion (town proper) of Luisiana, Laguna, and Lucban, Quezon’s poblacion. When you see Lucban’s town park, turn left. This road will lead you to the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine.

The Sta. Cruz way is much more nearer and faster than the Lucena way. But be wary of the traffic at Calamba, Los Baños and Sta. Cruz. If you want less traffic, you might want to consider the Lucena way, which the only traffic chokepoint is at San Pablo, Laguna.

St. John the Baptist Church (Balayan, Batangas)

One of the attractions of Balayan, Batangas (my mother’s hometown) is the St. John the Baptist Church, which was built in the 1700s. And we all know how we celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist… Basaan. And in Balayan, there’s the Parada ng Lechon.

After our family reunion, I went here to pray and to go home (because FXs going to Alabang has the church area as its terminal).

The facade of the church.

The bell tower

Another view of the church.

The historical marker and the statue of St. John the Baptist

A peek inside the church

The pulpit. It is located at the right side of the altar, unlike in other churches where it’s on the left.

The pulpit from another angle.

The altar area.