With the now hot topic of horsemeat scandal in Europe where some products labeled as beef were found laden with horsemeat while some are actually mislabeled completely as beef. Horse meat eating is taboo in the United States and the United Kingdom but not in the Philippines, it's not illegal, where it's eaten regularly in some areas, and considered exotic food if not an aprhodisiac (the usual tag that's actually unfounded) for most delicacies). Horsemeat is also eaten in some parts of France and regularly sold in the Netherlands, Mexico, Argentina, Sardinia and in Asia, the top consumers are China, Japan and Mongolia.

Now if you're not the type who won't mind tasting horsemeat and actually have the guts to try and taste how horsemeat tastes like, there are two areas where you can buy horse meat: Malabon and Parañaque.

Can you stand to taste horse meat, considered as delicacies and sometimes exotic food in some cultures yet a taboo to some like the Americans and the British

It's not a secret that Malabon horse meat selling is a norm. You can find them at various Malabon Public Markets sold at meat shops labeled as Malabon Tapang Kabayo. The horse meat source are said to come from horse breeders in Quezon and Batangas as well as disabled horses in race tracks.

There's a lingering rumor, and believed to be true, that one of the best tapsilog in Metro Manila, particularly on the tapsilogan strip on Quirino Avenue in Don Galo, Parañaque City is not serving beef tapa but actually tapang kabayo (cured horsemeat) to customers for decades now that gives it a unique taste, flavor and texture different from tapang baka (cured beef).

There's a blog dedicated to eating horse meat and promotes it as low fat, low in cholesterol and high in iron. Horsemeat is also claimed as the secret to long life of the people of Sardinia and some people of Malabon who consume it regularly.

What's your take on this? Is it ok to eat horse meat? The issue in Europe is actually of deception where consumers were deceived into eating horse meat. Filipino culture does not prohibit eating horse meat, what's actually illegal is eating carabao meat, due to Erap's only law.

Want some kind of horse meat food trip?

Labels: Delicacies, Exotic Food, Malabon, Metro Manila, Paranaque City

Tutubi has been passing in and out mostly in NAIA Terminal 3 due to it's terminal use by Cebu Pacific but taking a taxi pick up service at home either by MGE or EMP at dawn (in contrast with most of his peers who regularly use the expensive service of Park N Fly)

This time, he flew out of NAIA Terminal 2 (Centennial Terminal) when he was booked to fly out by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and also he didn't call a taxi at 4am but instead drove his car and parked at Car Park 2 of NAIA Terminal 2.

Here's Tutubi's take (review) of NAIA Parking based on his own experience:


He parked at Car Park 2 of NAIA Terminal 2 since it's the first one after passing through the security gate, but it's a wrong choice, he later learned. It's farther that Car Park 1, has a staircase that is difficult for those with heavy baggage in tow, unlike Tutubi with his usual backpack and camera bag that require no check-in luggage that allows him to save precious time on deplaning since there's no checked-in baggage to wait to unload on the airport baggage carousel. You also can't take the trolleys/push carts to Car Park 2 to load in your car so you either have to carry them down the stairs or get you car and go back to arrival area (if you have a companion to wait for you, same scenario if you're alone going to the departure area)

This is the previous parking fee of PhP50.00/night but now it's PhP300/night overnight parking fee which is a bit cheaper than Park N Fly rates but with minimal security besides being an open carpark)

UPDATED February 2014

Regular Pay Parking Fee: P35.00 (daily flat rate for cars and jeeps)
Overnight Parking NAIA Terminal 2: PhP300.00/night (effective December 1, 2013)

Tutubi's Tips:

For NAIA Terminal 2, try Car Park 1 so as not to commit the same mistake as Tutubi. (For Manila Domestic Airport, the carpark is across the terminal so you either use the pedestrian overpass or risk life and limb to cross Domestic Road; for NAIA Terminal 3, there's only one carpark so you just choose the closer parking slot to the security guard post.)

If you're driving alone, you won't be able to drop your baggage at the departure area before parking. There's an escalator at the arrival area but it's always not in service so you need to haul your baggage up to the departure area. Such inconvenience!

On entering the parking lot, inform the guard at the parking entrance of your intention to park overnight. You will be handed a log book for you to write down your name contact numbers, vehicle make, plate number and destination.

Take your parking stub with you, don't leave it inside your vehicle, for security's sake.

Practice common safety and security common sense: hide all gadgets visible through the window (for Tutubi it's his Garmin GPS and iPod connected to his car's head unit (car stereo that he opted to take with him on his trip)

The car park's are all open parking style, lift your windshield wipers on hot sunny days to avoid deformation of the rubber wipers. If you park under a tree for more shade, you risk bird droppings, you may use car covers for extra protection.

If you're going there just to pick up someone, you may avail of free parking at nearby fast food restaurants or even gasoline stations then drive there only when contacted.

Finally, is it safe to park there overnight? Of course, Tutubi observed it himself for quite some time before he tried it. Lots of roaming security guards on duty and just think that it's an airport where security is really a premium.

Other useful information:

Overnight Parking NAIA Terminal 1: PhP 300.00/night
Overnight Parking NAIA Terminal 3: PhP 300.00/night
Overnight Parking NAIA Terminal 4 (old Manila Domestic Airport Terminal): PhP 300.00/night
Terminal Fee: PhP 200.00 for domestic departures; PhP550.00 for international travel
Also: long term parking manila airport


As you can see, all the airport terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airports have the same parking fees due to a common management-- the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Related Posts and Tags:

Manila Airport Guide
How to get to NAIA Terminal 3Hotels near Manila Airport
Airport Terminal Fees
Driving Directions to NAIA terminal 2, How to Commute to NAIA Terminal 2, How to get to NAIA Terminal 2, long term parking rates

Coming Up:
Clark Airport (Diosdado Macapagal Internation Airport, DMIA)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Davao International Airport
Iloilo International Airport

Labels: Airports, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Paranaque City

To answer questions from people looking for accommodations and budget hotels near Manila Airport (officially Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)) to stay at for those who who have to wait for connecting flights or just to be comfortable striking distance from NAIA.

Note that the word "near" is relative and needs to be defined first for it to be used in this post and will not answer questions on "how far is this hotel" from the airport kind of thing. Tutubi will just use approximate travel time, not absolute distance from the airport terminals as reference.

Guide to Sleeping at Airports or near them?

The nearest hotel to NAIA Terminal 1 (International Airport) is located inside the airport terminal, on the fourth floor Terminal 1 beside Sampaguita lounge. Each of the twelve air-conditioned hotel rooms measures 3x3 meters, with double beds and private shower and toilet and can be had a room rate of US$19.00 (about PhP840.00) for 24 hours stay.

The nearest hotels to NAIA Terminal 3 are luxury Marriott Hotel, Maxim's Hotel, Remington Hotel and Belmont condotel and the planned Hamilton Hotel inside the spanking Newport City opposite the terminal on Andrew's Avenue. It's also very near to the other airport terminals.

The nearest hotel to NAIA Terminal 2 used to be the government-owned Philippine Village Hotel but is closed indefinitely.

UPDATED: June 2014

List of hotels in "nearness order" from the airport:

About 30 minutes or less from all NAIA Terminals (within five kilometers from the airport)

Wine Museum Hotel (Aurora Blvd (formerly Tramo St))
Nichols Airport Hotel (in front of Pearl Plaza Mall on Quirino Avenue)
RAF Mansion (Roxas Blvd)
Heritage Hotel at the corner of EDSA and Roxas Boulevard
Networld Hotel (Roxas Boulevard)
Traders Hotel Manila (Roxas Boulevard)
Radisson Hotel Manila Bay and Regent Manila Bay (under contruction) within SM Mall of Asia complex
Microtel Inns and Suites within SM Mall of Asia complex
Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza (CCP Complex, Pasay City)
Hotels and (seedy) Motels in Pasay at the corner of EDSA and F.B. Harrisson St. not recommended for tourists unless you're looking for some "action" and hassles
Kabayan Hotel Pasay on EDSA near Corner Taft Avenue, walking distance from MRT and LRT Stations (remarks: accessible by public transportation)
Solaire Resorts and Casino at the PAGCOR Entertainment City

30 minutes to an hour from Manila Airport:

Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue at night with view of Makati Shangri-La Hotel and The Peninsula Manila, (picture taken through dirty glass window using Canon 300D in slow shutter)

Hotels in Makati e.g. Shangri-La Makati (Ayala corner Makati Avenue), The Peninsula Manila (Ayala corner Makati Avenue), Dusit Thani Hotel (EDSA near Ayala Center), Hotel Intercontinental (Ayala Avenue near corner EDSA), The Ascott (formerly Oakwood at the Glorietta Mall complex), Holiday Inn Manila, Fairmont Hotel, Best Western Astor (Makati Avenue near Kalayaan), Great Eastern Hotel (Makati Avenue near Kalayaan), Fairmont Makati Hot, Renaissance Makati City Hotel, Sommerset Olympia Makati (Makati Avenue), Mandarin Oriental (Makati Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas), Makati Palace Hotel, Jupiter Suites,
St. Giles Hotel, Riverview Apratelle, Robelle Hotel (J.P. Rizal St),

Hotels in Fort Bonifacio (The Fort or Bonifacio Global City (BGC)), Taguig City e.g. Shangri-la at The Fort and Grand Hyatt Hotel (both under construction), Best Western Premier F1 Hotel, Seda Hotel BGC, The Fort Budget Hotel, Global City Hotel (Luxe Residences), Kukun Hotel,

Hotels in Mandaluyong City e.g. Go Hotel (EDSA beside Forum Robinsons Pioneer), Richville Hotel (EDSA near Crossing/Shaw Blvd), New Horizon Hotel (EDSA corner Boni Avenue), EDSA Shangri-la Hotel (beside SM Megamall), Lancaster Hotel (Shaw Blvd), The Legend Villas (Pioneer St.) and Nice Hotel EDSA Crossing.

Hotels in Pasig City Ortigas Center e.g. Discovery Suites, Linden Suites Hotel, Richmonde Plaza Hotel (San Miguel Avenue), Astoria Plaza (Jose Maria Escriva Drive), budget-friendly Tune Hotels on Shaw Boulevard near EDSA Crossing.

The Flower Group Motels in Pasig City on Shaw Boulevard and Kapitolyo area (again, not recommended for usual tourists and family vacations)

Budget Hotels in Manila (Malate and Ermita districts) (can be reached in less than an hour but unpredictable) e.g. Century Park Hotel (P. Ocampo near Harrison Plaza and SM), Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila (Pedro Gil Corner MH Del Pilar), Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel (UN Avenue), Bayview Park Hotel (across US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard), G Hotel (boutique hotel on Roxas Boulevard), Midland Plaza Hotel, Manila Diamond Hotel (with Free Internet Access in all rooms, Roxas Boulevard), Palm Plaza Hotel (Pedro Gil corner M Adriatico St), Pan Pacific Manila (M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets , Malate), Manila Hotel (Roxas Boulevard), Hotel Intramuros de Manila (Cabildo corner Urdaneta, Intramuros), Manila Grand Opera House Hotel (Sta. Cruz, Manila)

An hour or two from Manila Airport:

Hotels in Quezon City (it's a big city north of the airport so be forewarned) e.g. Eurotel Araneta Center, Sulo Hotel, Great Eastern Hotel (Quezon Avenue), Hotel Rembrandt (Tomas Morato), Imperial Palace Suites Hotel (Timog corner Tomas Morato), Tri-Place Hotel, Nice Hotel, Astrotel (Cubao), Gran Prix Hotel

Notes:
List mostly on five star, four star or three star hotel accommodations, even budget hotels
No information on the cheapest room rates available.
Please visit official websites for inquiries and reservations.
Travel time is based on taxi travel from the airport and will be much less on lean times i.e. late night, dawn and early mornings.

A typical dawn trip of Tutubi from Quezon City to the airport takes about an hour via EDSA and costs PhP300.00 on the taxi meter fare. Metered taxi fare from the airport to Makati CBD is just around PhP150.00 (a little over US$3)

This site does not offer online booking nor promo room rates, it's just a rough guide to hotels near Manila airport for your reference so as not to be misled by other websites on the distance of your chosen hotel from your airport disregarding practical travel times and normal traffic situations.

Related Posts
Manila Airport Guide
How to get to NAIA Terminal 3
Airport Terminal Fees
Overnight Parking at NAIA Terminal 2

Hotel Near NAIA Terminal 1, Hotel Near NAIA Terminal 2, Hotel Near NAIA Terminal 3, Hotel Near NAIA Terminal 4, Hotel near old Manila Domestic Airport Terminal

Labels: Airports, Hotels, Makati, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Paranaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Quezon City

On a recent trip somewhere down south, Tutubi was welcomed with unexpected rain in the summertime, an event that made it hard to flag down taxis everywhere in the metro, much more at the airport when even airport taxi passenger queues got long. Faced with the dilemma and eagerness to get home as quickly as he can, he boarded the shuttle bus at the exit gate of NAIA Terminal 3 that took him to MRT in the fastest, cheapest way for PhP20.00

UPDATE: The NAIA 3 shuttle bus to Taft Avenue has been discontinued

Herewith is updated information on commuting to NAIA Terminal 3 via the shuttle bus from NAIA Terminal 3 with a route that passes by these places:

Andrews Avenue (PAF Aerospace Museum, Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Marriott Hotel, Maxims Hotel, Newport City, Resorts World Manila)
Airport Road
right on Roxas Boulevard (Baclaran Church, Buses to Cavite and Tagaytay via Silang)
right on EDSA (Heritage Hotel (casino filipino) LRT Taft Avenue, EDSA MRT Station, EDSA Rotonda, Metropoint Mall)
right on Aurora blvd (formerly Tramo St.) then Edwards Avenue going back to NAIA terminal 3

the shuttle bus is the safest, fastest way to get out of NAIA Terminal 3 when there are no airport taxis around nor ordinary taxis in sight or when the taxi queues are too long for your patience.

How to get to NAIA Terminal 3:

Commuting to NAIA termninal 3? from EDSA rotonda (get there via EDSA buses, jeepneys on Taft Avenue, MRT Taft Avenue Station or LRT EDSA Station), ride jeepneys going to Nichols and alight in front of NAIA Terminal 3 on Andrews Avenue. The same jeepneys also pass by the terminal going to Baclaran, EDSA Rotonda or SM Mall of Asia on your return trip.

From Cavite to NAIA Terminal 3: board buses or vans to Baclaran and alight on Roxas Boulevard at the corner of Airport road. Transfer to a jeepney going to Nichols and drop off in front of the terminal.

from Laguna, board buses going to LRT Taft Avenue. ride the LRT to EDSA avenue station (or a jeepney to EDSA/taft Rotonda). Board jeepneys going to Nichols.

From Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, there's Citylink bus that goes straight to Newport City via C-5.

From NAIA Terminal 3 to Bonifacio Global City, you can take Citylink bus via c5 up to Easwood Mall

You can take the

Driving Direction to NAIA Terminal 3:

From EDSA Makati, head towards Magallanes and turn left on SLEX. Turn right on the road going to Nichols (Sales Interchange), pass by Villamor Airbase gate, PAF Aerospace Museum the the terminal to your left.

From Bicol, Quezon, Batangas and Laguna, you can take Skyway from Alabang then take Airport road exit to get you there fastest. Same Skyway exit from Bicutan and Sucat (toll fee airport to bicutan is PhP50.00 starting April 20, 2011)

If you want to know how much is the overnight parking at NAIA Terminal 3, it's just PhP50.00/night (it's safe due to presence of security guards) or try the more expensive Park N' Fly service.

How to get to Manila Domestic Airport
How to get to NAIA Terminal 1
How to get to NAIA Terminal 2
How to get to NAIA Terminal 4

UPDATED March 2013

Related Posts:
Commute Guide to Manila Airports
Airport Terminal Fees
Hotels Near Manila Airports
Overnight Parking at NAIA Terminal 2

Labels: Airports, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Paranaque City