How to Get There

Written by Roxcy Joy Azura
 
From the Philippines' capital, Manila, Maydolong can be reached either through plane or bus:

BY PLANE:

A regular flight from Manila to Tacloban is about 45 minutes plus checking-in, boarding and alighting the aircraft, then it's an approximately 2 - 3 hours trip. Guests will arrive at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport at San Jose, Tacloban. Depending on the time of your booking, the air fare to Tacloban may be as low as Php600.00 (Cebu Pacific promo fares) or Php1,300.00 (regualr early rate for Philippine Airlines) to over Php5,000.00 during peak seasons.

Waiting at the airport are varied choices for the guests to be transported to the downtown of Tacloban City. There are the taxis, airport-accredited jeepneys and the regular jeepneys. Depending on your budget, the most comfortable to ride on are the taxis, however they also charge the highest. A short ride from the airport to downtown may cost higher than Php100.00. (While a direct transfer from Tacloban airport to Maydolong, Eastern Samar is at Php3,500.00.)

Another choice is the airport-accredited jeepneys that primarily serve newly arrived guests. They charge Php50.00 per passenger regardless of how many luggages they have. In these jeepneys many men are ready to aid the passengers in loading and unloading passengers' luggages.

While for the regular jeepneys, it is a D.I.Y. style. Each passenger has to load and unload all of his luggage, though at occasional times, others may give a hand. The good thing about riding the regular jeepney is that it's the cheapest at only Php12.00 to downtown. Thus, if you only have few baggages and you are up for the thrill, it is most practical to take the regular jeepney.

Once in the downtown of Tacloban City, guests have the option of taking either the Van Vans or Duptours shuttles. Their terminals are quite accessible, you just have to tell your jeepney driver that you'll be stopping at either Van Vans or Duptours terminal. Both companies have vans that travel to Borongan City at regular intervals. Starting as early as 6AM, they already have vans ready to leave for Borongan every hour. While during afternoons, vans are scheduled to leave every 30 minutes.

The prevailing rate for this 3-hour van ride is at Php190.00 per passenger. Guests are sure to enjoy the trip which will pass through the infamous San Juanico Bridge and other scenic spots of beautiful rock formations and beaches through Sta. Maria-Giporlos Road.


BY BUS:

A regular bus ride from Cubao, Quezon City (Araneta Bus Terminal) to Maydolong takes about 24 hours. Bus fares range from Php900 (ordinary) to Php1500 (air-conditioned). The lines that have direct service to Eastern Samar from Manila are Eaglestar Bus, Silver Star Bus and PP Bus.


Guests who would opt for this land trip are advised to prepare and bring their own meals, snacks and drinks since most food vendors along the way have quite expensive rates.