Most visitors of Intramuros arrive by land travel, but we were curious how locals of bygone years came to the Walled City.
So we tried an ancient route: the Pasig River.
Not many people realize that the Pasig River ferry is one of the most
convenient (and often fastest) ways to get to Manila from Makati or Ortigas at a very reasonable price. Boats
leave every hour between Monday and Saturday, but they depart every 30
minutes in weekday mornings during their busiest hours.
More information about the schedule and pricing here, or send a tweet to @MMDA for inquiries.
More information about the schedule and pricing here, or send a tweet to @MMDA for inquiries.
We hopped on from Guadalupe Station (Makati) for a 10:30 a.m. trip to Intramuros on a Saturday. Tickets ran out fast. The boat, with a capacity of more
than 30, arrived ahead of schedule. We would hop off in Plaza Mexico Station (Intramuros) 30 to 40 minutes later.
After the service was suspended in early 2011, the Pasig River ferry service came back in 2014 thanks to the partnership between the MMDA and Pasig River Rehabilitation
Commission. They developed a fleet of smaller boats that serve commuters between Manila and Pasig City.
The surprising thing about the trip was how it would change your notion about the river. “Hindi naman pala
mabaho (It doesn't smell bad after all),” one of my companions remarked after the trip.
While the banks of Pasig River are far from the tourist scenery you can expect in European and Asian river cruises, the trip narrates the river's evolution.
These 7 places will catch your attention while cruising along Pasig:
These 7 places will catch your attention while cruising along Pasig:
1. Circuit Makati
After passing by the Makati City Hall, a row of construction emerges, part of Circuit Makati on the former Philippine Racing Club (PRC). The PRC was a premier horse racetrack operated in 1937 to 2008, until it was transferred to Carmona, Cavite.
Developed by Ayala Land, the location will be the home of commercial, leisure, and residential establishments.
After passing by the Makati City Hall, a row of construction emerges, part of Circuit Makati on the former Philippine Racing Club (PRC). The PRC was a premier horse racetrack operated in 1937 to 2008, until it was transferred to Carmona, Cavite.
Developed by Ayala Land, the location will be the home of commercial, leisure, and residential establishments.
2. Manila Boat Club
One of the first boat clubs in the Philippines, founded in 1895.
Santa Ana district itself is a heritage zone -- an ancient settlement now the location of the Camarin, a holy well, and several heritage houses. Conservationists are still embattled with developers as condominiums gradually dominate the skyline.
One of the first boat clubs in the Philippines, founded in 1895.
Santa Ana district itself is a heritage zone -- an ancient settlement now the location of the Camarin, a holy well, and several heritage houses. Conservationists are still embattled with developers as condominiums gradually dominate the skyline.
3. Malacañan Palace
Before we proceed, here's a fact: Malacañang refers to the complex, while Malacañan means the Palace. I learned about this after visiting the Malacañan Museum last year.
The boatmen are well aware of the protocols when they reach this area of Pasig River. They slow down after the arbitrary boundary that is Nagtahan Bridge and warns anyone of attempting to take an Instagram-worthy photo of the country's symbol of power.
Malacañan in 1898. Photo retrieved from Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons
Before we proceed, here's a fact: Malacañang refers to the complex, while Malacañan means the Palace. I learned about this after visiting the Malacañan Museum last year.
The boatmen are well aware of the protocols when they reach this area of Pasig River. They slow down after the arbitrary boundary that is Nagtahan Bridge and warns anyone of attempting to take an Instagram-worthy photo of the country's symbol of power.
4. Isla
de Convalescencia
Unknown to most, Pasig River has an island in the middle of it. Known as Isla de Convalescencia, it is home to Hospicio de San Jose and is connected to the mainland through the Ayala Bridge.
Unknown to most, Pasig River has an island in the middle of it. Known as Isla de Convalescencia, it is home to Hospicio de San Jose and is connected to the mainland through the Ayala Bridge.
5. Quezon Bridge
An Art Deco arch bridge very much like its neighbor, the Metropolitan Theater. It connects Quiapo with Ermita.
An Art Deco arch bridge very much like its neighbor, the Metropolitan Theater. It connects Quiapo with Ermita.
6. Manila Central Post Office
Designed by Juan M. Arellano and Tomas Mapua and finished just before World War II began.
Designed by Juan M. Arellano and Tomas Mapua and finished just before World War II began.
7. Escolta
Escolta, the station prior to Plaza Mexico, was a financial and business hub before Makati's and Bonifacio Global City's central business district emerged.
A home of buildings designed by some of the country's best, many of these structures are today being reused albeit many stand in uncertainty. The most recent controversy involve Mayor Estrada's demolishing the 50-year old PNB building, a move criticized by heritage conservationists.
Read a more detailed account of our Pasig River ferry experience here. -By Paolo Abellanosa / Photos by Aien Branzuela, E.M. Alger, Tin Soriano, and Paolo Abellanosa
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