How to Get Out of Marinduque

I posted a blog on how to get to Marinduque recently and visitors might need a guide on how to get out. Getting in is easy but getting out is a piece of cake since there's only one port that operates, the Balanacan port.

Statue of the re-enactment of the beheading of Longinus just outside Balanacan port

Sari-sari stores & souvenir shops at the Balanacan passengers' terminal

From your location, take a tricycle and tell the driver that you are bound for Balanacan port.  He might take you to the highway since the jeepney passes by there or take you directly to the jeepney terminal going to Balanacan. Fare is the same as what you paid when you first arrived.

Please note that jeepney driver drives slowly because they kind of wait for more passengers or that there's another jeepney ahead. One of my friends said, it's as slow as the man on a bicycle selling pandesal. The supposed to be 2 hours travel time takes more or less 3 hours.

However,  be prepared when they find out that that there's another jeepney behind going to Balanacan, because they drive really, really fast.

Statue of the Virgin Mary proudly standing at the Balanacan port

When you get to Balanacan Port, buy a ferry/RoRo ticket going to Dalahican, same price as you pay getting in. Pay the Php22.00 terminal fee and head on to the waiting area.

At the Balanacan ticketing booth and terminal, you have an option too to buy a bus ticket (Jac Liner & Jam Liner).  They sell it at a discounted price, Php219.00 up to Cubao. Don't worry because they are legitimate seller. They will give you a temporary ticket until you ride the bus.

View from the RoRo leaving Balanacan port

Upon arriving at the Dalahican Port in Lucena, take the specific bus and when ask by the conductor give him the temporary ticket, he will then issue the official ticket.

I hope this helps. Let me know should you have questions. :)

How to Get to Marinduque?

Last Updated: December 20, 2016

Getting to Marinduque is easy but you have to endure the long trip if you want to save money. It takes more or less 8 hours to get to Marinduque via bus but due to heavy traffic in Quezon Province, it might take longer than that.  A newly opened AirJuan is available but it's expensive so it's up to you how you want to get there. 

There are three options now to get to Marinduque:

OPTION 1: COMMUTE VIA BUS

1. Take a taxi, jeepney or bus going to the designated bus terminals for Jac Liner, Jam Liner or Lucena Lines. I always ride Jac Liner bus because they are new, the seats are comfortable and I feel safe with them.  Not to mention there's a free wi-fi on board.

There are two trusted bus companies that operate from Manila to Dalahican, Lucena which is the drop off point going to Marinduque:

JAC LINER Buendia Terminal Address: Donada St. corner Buendia, Pasay City Phone#: 404-2073 Regular Trips: 2 am to 10 pm Midnight Trips: 11 pm & 12 am Door to Door Trip to Marinduque: 6:00pm (Fare is Php880.00) Kamias Terminal Address: 2 Mapagmahal St. Bgy. Pinyahan, cor Edsa, QC Pone#: 928-6140 Regular Trips: 2 am to 10 pm Midnight Trips: 11 pm & 12 am (24 Hours Operation) Website: www.jacliner.com

JAM LINER Buendia Terminal 2124 Taft Avenue, Pasay City Phone#: 831-8264/831-0465 Mobile#: 0917-8045122 Kamuning Terminal 831 EDSA, Kamuning, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City Phone#: 990-1289 Mobile#: 0916-7026665 Website: www.jam.com.ph

Note: Special discount applicable to Senior Citizen and Students with I.D.

2. At the bus terminal, take a bus with a sign board "Lucena/Dalahican"; it goes directly to the port.  Fare is Php210.00 as of November 6, with special discount for students & senior citizens. Please note that the fare changes without prior notice, especially during peak season.

3. You can also take a bus with a sign board "Lucena/Grand Terminal", but it's up to the Lucena Grand Terminal only so you still have to take a tricycle (Php60.00 per person) or jeepney going to the Dalahican Port.

4. Upon arriving at the Dalahican Port, pay the terminal fee of Php30.00, then buy a ticket going to Balanacan in Mogpog, Marinduque.

As of now, there are only 2 shipping lines that operate from Lucena to Marinduque.  Sailing time takes 3 to 4 hours, depends on the ferry or RoRo. 

MONTENEGRO SHIPPING LINES, INC.

Address: 2nd Floor Old PPA Admin Building, Sta. Clara, Batangas City 4220

Phone#: (043)740-3201 | (043)740-3188 | (043)740-3206

Email: info@montenegrolines.com.ph

Website: www.montenegrolines.com.ph

STARHORSE SHIPPING LINES

Address: 20 San Antonio St., Lourdes Subdivision, Brgy. Isabang, Lucena 4301
Phone#: (02)710-7403
Mobile#: (0948)548-0767
Email: starhorse_01@yahoo.com

Note: Special discount applicable only to Senior Citizen and Students with I.D.Trips schedule and fares as of November 2016.

Please note that the schedule sometimes changes without prior notice.  So you if you arrive at the port at a wee hour and wanted to take a short nap, you can rent a mattress for Php25.00 at the port terminal and you can sleep until such time.

 Talao-Talao (Dalahican) Port

Dalahican Port was renovated; they added more spaces and seats for passengers' convenience. the toilets were moved to the new passengers terminal and also renovated. It's much cleaner and bigger than the old ones. The ticket/terminal fee windows are located temporarily at the side due to the renovations. This was last November so I'm not sure if they are finished already.

 

I prefer sailing during daytime so I can enjoy looking at the ocean.  I sometimes got lucky because there are dolphins playing. And there's nothing more beautiful than seeing the sunset when you're sailing.

5. You'll know you are near Balanacan Port when you see the islets and the statue of the Virgin Mary.  And if you can't see the islets or the statue, you'll know you are near when people start to stand.  Be patient when you see them rushing below, because they are used to being like that.  They want to disembark first before the vehicles to get the best seat in the jeepney or not be left behind since the trips are limited.

6. As soon as you disembark, just follow the people walking to the exit and from there, you can take a jeepney or van going to your desired destinations.  The maximum fare is Php100.00 per person. Make sure to take the designated jeepney for each town.  You will know where and and what jeepney to take because they are announcing the jeepney's destination as soon as you exit the port.  You won't miss the big signboard too.

Jeepneys only leave whenever the ferry or RoRo arrives. After that, you'll just have to take the only available jeepney and transfer from one to another until you reach your destinations.  No worries because there a lot of tricycles operating in every town.

Please note that the jeepney driver can only drop you off along the highway or the designated drop off point.  Usually, the drop off point is the town proper. The major means of transportation is via a tricycle, no taxi. 

 

See below for additional information on how to get around the small province of Marinduque. There are only 6 towns in Marinduque and these are:

Buenavista

The farthest town in Marinduque from the port.  You can only take the jeepney going to Buenavista as no other jeepney passes here. It passes the town of Mogpog, Boac & Gasan. Travel time to the town proper is approximately 2 hours from port.

Gasan

2nd farthest town in Marinduque from port. Sometimes, when there are few passengers and won't be enough for 1 trip, they just ask people to transfer to the jeepney bound for Buenavista or the other way around. Travel time to the town proper is approximately 1 hour from port.

Boac

The capital of Marinduque and the next town from the port.  If you want to explore this town first before going to your desired destination, you can take jeepney bound for Boac. From there, you can take a jeepney going to your desired destination. Just ask the locals or drivers the location of the jeepney terminal. Travel time to the town proper is approximately 30 minutes from the port.

Mogpog

The town where the port is located. Depending on where you are going, you can either walk or take a jeepney bound for Boac and ask the driver to drop you off at the Mogpog Town proper. From there, just take a tricycle to your desired destination. Travel time to the town proper is 10 minutes.

Sta. Cruz

The 2nd town from the port, if you are going to the other side, that is. Take a jeepney bound for Sta. Cruz. I haven't travel yet to this side so I don't know how long the travel is.

Torrijos

The town in between Sta. Cruz & Buenavista.  There's a jeepney bound for Torrijos, but it's also limited. So your other option is to take jeepney bound for Beunavista or Sta. Cruz and from there take a jeepney going to Torrijos.  I haven't travel yet to this side so I don't know how long the travel is.

Marinduquenos are honest and kind people so no need to worry if you don't know the place. Just ask someone and they will gladly assist you. Sometimes, they even accompany you until you safely arrive at the passengers' terminal.

OPTION 2: DOOR TO DOOR (Bus or Van)

A "Door to Door" offered by Jac Liner will only cost you Php880.00 from Buendia Terminal to any point of destination in Marinduque. 

Vans are also available for a door to door and the costs is almost the same. The van will pick you up at your front door and bring you to your home. I will be posting a list of door to door vans here soon.

OPTION 3: AIRJUAN

This is the newest mode of transportation available when you are planning to visit Marinduque. I don't have the detailed information yet (will have one when I get home), but I heard that the cost per person is Php8, 000.00 and it's just a small plane that can accommodate at a maximum of 9 passengers. I will add more information here soon.

For the meantime, I tried booking online and it's confirmed the price is Php8, 500.00 round trip. It's from Manila Bay to Marinduque Airport.

Website: http://www.airjuan.com/

If you want cheaper and have an adventure the first option is the best one.

If ever you need help getting there, just message me.

Pinoy Longganisa

We Filipinos love to shop and to eat! And what's the most popular breakfast food we all loved together with fried rice, fried egg and coffee? It's longganisa or others called langgonisa!

In the Philippines, there a lot of versions of longganisa, depends on the province it's made.  And all of us have different taste buds also, so we have different tastes. Some like it garlicky, salty and sour, others, like me, like it sweet.

 

If you are craving for a longganisa of a specific province, but can't go there to buy, no worries there’s a stall now in Metro Market Market's Supermarket. It has almost all of the popular Pinoy Longganisa. You can now buy Vigan, Lucban or Cebu Longganisa without traveling.

We all know that the most liked longganisas are from the towns of Vigan & Lucban. The longganisa from these towns are almost the same, but have distinctive differences.

Aside from being garlicky in taste, Vigan longganisa is also known for it's sourly & salty taste.  Thanks to the native garlic grown in the province and the Iloko vinegar. Achuete, paprika, ground pepper & kinchay are also added to the meat to complete the perfect longganisa. The color of Vigan longganisa is yellowish.

Lucban longganisa on the other hand has this strong taste of garlic. It's also salty but garlic flavor is more prominent. Unlike Vigan longganisa, this one is made of ground pork with mixed herbs.  From oregano, lemon grass juice to basil leaves.  Lucban longganisa is redish in color because of achuete.  I tried it but never like it. 

Lucban Longganisa

I love my longganisa to be sweeter rather than salty or garlicky.  And I just found one that's just perfect, the Cebu Hamonado! Longganisa hamonado is usually made of ground pork, prague powder, sugar, paprika and salt.

Cebu Hamonado Longganisa

The price ranges from Php180.00 to Php250.00 per dozen.  I know it's more expensive compare to buying it from the specific province, but at least you don't have to endure a long trip when you crave for it.

How to get to Metro Market Market from EDSA:

Via MRT Ayala Station:

Take a bus or jeepney going to Metro Market, Fort Bonifacio.  The jeepney terminal is located just beside the Shell McKinley. Fare is Php8.50. 

Bus terminal is located behind the Shell McKinley. Fare is Php12.00. Trip is every 30 minutes.  

Via Guadalupe MRT Station:

Take a jeepney bound for Gate 3, Housing or Metro Market.  Jeepney terminal is located just outside the Guadalupe Mall in front of Jollibee EDSA. Fare is Php10.00.

Calle Crisologo (Mena Crisologo Street)

Calle Crosologo, also known as Mena Crisologo Street  in Vigan City is the most popular tourist attraction in the province of Ilocos Sur.  Named after Mena Pecson Crisologo, one of the most respected sons of Ilocos Sur.  He wrote Mining Wenno Ayat Ti Karawa, an Ilocano translation of Don Quixote entitled Don Calixtofaro de la Kota Caballero de la Luna; and a zarzuela entitled Codigo Municipal.  Many compare this to Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere.

Calle Crisologo during daytime

Calle Crisologo during nightime

This mestizo street is full of old Spanish-style houses that will make you realize that this kind of old era really exists. Four blocks of cobblestones line with old houses, will give you an experience being transported into a Hispanic-era.

This street is best explored both at day and at night. During the day, you can walk the street and check on the houses that were converted into stores.  Or eat in one of the houses converted into a restaurant. At night, the effect of the lights give more emphasis on the old houses. It added the old and Hispanic ambiance to the street.

Kalesas you can ride touring Calle Crisologo

Walking along the street is fine, but the best way to explore Calle Crisologo is via a Kalesa ride.  Kalesa or Caritela is a horse-drawn carriage introduced by the Spaniards to the Filipinos during the colonization. During that time, riding the Kalesa is reserved to nobles and high-ranking officials only.  

So if you really want to feel noble and enjoy the scenery, Kalesa ride is a must. Kalesa tour takes a couple of hours.  You can just ask the owner to pick you up from your hotel.  Or if you are already in at the entrance of the hotel, you can always hail a kalesa for a tour.

One of the old houses that was converted into a store

Antiques sold by one of the stores

The tour, actually does not only include the tour of Calle Crisologo, but also a visit to Syquia Manson, Crisologo Museum, Bantay Church & Belfry & the Burnay Pottery. Kalesa is actually one of the mode of transportations in Vigan aside from tricycles. 

Items sold by one of the stores

Even though there's a lot of Kalesa around, you will not be confused as to who you tour guide is, because the kalesa has a number and a name. I love riding the Kalesa and hearing the sound of the clacking of the horseshoes.  And since the street is closed for vehicles, other than the Kalesa, you can close your eyes for a moment can imagine being in that era.

During the tour you will see the four blocks of cobblestones streets lined with the historical houses.  The houses are simple yet picture-perfect with their red bricks roof, huge doors & lots of sliding capiz shell windows.  Some of the houses really look old and others really look well-maintained. I wonder how these houses survived the natural calamities and how much the owners spend on the maintenance.

One of the houses that converted into a restaurant

Our tour guide in the Syquia Museum said, Ilocos Sur, specifically Vigan City was not destroyed by the Japanese during the World War II because the wife of one of one of the official is a native here.  Not sure if true, but thinking about how these houses survived, it's a possibility.

Some of the old houses along the street

 

A visit to this place will give you self-satisfaction. At least you can compare how Filipinos live their lives during the Spanish era.  

Kalesa Tour: Php150.00/hour per Kalesa

Currently Vigan City is one of the 14 finalists in the New 7 Wonder Cities. The final result will be announced on December 7, 2014.  To vote, please visit https://www.new7wonders.com/en/cities.