March 1, 2010 (1st day)

I took a plane trip from Cebu City to Manila via Zest Air. I am a fan of Zest Air Lines because their rates are cheaper as compared the other two airlines. But for you to get the cheapest rate possible make sure to book your flight months in advance. Otherwise, if it’s costly, then do it via Cebu Pacific or PAL, it’s your choice. The other reason why I like Zest Air is that it is based at the domestic airport wherein I then know my way around in riding the jeepney onward to the nearest LRT or MRT station (see? I am a cheapskate). Whereas, if you travel via Cebu Pacific or PAL, you will be arriving at the new airport terminal where no jeepneys ply, only the regular taxis or worse, the yellow taxis. Of course, I know how to board taxis in this terminal in a cheaper way but that will be discussed in another blog.

Before I arrived at the domestic airport, I thought of spending the afternoon with my Uncle Emerson. We rarely spend time now because he lives in Manila while we lived in Iligan City and then Cebu City. But he was there when me and my siblings were growing up in Manila (I was born in Valenzuela, M.M.). Good thing when I contacted him he readily agreed to spend time with me even at such short notice. Never regretted doing it because we spent the entire afternoon that day just simply hanging out, a first for both of us.

Instead of staying at a childhood friend’s house which was located near SM North in Quezon City, I decided to spend the night at my cousin’s house since it was near the domestic airport were my flight was to be for the following day and that I could also stay for free for the night. It definitely helped me save money for my trip since room rates in Manila (and I'm talking about decent places here) are not cheap. It was a good decision also since I got to spend time with my cousin's wife.

Lesson I learned for this day: if you have time, spend it also with your relatives. It will help you stay connected with them even in the future.