To pick up where we left off in Part I, the Metro Rail Transit System is a popular mode of transportation in Manila. Tourists who want to explore the expansive metropolis can rely on the MRT to ferry them around quickly and efficiently.

Photo by: ramon_w

Read on to learn more about the different attractions and landmarks near these eight MRT stations:

Boni MRT Station (Mandaluyong City)

Travelers who need to go to a hospital can disembark at the Boni MRT Station as the Victor Potenciano Medical Center is just a few minutes walk away.  This station is also near fast-food chains as well as a public market.  As for malls, tourists can head to the nearby Robinson’s Pioneer.  There are also other modes of transport in this area like buses, taxi cabs, and jeepneys.

Shaw Boulevard MRT Station (Mandaluyong City)

I personally frequent the Shaw Boulevard MRT Station.  Aside from being close to my place of work, this station is near shopping malls.  As a matter of fact, it is directly connected to Shangri-la Plaza, a mall that I frequently visit. The other shopping centers are EDSA Central, Starmall, and SM Megamall.  Tourists who are booked at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel Manilacan also disembark at this station and exit through Shangri-la Plaza Mall to access the hotel.

Ortigas MRT Station (Mandaluyong City)

This particular station is built directly in front of the Asian Development Bank Compound.  It is also the stop for people going to Robinson’s Galleria or Building A of SM Megamall.  As for hotels, it is near the Holiday Inn Galleria Manila and Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila Hotel.

Another notable attraction near Ortigas MRT Station at the confluence of Ortigas Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is a church called EDSA Shrine (also known as the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace). This church was established in 1989 in honor of the Virgin Mary, whose miraculous intervention Filipinos believe inspired the People Power Revolution back in 1986. The Shrine is marked by a huge bronze statue of the Virgin Mary.

Photo by:  ramon_w

Santolan MRT Station (Quezon City)

This station is also called Santolan-Annapolis.  Passengers heading to Greenhills Shopping Center disembark here.  Other notable places of interest in this area are Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo.

Araneta Center MRT Station (Quezon City)

Araneta Center is a busy station one the MRT Blue Line. The volume of passengers here is quite high given the presence of shopping malls like the new Gateway Mall and the much older Ali Mall.  Aside from malls, concert-goers disembark here to catch shows at Araneta Coliseum.

Araneta Center is a transfer station for the MRT Purple Line.  All you have to do to make the switch is walk through New Farmer’s Plaza and the Gateway Mall.

Kamuning MRT Station (Quezon City)

The main landmark of Kamuning MRT Station is the headquarters of GMA Network, one of the leading television networks in the Philippines.

Quezon Avenue MRT Station (Quezon City)

Passengers who are bound for ABS CBN, another leading media company in the Philippines, disembark at this station.  ABS CBN is located at Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City. A new mall called ETON Centris Station is connected with this station as well.  The Centris Walk leisure development is also underway in the area.

Photo by: ramon_w

North Avenue MRT Station (Quezon City)

This station can be found in Diliman in the City of Quezon specifically at the corner of North Avenue and EDSA.  It is the other end of the MRT and is the northern terminal of the line.  This particular station is one of the busiest on the MRT given its proximity to huge shopping malls like Trinoma and SM City North EDSA.  There are also shuttle terminals located right outside of the station for commuters who need to go to other areas of Quezon City or nearby provinces like Bulacan.

The MRT is open from 5:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.  There was a time in 2009 when the government proposed a 24-hour timetable in order to serve call center agents who work nights. Management decided however, to revert back to the original schedule on April 1, 2010.

Posted in Philippines, Transportation

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