This Week in Metro Manila (January 02 to 07, 2017)

Heads up to those that have scheduled an appointment with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), their main office, satellite offices, and regional consular offices will be closed on January 2. Passport applicants will be accommodated the following day until January 14 at their original scheduled time.

For those that are claiming their passports on January 2, they will be entertained on following day as well.

Those traveling back to Manila on January 2 should take note that the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme will be suspended on this particular day. This is to allow as many vehicles as possible on the road for travelers who will be coming back from the provinces on their way to Manila. This strategy also aims to persuade travelers to maximize the light trafx

Meanwhile, for commuters who are planning to travel during the special non-working holiday and will be using the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR), below are their updated schedules:

For MRT line 3, they will be back with their original operating hours this week, with the first revenue train leaving at 4:30 AM. The last train from Taft Avenue will be leaving at 10:40 PM while the last train from North Ave will be leaving at 10:00 PM.

For LRT line 1, the first revenue train will leave at 5:00 AM and the last train will leave at 9:30 PM at their Baclaran station and 9:50 PM at their Roosevelt station. On the other hand, LRT 2 will have its first trip at 5:00 AM and last trip at 10:00 PM at their Santolan station and 10:30 PM at their Recto Station.

PNR, on the other hand, will maintain their usual operating hours.

• TriNoma: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

• SM Malls in Metro Manila (North, Fairview, Mall of Asia, and Megamall): 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

• Festival Mall, Alabang: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

• Starmall, EDSA: Sunday to Thursday,11:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

• Market Market, Taguig: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

• Robinsons Place Manila and Galleria: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Most malls will be back on their regular operating schedule while others will be open until as late as 11:00 PM. The operating hours of other malls can be found in their Facebook pages and/or official websites.

A couple of events will be happening this week in Metro Manila that will appeal to kids and those missing the magic of their childhood. Le Grand Cirque, an international grand circus production will be performing until January 3 at the Araneta Coliseum. For a world-class act, an entry price of PhP150 is not too bad and will definitely be worth it.

Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite Disney characters will be dancing on ice at The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice until January 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Ticket price will start at PhP190.