For Palawan’s Foreign Guests: What to Know about Puerto Princesa. Insider Information. Part II-Rizal Avenue. Near Puerto Princesa International Airport. Just Updated: 1-14-2015.

 

© Millennium Media Entertainment

 

I publish and update this post for Guests visiting Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It’s safe to say that I have tired about every available service here, at one time or another. 

 And.for the record, I am not in anyway compensated by those I recommend on this Blog Posting.  It’s my way of trying to give back to a very nice people and a totally safe city, in the Western Philippines.  I hope you are able to add Palawan to your future travel plans.

 

My goal to help Puerto’s Guests find great services and retailers in Puerto. I have noticed that many of of Foreign Guests sometimes have trouble finding what they want or need.  Helpfully. this will help. I will continue updating this post.

 

Rizal Avenue (Close to the Airport and Golf Course)

 

Most hotels, restaurants and bars on located on the part of Rizal, on the other side of National Highway, toward the Airport.  Most of Puerto’s nightlife is also on Rizal.  You can stroll your way from one establishment to another, checking out the various restaurants and local clubs.

 

However, let’s be practical.  You may require a pharmacy.  I found a very unique one, that also sells beer and liquor, in addition to snacks, toiletry items, and light groceries?  I don’t think I know of another pharmacy offering beer and booze, in Puerto. And, is is open until Midnight.

 

Rite One Pharma is where you should go, if you are staying in this part of the city.  They have about everything you need and even a Patio Area, with tables and chairs for customers, in front on their Pharmacy. 

 

I often see Visitors  taking a break in the Patio Area, with a snack and cold beverage,

something other Puerto Pharmacies don’t provide their customers.

 

This Extra Customer Benefit/Feature is no surprise to me.  I know Rite One’s Owners, Vijay and Diane Karnani, who are caring, customer oriented, competent professionals.

 

Diane has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy,  from Santo Tomas University, one of the premier schools in the Philippines. Vijay is a Business Graduate of De La Salle, a very highly regarded university in The Philippines.

 

I personally enjoy shopping there because Rite One’s staff is very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and after a few visits, they all knew my first name. 

 

You cannot go wrong with this pharmacy,  if you are staying in this part of the City. 

 

Rite One is walking distance to most of the hotels in this area. Also, it is open until midnight. It’s a great pit stop on your way back to Hotel, for whatever you need.

 

 

Great Fruit Stand with Excellent Filipino Pastries.

 

Comeback is where you want to go for  right off the farm, fresh Palawan fruit.  It also has a wonderful selection of Filipino Pastries. 

 

Comeback has a great location, not far from the Provincial Capitol, as you are heading down Rizal toward National Highway.  It’s is in front of a travel company called 3 Colors Ticketing.

 

 

 

 

You really can’t miss it.  The owners’ are Danny and Lita, who are wonderful people.  

 

Their prices are very reasonable and the quality very high. 

 

I notice Danny and Lita checking the produce daily, to make sure it’s up to their standards. 

 

Everything is Palawan Farm Fresh.

 

(I  shamelessly horned in the picture here)

 

 

 

Their pasty selection is extensive and to die for!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also get fresh green coconuts, for ₱25 or a little more than 50 Cents USD, which they will prepare for you. Pretty good deal, HUH?

 

And, after you drinking your fresh coconut, then you can eat its very nutritious meat.  Natural spoon included.

 

Did you know that coconut products are very good for you?  Here, we use coconut vinegar, which is loaded with vitamins.

 

Coconut oil also has more health benefits than Olive Oil.

 

 

I recommended you add Comeback  to your daily routine while in Puerto for a snack or even breakfast.

Computer Equipment and Repair

 

FORMOSA COMPUTER WORLD

PH:048-433-4812 / 434-5384

 

You cannot go wrong with FORMOSA COMPUTER WORLD, located at 187 Rizal Avenue.  Their products and computer repair services are priced competitively.  They also are very honest, as I found most people are to a fault, in Puerto.

 

I recently purchased a new Asus laptop, plus peripheral equipment from FORMOSA and found later that one of the cables was defective.  I took it back the next day and they immediately began refunding my cash purchase payment.  No argument when they realized what the problem was.

 

Then, I picked out another cable, which was cheaper….they started refunding the difference, again.  What a refreshing way of doing business! 

 

Turned out I  needed something else for new model computer, so I can continue my work with US Clients.  Another calculation later, I got a final refund on the original piece of gear.

 

Please understand that it was my idea to acquire more peripheral equipment, not theirs. They would have be willing to refund the total amount, in the first place.

 

They also provide a seven day guarantee on new computers, from the date of purchase.  FORMOSA also encourages you come back as often as you would like to get questions answered or if you need help.

 

Maybe it’s me, but I always feel like I just entered a new car showroom when I go to buy computers.  Not these guys.  FORMOSA  makes you feel like you have walked inside their home.

 

Finding FORMOSA  is easy.  It’s across the street (Rizal) from Mendoza Park.  However, you need to pay attention because there is a larger computer store, neighboring FORMOSA.   You could easily confuse that store with FORMOSA, since it has a bigger storefront.

 

Smaller, customer oriented FORMOSA is about ten feet to your left, away from the corner intersection.   They also have a very nice, comfortable, quiet Internet Café above their store.

 

Let’s get on the rest of information, which I hope helps you have a really great time in Puerto.

 

It’s fun to plan to a far off vacation in a tropical paradise, right?  Everyone thinks more and more about sitting on crowd free, pristine beaches, swimming in warm, topaz blue seas and snorkeling in crystal clear lagoons. 

Then, there is dining on freshly caught seafood and visiting natural wonders like Puerto’s Underground River (One of Seven Natural Wonders of the World). 

You also think about Island Hoping all day, on Filipino Outriggers.  You may also be looking forward to taking a balmy evening cruise around Puerto Bay and watching the fireflies. 

Best of all, you have heard that the people of Palawan are friendly, hospitable, welcoming and honest.  This city inside a rainforest has a crime rate of only 0.08%, plus everything is so much more affordable than what you are used to.

Wow, right?  However, there are a few things you haven’t thought about, once you get to Puerto.  Like, where can you buy anything you may need daily?

Where will get your laundry done, get cash from ATM’s, buy sandals, flip flops, swim suits, T-Shirts sun screen, insect repellent and fill prescriptions?  Basic stuff while you are in The City in A Forest.  (Most of Puerto really is in a rainforest)

Please consider this post Guest Service Information for the above, plus information for buying snacks, fresh tropical fruit and Puerto’s famous home cooked Filipino meals, right off city streets.

First the Basics. 

You have to get comfortable using Pesos.  Start thinking in Pesos or get an app that does it for you. 

 

Otherwise, you will be mentally paralyzed by the bigger price numbers you see.  Take heart.  This is very easy.  $1 USD is about 45 Pesos, $10 is almost P450.  This isn’t that hard, is it?

Your P1,500 day long trip to the Underground River is usually about $34 USD, which includes transfers, permits, a great Filipino lunch, boats, lifejackets, (Yep, boats and lifejackets!) a guide and an air conditioned van, that drives you there and back. 

The average room rate is about $20 to $30.  You can also find very nice, clean, double fan rooms for P350 or just under $8 per day.

*Word to the wise: If you see lots of trinket sellers and several tricycles drivers milling around the hotel parking lot or worse inside the facilities, move on.  They will drive you nuts.  99% of the hotels great and small strictly keep these guys away or down the street, but a few don’t.  Same goes for hotels accepting short time guests, by the hour.  These are no tell motels, so just move on. 

Getting Around

It will help if you know how to interpret directional directions about where restaurants, stores, the market(s), ATM’s... etc. are. 

There are other things too, like where is a good internet cafe, if you decide you leave your computer at home. 

You can do allot in Puerto on foot or take one of the 4,000+ tricycles. 

They have little busses called multi cabs that go all over the City, too for about P10-P20.  (Pop quiz: How much is that USD???  Less than 50 cents.)

Distance and Directions

American, Korean, Japanese or European blocks can be shorter than here.  You best bet is multiply blocks by two here. 

If some one says two blocks, think four, particularly if you are American.  Better yet, ask how long it will take in minutes to get to your destination.

You can get direction from your Hotel or you can trek outside and see where it takes you.  It is best to have a few reference points. 

The two main streets are Rizal and National Highway, which intersect.  About any kind of retail you might be interested is on these streets.

If you get lost, ask some one.  Remember most speak English (One of the two official languages of The Philippines.) 

Anyone will be happy to help you find where you want to go.  Don’t be surprised if they personally take you.

The following is a list of various businesses I prefer, based on experience.

Pharmacy(s) (Chemist)

Mercury is where you want to go.  There are several Mercury stores around the city.  The staff is very professional and knowledgeable. 

One of Mercury’s coolest attributes is they will give you advice, if you need it for colds, etc.  They can fill prescriptions for you too. If they don’t have your brand, ask for a generic, which they usually have. 

However, their locations are more centrally located So, If you are staying near the International Airport, don’t forget Rite One Pharma.  Remember they are open late and you can buy beer and spirits. 

ATM

Either Metro Bank or BDO.  Both have branches and are on Rizal, plus in major retail centers.  I like Metro because I can lift the security key pad cover and see better.  BDO’s security covers are hard for me to see through.

Also, once I put in the wrong personal pin number three times and the Metro ATM machine kept my card, which I was able to get back 30 minutes later from management.  I liked the fact that their ATM software was set up to protect me.

Snacks, water etc..

There are family owned little shops everywhere.  They are like little neighborhood convenience stores selling about everything like 7-11 does. 

Major Retail Stores

If you want more variety, then go to NCC Department and Grocery Store in the middle of town or Robinsons Shopping Center, a little farther out. 

You will most likely need a multi cab or tricycle for Robinsons, unless you are staying close by in San Jose.

Robinsons also has a multi screen movie theater with titles as current as where you hail from, plus several very good restaurants.  It reminds me of a Southern California shipping mall.

No matter where you shop, you will see many American brands, made in the Philippines, and all the labeling is in English.

 

***Factoid: A recent opinion poll said that 85% of all Filipinos like the US and Americans very much.  Highest in the world.***

 

Restaurants and Fast Food

Inasal:  Charcoal grilled chicken and pork, plus all the rice you can eat.

Divine Sweets: American and Filipino Food

Jolllibee: Burgers, chicken... etc..

McDonalds

Shakey’s

McCoy’s Pizza

Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant

Kinibuchs: Open air dining with a huge menu.

All of the above are walking distance from the center of Puerto on Rizal Avenue.  Kinibuchs is about a quarter mile from Rizal on National Highway.

*You can also buy roasted chickens and pork on Rizal Avenue. 

Home Cooking Stalls and Restaurants.

They proliferate throughout the city.  Each offers that family’s approach to Filipino Cooking.

You will be stuffed if you spend about $2 US or P90.

 

Filipinos are extremely clean and so these are not cut and run joints.  They most likely bought all the ingredients fresh that morning.

 

No one gets food poisoning here, particularly from these family owned businesses. They are clean.  You can smell Lysol.

 

The Central Market (Locally called Old Public Market)

This is must, even you don’t buy anything.  You won’t believe the blocks of farm fresh fruit, vegetables, pork, chicken, beef and fresh caught seafood.

 

 

You can also find breads, pastries, dried fish, cashews, household and personal items there.  About anything you can think of.  Go there, even you don’t plan to buy anything, just to see it.

 

Buy some fresh pineapple, papaya, bananas, mangoes or watermelon if nothing else.  Try the homemade ice cream, for sale by pushcart vendors, ringing bells, for P5-P10.  (About 10-20 Cents USD) To die for.

 

Insider Info:

Some of the smaller hotels (Pensions---No these are not senior citizen rest homes---simply means small hotel.) will cook food you may have purchased at the market.  Check with the staff about this.  Some will do the shopping, too. 

Then, you can enjoy an authentic home cooked Filipino meal.  Be sure to tip them for doing this, if they already don’t have a room charge system for cooking for you.

Should you do this, you will need rice.  Be sure to drop by Edward del Rio’s Rice Wholesale and Retail  Shop in the Market. 

Ed  is friendly, helpful and will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have, which you will have, since there many kinds of rice in the Philippines.

Ed is adamant about product quality and is open from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, seven days a week. 

 

 

 

Across from Ed, is Henry, who we call Mr. Humble.  Henry will not allow a picture to be used for this. 

Henry has however, attracted interest from National US Networks, I am talking with about doing a project here, since he is so mysterious to them.  They are intrigued with Henry’s humility. 

You will that a common trait among many people you meet here.

He has all kinds of packaged goods for sale and specializes in Sugar, Coconut Oil and Coconut Vinegar. 

If, you are planning on a salad, Henry has what you will need, for the dressing.  The only picture I can provide is of of me and Mr. Humble’s sister, at Henry’s entrance.

 

 

Internet Cafe

FORMOSA COMPUTER WORLD has a very nice one.It’s air conditioned, with lot’s of workstations, equipped with headphones, microphones and a very fast connection speed.

I sincerely hope you have found this helpful and let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy your visit!

On this blog is also much more detailed information about Puerto Princesa, Palawan, (Maybe the Safest City of Earth) The Philippines and what is going on in Asia.  (Admittedly from my point of view)

Below is what I do, if that interests you.

 

Millennium Media Entertainment is a Television News, Marketing, Programming Development and Content Consulting Firm, continuing to do business in the United States.   Millennium is also involved with Television Talent Career and Presentation Development.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer John Sheehan has over 30 years of Senior Television Management Experience, Consulting Television Station Group Heads, Network Executives, Syndication Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, General Managers, Sales Managers, News Directors and Creative Services Managers about almost every aspect of the Television Business. 

 

Sheehan was Chief News Consultant for Group W Television, later The CBS Owned and Operated Stations in 12 Major US Markets, from 1991 to 1999, responsible for News Content Development, Station Branding and Talent Development.

 

Besides News, Sheehan consulted several Nationally Syndicated TV Shows including: Win, Lose or Draw, with Burt Reynolds, A Current Affair, The Gail King Show, and Evening Magazine.

 

Sheehan started Millennium Media Entertainment as a News Program Syndication and Consulting Company in 1999, after being President of the Clemensen Sheehan Rovitto & Company since 1991. 

 

While with CSR, Sheehan worked closely with the CEOs and managements of Allbritton Communications, Anchor Media, CBS Owned and Operated Television Stations, Group W Television (Westinghouse), New World, 20th TELEVISION, Group W Productions, Granite Broadcasting, and CBS’s EYEMARK ENTERTAINMENT.

 

Sheehan was President and General Manager of Audience Research & Development, from 1988 to 1991.  As president, he directed a staff of nearly 60 highly skilled television professionals, providing broadcast research and consulting services to over 120 stations, broadcast and cable networks and syndication clients. 

 

Prior to that, he managed AR&D’s sales efforts from 1985 to 1988, as Vice President of Client Development.  During his time with AR&D, Sheehan increased revenues by over 100%, quadrupling the company’s client base.

 

Before joining AR&D in 1985, Sheehan was Executive Vice President of SRI Research Center, now The Gallup Organization.  He started as Production Manager for SRI in late 1977 and within two years was named Executive Vice President, overseeing all market research and financial operations with a staff of more than 80 people. 

 

Sheehan served in the Peace Corps from 1974 to 1977 in the South Pacific.  He spent his first year in the region as Director of the Solomon Islands’ Information and Broadcasting Department overseeing a weekly newspaper and the national radio station.  He was responsible for each medium’s content, staff development and sales.

 

In 1974 he was assigned to Kingdom of Tonga as general manager of Tonga Feeds the country’s only source of livestock feed.  Sheehan managed all aspects of the company including accounting, inventory, pricing, importing/exporting products, new product development, a farm, government relations, staff development and negotiating foreign aid packages. 

 

When Sheehan left Tonga Feeds, nearly bankrupt when he arrived, the company was earning a 30% profit and influenced 25% of the Kingdom’s economy.  Sheehan was offered senior management positions by both the New Zealand and Kingdom of Tonga Governments.  He returned to the US in 1977.

 

Sheehan earned a BA in Journalism from Creighton University.  He fluently speaks Tongan and Melanesian Pidgin.  He has a working knowledge of Cebuano.

 

Sheehan also served in The United States Marine Corps.

 

Below is a partial list of the stations and companies that Sheehan has had working relationships with, during his 30 plus year career:

 

American Station Groups and US Production/Programming Companies

Allbritton Communications

Anchor Media

ABC News

Belo

Buena Vista Television

CBS News

CBS Television Stations

Cox Communications

EYEMARK Entertainment

Gannett Television

Group W Productions

Group W Television

Granite Broadcasting

Guy Gannet Broadcasting

Hearst Argyle Television

NBC Universal

New World Television

Storer Television

20^th TELEVISION (FOX)

United/Cris-Craft Television

 

US Television Stations

Waga        Atlanta

Wjz           Baltimore

Wbz           Boston

Wsbk        Boston

Wbbm       Chicago

Wjw          Cleveland

Koaa         Colorado Springs

Wdtn        Dayton

Whio        Dayton

Kdfw        Dallas

Kcnc         Denver

Kcci           Des Moines

Wdiv         Detroit

Wjbk         Detroit

Wtvx        Ft. Pierce

Wlbt         Jackson

Kctv          Kansas City

Wdaf        Kansas City

Kcbs          Los Angeles

Kcop          Los Angeles

Wfor        Miami

Wtvj         Miami

Witi          Milwaukee

Wcco        Minneapolis

Wsmv        Nashville

Wcbs         New York

Wesh        Orlando

Week        Peoria

Kyw           Philadelphia

Kpho         Phoenix

Ksaz          Phoenix

Kdka         Pittsburgh

WTAE       Pittsburgh

Katu         Portland, OR

Wgme       Portland, MA

Wtvr        Richmond

Wset         Roanoke

Wrex        Rockford

Kovr         Sacramento

Kutv         Salt Lake City

Ksbw         Salinas

King          Seattle

Kmol         San Antonio

(Woai)

Knsd         San Diego

Kpix           San Francisco

Wggb        Springfield

Wtvt        Tampa

Wtsp         St. Petersburg

Clients (Non-Television)

Anheuser Busch

Brinker International

Cargill

Norwest Banking

Omaha World Herald

Over 75 free Circulation Newspapers

Pulitzer Publishing

Village Inn

Wendys International

Contact:

John Sheehan

Millennium Media Entertainment

johntsheehanmme@gmail.com

 

http://johnsheehan17.blogspot.com/

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millennium-Media-Entertainment/74464753836