Philippine Transportation and Tourism: The BBOP Team: The Group's Activities

In this post, we would like to show you our team and our bus observation in different bus companies within Metro Manila. This is the BBOP Team.

THE STARTING ADMINS OF BBOP
Starting from the Left: Mr. Dan Mark Esplana, Mr. Mark Galarion, Mr. Kanjie Perez
Bus Observation in Superlines Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City - May 11, 2015
Taken behind Superlines 334

Our first bus observation started in April 13, 2015 at Superlines Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City during the 40th anniversary of the bus company, and was followed on May 11, 2015. On this picture above hows a unique look of their fleets They called it as "Voltron Unit". This unit was released on the summer of 2010, powered by Fuso 6D22, with bus numbers 334 and 306 (powered by Fuso 6D24).

OUR FIRST MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ACTIVITY
Starting from Left: Mr. Kanjie Perez, Mr. Dan Mark Esplana, Ms. Divine
Esplana, Mr. Mark Galarion
Taken at Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal - May 27, 2015

As summer went on, our group visited Brgy. Silangan in San Mateo, Rizal, and conducted mountain climbing activities near Tierra Monte Subdivision. As our mountain climbing activity went on, we discovered a place where we can do our bonding. And on, June 5, 2015, Brgy. Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal was declared the birthplace of Brotherhood of Bus Observers of the Philippines.

As our team was running good, our association was getting stronger and stronger. The admins rise some rules and regulations to keep the order of this group. Bus Observation Protocols and Plant Tour Protocols have been made to keep the activities in order. Beside of having a bus observations, the BBOP team can conduct mountain climbing as a part of our recreation and relaxation.

WITH THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
Start from the Left:
Ms. Divine Esplana, Mr. Kanjie Perez, Mr. Mark Galarion,
Mr. Dan Mark Esplana, Ms. Chiqui Delos Angeles,
Mr. Efren Cloza
Taken at Brgy. Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal - June 16, 2015

June 14, 2015, a young couple was enlisted as our official members of the group, the first official members of the group are Mr. Efren Cloza and Ms. Chiqui Delos Angeles of Malabon City. They enjoyed the activity and bonding in the mountains of Brgy. Silangan.

We've also visited a shrine in San Mateo before we went back to the city, named Our Lady of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. There, we toured the shrine and there are some pilgrims visited that time. On the next day, after we visited the Mediatrix Shrine, we went back to Cubao, Quezon City to have Mr. Cloza and Ms. Delos Angeles their first shot. Their first shot was held in Superlines Terminal II. Ms. Chiqui's first photo was a brand new bus of Superlines, the Hino Grand-echo II (First Class). - See BBOP Group Page on Facebook.

WITH THE FOURTH ADMIN
Start from the Left: Mr. Kanjie Perez, Mr. Estephen Neil Cabulay, Mr. Mark Galarion
Taken at Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal - June 25, 2015

June 25, 2015, Mr. Estephen Neil Cabulay of Cavite was enlisted as the 4th admin of BBOP in the birthplace of our group. Mr. Cabulay is an independent bus enthusiast and a good student from Far Eastern University in Manila.

The first admin's meeting was happened in July 23, 2015 and held in Sta. Cruz, Manila, in the Manila Grand Opera Hotel and Casino in Doroteo Jose St.. In this meeting, we've met a train enthusiast (or railfan) named Marc Lawrence "Werner" Santos from the group Philippine National Railways - Train Enthusiasts' Fan Club (PNR-TEFC now Philippine Train Enthusiasts' Fan Club (PTEFC)). He introduced to us the world of railways here in our country and told us the good advantage of riding a train.

As an automotive observer, I saw the great advantage of riding a train if you're going to a far place without experiencing heavy traffic. Bus Observations to a far place is too easy to access because of the Philippine Railway Systems.

After our admins' meeting, we conducted our bus observation within the vicinity of Sta. Cruz, Manila. We've also visited some terminals in Sampaloc, Manila, like Victory Liner and GV Florida. These bus companies are serving in Northern Luzon including Baguio City and Sierra Madre area.

THE BBOP ADMINS
Start from the Left: Mr. Marc Lawrence Santos (PTEFC), Mr. Estephen Neil
Cabulay, Mr. Kanjie Perez, Mr. Dan Mark Esplana, Mr. Mark Galarion
Our First Admins' Meeting and Bus Observation at Sta. Cruz, Manila
Taken at Saulog Transit Terminal, Sta. Cruz, Manila - July 23, 2015

August 11, 2016, our group visited Sampaloc, Manila where GV Florida's best coaches will be seen. I was amazed in GV Florida's coaches, majority of them was made in Pilipinas Hino ang Del Monte Motors, and they have also have unique looks.

As a bus observer, some bus companies and bus manufacturers are very creative to make their buses look good and cool to their valued passengers and customers. And if you ask me, what bus company/manufacturer is best in creativity? You may judge what bus company will be the best in creativity, go and observe, and you will see a lot.

After our observation in GV Florida's terminal, our next stop was the Green Lantern of Ilocos Norte named Farinas Trans. We toured one of their luxurious coach in their terminal. As I observed their coaches, there is only one word that I will say to Farinas Trans.. Awesome!

November 4-7, 2015, our group volunteered to Hare Krishna Food For Life to man-powered a feeding operation to the victims of Typhoon Lando in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija and Arayat, Pampanga. These places were flooded due to torrential rains by Typhoon Lando. This operation was a little difficult to us, there was no place in San Leonardo for us to spend our time to rest and to prepare meal for the victims, so the team captain of the Hare Krishna Food for Life decided to go back to Arayat, Pampanga.

FEEDING OPERATION AT ARAYAT, PAMPANGA
Start from the Left:
Mr. Dan Mark Esplana, Mr. Mark Galarion
Taken at Arayat, Pampanga - November 6, 2015
Courtesy of: Makhanlal Das of Hare Krishna Food for Life

There, we spend our time to rest and prepare meals for the typhoon victims. Within two days, our team went back and forth to San Leonardo. And the villagers gave us a warm welcome. After we gave meals to them, all I saw on their faces a big smile and hope that they could rise from the tragedy. And on our last day, we spend our last feeding operation in Brgy. Guimasan, Arayat, Pampanga. This is the feeding operation that I never forget, even though it was difficult, our hearts filled with joy by helping others in need.

Beside of Bus Observation and many other activities, our group also conducts Faith Observation. In this event, we visit churches, temples, mosques to many other religions, to teach every individual the true meaning of religion. Our first Faith Observation was happened on November 29, 2015 and was held in a Hare Krishna temple in Makati City named Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Mandir, located in Brgy. San Antonio, Makati City (Near PNR's Vito Cruz Station).

On the last month of 2015, our group conducted two more bus observation in Superlines Transportation Co., Inc. Terminal II in Cubao, and also in Partas Transportation Co., Inc. terminal in Aurora Boulevard.

At this point, we would like to show more photos about team and our activities. For more details, you may visit our Facebook page.