Hi there!
I would be planning a trip to philippines in early septemeber '12 .
I'm hoping you guys could help me as to
1. how i should travel to get around+ the company name of recommended transport services.
2. The weather in Vigan or around, Weather in legaspi city or around.
The route i decided to take for this backpacking trip is either towards
Manila-vigan or Manila- legaspi-cebu.
Really depends on weather conditions 
Thanks friends!
Hope to get replies/ tips soon :D
manila - vigan bus ride is around 10hrs. you can fly from manila to laoag then 2hrs bus ride to vigan. laoag fly to legaspi then fly to cebu.
If your visting vigan only then it's not worth it. For me, vigan is a side trip when yo visit laoag or havng vacation in pagudpud beach... IMHO.
what about banaue rice terraces?
[ Edit: Edited on 07-Aug-2012, at 06:32 by TouristDriver ]
Yup if i'm going to vigan, i'll go by banaue rice terraces as well.
Which airline would you recommend?
Thanks.
Hi,
It really depends on what you like to do
Arrive Manila - spend a day or two getting oriented with the Philippines, transport etc.
Either fly (Laoag 1.5 hours away from Vigan by land)or take a bus up north for culture. Banaue (rice terrace views hiking), Sagada (caves, coffins, and rice terrace), Vigan (old spanish town)
Then either fly or take bus back to Manila. Fly then to Cebu. (Though I do recommend Palawan for backpacking more than Cebu)
Ferry then to Bohol. Fly back to Manila and out. Obviously there's a lot more to the Philippines than just those locations!! But from your itinerary that's a rough idea.
Writing this quickly. Do check out the Travellerspoint guide to the Philippines!
I've info on my own site too, see profile.
Finally regarding weather, at this time of year there it's rainy with a typhoons around. The north is hit quite badly sometimes. Do keep an eye on this and ask people. Planes are generally okay during this. Roads are subjected to landslides. And ferry's ... well I would avoid if there's a hit of bad weather.
Airlines Cebupacific there are delays though not always as bad as people say. Philippines Airlines is the national carrier. Personally I'd go with Cebu Pacific with a few weeks in advance bookings to cut costs.
Ferry schedules are reasonable. Booking online is not advised.
Most airlines and ferry companies have booking desks in the big malls. Likewise travel agents. No real problem booking Cebupacific online just be sure your credit card company knows you are.
BTW there are also some smaller regional airlines. They might be worth checking out for flights when on the ground and if you have time.
Hope that helps
Dave
[ Edit: Edited on 10-Aug-2012, at 23:22 by TLWH ]
Quoting TLWH
Hi,
It really depends on what you like to do
Arrive Manila - spend a day or two getting oriented with the Philippines, transport etc.
Either fly (Laoag 1.5 hours away from Vigan by land)or take a bus up north for culture. Banaue (rice terrace views hiking), Sagada (caves, coffins, and rice terrace), Vigan (old spanish town)
Then either fly or take bus back to Manila. Fly then to Cebu. (Though I do recommend Palawan for backpacking more than Cebu)
Ferry then to Bohol. Fly back to Manila and out. Obviously there's a lot more to the Philippines than just those locations!! But from your itinerary that's a rough idea.
Writing this quickly. Do check out the Travellerspoint guide to the Philippines!
I've info on my own site too, see profile.
Finally regarding weather, at this time of year there it's rainy with a typhoons around. The north is hit quite badly sometimes. Do keep an eye on this and ask people. Planes are generally okay during this. Roads are subjected to landslides. And ferry's ... well I would avoid if there's a hit of bad weather.
Airlines Cebupacific there are delays though not always as bad as people say. Philippines Airlines is the national carrier. Personally I'd go with Cebu Pacific with a few weeks in advance bookings to cut costs.
Ferry schedules are reasonable. Booking online is not advised.
Most airlines and ferry companies have booking desks in the big malls. Likewise travel agents. No real problem booking Cebupacific online just be sure your credit card company knows you are.
BTW there are also some smaller regional airlines. They might be worth checking out for flights when on the ground and if you have time.
Hope that helps
Dave
Hi dave,
Thank you for taking the time to write in this forum and reply to my message :D
I happen to have already plan the route: Our planned route is actually going from manila- cebu-bohol-iloilo city-boracay-manila-legazpi-manila
To and from manila are both by flights.( yes i'll also be using cebupacific as suggested by you considering zestairway and flyseair too)
But problem is, i don't know how i can get from iloilo to boracay, apart from flight......
Or if you happen to know the bus price tickets to legazpi from manila?
Sorry for the really late reply as i was busy all week...
Thanks
Cassandra
PS. Of course, if anyone else have tips or anything to say please speak up thank you so much! 
Hello Cassandra,
To answer your questions...
But problem is, i don't know how i can get from iloilo to boracay, apart from flight......
From Iloilo City, you have to get an airconditioned bus (e.g CERES Liner) and proceed by land travel towards Boracay's Caticlan (about 6 hours travel) or Kalibo (about 4 hours travel).
Or if you happen to know the bus price tickets to legazpi from manila?
There are several bus liners that have daily operations between Manila and Legazpi (e.g Cagsawa - royal class, DLTB Co., Penafrancia - Benz Deluxe. The buses range from ordinary coaches to deluxe coaches with modern amenities and the price range is from Php 750 to Php 1,100.
Hope this helps.