Manila to Zamboanga Road Trip with Asus Zenfone 5Q!

Hi Geeks! We were graciously provided by Asus Philippines their true quad camera, Zenfone 5Q for what supposedly around the metro photowalk. Yet things turn out to be more exciting as we were surprised to go on a road trip going way way south, Zamboanga City! Thats right from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. So lets do this.

So around the metro we go as we venture the urban jungle seeking for moments and views. Here are our takes from our Metro leg.

First, Quezon City featuring Quezon Memorial Circle and Cubao!

Quezon Memorial Circle

Manhattan, Cubao

Gateway Mall, Cubao

We also found ourselves visiting Business District Makati!

Makati Stock Exchange

Cinderella? Makati

Of course we really need to visit the Capital, Manila. Venturing Intramuros, Luneta to ever popular Harbour Square.

Baluarte de San Diego, Intramuros, Manila

Chinese Garden, Luneta Park, Manila

Talon - Harbour View, Manila

Harbour Square, Manila

Truelly, Zenfone 5Q does not disappoint in capturing moments and sceneries.

Moving on... One fine day, my brother called me up and told me to pack as we would be travelling to Zamboanga to bring home our new Toyota Fortuner. I headed straight home and packed my bags and things that needed to be brought to Zamboanga. Took a Grab ride to Makati where my brother was staying such that the next day we would be early leaving Manila.

Batangas Port, Batangas City

Aug 24, 2018. Around 6am, we woke up and ate breakfast at the hotel. We met with the driver and my brother's friend. Then we set out to Batangas Port travelling via SLEX.

Nearing Mindoro

We arrived around 9AM and so we miss the Fastcat Ferry going to Mindoro. Oh by the way you need to go through inspections and Coast Guard. Oh we were nearly fooled by one ticketing man of Montenegro Shipping that there are no Fastcat Ferry available. (Beware) Good thing i checked the schedule online and we were directed to wait in line for the next trip of Fastcat. At around 11am, we boarded the Ferry. Off to Mindoro!

Costing:
Roro Terminal Fee - 129.00 Pesos
Passenger Terminal Fee - 90.00 (30 x 3) *Driver is free
FastCat Fees
Passengers Ticket - 870.00 (290 x 3)
Bill of Lading - 1,836.00

Calapan, Mindoro

Around 1:20pm, we arrived at Mindoro. There we were not so plan out on which port to take. Whether Roxas or Bulalacao going to Caticlan. Fascat via Bulalacao was scheduled at 10pm so we went to Roxas if we can find an earlier trip. There only Montenegro had a trip at 6pm and was pricy. Yet it seems it was a bad decision as it 6 hours trip and we would dock at Nabas not Caticlan. The amenities with Montenegro was not that enjoyable. We hardly had good sleep as seats where hard plastic. Good thing i had Zenfone 5Q with me to keep me busy with its entertainment grade 6 inch display and of course its photography capabilities.

Costing:
Toll Fee - 50.00
Roro Terminal Fee - 129.00 Pesos
Passenger Terminal Fee - 45.00 (15 x 3) *Driver is free
Montenegro Fees
Passengers Ticket - 1440.00 (480 x 3)
Bill of Lading - 4,320.00
Nabas (Exit Fee)* - 200.00 (Illegal Collection)

Montenegro Shipping Lines, Dangay Port, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

Indian Man - Roxas port or Dangay Port, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

Around nearly 1AM (Aug 25), we arrived at Nabas. There was an anomaly there, as we learn that it was on private property yet the local government is collecting exit fees! Receipt was not official. Anyways... We set out to Kalibu! However the major highway (Western Nautical Highway) was under construction. We need to go around North Panay Peninsula Natural Park to reach Kalibu. If only Boracay was open, we would have stayed a little longer lol. It was a rainy evening with zigzaggidy roads. Upon nearing kalibu, we decided it was best to head straight to Ilo-ilo to catch the trip to Bacolod. So we had no or little rest. We arrived at Ilo-ilo at 6:30am. Again We visited coast guard and paid our fare. At 8AM we boarded Fastcat and doze of until we reached Bacolod.

Costing:
FastCat Fees
Passengers Ticket - 750.00 (250 x 3)
Bill of Lading - 1,944.00

SM City Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Down the Spiral Staircase - SM City Bacolod

Thank God i had charge the Zenfone 5Q as we reached Bacolod. We had any rest and so we decided to take a breather at SM City Bacolod and ate Brunch (11:00am). I asked the driver if we could pass by Talisay City that was 30 mins away. There we venture the famous "The Ruins". I found the mirror table to get that signature reflection shot. To make it different i took wide angle shot with the Zenfone 5Q. Someday, i will come back to shoot in at sunset and night time. After quick shoot, we proceeded to Dumaguete! It was long road trip going there. We planned to check in there and rest. We arrive around 6:30pm headed for GoHotel since they had good parking there and Robinsons was near for quick dinner and malling. After we ate dinner, we headed back to the Hotel to check in, unfortunately Fully Booked! So we got into the Car and looked for a "decent" accomodation but nothing. Our driver suggested we should just head out to Dapitan via 10pm Fastcat trip. Well we did'nt have a choice so we went to the port and bought our tickets boarded and snoozed for 3 hours.

Costing:
Roro Terminal Fee - 129.00 Pesos
Passenger Terminal Fee - 45.00 (15 x 3) *Driver is free
FastCat Fees
Passengers Ticket - 1,440.00 (480 x 3)
Bill of Lading - 3,240.00

The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occiedental

Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

We arrive at Dapitan around 2:00AM (Aug 26, 2018.) Again we searched for nearby hotels but fully booked again. Dipolog was near so we went there. At last, we found a Hotel! We checked in at Ariana Hotel. I was so late so we headed off to our rooms. Took a bath, charged all electronics and quickly went to sleep. I woke up around 8am. Took morning bath and felt so refreshed. Soon after my companions were awake. We ate breakfast and rest for a while. We left around 10:30. After few hours we arrive at Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte where we ate lunch at a Kambingan Eatery there. After lunch, got back on the road again and after an hour or so arrived at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Had quick snack and soon after off to the farmlands of Zamboanga Del Sur and finally reaching Zamboanga City, Asia's Latin City and my birth place at 5:09 to be exact.

Ariana Hotel, Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay

I stayed at Zamboanga for 9 days. Enjoyed the comforts of home and family. Visited Fort Pillar. Oh I also used the Zenfone 5Q to capture a video of blooming of the four o'clock flower.

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur

So far that wraps up my Travel from across Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. The route we take was very safe. Thank God! Some wrong decisions here and there but we learned from the experience. The Zenfone 5Q did a bang up job of keeping me entertained and acts as navigation for our trip. Some photos i took using it were for keeps and for print as well. Oh if you are asking about costing, at very least the travel can be done around 25k in nearly 3 days. This was just a road trip but hopefully i can do it again but have time to stop by parks, memorials and other tourist spots as well as experience culture and fiesta of the towns.

I thank Asus Philippines for letting me use the Zenfone 5Q. It is certainly a device that i would recommend for taking photos and videos with its True Quad Camera Setup as well as keeping you entertained with its 6 inch Full HD Display and updated for your travels and adventure with Ultra-Fast Connectivity Features. It is available nationwide for 14,995 Pesos!

Thanks Geeks for reading and enduring my photographic journey. Feel free to ask question or buzz me via our FB Page > Geekschicksten.

Asus Zenfone 5Q Specs
Android Nougat 7.0
6 inch 2K FHD (2160 x 1080) 18:9 IPS Display
2.5D Contoured Glass
64-bit Snapdragon 630
Adreno 508
4GB RAM
32GB Internal Storage
Rear Camera:
Main - 16MP Standard Angle PDAF
120° Wide Angle Camera
Front Camera:
Main - 20MP Sony IMX 376 f/2.0
120° Wide Angle Camera
Expandable via MicroSD
Dual Sim, Dual Standby
4G LTE | HSPA+ | 3G | 2G
WCDMA: Band: 1/5/6/8/19
FDD: Band: 1/2/3/5/7/8/18/19/28
TD: Band: 38/39/41
Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz
Bluetooth 4.1
GPS, aGPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC
Micro USB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Sensors: Accelerator/E-Compass/Gyroscope/
Proximity sensor/Ambient light sensor/Fingerprint
3300mAH Battery
5V 2A 10 W