20 January 2019 – While moving my 2016-2018 photos and videos to cloud, I found a three-year-old memory from our Manila Bay cruise. I couldn’t afford to share this story on my blog last December 2016 so allow me to share this experience.
By the way, thanks to Krizzalyn for giving us – Rogelio and Bernadette – the rest of her tickets.
It’s an escape away from the audit season and the busy metro. Imagine enjoying the evening with buffet dinner while watching a band. Sun Cruises delivers this extraordinary experience with its cruise ferry.
We had a view of the Manila skyline by sunset and the lights of SM Mall of Asia by night for an hour and a half.
For only PHP550 (inclusive of set dinner), you get to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. If you want a premium buffet dinner, it will cost you PHP1,499.
The ticket is exclusive of terminal fee so we paid PHP30 at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal in Seaside Blvd of SM Mall of Asia complex. It has a daily trip.
HOW TO GET THERE
From South
– Ride LRT 1 from Baclaran to Buendia/ Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue
– Ride Multi cab going to SM MOA
– Get off when you reach One Esplanade
– Walk going to Esplanade Seaside Terminal (EST)
From North
– Ride LRT 1 from Roosevelt, Balintawak or Monumento to Buendia/ Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue
– Ride Multi cab going to SM MOA
OTHER SERVICES
Sun Cruises offers daily trips to Corregidor island which departs from Manila at 8:00AM and arrives in the island at 9:15AM. It also offers tour packages from day and overnight (PHP5,250) tours to historical tram (PHP3,358) tour.
FOR INQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS
Reservations Office
21st Floor Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Tel. (632) 354-7005, (632) 6289751 and (632) 6289752
Mobile (63)998 968-3256, (63)998 968-3056
E-mail: reservations@suncruises.com.ph
Sales Office
21st Floor Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512
Fax No. (632) 527-5555 local 4513
E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph
You may also buy a Manila Bay Cruise (with premium dinner buffet) ticket at SM Tickets.
WRITE A RESPONSE ARTICLE
Response article enables VoicePoints readers to respond to the article published by the author by completing the form below. Under ‘Message’ box, please ensure to include the title of the main article you are responding.
About the Author
- Chief Executive Editor
-
PJ is a Certified Public Accountant, writer, storyteller, and an advocate for youth empowerment and environmental protection. His passion for storytelling and social impact has taken many forms—from writing thought-provoking articles on national development, featured in a Spanish newspaper and Rappler, to producing documentaries on mining and environmental issues that aired on ABS-CBN News and GMA News.
A proud Ilocano and graduate of Northwestern University, PJ earned his degree in Accountancy then passed the CPA licensure exam in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at KPMG in the Philippines. As an external auditor, he handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including a global workspace provider (the largest audit engagement of KPMG Philippines), a global bank, a major FMCG player, and several shared service centers.
His commitment to innovation was evident early in his career. PJ and his team won the KPMG Asia-Pacific Data & Analytics Challenge and later coached the Philippine team to a top-three finish at the KPMG GlobalRunner Cup. He went on to lead KPMG Philippines' Network of Audit Innovators and Data & Analytics Champions, as well as its academic arm. He was an active contributor to the Asia-Pacific Audit Digital Transformation Workstream and a member of both the Audit Methodology Group and the Root Cause Analysis Team. Beyond technical excellence, PJ is deeply committed to learning and leadership. He was a regular training facilitator on audit methodology, professional standards, and emerging tools in data and analytics. He also served as the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) Implementation Manager and one of its Workforce of the Future Champions.
In 2019, he contributed to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as a member of its Technical Working Group on Audit Methodology. His role in shaping audit quality and innovation has left a meaningful imprint on the profession.
PJ defines success by the people he uplifts. As a mentor and coach, he invests in the growth of emerging professionals and previously served as a member of the KPMG Philippines People Committee.
He leads various community-centered advocacy projects and shares inspiring stories through his vlog, PJspirations, a platform that celebrates individuals and their journeys. As a volunteer, he serves as Academic Master and Head Coach of PREMIER International Learning and Development Center, an organization devoted to providing coaching, mentoring, and training programs that help people grow personally and professionally.
Today, PJ brings his passion and expertise to the Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian regions as part of KPMG’s Professional Practice and Audit Learning & Development team. In this role, he contributes to audit methodology advancement and learning strategy across the Middle East Cluster.
He is also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator, leading sessions of the global Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.
Tiktok: PJspirations
Snapchat: pgb_088
Personal Website: http://lnk.bio/pjspirations
Author's latest published articles
Arts & EntertainmentMarch 30, 2026THE SOLO DRIFTER: Najran | Noble Land of Saudi Arabia
EnvironmentMarch 15, 2026THE SOLO DRIFTER: Tabuk | Tender North of Kind People and Quiet Wonders
Heritage and CultureMarch 14, 2026THE SOLO DRIFTER: Exploring Saudi Arabia’s Timeless Kingdom, Future Horizons | A Travel Guide
TravelJanuary 4, 2026THE SOLO DRIFTER: Southeast Asia (Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia, plus Indochina) Travel Guide, Budget and Itinerary
