Travel Information

Getting around Manila

“Manila” can mean two things. First, is the City of Manila, which is the capital of the Philippines. Second is the greater Metropolitan Manila, officially known as the National Capital Region, which is comprised of several cities, including the City of Manila. In this guide, we will use the term Manila to refer to Metro Manila. The SMX Convention Center is located in the City of Pasay within Metro Manila.

Manila is densely populated and traffic is usually heavy. Make sure to allot extra travel time when you are planning your itinerary. Public transportation is crowded and may be difficult to navigate for visitors. Except for the train lines, public transportation routes do not appear on Google Maps. Be prepared to pay in cash. The following are recommended options to get around Manila: 

1. 1. GRAB (Ride Share): The most convenient way to book a car service is via the Grab App. Fairs are displayed before booking. Note that tolls and surcharges are excluded. Your ride can be tracked, and trip history can be traced. Payment options are cash or debit/credit card.
      
      Download the app on your smart phone, input payment details, and book a car. Grab cars are fairly available 24/7, but waiting time tends to increase during rush hours (6 to 10 am, and 5 to 9 pm).  If you are travelling solo and up for an adventure, you can also book a motorcycle. A Grab-registered rider can pick you up and take you to your destination. This option may come in handy if you are in a hurry.  Payment options include cash or debit/credit card via the App. Download the App for iOS and Android.

2. 2. TAXI:
      • a. AIRPORT TAXI: Taxi stands and dispatchers are situated at the NAIA terminal arrival area. Coupon airport taxis (blue-marked white taxi) are dispatched by airport personnel and charged at a fixed price depending on destination, or you can hire a metered airport taxi (yellow). Note that airport taxis operate at a higher price point than regular taxis.
      • b. REGULAR TAXI: Regular white metered taxis are also available at the airport terminal exits and have a fixed flag down rate and per kilometer fee. Outside the airport, you can hail a taxi from the sidewalk. Should you choose this option, ensure that the taxi meter is activated and working.

3. 3. HOTEL TRANSFERS: Most hotels offer airport transfer service for a fee. Kindly communicate with your hotel directly to inquire about this service. Some third-party transfers may also be available via websites such as Klook.

If you are looking to experience the authentic Filipino transportation options, these are enumerated below. There are no route guides for these vehicles. If you would like to experience these options, ask a local for directions and tips. Please exercise extreme caution when taking these modes of transportation.

4. 4. ELEVATED TRAIN: Train lines are quite limited in coverage but may be one of the quickest ways to get around Manila as it avoids road traffic. LRT-1 (yellow line) runs north to south, and LRT-2 (purple line) runs from west to east. The MRT (blue line) runs north to south along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). It is necessary to wait in line for a new ticket for each trip, and changing lines counts as a new trip.

5. 5. PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES: There are no route guides for these vehicles. The bus and jeepney routes are displayed on the windshield, indicating the significant stops along its route.
      • a. BUS: Local buses are only allowed on main roads. Payments are handed to a bus conductor, and you will be issued a ticket. Make sure to keep your tickets for inspections.
      • b. JEEPNEY: The iconic Philippine vehicles will give you the most authentic Filipino transport experience. You can hail these anywhere on most Manila roads but take note if there are designated loading and unloading stations in the area. Payments are handed to the driver during the ride. Say “Bayad po” followed by your destination when handing the money to the driver so he can compute your fare since it varies on your pick-up point and destination.  If you are seated at the far end of the vehicle, the other passengers will pass it on to the driver for you. When you are about 5 to 10 meters away from your stop, say “Para po” to notify the driver to slow down and stop at the nearest unloading station.
      • c. TRICYCLE: These are local versions of the auto-rickshaw. These vehicles ply a set route in inner roads. These can usually accommodate 2 to 4 passengers.

6. 6. KALESA: These old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages are confined to certain areas of the city and are usually limited to get around during local tours. You can find these in Intramuros, Rizal Park (Luneta Park), and Binondo-Chinatown. Expect to pay around PhP 250 per head for an hour’s tour. Exercise care when booking these as some kalesa drivers have gained a reputation for overcharging.

 Congress Information

Registration & Help Desk

The APVRS 2025 registration counters are located at the 2^nd level lobby of the SMX Convention Center. For assistance, please approach any of the Congress Staff at the registration counters and function halls. The PAO Secretariat will be stationed in Meeting Rooms 12 and 13 and will also be ready to assist. Congress Staff will be wearing a labeled white shirt and blue cap for easy identification. The registration counters, help desk, and PAO Secretariat desk will be open from December 12-14, 2025 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The registration counters will have separate lanes for pre-registered delegates and on-site registration. Pre-registered lanes are organized according to delegates’ last names. Please present the confirmation e-mail at the pre-registered lanes to expedite the release of Congress kits.

On-site payment can be made at the designated lane during opening hours. Cash and credit cards are accepted in local currency (Philippine Peso) only. Rates will be converted to PhP based on prevailing market exchange rate. Cheques are not accepted.

Please note that international trainees who have not verified their trainee status online will need to present their trainee verification form at the registration counter. The on-site rate will be applied should there be failure to provide verification and the price difference shall be charged.

Congress Kit

Congress Kits may be claimed during opening hours at the Registration counters. The following are included in the Congress Kit:

1. 1. Eco-friendly bag
   2. Name Badge
   3. Meal tickets
   4. Congress quick guide
   5. Official receipt for registration
   6. Access to the Congress App

The Name Badge will be the official pass and must be worn at all times while on-site by the named delegate only. You will not be admitted into the Meeting and Exhibit Areas without the proper badge. All name badges are nontransferable. The lunch and snack tickets will be collected by the servers before each meal. Lost badges and meal tickets will be replaced at a cost to the participant.

Accompanying persons (if any) are entitled to a name badge, access to the exhibit hall, and fellowship/gala night. 

Dress code

Neat casual attire is acceptable for attendance at Congress sessions and social functions.

Congress Smartphone App

The APVRS and PAO Connect App will be utilized as the APVRS Congress Apps. International delegates will have access to the App. The mobile app provides interactive capabilities to enhance your Congress experience. It will be available for download starting December 1, 2025. Updating the app regularly is recommended. For help on downloading the app and navigating its functions, please ask for assistance at the PAO Secretariat Help Desk.

Digital Program & Abstract Book

A PDF copy of the Full Digital Program and Abstract Book will be available online. Please login to your user profile via the congress website at https://congress.2025.apvrs.org/. No hard copies of the Full Digital Program and Abstract Book will be distributed.

Speaker Ready Room

The designated speaker ready room is Meeting Room 3, located on the 2nd floor of the SMX Convention Center. Use this room to test your presentations for compatibility with the session room configuration.

Please load your presentations at least 6 hours prior to your session. For morning lectures, kindly load them the day before. No personal laptops will be allowed during the sessions. It is imperative that you review your presentation in the Speaker Ready Room where technicians are available to help resolve any compatibility and/or formatting issues.

The PowerPoint and video files you have uploaded onto the computer in the Speaker Ready Room will be automatically transmitted to the laptop computer at the podium before your session begins. Speakers will be provided with a clicker and a separate laser pointer at the podium. The Speaker-Ready room will be open starting December 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM. It will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on December 12-14, 2025.

Electronic posters & Surgical Video

The ePoster viewing area is in the Exhibit Hall. Computer terminals can be found by the Exhibit Hall, between the doors of Function Rooms 4 and 5. The surgical video viewing room is in Meeting Room 1 and the schedule of showing will be posted daily. The top 10 videos will have a special screening schedule. The top e-posters and surgical videos will be announced and awarded during the closing ceremony.  The e-posters and surgical videos can also be viewed on the website via the user dashboard and will continue to be available until January 20, 2026.

Certificate of Attendance

Certificates can be downloaded through the user profile on the website. Please login using the same email address that you used to register for the Congress. The website will direct you to an evaluation form prior to accessing the certificate of attendance.

Useful Information about the Philippines

Weather

Philippines is hot and humid all year round, with temperatures usually reaching over 30 degrees Celsius. Stay hydrated during hotter weather.  Be prepared for rain at any time, which can be very heavy but brief.  Typhoon seasons are from June to October.

Language

English and Filipino are the official languages.

Time Zone

Time Zone in the Philippines is GMT+8.

Currency

The official currency is Philippine Pesos (PHP).

Electrical power plug/socket

In the Philippines, the most common electric socket type is type A, which features 2 parallel flat pins and is non grounded.  While type B (with a grounding pin) and type C (with 2 round pins) are also used.  Type A is the most prevalent.  The standard voltage in the Philippines is 220V at 60Hz.

Internet Access

WiFi is available in the congress halls, hotels and airport.  However, purchasing a local SIM card or using mobile data for navigation and communication is also ideal for longer visits.

Tipping

Tipping is encouraged for good service but not required.  It is often appreciated for services like tour guides, boatmen and spa therapists.  Such tips would be in addition to the standard 8-10% service charge added to the bill by some restaurants and hotels.

Smoking

Smoking and vaping are not allowed in air-conditioned places, such as congress halls, shopping malls or restaurants.  There are designated smoking areas in some entertainment outlets & open-air eateries.

Drinking water

Tap water in the Philippines is potable.  However, bottled water is highly recommended and is also readily available.

Safety

Like in all countries, be vigilant against theft and scams.  However, security is assured in the congress halls and in the affiliated hotels.

Travel Insurance

It is adviseable to obtain travel insurance especially for longer visits in the Philippines.

Tax Refund

Foreign passport holders may apply for a VAT refund for goods purchased from accredited stores worth at least Php 3,000.  These goods are not to be consumed while the tourist is in the Philippines and must be physically taken out of the country within 60 days from purchase.  Refunds will be given to tourists electronically or in cash.

The VAT refund will apply to retail and tangible goods such as clothing, electronics, gadgets, jewlery, accessories, souvenirs, food or non-food consumables and other goods for personal use.