Manila

MRT-3 began rolling out direct bank-card and digital-wallet fast lanes in 2025; Beep remains important because contactless coverage is not identical at every rail operator.

As of 2026-07-15 Source: DOTr MRT-3 →

At the 2010 census closest to Kevin's trip, the City of Manila counted 1,652,171 residents within a much larger metropolitan region.

As of 2010-05-01 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority — 2010 Census, NCR →

Manila–Davao and Manila–General Santos are air journeys; there is no practical passenger rail through the archipelago, while sea itineraries are multi-day and schedule-sensitive.

As of 2026-07-15 Source: Philippine Department of Transportation →

MRT-3 fares run roughly PHP 13–28 by distance and Beep stored-value cards work across the line.

As of 2026-07-15 Source: DOTr MRT-3 →

Philippines

As of 2014-03-01 Source: Kevin Striegle World Race Journal — What a Whirlwind (2014-03-28) →