Padre Pio Church in Sto. Tomas, Batangas: How To Go and How Much Will It Cost
My family had been planning to go to Padre (it means Father in Tagalog) Pio Church for a while and last Sunday the plan came into fruition.
Neither one of us knew how to get there and I searched here in the cyberspace how to get there but can't find the exact fare or the exact where to go. I expected that the travel time will be about 2 hours or less and it would cost us around 200+ in Philippine pesos on a one way ticket bus each person.
And so, we woke up at around 4 am and left the house at around 6:30 am. From Sucat Highway we took a bus going to Alabang. Just ask the one issuing the tickets or driver first before boarding if they will be able to drop you off at the Terminal in Alabang. As of April 7, 2019 the bus fare from Sucat to Alabang (airconditioned) would be 13 pesos.
Next, when you are able to reach the terminal of buses in Alabang, just ask the people there where are the buses that will be going to Lucena. We were able to reach the terminal at around 6:48 am and the bus took off at 2 minutes before 7 am. The bus stayed almost 20 minutes near the highway in front of the Starmall Alabang before taking off at last. The fare for airconditioned buses will cost you 82 pesos each. If you also have in mind to find the Rose & Grace Restaurant (because of the BULALO that Batangas is famous for), you will first see it when you are sitting in the right side window portion of the bus. And then after a few distance more, you will see an overpass bridge with tarpaulin welcome to padre pio. One landmark I could tell you is a Jollibee branch next to a church on the left side of the bus and adjacent to these buildings is the L?G building (I apologize because I don't remember if it really is LTG BUILDING). Or, if you are not sure, just ask the driver to drop you off near Padre Pio. We arrived there at 8:00 am.
Then, have you noticed the small market place on the right side? You will walk straight ahead where you will pass by a 7-11 store and walk until you get to see the Tricycle terminal which will take you to Padre Pio. We thought there was a line but there wasn't so it was a bit chaotic. The lady in the table said that the driver will just shout it out where he will go. The tricycle fare cost 10 pesos each but if your going to go special then it would cost you 50 pesos.
There is no bus terminal where you first had been dropped off near Padre Pio. You'll have to wait for a passing bus. Fortunately, we were be able to board the bus at around 12:45 noon and arrived at Starmall Alabang at 1:30 pm which I think is pretty fast.