Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you book hotels and flights for our trip? No, we don't. We specialize in tour guiding services and we are in the business of helping our guests when they need top guides. We are a group of professional tourist guides created by the Department of Tourism in 2009.
2. All right, so where do you take your guests? We offer several top destinations within Metro Manila and select provinces. Please see our list of destinations and take your pick. We have done extensive research on these destinations to ensure the safety of our guests and aim for an amazing experience.
3. How much is your rate for a half-day tour? What does that include? For a half-day tour in Metro Manila, our rate is Php 2,500, which is good for four hours. If you need us for the whole day, we charge Php 5,000 to cover 8 hours.
For out-of-town tours, we charge Php 3,000 as our half-day rate and Php 6,000 for the whole day. Terms and Conditions apply. The rates do not include entrance fees, transport expenses and guide's accommodation.
4. Why are your rates higher than the rates of other guides? We only accept a limited number of guests to assure quality service, a high level of interaction, and most importantly, the safety of our guests. As a matter of principle, our group does not accept commission from tourist establishments (this includes souvenir shops and restaurants, among others). Our itineraries are designed to ensure the maximum satisfaction and safety of our guests.
5. Do you offer discounts? No, we don't but we strive to add value to your experience.
6. I want to take your tours. How do I make a booking? You can reach us through +63917.846.5729 (mobile), +632.896.5523 (land line) or email: mabuhayguides@yahoo.com and booking@mabuhayguides.com for your inquiries.
7. How do we pay the guide? The guides directly accept payment after the tour but if you wish to make a deposit, we can provide you with our bank details.
8. What are your contingency measures in case of inclement weather? During the rainy season, we have a Plan B, an alternative itinerary that would still make the tour fun and memorable for our guests. We communicate our plans to the guests ahead of time so there will be no surprises. Our guests will be notified on how to adequately prepare for a tour, receive information about the weather, and also know the appropriate attire.
9. I already have my own itinerary and all I need is a Mabuhay Guide. How does that work? Our guide will carefully study your itinerary and would also offer feedback and suggestions. We will work according to the agreed itinerary.
10. How is one Mabuhay Guide different from the other Mabuhay Guide? All of our guides are skilled and competent. We all received the same top-notch training from the leading experts in Philippine culture and tour guiding. Each guide performs according to the highest standards in the industry but might choose to focus on certain aspects depending on the guests' interests and the guide's background.
11. How different is your tour from Carlos Celdran's? Carlos Celdran is a popular figure in Philippine tourism. As an artist, he's in a league of his own and he also insists on being referred to as a performance artist. We are grateful for receiving a good number of referrals through him and his support for the group has been steady right from the start.
We share the same passion and enthusiasm in showing the country's culture and heritage in an informative and entertaining manner. We would differ in the manner of delivery and in the content of our commentaries. We also set the number of guests that we can accommodate for each tour to give the best experience possible. This would depend on the type of tour and destination.
12. Were you trained by Susan Calo-Medina of TravelTime? No. To be more accurate, Ms. Susan Calo-Medina is the project director of the Mabuhay Guides training program. She designed the curriculum by selecting the experts in architecture, heritage, literature, history and culture. We received on-site training and were assessed by trainers and evaluators from the London Blue Badge, an international benchmark for excellence in tour guiding.
13. Is this your full-time job? Most of us have regular jobs so that we can still guide. We come from diverse backgrounds but we share a common passion and that is to share what we know about our country and ensure that our guests receive quality and professional service that they deserve.
14. Do you still work for the Department of Tourism? Yes, and we continue to support the initiatives of the department especially when they need tour guides for their guests.
15. What lies ahead for the Mabuhay Guides? We continuously develop our knowledge and skills. We are always on the lookout for unique and noteworthy destinations that showcase the best things about our country. Visit our website regularly for the latest news.
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