UK show to feature 'skylab,' other unique means of transport in RP

MANILA, Philippines - If you see the “skylab” while watching the National Geographic, don’t be surprised. 

The skylab – a motorcycle modified to accommodate more than two passengers – and other modes of transport found only in the Philippines are taking the center stage in the popular television channel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported yesterday.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said a popular United Kingdom-based TV show that airs on National Geographic and British Broadcasting Corp. is featuring the country’s unique modes of transport in a show entitled “By Any Means.”

The travel documentary presents host Charley Boorman and cameraman Paul “Mungo” Mungeam as they go around the country using rare transport means.

Durano said the DOT provided the necessary information on the country’s interesting modes of transport and accompanied the television crew in their journey, which included side-trips to alternative tourist spots.

“Apart from presenting accessibility of our different destinations through our creative means of transportation, the show also highlights the unique facets of our tucked-away destinations,” he said.

Durano said the DOT made certain that the group would have a one-of-a-kind feature on the Philippines.

“We had them visit interesting locales such as a monastery in Bukidnon, a fishing farm in Camiguin, and a pineapple farm in Malaybalay,” he said.

“By Any Means” planned a 10-day trip from Davao to Manila. They rode a skylab from Davao to Malaybalay where they transferred to a fruit truck to reach Cagayan de Oro. 

From there, the crew took a Supercat to Camiguin, then hopped on to a Navy boat to Bohol, and rode another boat going to Cebu.

The crew then hitched a ride on a military helicopter that took them to Ormoc, from where they rode a public bus going to Tacloban where they visited the site of the Leyte landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

From Palo, Leyte, they took a local taxicab known as “Jega spider cab” to Basey, then a fish truck brought them from Calbayog to Allen, Samar where they boarded a ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferry to Sorsogon.   

Traveling to Legazpi City, the crew rode a rescue ambulance, and then scooters to Camarines Sur until they reached Quezon province. From Calauag town, they boarded a railroad trolley all the way to Lopez where they got on an anahaw delivery truck to get to Unisan. 

The group also rode a “hammer,” a local version of the Hummer, to reach Las Piñas City, then a jeepney going to Makati City, and finally a quick tour of Manila on Mad Dog bikes.

Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque said among the vehicles, the most unheard of are the skylab, the spider cab, the railroad trolley, and the hammer. 

“A skylab is a motorcycle that has been modified to accommodate more than two people with the use of long wooden planks, while a railroad trolley is a 4 x 8 feet boxcar that rides on railroad tracks,” he said. 

DOT officials said they expect the show to project a positive image of the country, especially in places deemed risky for tourists.