We’ve all obtained to start out from Zero.
Typically, a go to to at least one landmark can spur you to get out of the home and offer you a purpose to journey someplace. For those who comply with this weblog, you realize that I like to gather random issues or go to particular reference factors throughout street journeys. One new journey quest I wish to do sooner or later is to loop among the many islands within the Philippines by bike (the bigger ones) or by bike (the smaller ones). And the most effective place to start out in every island can be the Kilometer Zero markers on the street.
*New Sidequest unlocked*
In lots of nations around the globe, Kilometer Zero or KM 0 refers to a selected location (often within the nation’s capital metropolis) from which distances are historically measured. The coordinates are additionally used for measuring distances between totally different nations around the globe.
Within the Philippines, the Kilometer Zero marker in Luneta throughout Rizal Park within the nation’s capital Manila is the principle level of reference. It serves because the nation’s place to begin when measuring the gap going to the totally different provinces and cities in Luzon Island and the remainder of the Philippines alongside the Pan-Philippine Freeway.
However other than this, different main islands within the nation like Panay Island, Negros Island, Mindoro and smaller island provinces have their very own Kilometer Zero markers. I beforehand visited the one in Marawi Metropolis in Lanao del Sur, the unique reference level for all roads in Mindanao throughout my quest to go to the 82 provinces of the Philippines.
After biking to the KM 0 marker in Manila throughout Holy Week, I obtained sucked right into a rabbit gap of analysis on the subject of those landmarks. Whereas I by no means actually sought out the precise markers throughout earlier journeys, apparently I’ve been to most of them. I discovered from this attention-grabbing article by Penfires (who wrote extensively in regards to the matter) that KM Zero markers are centrally situated in or close to Provincial Capitol grounds.
Whereas scouring GoogleMaps, I additionally discovered that the majority others are situated close to municipal halls, ports, city facilities, or main street junctions. Some are simply easy yellow posts, whereas different have extra attention-grabbing designs and are thought of historic landmarks. For vacationers, these could possibly be good beginning factors for future journeys.
TRIVIA: Do you know that earlier than World Conflict II, the Philippines solely had one Kilometer Zero, and it wasn’t in Luneta. Initially, the cross atop the central dome of the Manila Cathedral served as the first reference level. It was moved by the Individuals to its present location upon the completion of the beautification of Bagumbayan someday within the early twentieth century. (Supply: Filipiknow).
Completely different Kilometer posts have been established when the Pan-Philippine Freeway was accomplished. In keeping with Government Order No. 487 handed in 1977, the Rizal Monument on the Rizal Park in Manila will stay as Km. 0+000 for Luzon. The order indicated the placement for Kilometer Zero stations in Manila, Panay Island, Negros, and Mindoro stating that: “For all different island provinces, Km. 0+000 shall be in entrance of the Provincial Capitol Constructing within the provincial capital of the province.”
These are small yellow posts with the numbers situated alongside important roads, particularly within the province. These inform you how far you might be from the KM 0 marker in Luneta and the gap to the following city or metropolis. Again when there was no GPS, vacationers would use these for navigation throughout lengthy drives.
I’ve compiled the precise location for the KM 0 markers for the biggest islands and island provinces in thecountry with Google Maps embedded for many who prefer to seek out this form of factor throughout rides.
For reference, the ten largest islands of the Philippines are: Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu and Bohol. Take a look at this superior infographic map of 100 of 7641 islands within the Philippines by Mapmaker David Garcia to get an concept of how giant every island is.
Luzon is the biggest and most populous island within the Philippines. Yow will discover the Kilometer Zero marker for the entire island of Luzon within the nation’s capital Manila. It’s situated alongside Roxas Boulevard in Ermita instantly throughout from the purpose the place Philippine independence was proclaimed in 1946 earlier than the Rizal Monument.
It is a small marble pylon with a picture of the Philippines and the letters KM 0 to point the reference level when measuring the gap to different provinces on Luzon island and the remainder of the nation. It’s a well-liked picture op spot for pedestrians and cyclists, because it’s close to the bike lane.
Mindanao is the second-largest island within the Philippines, situated within the southern area of the archipelago. The KM 0 marker for Mindanao will be present in Marawi Metropolis, Lanao del Sur. The colourful marker adorned with okir patterns is the “Authentic Reference Level of all roads in Mindanao.” Yow will discover this by the Lanao Individuals’s Park close to the Nationwide Freeway. I like the design of this one!
Samar Island is the third-largest island within the nation and is made up of three provinces, specifically Northern Samar, (Western) Samar, and Japanese Samar. The KM 0 marker for the entire Samar Island will be discovered close to the Samar Provincial Capitol Constructing in Catbalogan Metropolis.
For some purpose, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental each have Kilometer Zero markers although they’re each situated on the identical island – Negros Island. There’s a easy yellow street marker in entrance of the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod Metropolis close to the Capitol Park and Lagoon.
The KM 0 marker in Negros Oriental will be discovered subsequent to the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park alongside the Capitol Freeway in Dumaguete Metropolis. This one is a contemporary road signal as a substitute of the standard yellow street marker.
Palawan’s KM 0 marker will be discovered alongside a busy intersection of Rizal Avenue (the principle road) and Fernandez Road in Puerto Princesa. The world is known as Junction 1 by locals and tricycle drivers. Because it’s arduous to take a photograph of the particular marker in the course of the road due to the site visitors, the Palawan Provincial Capitol is one other close by landmark you might go to.
Panay Island is the sixth-largest island within the nation and consists of 4 provinces: Aklan, Vintage, Capiz, and Iloilo. The Arroyo Fountain, a distinguished landmark in Iloilo Metropolis present in entrance of the previous Iloilo Provincial Capitol or “Casa Actual” serves because the Kilometer Zero marker for all the Panay Island.
This KM 0 fountain is the benchmark used to measure distances from Iloilo Metropolis to different factors in Panay Island. The historic fountain in the course of a rotunda options 4 maidens carrying a basin dealing with 4 instructions of North-South-West-East.
The KM 0 for Mindoro Island will be discovered proper outdoors the Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro. It’s a small yellow street marker proper outdoors the port’s gate.
Most individuals who go to Leyte often go to the MacArthur touchdown or San Juanico bridge for picture ops. Leyte Island’s KM 0 marker is a small yellow obelisk alongside the street close to the Provincial Capitol grounds in Tacloban Metropolis. One facet bears the standard numbers, whereas one facet reads: “All kilometerage within the island of Leyte and within the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc are reckoned from this Kilometer Put up.” This one seems to be cool and straightforward to take a photograph of with a motorcycle or bike with the capitol within the background.
Cebu Island’s KM 0 will be discovered on the finish of Osmeña Boulevard, a serious thoroughfare in Cebu Metropolis proper in entrance of the Provincial Capitol grounds. The KM 0 marker is correct in entrance of the flagpole.
Bohol’s KM 0 will be discovered on the Capitol Constructing of Bohol in Tagbilaran Metropolis. In contrast to different street markers, the KM 0 marker is printed on a plate and embedded into one of many columns of the white constructing itself, which makes it distinctive.
I really biked previous this throughout a Panglao bike loop, however I didn’t discover the marker. The constructing is identical place the place the Nationwide Museum of Bohol is situated. Guess I’ve a purpose to return.
- Basilan – Basilan Provincial Capitol Grounds, Isabela Metropolis, Basilan
- Batanes – The three islands of Batanes have their very own KM 0 markers. The one in Batan Island is situated within the Basco Municipal Corridor Space. The one in Sabtang Island is alongside the Nationwide Street close to the port and San Vicente Ferrer church. The one in Itbayat is within the Municipal Grandstand and park.
- Biliran – Biliran Municipal Corridor
- Camiguin – Easy street marker alongside the Camiguin Circumferential Rd in Mambajao. It’s alongside the street close to the Camiguin signage by the Municipal Tourism Workplace.
- Catanduanes – In entrance of Catanduanes Provincial Capitol, Virac
- Dinagat – Close to the Municipal Corridor and port, Dinagat Island
- Guimaras – Guimaras Provincial Capitol Grounds, Jordan
- Marinduque – Boac Provincial Capitol Grounds
- Masbate – In entrance of the Masbate Metropolis Corridor
- Siquijor – At an intersection of the Siquijor Circumferential Street close to the Siquijor Pier
- Sulu – Sulu Provincial Capitol, Jolo
- Tawi-Tawi – Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol, Bongao
Bataan additionally has a Zero Kilometer Dying March marker, indicating the place to begin of the Bataan Dying March in Bagac in 1942, whereas the same marker will be discovered within the free port city of Mariveles.
Baguio Metropolis additionally has a KM 0 marker in a really busy a part of town, which serves as a reference level ranging from Baguio Metropolis. The intersection often called Plaza Backyard is situated proper in entrance of Maharlika Constructing the place Harrison road and decrease session street meet. The Plaza Backyard is close to Burnham Park.
Whew. That’s a whole lot of Kilometer Zeros to seek out! Hope you discover this publish informative.
