For Participants
LOCATION/VENUE
Smart Araneta Coliseum, located in the Araneta City, QC. The city is a few hours ride from the airport.
FLY TO
Manila, Philippines – Ninoy Aquino International Airport or simply NAIA (IATA Code: MNL)
PLACE TO STAY
There are a few small hotels all over the area but we would recommend NOVOTEL MANILA-ARANETA CITY. Not only is it located a few steps from the WSC venue, it is also a best-in-class 4-star businessman’s hotel that will make you feel truly comfortable! Also, it is being run by the prestigious AccorHotels Group, so you might feel more secure staying there. You will find a lot of dining, shopping and entertainment options within the Araneta City itself.
Here’s a link: https://www.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com/
FOR FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS
TRANSFERS TO AND FROM THE NAIA AIRPORT
Araneta City has also introduced the POINT-TO-POINT premium air-con airport buses that will take you directly from any of the four terminals of NAIA to the Araneta City (and within walking distance to Novotel Manila Araneta City). They have pickup points in each terminal:
Terminal 1: Arrival area
Terminal 2: Bay 17 Arrival Area
Terminal 3: Bay 10 Arrival Area
Terminal 4: Drop off only
Conversely, if you are booked in Novotel Manila Araneta City, you may also enjoy the convenience of the P2P service going back to the airport.
They don’t have online booking or advanced ticket selling options for now, but their schedule of departure and arrival to and from the airport/Araneta City is pretty frequent.
Here’s a link you may check: https://aranetacity.com/ube-express
FOR REGIONAL PARTICIPANTS
ARANETA CITY BUSPORT
Araneta City has a state-of-the-art BusPort serving only air-conditioned provincial buses located at the Ground Level of Manhattan Heights along Gen. Romulo Street (across Ali Mall). They service several bus companies and they have an online booking/payment system, as well as credit card payment options.
For the full information, you may visit: https://aranetacity.com/araneta-city-bus-station
*The Araneta City Bus Station, meanwhile, serves non air-conditioned buses from the provinces. It is located behind the Shopwise complex.
THINGS TO DO IN ARANETA CITY
SHOP OR DINE
The Araneta City has three malls, (L-R) Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza and Gateway Mall, that offer endless choices for shopping and dining.
WINE AND UNWIND
Novotel Manila Araneta City’s latest offering is the perfect hangout place for people with discerning taste, the wine bar called Sabor, located at the ground floor of the hotel.
ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
Gateway Mall and Ali Mall each have a Cineplex that shows the newest movies that you can check out when you have some time to spare.
Visit https://www.gatewaycineplex10.com/ to check what movies are screening and the schedules.
ART VISIT
The Araneta City has its own art exhibit space called the Gateway Gallery, located at the 5th level of Gateway Tower, which houses a collection that depicts the story of the Philippines called SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art, with Augmented Reality component. Entrance is free.
Check out https://www.aranetacity.com/gateway-gallery for more info.
For more information on the WSC itself and other participant matters, please call +63-2-588-8227 and look for Ms Gloria Avena.
