We had the same experience but not in Nueva Ecija. We rode a jeepney in Cubao going to Mystery Manila. It should be around less than 30 mins ride and within the city area but we stayed in the jeepney for more than an hour and saw some fields and passed some barangay outpost.

It was a booked event which was paid already but since we are already late we are not able to get the deal anymore.

Lesson learned for us is to use Grab/Uber when we visit Metro Manila as we are not always around Manila lately.