Traveling From The Philippines To The U.S. Made Easier For First Time Immigrants (including K-Visa Holders)

With the advent of 911 and bombings in other cities around the world, security in most international airports has never been tighter. This does not exclude the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines, with the tightest of these flights bound for the United States of America. Every traveler wants an enjoyable trip…hassle-free, smooth and blissful. With the meticulous security checks, lines are expected to be long. This would mean a period of time waiting before you have your turn and this doesn’t translate as delightful. Just don’t see yourself cleared through these security checks and then remember you forgot something. Well, this would surely scare you especially if your flight departure is in less than an hour.

Careful planning is very vital. You should prepare all your documents and things you need to bring. You have to check if everything is alright before you leave your home or hotel to the airport.

YOUR DEPARTURE CHECKLIST (courtesy of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas):

1. PASSPORT

2. VISA (don’t forget to hand-carry the embassy envelope; it will be presented at the Port of Entry)

3. PLANE TICKET (check if you have paid for the travel tax; if not, you can pay it at the airport: PHP1,620.00 for Economy, PHP2,700.00 for First/Business Class; Children below 2 years old are travel tax exempted; 50% travel tax discount for children 2-11 years old)

4. TERMINAL FEE (for 2 years old and above) of PHP550.00

5. BAGGAGE – You are allowed to have a Carry-On Bag [7 kilos; 45 inches in dimension (L+W+H)]; Check-In Baggage [2 pieces at 32 kg/pc; 62 inches in dimension (L+W+H) per piece]

6. EXIT CLEARANCE for retired, resigned, and on-leave employees and officials from the government sector stating they are cleared of accountabilities from the government offices they were recently connected with.

7. OTHER DOCUMENTS:

a. Health record and X-ray film

b. School records (transcript of records, diplomas, etc.)

c. Training/employment certificates

d. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) travel clearance (if applicable). A travel clearance is a document issued by the DSWD to a minor who is below 18 years of age traveling abroad alone or with someone other than his/her parents.

e. Other pertinent documents (marriage/birth/baptismal certificates)

DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING! :

1. Firearms, explosives, fireworks and ammunition

2. Narcotics, other than prescription drugs

3. Meat, dairy and poultry products, fresh fruits and vegetables

4. Plants, flowers and soil

5. Cultural property except for family heirlooms

6. More than 200 sticks of cigarettes

7. More than 1.5 liters of commercial alcohol

8. Records, computer software, apparel, and reading materials produced in violation of copyright laws

9. Endangered species, and the like

A traveler is allowed to bring money out of the Philippines not exceeding PHP10,000.00. The amount can be in dollar bills or traveler’s cheques as well as Philippine currency.

If you desire to bring into or out of the Philippines foreign currencies amounting to US$10,000 or more, you are required to declare that amount in writing and furnish information on the source and purpose of the transport of such currency. Persons traveling together cannot divide the amount in order to avoid the restriction. A BSP foreign currency declaration form for travel fund is available at the Bureau of Customs or at its NAIA counter. Bring documents that will show the sources of your funds.

With your checklist complete, you are now just waiting for your departure date. Relax and don’t panic. After all, you are well-prepared. Everything is in order. Everything you need to bring is there. Double-check again the day before departure. Get plenty of rest before you leave for the airport.

DAY OF DEPARTURE:

1. You should be at the airport at least four (4) hours before your scheduled flight (allot enough time for security checks)

2. You and your baggage will be submitted for security check

3. Go to your airline counter and check-in. Don’t lose your boarding pass and baggage claim stubs.

4. Go to the terminal fee counter and pay.

5. Present your travel documents at the Philippine Immigration Counter.

6. Proceed to the waiting lounge/gate.

7. Board your plane when your boarding call is made.

Some airlines have direct flights to the U.S. Others have stop-over and connecting flights. Don’t be ashamed in asking questions and assistance from your flight attendant and from airport personnel. You don’t want to miss your flight! A flight attendant will give you some forms to fill out during the flight (arrival/departure record or I-94, etc., whatever is applicable)

WHAT TO DO AT THE PORT OF ENTRY:

1. Present your travel/entry documents (passport, visa, embassy envelope, medical records, customs declaration form) at the U.S. Immigration counter

2. Claim your baggage from your airline’s designated carousel.

3. Proceed to the customs area for final security check. (For those with domestic flights, transfer your baggage).

After this, you may exit the airport and look for your welcome party. Or you may still have to take a domestic flight to reach your destination. If so, proceed to the waiting lounge/gate of your domestic flight and then board your plane when your boarding call is made. Then claim your baggage at the carousel and look for your loved ones.

Have a safe and happy trip!

Travel experiences: Germany

I have always been the impatient sort. Not the kind that gets frustrated waiting in line or for the phone to ring, rather its been more about wanting to get out there. I remember staring at my map covered walls in Manila, Philippines and feeling completely trapped. It’s not that the Philippines is a horrible place (although many of the bourgeoisie Western tourist coming out of their airconditioned buses would say otherwise), its just that I liken the experience to people from small town middle America dreaming of New York. I just felt like I was stuck in this “waiting room” of sorts. I have been searching to escape that feeling. Traveling throughout Southeast Asia after graduation, then moving off to Hawaii then San Francisco, I still felt unsettled. I felt like a child in a adult’s body. Then came Europe. Flitting from place to place, I kept trying to escape my reality. Or maybe it was searching for a reality. Whatever that means. Somehow I ended up in Berlin. I was trying to escape some awful drunken memories of Paris and decided with a fellow hostel mate to jump on whatever train was leaving next. Watching the sunset on the train seemed to promise a new beginning. Arriving at 6 a.m. and wandering the seemingly vast city on the 1st of May, I saw a hoard of older gentlemen rushing off with flags and giant protest signs. I rushed off, camera in hand and caught up with a tall, young man wearing the Kurdish flag around his neck. I asked him what it was all about and he told me that it was the May 1 rally and asked if I would like to join him. Not one to turn down a chance to be a part of something historic, I said yes. Walking through Kurfursterdam to the Brandenburg Gate, he began to tell me the struggle of the Kurdish people in Germany. I listened intently, giving out flyers even though I spoke no German. I later got hit on the head by a flag. A curly haired blue eyed boy laughed. I shot him an angry look. I then began to laugh as well. From that moment we ended spending the entire day together. Talking about everything and nothing. I have yet to see him again. I spent two days in Berlin, the familiar feeling of anxiety began to overwhelm me. I decided to take the night train to Rome, Italy. It turned out to be a 16-hour train ride. I later ended up circling around Europe. Traveling to Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Morocco, Spain, France, London, Amsterdam, then finally, Berlin. Berlin. How did I end up back here? Whilst traveling, I knew that I wanted to live in Europe. I began an expensive relationship with internet cafes until a tour company with headquarters in Berlin asked me to come by for an interview. I took the next train out. Unfortunately, my depressive side got to me and working as an intern for the company turned out to be…well, depressing. I quit. Yet, I’m still in Berlin. Recalling that Hemingway (although I am by no means close to as good he was) once quit a miserable job in Paris to be a writer, that is what I am trying to accomplish. Will it pay off or will I end up being deported or homeless on the U-bahn? I still don’t know. Life is good. Laying on the grass in a small park in Berlin, my friend and I got to talking about our lives and where it has taken us. I don’t know how it came out but I said “I feel like our lives have finally started.” She said, “Yes, this LIFE has begun.” I am happy to be out of the waiting room. Happy to be like an old, graffiti adorned train chugging away towards an unknown destination.

Healing properties of the human touch

“The Healing Hands of a HILOT Practitioner” is quickly regaining grounds in the world of massage therapy. It is becoming one of the hottest trends in our spas today. Out of some 90 spas in the Philippines, some 37 Department of Tourism-accredited spas are now offering hilot to their local and foreign guests. Hilot has healing capabilities and we already have several clients who have attested to that.

Hilot was actually nominated as the “”Spa Treatment of the Year” during the 2005 Baccarat Inaugural Awards in Hong Kong. Soon, the art of Filipino healing and massage will also be available in Europe. A Philippine non-governmental organization and a company in Germany recently signed a memorandum of understanding for the transfer of the technology to introduce hilot in Europe! Isn’t that something?! That should make Filipinos proud!

Before anything else, let’s first define what Hilot is. Hilot (/hee-lot/) is a Filipino healing art which actually means “massage” or “healer”. It is a highly intuitive massage wherein the therapist identifies areas of energy imbalance in the body through touch diagnosis. It manipulates electrical charges in the body that creates a biochemical reaction where it is needed. A liver, for instance, can be supplied with precise electrical activity. If this delicate balance is disrupted and the problem is left unattended, it can lead to disease. While many popular massages had predetermined sequences of strokes, hilot was customized to the needs of clients. With hilot, focus was not limited to the muscle or tissue alone. It also soughts to harness bio-energies for balance, harmony, health and wellness.

At Chris & Chat Spa and Facial Care Center, hilot is offered as a full body 60 minutes massage which involves a medium deep tissue massage wherein the therapist uses rapid mixed with slower moving finger and hand pressure over various documented pressure points throughout the back and legs. Some of our clients find themselves more relaxed and de-stressed after a hilot session than after other types of massages.

A word of caution … be aware that there are scores of hilots in Manila and many are fake. Most are malpracticing for the money and are not really in business to heal. So be on guard in your search for an authentic and therapeutic hilot service.

Authentic hilot practitioners do have healing hands!

Chris & Chat Spa and Facial Care Center

- Where You Can Afford to Simply Relax & Rejuvenate

- http://spaandfacialcarecenter. blogspot.com/

Seven Ways To Get Travel Discounts

Do you love to travel but don’t have the money to take all the trips you want? What if you could cut your travel costs? You might be able to take more vacations or finally visit that special destination you’ve been dreaming of.

Finding travel discounts does take a bit of legwork, but in this age of computers you can do a lot of the legwork right in the comfort of your own home. You can find discounts on airfare, hotels and car rentals at major airline and travel web sites if you want to invest a little bit of time in surfing the web.

But getting discounts on your airfare and hotels aren’t the only way to save on vacations. Here’s seven things that might help you cut costs the next time you take a trip.

1. Shop around for the cheapest flight online either at the airlines website or the big travel sites. Airlines offer discount tickets periodically so you should check their sites often. The big travel sites have specials as well and it can really save some time if you register to receive an email when a discount to your destination comes up. Don’t forget to check these sites often since you never know when a good deal might pop up.

2. Look for web-only discounts offered by hotels and airlines for people who don’t mind making reservations online. You must commit to your reservation but sometimes you can save half the cost with one of these specials.

3. Check on detour flights other than the straight one you’ll most likely get when you inquire. Your total flight prices can be cheaper when you take two flights instead of one. Some people save thousands booking their flights this way.

4. Check out package deals for your dream vacation as you can usually save a bundle and it’s a bit more convenient for you too. Packages that combine airfare and hotel can be had at a steep discount compared to what they cost when paid for separately. Even better, try to get a trio package that combines airfare, hotel and car rental for a really great travel.

5. If you’ll be staying in the same hotel for more than 7 days, call ahead and ask if they have any week long stay discounts. Sometimes you can get a free day or a bit off your overall price.

6. Travel to great vacation places that have a low cost of living – the prices there will tend to be a bit less than other vacation spots. Malaysia and the Philippines are good examples where both have great scenery and tourist spots but prices are reasonable. Make sure there is plenty of English speaking people there unless you enjoy the challenge of communicating with people who do not speak your language.

7. Once you’ve gotten all your travel discounts on hotels and airfare, you can still save some money on your vacation by buying food at the grocery and cooking it yourself instead of eating out for every meal. Restaurants tend to have cheap food that might not be the healthiest so do your wallet and your health a favor by eating in. Of course, you’ll want to make sure to get a hotel room that has refrigeration and allows for cooking too.

Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 18

If I had the possibility to visit the Phillipines I have reasons enough to do. In the fist place I could visit my far distance friend, my soulmate, who give me the power through the internet to forget all my problems and the courage to be strong.

But of course that should not be the only reasons : the Phillipines have so many beautiful beaches that it is sure a visit worth. You can enjoy the sun and the beautiful nature. Badian Island is a good opportunity to enjoy everything.

Manilla is surely a visit worth. It is the capital of the Philippines. The monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at Rizal Park is very beautiful.

Other attractions in Rizal Park include the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Department of Tourism building, the National Museum of the Filipino People, The National Library of the Philippines, the Planetarium, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion.

Another beautiful place is the Baywalk. You can see there many coconuts trees.

And of course the kindness of the people who live there make a visit worth.

Travel experiences: Exploring our need for out of the ordinary places

I have been blessed to travel to a few out of the ordinary places over the past three years. I have been to Gypsy villages in Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. I have been to cities in Mozambique and South Africa as well as rural villages in the same countries. I have also been to parts of the Philippines that have been riddled with terrorist activities for years. The exquisiteness and the brutality I have seen in these places have had a profound affect on my everyday living here in America.

In Eastern Europe I was assisting a group that goes into Gypsy communities at least twice a year to distribute food and attention to this group of outcasts. Gypsies are considered a lower class of citizens and are not allowed to participate in the daily life of their surrounding communities. Gypsy children are often not attending school because of the prejudice and abuse they endure. I met one Gypsy family whose son has been beaten and bones broken just because he attempted to go to school with the other children in his Bulgarian neighborhood. I was not around during segregation in America, but I have read and know that this is similar to what it was like here before the civil rights movement.

In Mozambique I had the opportunity to work with children who have been without parents their whole lives. The joy they are able to have about simple things in life could be a lesson for all of us Americans who are so worried about giving our children everything they could possibly want. It was an awakening to look into the eyes of children who are without parents, many have been abused, and some would starve to death without the help that is offered them through the mission group I was assisting.

South Africa offered me a quick education in a society still recovering from years of legal segregation. At the Apartheid museum I witnessed displays of daily life under the rule of this racist government. Some of the displays were emotionally hard to look at. My own family in America is multi racial so my compassion runs deep for those who are still living their lives under oppression because of the color of their skin.

In the Philippines I visited many churches and communities, but one sticks out in my mind far more than all the others. It was a tiny community where in 2001 most of the adults were massacred by terrorists. Many of the children survived, but without adult supervision they have had to find a way of their own. The village has been rebuilt somewhat, but the number of children without parents is high, and life for these children has been scarred by what they have witnessed. The atrocities these kids have beheld would be hard for anyone to endure.

Traveling to these interesting and out of the ordinary places grows compassion in my heart for others. I plan on continuing to travel around the world so that my perspective will not be just my small protected life here in suburban America. Last year one of my three children traveled with me to Africa. Giving my children a broader world view is part of my goal for their education. As I travel I assist any of the people I am capable of helping and once at home I try to raise awareness of the beauty and needs of other people groups and cultures.

Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 20

Before November 2005 I knew nothing about the Philippines, I thought it was in South America somewhere. When my school announced the mission trips for summer 2006 I felt drawn to this one, at the time I thought it was quite odd, I didn’t really care to see south america. I had always wanted to visit Asia and a few places in Europe.

After the first interest meeting I discovered it was in Asia, I began researching the country and became more and more excited about it.

Several months later I was finally there. I went from Manila to Valenzuela City to Iloilo City to Guimaras.

I’ve been to a lot of places but none were quite as wonderful as the Philippines. Not only were the people friendly and helpful, but the scenery was to die for. Guimaras was paradise, crystal clear greenish blue water, palm trees, magnificent cliffs, wildlife, coral, etc.

Its been a year since I was there and its still all I can think about. It truly is a beautiful place with beautiful people. Someday I’m going to move there.

Philippine Love – so you Want to Marry a Filipina?

Philippine Love – So you want to marry A Filpina?

Getting wed to a Philippines lady is a great thing but not always powerful for everyone, it’s that old story, a Philippines girl can be all things to a man, but not every Philippines woman can be all things to every man, in other words it’s not a good idea to stereotype Philippine girls.

Very often Philippine women are shoved in the same pigeon hole as all other women from the South East Asian countries, such as China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea.

The ladies from these countries, tend to have largely different languages, different religions different cultures, different ways of eating food, the only thing they share is the Pacific Ocean if they can travel to their local beach.

In that sense, if I am honest, I really ought to divert British Men from marrying Philippine girls simply because they are ‘Filipina’ perpetuated by most mythical notion that Filipina’s are wonderful, submissive wives that never answer back, and are fantastic in the bedroom!

So I have set a little test for the prospective husband to see if he really knows anything about his possible future wife, country, culture and customs. There are no fixed answers to the questions, but they will assist you to see beyond the tunnel vision of love.

The Test:

1. Can you find the Philippines on a map?

2. Do you know what is the Capital City of the Philippines?

3. Do you know what are the main regions of the Philippines?

4. Do you know who is the President of the Philippines?

5. Do you know what are the main languages spoken in the Philippines, and your potential wife’s local dialogue?

6. Do you know what the main religions practiced in the Philippines?

7. Do you know why various Filipinos have Spanish names?

8. Are you prepared to have children, if so, are you prepared for innumerable children?

9. Are you prepared to provide ‘Sustento’ (alimony) for your extended Philippine family for education and other expenses, if they need your benefit?

10. Are you fairly tolerant of superstitions?

11. Do you like fish products?

12. Do you know what eating implements are preferred? Chopsticks, cutlery or fingers.

13. Do Filipinos bow to each other?

14. Do you expect your Philippine wife to be submissive and obedient after the marriage?

15. Are you just getting wed for sex? Be honest about this.

16. What is the difference between Tagalog, Filipino, Bisayan, Cebuano, Ilongo?

17. What do you think the differences are between a Thai woman, A Japanese woman or a Philippine woman?

18. Are you wanting to marry a Philippine woman because you think you dislike British women? Be honest with yourself.

19. Do you like hot climates or hate them? Mosquito’s? Poisonous snakes & spiders?

20. Are you tolerant of Bureaucracy or are do you not suffer fools gladly ?

21. Are you prepared for the costs involved? At least one visit to the Philippines plus all the visa fees (UK presently over �1000).

22. How long are you prepared to wait to get her to the UK? It can be done within 6 months from earliest contact, but usually a year. If they are already married, this can take as long as two years to get an annulment (usually a few thousand pounds). If they have children they wish to bring with them, and the farther is named on the birth certificate, this can cause further delay and costs.

Remember one very authorized point. A very small minority of Asian girls are out to get hard cash off you nothing else. If a Filipina ever asks for bankroll before you have met, move on, or you will find yourself with more problems you can handle. You can tell a true Filipina, they will NEVER ask for bankroll.

Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 14

The Philippines – famous for its rich cultural heritage. Known for its big role in major historical events in the world. A paradise that sprouted in the orient sea. Land of beautiful, cheerful and hospitable people. The land anyone would love to indulge himself in its offered paradise touched by the modern era. The country that anyone would never think twice of going back.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

The wonderful beaches of Boracay and the glittering crystals of white sands of Puerto Galera and Pagudpod would be very inviting to freshen up with the touch of their world-class scenic ambiance. Feel the crystal clear waters of Guimaras and Palawan and witness the purity of nature as you coddle yourself in the rivers of Bohol and Mindanao.

Feed your eyes with the world of wonders that the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano bestow before your very eyes. See ladder to heaven as you step through the green vegetations of the Banawe rice terraces that were made through sweat and blood by the natives of Northern Luzon.

Get in touch with what wildlife can offer. Have a taste of forest life in Manila Zoo and Avilon Zoo and experience the life that our ancestors had when they were still living with these wandering animals. Satisfy your craving for sea life experiences in the Manila Ocean Park. Imagine touching the largest fish in the world as you travel the in the southernmost past of island Luzon to mingle with the whale sharks, locally known as butanding, in Donsol.

Witness the majestic mountains of the Cordilleras and the surmounting Mount Apo resting in the hands of the horizon. Transform your dreams into reality as your eyes lay on the picturesque view of Taal Volcano. Get awed with the modern city lifestyle offered by glittering lights in the busy streets of Manila, Cebu and Davao. See the evolution of architectural designs from the pre-colonial designs in Northern Luzon to the Spanish designs in Vigan, American designs in Baguio and the modern skyscrapers in the heart of Metro Manila.

Staighten up your muscles, free yourself and experience watersports in Camarines Sur. Dive into the seas and snorkel in Boracay, Palawan and Guimaras. Get into the rapids as you do water rafting in Isabela and Cagayan de Oro. Get in an adventure ride with the jeepney, the Philippine’s famous public vehicle, and travel the never-ending roads that takes you to countless other tourist destinations offered by the beautiful country – the Philippines.

TASTE LIKE HEAVEN

After

Travel destinations: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Is it exciting or just a building site?

Contrary to some reports, Dubai is not just a building site with masses of cranes. You’ve probably heard this from someone that’s briefly visited Dubai, but it’s definitely wrong. Yes, there is an extensive building programme, which is ongoing, but local residents, UAE nationals and ex-pats alike just accept this as part of their daily lives and business.

Over the last 75 years, Dubai has transformed itself from a being a simple pearl-diving centre’ into a powerful international trading hub with impressive worldwide links and an ever changing ethnic identity. With a huge contingent of foreign manual workers from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan and service industry employees mostly from the Philippines, Middle East, Europe and Australasia, it’s not difficult to see why the changing population is increasing so rapidly.

Much of the Gulf region is experiencing extraordinary levels of growth, with the city of Dubai currently being at the fore-front. Although Dubai is intent on creating masses of future development projects for many years to come, it continues to provide the infrastructure to run in parallel. One of the newest development projects is the prestigious Tiger Woods Golf Complex Al Ruwaya, which is due to open in September 2009. (See more about Tiger Woods Dubai). In reality, the expansion of Dubai is generally geared to causing the minimum of disruption to business, services, residents and tourists as much as possible. Experts seem to agree that Dubai is a unique fusion of both the old and new, and is a leading inspiration for others to ensue.

Dubai Highlights – What it’s really like.

If you arrive late at night at Dubai Airport from, say a UK airport, getting through the Arrivals area could well be manic’ with waiting friends and relatives gathered around the main entrance in vast numbers. At least until your taxi finally gets you away. Book an overnight flight to arrive at breakfast-time and you’ll probably find it a very civilised experience and easy to spot those greeting you. First impressions usually count, and on the way to your chosen holiday accommodation or hotel, you’ll see lines of impressive glass panelled hotels and office blocks glistening in the sunshine. During spring and early summer you’re sure to pass some amazing floral gardens that border the interchanges along the Sheikh Zayed Road, their colours will astound you. In the heat of the Dubai desert, you’ll wonder how they can

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