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!

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/

Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 19

There is more to the Philippines than Imelda Marcos’ 3,000 pairs of shoes. This country is rich with breathtaking scenery, glorious food and friendly people.

Language

For a foreign visitor, it would not be difficult to find your way around as all the signs and directions are in English. Most of the people speak English, too, so if ever you find yourself lost, you will not have any troubles asking the next person.

Food

Filipino cuisine is not as spicy as Indian or the Thai curries. It is not laden with monosodium glutamate either like most Chinese dishes, either. Its heritage comes from Spanish but over the years, Filipinos have gladly made it their own. Full of flavour prepared with a smile!

Beaches

Boracay has been compared to the beaches in the Caribbean and have won! Divers have come back again and again to explore the richness of the marine life existing amongst the Philippine waters. With 7,100 islands, you’ll bound to find a paradise and feel right at home.

Party

Yes, Pinoys know how to party! Nightlife in the big cities features the best of Filipino talent by showcasing them in live shows and gigs. Dance the night away with world-class DJ spinning the decks.

And after all the excitement, one can wind down with a good massage served with all the care and gentle touch, Pinoy style!

Is giving really better than receiving?

Selfish simians that we all are at heart, it is only natural that we’re much happier when we receive. It starts when we’re little kids, and the anticipation of an upcoming birthday and the annual holiday season can be the most joyful events of our lives. I was age six when I was sent to a home for fatherless boys, and I still clearly remember the first Christmas gift I ever received in my life. It was an Erector kit, complete with all the little aluminum beams and screw-on bolts. I didn’t just play with that kit for at least a year. I built houses, barns and service stations.

The childlike thrill of receiving is a wonderful part of life, and nothing can take its place. However, just as important is the emotion we feel later when we’re giving to others. I hope I’ve done my share over the years, to my spouse, my siblings, my kids and to others who needed my help. One example of my giving became for me one of the greatest gifts in my life. I can remember in 1945, when World War II was finally ending, and I was assigned to fleet headquarters in Manila. We lived in Quanset huts near the fleet landing, and had just about all the comforts of life.

However, all around us were the ruins of a once beautiful city, which the Japanese had systematically destroyed as they retreated in the war’s last campaign. In addition to their ravaging of the city, the Japanese had indiscriminately murdered hundreds of thousands Filipinos. The war ended, and just before Christmas, we were dismantling our base and preparing to go home. We all thought we were hard-nosed swabbies, and didn’t give a damn for anyone. But we were wrong.

I suggested that we gather all our extra gear and supplies that weren’t required to be turned in to Navy authorities, and give it to the local citizens. Since I was an old man of 20 by then, and senior in rank to all the others, mostly age 17 and 18, in my unit, I made it an order. After some griping, the other sailors eventually came around to my way of thinking. First, we gathered all the canned and packaged food … the unbeloved K-rations, Spam and others … loaded up our jeep and went to the most devastated, bombed-out neighborhoods. Most of the families were living in huts or lean-to shacks made from scrap aluminum and cardboard. The nearby Pasig River served for both washing and waste disposal.

As we drove along the cluttered streets, my sailors jumped out and gave handfuls of the preserved foods to each family. It took us two days, but we managed to empty those supplies where they would do the most good. Our other disposal task was probably the most satisfying. Because of the mass killings of civilians by the Japanese, there were hordes of orphan kids roaming the city, living on hand-outs from agencies including the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Or, sadly, dying of disease, neglect and starvation.

We had just been issued new Navy uniforms for our trip home, but still had large supplies of khaki Army-type fatigues we had worn during the fighting in the city. We gathered everything from our own seabags and storage lockers, jumped into our trusty jeep again, and sought out gangs of homeless kids. With every group, we lined up each kid, estimated clothing sizes, and presented him or her with a complete new wardrobe, including GI blouses, pants, socks, shoes, underwear and pith helmets. Of course, most of the clothing was much too large, but the kids put them on with pride and marched around saluting us.

For that moment in my life, I can truly say it was worth much more to give than receive. Of course, the point can be made that by giving, I also received large helpings of love and personal satisfaction that I still treasure today.

Experience Worldclass Travel And Vacation Destination- Philippines

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