How to Wander Around Iceland for 5 Days

360 degrees: here's to travelling the world on a budget

Iceland was my last year’s reset button, the recharge, the calm from the chaos, my farthest journey to take a breather, contemplate and remind myself that everything is worth being thankful for.

So everything in Iceland is in superlative degree — nature at its best (waterfalls, aurora borealis, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, fjords), and well, that includes the travel cost too, which was quite a challenge for budget travellers like me. Though I didn’t achieve to spend only up to a certain threshold as I want to (this is the part where you say “collect memories, not things” haha!), this blog will share a few tips on how to cut costs and maximize a five-day Icelandic trip.

One off the bucketlist: to go somewhere you can barely pronouce. Reykjavik, the prettiest city I’ve seen, can actually be explored around by foot.

Iceland in a Nutshell

Here are the important things to take note for Iceland:

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Amazing Amsterdam

Amsterdam is <3.

360 degrees: here's to travelling the world on a budget

While planning last year’s Eurotrip, I suggested Amsterdam as our second leg.  Funny that at first, I didn’t give a damn when my friends say it’s the prettiest city in Western Europe (I’ve already had that spot for Paris).. But it all changed at the first sight of the city — Amsterdam is indeed hauntingly beautiful.  In fact, for me, it’s the fusion of the charming Paris and vibrant Venice.  Read on to find out how to travel Amsterdam with ease yet still on a budget 😉

Amazing Amsterdam: Pardon my obsession with alliteration but I do feel that this city is a bit under-rated, and may not be as photogenic as Paris, but there is something with this place that makes me so drawn into it.

Amsterdam is Netherlands‘ capital and since this is our second leg after traveling to laidback Iceland, it feels kinda fast paced, but…

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Travelling Myanmar on a Budget: S$420 for 5 Days

360 degrees: here's to travelling the world on a budget

The Yangon-Bagan trip is one of the budget travels I’ve been really proud of, in the sense that I was able to spend less than I have originally planned.  When two economists decide to take off an adventure, the result isn’t just amazing but very cost-effective, so to speak.  By budget travel, I didn’t mean to come close to starvation just to reach your goal, in fact this involves a sumptuous lunch at a Inya Lake Hotel and steak indulgence on another occasion.

If you’re seeking for an adventure off the beaten track, then this one’s for you.

Why Travel Myanmar?

Few years ago, this country has opened its gates to tourists, and before it gets too congested, make sure to visit Myanmar while it’s still steep in culture. I would suggest to visit Myanmar when you’ve grown tired of the conventional travel — experience something authentic, and craving to go outside your comfort…

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Removing an Ovarian Dermoid Cyst Through Laparoscopy

Last December 2017, I felt pain around my anal area. I normally dismiss pain as long as it’s bearable and it goes away immediately but it concerned me this time because I could also feel a lump in my right perineum – that thin membrane connecting our genital to our anus. I’ve had that lump for months, maybe years but it was the first time that I felt pain down under. So I went online and looked for a colorectal surgeon. It was Christmas time so it wasn’t easy to schedule appointments. I finally booked a Saturday with Dr. Cecilia Sison on January 2018. We discussed the case; she even drew a human body so I could get a picture of what could be happening inside of me. She said that while the pain was in my anal area and that the lump was near that same place, it’s a really jumbled place; the pain and the lump could be caused by anything. She found nothing in my internal exam except for hemorrhoids. Finally, she ordered a transrectal ultrasound. She said that while the issue could be in my reproductive system, transrectal ultrasound provides a wider view and therefore, could see a lot more inside than a transvaginal ultrasound. So I had one.

Everything was normal except for a 5.4 x 5.2 x 3.7 cm dermoid cyst in my right ovary.

Naturally, I checked Dermoid Cyst online as soon as I read the result. Good thing about my age group is that about 80% of my girl friends already have OB-GYN taking care of them so I only had to ask and make sure that she’s accredited with my HMO and voila, I was already discussing my case with Dr. May Tabaquero. Apparently, dermoid cysts are benign growths but of course, there are risks involved. Typically, removing a dermoid cyst is not an emergency procedure but since the cyst was in my right ovary, it could rupture as it grows bigger or twist my ovary which would complicate my case. There is no other way to get rid of it but to remove it surgically – either by laparotomy (conventional surgery like in caesarian birth) or laparoscopy (minimally invasive procedure).

I’ve never had surgeries before. I’ve never ever given birth as well so of course, I’d choose the procedure that’s less invasive. Unfortunately, Dr. Tabaquero does not perform laparoscopy so she referred me to another OB-GYN, Dr. Angelica Chua. At the end of my conversation with Dr. Chua, she ordered a bunch of pre-surgery tests but I knew then that I had to find another doctor. I don’t know if it was because she was an hour late or because she was not focus the entire time of our conversation (she had another patient who was about to give birth at that time) or because she snapped at me at one point but I never went back to her clinic.

I had few considerations in my quest for another OB-GYN; (1) female (2) Intellicare-accredited (3) can perform laparoscopy and (4) has clinic in either St. Luke’s Medical Center in BGC (because it’s near my office so it’s very convenient during check-ups) or Asian Hospital & Medical Center in Alabang (because it’s just 15 mins away from my house). Luckily, I found Dr. Rebecca Singson online.  On our first meeting, she recommended doing the procedure in St. Luke’s which was fine by me. She also told me how much to prepare for my medical expenses based on her recent procedures. It was a lot of money but what sold me to stick with her was the fact that she was the only doctor who bothered to check the lump that I mentioned at the start of this article. At that point, it didn’t occur to me that I would actually be spending that much. I mean, I am covered by insurance to begin with. Later that day, I called SLMC, AHMC and Makati Med to ask how much would the procedure cost. I would like to see if my insurance could cover everything including PF. We initially agreed to do Laparoscopic Oophorocystectomy on February 27th however, I found out that my company and Intellicare’s current contract does not allow me direct admission to St. Luke’s BGC. I had to find another hospital so my next option was Asian. On our second meeting, I told her my situation. She agreed to do the procedure in Asian with a warning that it would cost me more than in St. Luke’s mainly because the former is owned by MVP (therefore, it should earn profit). Well true enough, the same procedure costs 20K more in Asian than in St. Luke’s but because of my dilemma, it’s not like I had other options. I could not back out too because of the arrangements that I already made with my team just to accommodate my 3-week leave.

Note: Magna Carta Law for Women allows leave benefits of up to (2) months with full pay based on gross monthly compensation for women employees who undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders, provided that they have rendered continuous aggregate employment service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months.

4 days before my scheduled surgery, I went to Dr. Singson’s clinic again. Her secretary gave me admission documents including an “Informed Consent for Laparoscopy” which I had to notarize and submit prior to surgery – a 3-page document detailing the benefits and risks of the said procedure but ultimately, it’s a waiver. I read all 3 pages but I still had to consult my (2) lawyer friends before signing. One of them said that if there’s gross negligence even if I signed a waiver, I could still press charges. I also had to negotiate my surgeon’s PF. This was actually a surprise to me. I thought that PF is already included in my insurance but apparently, if you’re a renowned physician and a department head for that matter, you could demand a higher PF which meant that I had to shell out personal money. HMO said that this is not allowed. All accredited doctors regardless of their status should follow their contract with the insurance. Again, it’s not like I had other options so I transferred the agreed amount online to proceed with the surgery.

And so in the morning of March 13th, I was admitted at Asian Hospital. I already did all the pre-surgery tests including pre-anaesthesia clearance so I was pretty much set that day. The only thing left was to fast for 6 to 8 hours. In my case, I was not allowed anything by mouth starting 9AM. The nurse also did hourly checks and a skin test for an antibiotic that would be injected through my IV.  I spent the day sleeping and watching Netflix while waiting for 5PM. I was told that OR staff would pick me up by 4PM. I was finally wheeled in to the operating room at 5:45PM where no family member was allowed. Initially, I was placed in one of the recovery rooms where I basically had a pep talk with Dr. Singson’s team. They explained to me what would happen before, during and after the operation. A few minutes after, I was finally put in an OR suite. There were at least 5 people there preparing for the procedure (I later found out that there were 7 medical people who worked on me). One of the nurses put adhesives in my chest to connect to one of the monitors in there. It was very overwhelming with all the equipments and lights and busy people around me. The last memory that I had was that one of the nurses was looking for the compressor socks and then apparently, I was out for at least 3 hours. My next memory was waking up in the recovery room momentarily before succumbing to anaesthesia again. I finally woke up before midnight and that’s when they wheeled me back to my room. I didn’t remember feeling any pain but I did remember not seeing my surgeon the entire time. My mother told me though that she met her when she was called after the procedure to explain what happened during the operation.

 

3 hours after I returned to my room, I could already walk from my bed to the bathroom without assistance. Amazing. I was discharged at 1PM that same day. I was very worried about my bill because during admission, Intellicare informed the staff that there’s a good chance that they will not cover everything because dermoid cysts are considered congenital disease so you can just imagine my relief when I saw the bill and I was asked to pay for miscellaneous items amounting to ~P6000.00 only! Phew! I looked it up online again and learned that while dermoid cysts are generally present at birth, ovarian dermoid cysts develop during reproductive years. The only prescribed medicine was Mefenamic Acid to manage the pain for 3 days.

Laparoscopy is really a wonder. I have (4) little cuts in my belly which caused me discomfort whenever I moved and I had trouble sleeping comfortably in my ordinary bed but other than those, I didn’t really feel any pain. In fact, I am back to my normal lifestyle (which I am supposed to change by the way – stay away from sugar!) a week after the procedure. I also have this newfound respect for all CS moms. I only have myself to take care of while they had to take care of their babies while recuperating. I know that it’s something that they had to do as mothers but I also understand now that it’s never an easy feat. I am also grateful to everyone who made this as seamless as possible – from Dr. Singson’s team including her secretaries and the nurses who took care of me while I was in the hospital to my family and friends and of course, the Universe – for giving me what I wanted days before my surgery. I know it meant nothing but I still consider that a treat. Haha. I hope to never undergo any kind of procedure anymore in the future. 🙂

Japan Tourist Visa for Filipinos

I recently booked a 2-way ticket to Osaka when Jetstar had a sale. As we all know, Japan requires Filipinos to have a visa to enter their beautiful country. Not wanting to do it last-minute given the holidays, I decided to process my visa application 2 months before my planned trip. I’ve done different visa applications prior to this. I guess it’s safe to say that Japan visa is one of the easiest visa applications there is for us living in the Philippines.

While posts like this where the writer intends to impart his or her personal experiences in the hopes of making it easier for those who would be applying for a visa in the future, I suggest that you still check the website of the embassy that you wish to visit firsthand. I understand that not everyone has the patience to research online but you would not want to waste time and money in the end especially that not everyone has the same purpose for a visa application. Visit this link for visa/consular services of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

Let me reiterate that this post is specifically for tourist visa application for Filipinos living in the Philippines only. This is actually my second time to apply and while it has been 3 years ago since my first time, there was not much changes in the requirements or the process itself.

REQUIREMENTS:

These are documents that MUST be provided and submitted for FIRST-TIME applicants. Failure to do so will more or less result to you not getting a visa in the end so please ensure that you have these ready before you proceed to step 2.

1. Current, Active and in Good Condition Philippine Passport with at least (2) blank visa pages (where the embassy will paste your Japan visa if you get approved). If you have old passports with your travel history, you’re also required to submit that to support your application.
2. Visa application form. The online form is editable so you might want to fill it out already prior to printing on an A4 paper for a clean output. It is also a good practice to put N/A to those not applicable to you instead of just leaving it blank. Note that the form is also available in the agencies accredited by the embassy so if you don’t have access to a printer, do not worry. You can fill out the same form while waiting for your turn.
3. Photo. Just go to a photo shop and tell them you need a photo for Japan visa application. They would know the specifics. In fact, they would have a photo package for this already. I guess because of the recent influx of Filipinos visiting Japan, it’s just wiser and easier to include this in their package. But if you’re curious, the photo should measure 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background taken within 6 months. You should write your full name and birthdate on the back side of the photo.
4. Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Serbilis Outlet Center within (1) year. You can skip this if you are NOT a first-timer. I didn’t submit one in my recent application but I did submit my old passport with my old and used Japan visa.
5. Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Serbilis Outlet Center within (1) year for married applicants. Obviously, you can skip this if you are single even if you are just a first-timer. 🙂
6. Daily Itinerary in Japan. Except for US, I realized that most of the embassies require this for tourist applicants. Now, providing this does not mean that you have to follow the same schedule to its core when you’re already there. Just make sure that the itinerary that you will provide is (1) within the dates that you plan to enter and exit the country and (2) contains the following – dates, planned activities each day and planned accommodation/s including address & contact number.
7. Bank Certificate issued within (3) months. There is no exact amount to guarantee a visa approval. Just ensure that your bank balance is commensurate to the daily itinerary that you will be submitting i.e. if your itinerary is good for 15 days with accommodations in 5-star hotels and a flight with Japan Airlines then make sure that your bank certificate shows enough money to prove that you can afford your trip.
8. Income Tax Return or Form 2316 of the applicant. I think this is a make or break in one’s application. I know a friend who got rejected because she didn’t have this despite appealing her case.

Once you have all these ready, you may now proceed to any of the travel agencies accredited by the Embassy of Japan. Note that only those listed in the given link are allowed to accept Japan visa applications. These agencies do not process or decide on your application. They just ensure that all your requirements are complete before they forward it to the Embassy. They will also be the one to release your passport once its available – approved or not.

Notice that flight and accommodation bookings are NOT part of the requirements? That’s because you are not required to do so to apply for a visa. Embassies do not encourage people to actually book until they are given a visa. Imagine how much money you would lose if you get rejected in the end. It’s a different story though if you score a cheap flight. I mean, cheap flights are always worth the risks. 😉

Personally, I submitted both of my applications to Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation in Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. In my recent application, I went there before lunch time. There were already several applicants before me. I waited 30 minutes for my turn but it only took me 5 minutes to submit everything. No joke. That what happens when you do your assignment prior to your application. Applicants before me took more than that because they lack a requirement so please ensure you have everything ready before you go to any of the accredited agencies.

Note that Japan visa is technically free of charge but travel agencies collect handling fees. I paid PHP1,200.00 for a single-entry visa. You’ll pay more if you apply for a multiple-entry visa. The fee will be collected on the day you submit your documents. They will issue a receipt which you should keep until you get your passport back.

I submitted my application on November 21st; I received a computer-generated SMS from the agency on November 23rd telling me that my passport is already available for pick-up. Unlike in my first time though, the result was not given immediately this time. In fact, part of the message said “results to be given upon claiming of passport/s.”

I went back the day after I received that message to collect my passport. I was given a single-entry visa for (15) days valid within (3) months. I was actually disappointed. I was kinda hoping I’d get multiple entry even though I didn’t apply for one. I know some friends who got multiple-entry visa on their second application. Oh well, at least I was approved. That was my main goal anyway. 🙂

CHINESE VISA.

Applying for a Chinese visa is pretty straightforward. You just have to submit all the requirements mentioned in their website and you’ll pretty much get your pass to the Great Wall or the Bund.This is already my second time to apply and I read the visa section in their website thoroughly (like everyone should every time) so I was confident that I got it all right. Boy was I wrong.

It was 2014 when I first went to the China Embassy in Makati City. I don’t remember having any problem that time except finding the embassy itself because Waze pointed us to the wrong direction. Yes, much as we all love Waze it’s a reality that sometimes, we better stick to familiar routes no matter how painful and boring they can be.

There are more requirements for first timers specifically in the money aspect. Just like with any other visa applications, you have to prove that you have enough money to finance your trip. Here are the documents that I submitted:

1. Completely filled out visa form that is available in their website. I normally fill these forms out by typing in all information if possible. I don’t know why I forgot it this time but I printed a blank form and used a pen. Wrong move! Apparently, they don’t accept handwritten forms anymore. So I had to go the nearest computer shop 2 blocks away and print out a typewritten visa form application. Waste of time and money I know.
2. Photo. Chinese visa is one of those few which doesn’t have picture in it so they most probably require this for reference only. You know, if they have to dig out your application form and refer to your face in case anything goes wrong. Anyway, I like recycling my photos. I found one in my office pedestal and while I wasn’t sure that it was the required size, I still decided to use it. However, when I was in the computer shop, I thought I’d have my picture taken in case it gets rejected. So I did but I only had 30 mins before the Embassy closes and the Ate was taking too long photoshopping my face so I just said no to it and asked for my pictures and glued it to my form. Fast forward to when the Embassy personnel was already reviewing my documents — she initially said that my (new) photo was unacceptable and that I’d have to come back the next day to submit a new one. I asked why and she must have seen my facial expression because she asked if I had another picture so I gave her my old photo and alas, she accepted it. Another waster of time and money.
3. Passports. Current and old ones.
4. Photocopy of my previous Chinese visa.
5. Flight itinerary.
6. Hotel booking.
7. Certificate of Employment.
8. Latest Income Tax Return.
9. Photocopy of my passport’s informational pages.

I have friends who were “rejected” when they applied for the same visa. It happened more than 2 years ago but I realized that perhaps they were asked for more documents but were not denied outright. Unlike in the US Embassy, those in frontline are not consuls so they are not in the position to approve or reject a visa application. This made me think that once your documents are accepted, it’s as good as you’re granted a visa because their representatives are already reviewing the completeness of your requirements unless you submitted fake documents and they eventually found out.

The China Embassy is located on the 2F of The World Center in Buendia, Makati. The lady guard will give you a number. I was no. 111 that day. Once your number is called, the Embassy personnel will review your documents and give you a pink slip indicating when your passport will be available for pick-up which is normally 4 days after submitting your requirements unless you request for an expedited processing for an additional fee of course. You will have to pay P1,400 for single entry once you claim your passport. Again, I am not sure if this is also applicable if by any chance, you are not granted a visa.

While I never planned on visiting China again after my first time (my upcoming trip is because of some special circumstances), it will be cool if Filipinos can enter the country without the hassles of a visa. I wish the current government can do wonders about it since they’re already being friendly with them anyway.

Driving.

For someone who practically leaves the house every single day, it’s very ironic that I still don’t know how to drive even at this age. Well, that was until a few days ago. See, I still don’t have my own car but learning how to drive has always been a dream. That feeling of being able to control something in a very uncontrollable environment fascinates me. Plus I always thought that having a driver’s license validates your being an adult. Hehe.

It took me 3 student’s permits before I finally decided to enroll in SMART driving school – 11 days before my latest SP expired. I chose the 7-hour Automatic Course. They gave me free additional hour so I had 4 days city driving class for 2 hours per day that were scheduled sporadically; enough for me to experience peak & non-peak traffic. Apparently, they also give additional hour if you enroll in your birth month so you might want to consider this as well. I needed to finish the whole course including a whole day seminar in a week so I could apply for a driver’s license on time.

Some reminders during your driving class:

• girls are not allowed to wear shorts & other revealing clothes for obvious reasons
• slippers/flip-flops are not allowed as well
• girls can bring chaperone; boys can’t – the personnel who assisted me could not explain why except that it’s the policy
• be on time for your class otherwise, the wasted time will be forfeited
• always bring your student’s permit & evaluation sheet
• relax & enjoy (my own)

Day 1

7AM to 9AM. My instructor was sleeping in the car when I arrived so it was already “ready” for driving. I didn’t start the engine though I read somewhere that you must always insist this. He first taught me the basic things that you should do once you sit in front of the steering wheel – lock the doors, adjust your seat ensuring that you can reach the pedals comfortably, adjust the side & rearview mirrors, put on the seatbelt – before he discussed the pedals & gears. Before I knew it, I was already backing out of the parking lot. My instructor was the oldest among the 3 who taught me all throughout; I could see a father patiently teaching a child though not all the time. Hehe. On my very first day, I was gassing up to 30 kph already. I know it’s a joke speed but hey, I’m a newbie here!

Day 2

10AM to 12NN. Different car, different driver. This instructor was the most maangas of them all but this time, I started the engine myself. I thought I was driving better than Day 1 but the instructor (almost) shouted at me twice so I wasn’t sure. At one point while traffic was stopped, I caught my instructor “napping”. Overall, this day was fun. I ran up to 50 kph. The man had to remind me that the limit is just 40 kph.

Mandatory Seminars

If you will avail of SMART’s free “legal” assistance to apply for a driver’s license, you have to finish their mandatory 2-part seminar. I allotted my whole Saturday for this which was conducted in their Parañaque branch. Part 1 from 9AM to 12NN was about the basic of driving including cars. I think they are the only ones giving out a seminar of this kind. Part 2 from 130PM to 5PM was about defensive driving. I believe this is an LTO-mandated seminar before you can apply for a DL. You can attend the seminars in separate days. This was actually very informative. Had I not been feeling so sleepy because I only slept for an hour the night before, I would have enjoyed this.

Day 3

5PM to 7PM. Semi night driving. Again, different car, different driver. This was my hardest time in all 4 days. I had a difficult time controlling practically everything. The instructor said it is normal in driving new cars – the car has a mileage of a little over 33000. I didn’t know why but I was so relieved when we finally reached their office 2 hours after. The instructor was kinda cool about it though; doing small talks, randomly commenting even though I was sweating & starving after driving. The whole time I was behind the steering wheel, I thought of the times I was just merely a passenger; not required to be observant while the car is moving. I’ll have to give night driving another chance. I’m sure it’s not that bad.

Day 4

10AM to 12NN. To my surprise, Day 3 car & driver was assigned to me again. To my relief, I was able to control the pedals & SW better this time! This was my last day of evaluation; I would know if I will be able to apply for a DL after 2 hours. Though I never heard or read about a driving school not endorsing their students for a license, I still felt skeptic especially after what happened on Day 3. So you can just imagine how I felt when I saw him wrote VL (Valid for Licensing!) in my evaluation sheet. Woohoo!! Of course, this goes with a comment of “needs more practice in this and that”. Hehe.

Overall, it was a good learning experience. I was glad I chose a driving school and not just rely on my friends to teach me although I already contracted some of them to continue teaching me until I find my own beat in driving. I think it’s very important to comprehend not just the basic but the legal aspect of driving as well. The responsibilities & consequences change once you shift from being a passenger to a driver.

Now, to the most tedious part of getting a license. Because I opted for their assistance, I had to apply in LTO San Juan which is SMART’s partner branch. They asked me to free up my whole day. I was already in their San Juan office by 715AM. A guy already assisted 3 people before me. He gave out an LTO form, I paid P1100.00. Fill the form out and wait until he conducts the orientation. In here, he’ll explain the breakdown of your payment which includes a miscellaneous fee of P282 (as he said, “alam n’yo na yun”). SMART maintains that they don’t get anything out of the licensing payment that you’ll shell out so I am assuming that LTO gets all the excess since the issued receipt only shows P585.26. The guy will “review” the class using some actual questionnaires in his phone. If you google it out, you’ll find images of actual tests given out by LTO. But even with this, the guy will still give out all tips on how to pass the exam a.k.a. cheating. Hehe. Yes, I could not help by shake my head the whole time.

Quick recap of what happened after we left their office to proceed to LTO which was just a minute walk:

8:00 – I arrived in LTO which was already packed; went straight to the “clinic” to get a medical certificate. I paid P100.00 to have my eyes checked by reading out letters in the wall and get my weight. This is on top of the P1100 that I already paid to SMART. READ: No drug test conducted.

8:15 – I lined up to the Information table to get a number for submission of my documents – the LTO form, student’s permit & receipt and medical certificate. Then my name was called for signature & picture.

9:15 – I was called up to proceed to the holding room in preparation for the exam. In here, they’ll ask you which you would prefer – English or Filipino questionnaires. Most people chose our native language. Based on my friend’s own account, he said that English questions are a bit tricky so you might want to stick to  your own. Of course, you should choose whichever you are comfortable with. There are also reviewers available here.

9:20 – I was called up again but this time, in the exam room. They gave me the questionnaires & answer sheet. True enough, some of the questions are the exact ones in the reviewers. For a non-professional, passing means getting 30 out of 40 questions correctly (for professionals, it’s 45 out of 60). It took me 10 minutes to finish the exam and then the waiting game began.

All throughout this time, I could see the guy from SMART in and out of LTO office; wandering like he’s one of them. At one point, a lady showed him an empty Absolute 2L bottle. The guy went out and came back after 20mins with a full bottle of Absolute 2L from Puregold. I guess we all know what happened here.

11:00 – I was finally given my receipt for my non-professional driver’s license. Yep, that’s right. Backlog continues for LTO. This was posted in their windows.

3-hour processing is not acceptable but we’re talking about a PH government office here so I guess this isn’t bad at all. After all, I was warned to free up my whole day. The only drawback is that I have to go back to get my actual card. Until then, I’ll just have to marvel at my paper license. I am a real adult now! 😀

Batanes.

For the past 5 years or so, I’ve always opted to celebrate my birthday away from home. Call it birthday blues or anything but I somehow find comfort in spending the day alone, analyzing what happened the past year and figuring out what my next steps are for the coming year. Less than a month before my birthday, I booked a 7-day trip to Batanes.

Every one in the Philippines will probably have Batanes in their bucket list. And I cannot blame them. From the tourist spots to people to food, it was really amazing. Okay, probably except for the weather. I know, I know. We have this connotation that Batanes, being in the most northern part of the Philippines (they are nearer to Taiwan than any other islands in our country) has a nice weather all throughout the year. So my first tip to any of you who plans to visit soon is to skip August & September unless you want that Manila humid/sticky weather x 10 (no joke!) feeling the whole time you’re there.

Skyjet vs PAL

I initially booked for Skyjet as the fare was cheaper than PAL but barely 2 weeks prior to my flight, they cancelled it due to operational reasons. I had no choice but to fly with PAL but this time, I made it just a 5-day trip. I recently learned that there is a third carrier going to Batanes via Air Swift but this is a chartered plane so chances of cancelled flights depending on the number of passengers are very much likely compared to commercial planes. I met new friends in Batanes who booked their trip as early as January 2016 via Skyjet and it only cost them P2600 for a roundtrip fare  to have one of the most amazing vacations. Not bad at all.

Our flight was delayed for an hour, btw.

Marfel’s Lodge

I stayed with Marfel’s Lodge Annex – 5 mins via motorbike from the airport. Marfel’s Lodge is the no.2 accommodation in Batanes according to Trip Advisor; second only to Fundacion Pacita, a very expensive nature lodge on top of a hill overlooking Batan. Note that this is closed from August to October for annual maintenance but you can still pass by in your North Batan tour.

Marfel is managing several home stays in Batanes but I am so glad they put me in Annex. They have a small house with 5 rooms but a very big garden with a lot of greens and flowers all around and a hammock. I was even able to do stargazing  here on my first night. Just the way I like my future home to be.

All of their rooms have both a fan & an A/C so you can use either of them during your stay but they have different room rates so you have to tell them which you are availing – P400 for a fan room & P1000 for an air-conditioned room. Toilet & bath is common. There is a mini-honesty store (toiletries, cup noodles, canned goods, biscuits) in the kitchen  where you can just write what you are buying in a notebook and pay accordingly. Kitchen is open to cooking. There is also a common room where all guests can get together. Wifi & network signal are poor (I think this is true in all of Batanes but I am not complaining) but they have cable channels so that’s an alternative if you wanna pass time before going to bed. I tried this but I always ended up reading a book in my room because of the heat even at night. The caretakers are all nice, too! They are in the lodge from 5AM to 8PM doing normal house chores. Try talking to them if you really wanna feel being a local.

Guys, remember that you are sharing the house with other guests so respect and common courtesy are a must. For the love of God, don’t strut around in your boxer shorts or in just a towel. Please.

BISUMI Tours

BISUMI stands for Basco, Ivana, Sabtang, Uyugan, Mahatao, Itbayat – 6 areas/islands where they offer tours. Normally, I would prefer to explore a new place on my own but I was not sure of the transportation in Basco so I opted to join a group this time for P4999. It was a 3-day tour which you can spread throughout your stay. They will fetch you from where you are staying and then drop you off at the end of the tour. Times can be adjusted depending on the guests’ preference. Food & Environmental fees are also included. I made a mistake of paying EF when I stepped out of the airport which I eventually learned is already part of the tour’s fee. You can refund it from BISUMI but I forgot so it was P350 down the drain.

http://www.discoverbatanes.com

Day 1 – North Batan Tour. It starts with a lunch in Vunong Dinette while your tour guide explains the history of Batanes and your itinerary for the rest of the tours. The tour ended at 4PM. Of course, you can stay longer in some of the places. It was a good thing that we were just a small group on this day; it was freaking hot outside I always looked forward to going back to our van for some A/C. My favorite spots on this tour are the Tukon Chapel –  a small stoned chapel on top of a hill which can definitely compete with my all-time fave Calaruega Church, Valugan Boulder Beach & Vayang Rolling Hills.

Day 2 – South Batan Tour. Because this is a longer tour than North, we started as early as 6AM so we could avoid the afternoon heat. This is way better than the previous day too as the places that we visited really wowed us. My favorite moment is standing in Marlboro Country while looking at both West PH Sea & Pacific Ocean simultaneously. ❤

Day 3. Sabtang Tour. A 30-minute island via Faluwa traversing West PH Sea. I can honestly say that this ride was the craziest of them all. The waves were insane! Apparently, this is where West PH Sea & Pacific Ocean meet so you can just imagine the currents. If you are not used to boat rides, I would understand the fear that this will bring you but you have to trust your boatmen who have been doing this for a long time. You can even enjoy the ride at some point.

I had 2 free days which I used to relax like I was just visiting my own province. I also made it a point to try all of the top 5 must try restaurants in Batanes. Most commodities here are a little expensive because they are being shipped so naturally, it will be cheaper to dine with friends or in my case since I was a solo traveller, with my new found friends.

1. Octagon Bed & Dine. A 3-minute walk from where I stayed which offers a variety of Filipino cuisine. You’ll get a view of West PH Sea if you eat in their veranda.
2. Casa Napoli. I personally love Mattaw pizza. Yum!
3. Phil’s Brew. Now, this is more of a cafe than a restaurant but among this list, I’d come back here over and over again. In fact, I dropped by twice during my stay. The place is as cozy as it can get. Their Tubho Iced Tea is just fantastic; a perfect way to cap off your night. Please, please include this in your itinerary when you visit Batanes.
4. Pension Ivatan. I wanted to try Ivatan platter but there were only 2 of us and we thought it’s just too much to spend P1600 for a dinner. And so we settled for Batanes platter composed of 4 viands. Except for Caliente, I enjoyed the rest of it.
5. Jino’s Pizza. Okay, I am a pizza & pasta person so I’d like to try as much pizza as I can. I liked the place but personally, I prefer the Mattaw Pizza of CN.

Batanes is just another proof that God is the greatest painter of all time. I am still in awe of this experience. It’s just amazing to think what you can discover when you step out of your comfort zone. I would gladly go back but definitely around January or February when it’s guaranteed to be colder. 🙂

 

Warriors.

I was never known to be athletic. In fact, I was mostly overweight in my entire existence but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the world of sports. One of them is of course, basketball. My friends in grade school can attest how much this sport would affect my mood at a tender age. I was rooting then for The Aerial Voyager. Then came high school and I somehow outgrew this until I transitioned to college where UAAP basketball was the biggest thing – for some. Until now, I follow collegiate basketball more than the PBA.

NBA was not really my thing. Sure, I know the legendary ones – I mean, who doesn’t? – but for me, they just looked all the same. The power, passion and dominance of selected players were very evident that for the longest time, they ruled the basketball world. Nothing that really caught my attention. My favorite player then was Tony Kukoc not because he was from the Chicago Bulls or his ability to shoot from long range but more because of his looks. Teehee. Until 2015 – thanks to Twitter.

See, I may have stopped watching professional basketball but I do follow “important” sports people who share all the news that one should know. And so Stephen Curry kept on appearing in my timeline. I finally decided to watch the 2015 all-star 3-point shootout and as they say, the rest is history. Yes, at the risk of being accused of joining the bandwagon that was the Golden State Warriors, I have never stopped watching their games. I spent a good amount of time in Youtube watching all of Steph’s videos. And I mean all plus some of the other Warriors’ stunning performances for the past 3 years. But you can’t blame me.

I had my NBA TV Premium channel activated because most of their games are not available in NBA TV. I created an account in NBA app. I subscribed to Globe NBA promo codes for cheaper access. I woke up as early as 7AM just to watch their games. I started engaging in conversations about them. I checked “Golden State Warriors” and “Stephen Curry” in Google every single day for updates more than I checked local news online. My newsfeed and timeline are filled with basketball updates. I typically reached my data cap on the second week of the month watching their amazing plays posted all over the internet. I want to be in the Oracle Arena to watch them live in the Finals that I applied for a US visa which is something that I have been putting off for the longest time.

And as if their 2014-2015 magical season was not enough proof that they are indeed, the most exciting thing – individually and collectively – that ever happened in basketball lately, they continue their amazing run in the current season of NBA. So amazing that they are about to break the 72-10 (W-L) record of the ’95-96 Chicago Bulls – the current best. I felt sadness in all of their 9 losses. I felt happiness in all of their 71 wins. And I, along with some people who are not necessarily fans, am really hopeful for #chasing73. Records are meant to be broken after all.

this has become a staple of my mornings for the past year.

Let’s go, Warriors!!

Issued.

I first attempted to apply for a US visa August 2015 when one of my friends said that her mother was applying – we were kind of planning a NYE in NYC event for the longest time. One of my fears then was the show money so I thought applying with my friend’s mom would increase my chance of getting approved if we could get interviewed together. Well, it was more of me riding on their show money. I used to work for a local bank in the earliest years of my so-called career so I was used to clients requesting for bank certificates and statements for the last 6 months when they’re applying for a visa. I could tell that they really made an effort in saving just for the show money so it stuck on me thinking all along that this really is a big thing. For some reason, I decided not to push through then – it turned out my friend’s mom’s application would get approved. In fact, they’re in the US as I write this post.

Fast forward to March 29^th, I decided to try again and finally paid the visa fee of PHP7, 840.00 (USD160.00). I scheduled for an appointment a week after, just enough time to prepare for the required documentations. I chose 7:15AM, the earliest time available because I wanted to sleep after before I go to work that same day. Before I left for the embassy, I decided not to bring my phone anymore (and any electronic devices) as I read that they are really strict on this. This is very critical if you don’t have a car where you can leave your personal things. Otherwise, you’ll risk leaving them to strangers outside the embassy so you can get inside.

I arrived in the embassy 70 minutes earlier than my schedule. There were already people lining up as early as 6AM. I wish Filipinos can be this punctual all the time but I would not recommend this in your interview day. You will only be accommodated by the embassy personnel 15 minutes before your scheduled interview so you would still get in the designated grey tent no matter how long the line is as long as it is still within your time. I think not being late is more important as they are really strict on a lot of things. A senior citizen applicant who was lining up behind me shared that some chairs are offered near the bay area for a fee of PHP30.00. She decided to stand until we got in. As for me, I brought a book to pass time. I finished an entire chapter while waiting.

A lot of seafarers were scheduled that day. I heard there were 216 confirmed applicants and it looked like there are only limited time slots for them unlike for the regular applicants. They would finish entertaining their batch first. At 6:55AM, I approached the grey tent – 20 minutes before my schedule. A Filipina personnel was assisting. She checked my appointment confirmation, DS-160 printout & passport before she let me in to queue for the next security check. At this point, they would ask you to bring out your latest passport and DS-160 only. The line was long but moving fast. The security check was to attach control stickers at the back of your passport. When you’re done, you will be asked to enter the building where another security check is waiting. In here, there are scanners just like in airports. Again, cellphones and electronic devices including USB & power banks are not allowed in the embassy. You will be jeopardizing your schedule if you are caught bringing in one.

When you passed this, you will get through another door, walk another 100 meters to enter the main building. A final security check of bags will be done before you’ll line up for the following steps –

1. A Filipina consul asked for my passport, DS-160 and 2×2 photo. She also asked for my birthday. When she returned my documents, my photo was already attached to my DS-160 printout and there were some stamps on it.
2. Again, you will be asked for your passport and DS-160. The American consul asked how long I intend to stay in the US. After that, I had all my fingerprints scanned.
3. The last step where the interview took place. There was a long line going to the windows but again, it was moving fast. While lined up, I noticed a big screen flashing some myths and facts on getting approved. It was very informative if you’ll ask me. Then it was my turn. I was asked by an usher to proceed to window no. 26.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, there were a lot of seafarer applicants that day so when I approached the window, I was asked a seafarer question. When I said that I was not a seafarer, the American consul set aside my passport and DS-160 and told me to sit first and that she’d just attend to seafarers first. So I did however, the next person or people should I say in the queue was a mother and daughter. They were interviewed right away presumably because the mother is a senior citizen. I was observing the conversation though I could not hear everything. One significant moment was when the consul specifically asked the mother to answer for herself, not her daughter doing all the talking. At this point, I already knew it would not be a pleasant experience for me. The mother and daughter were approved. They were dismissed and my name was called again. These were the questions (and some answers that I gave) that she asked –

1. Status – Single
2. Who are you traveling with? Relationship?
3. Have you travelled before? – Yes
4. Where? – This is the question that I was most prepared to answer. I kinda memorized already the places that I have been to. When I mentioned UK, she immediately asked for my old passport even if I haven’t finished answering yet. So I slid my old passports under the window, she shoved it back with a pen and said, open it where your UK visa is. So I did.
5. How long have you been working in your current job? – 3 years ++

After this, she picked up another pending application and called the name who owned the documents while I was still standing outside her window. It was only then that she looked at me again and said, “Madam, you’re approved.” I said my thanks and left.

The whole interview took less than 5 minutes but it was more than enough for me to conclude that the consul was not exactly having a great day and mind you, it was only 7:40AM. Either that or she’s just a bitch goddess. There were a lot of shaking heads and rolling of eyes and unpleasant facial expressions on her side. Then again, I was approved. So I guess we can debunk those claims that your visa application really depends on the consul (and her/his mood). I would like to think that the challenge is more for the applicants to prove their ties to the Philippines and not to please the consul with lies. The only supporting document that she asked was my UK visa. I was not even asked for my COE or bank certificates or bank statements which were the only documents that I had with me. I was done in 50 minutes since I approached the designated grey tent.

When I checked the status online that same night, it said “For Administrative Processing”. When I checked again 24 hours later, the status is already issued. I have yet to receive my passport and visa so the burning question for me now is the duration. Hopefully, it’s for multiple entry because shelling out USD160.00 for a visa is not a joke.

Important Links: http://manila.usembassy.gov/niv-application.html

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx