Philippine passport renewal guide for senior citizens

Sunday, 28 August 2011

Thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Courtesy Lane, renewing the passport for your parents or relatives who are already senior citizens, the process is a breeze. Senior citizens are exempt from the appointment system; they just need to go to the DFA Consular Office in the ASEANA Business Park along Macapagal Avenue and apply.

Travel documents
Stock photos to the rescue

Those renewing must bring their expired/expiring passport, along with a photocopy of the first and last page, amendments page, and the page with the last Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps. For holders of brown passports (issued before May 1995), applicant must also bring a copy of their birth certificate printed on security paper (SECPA). If you forgot to photocopy the documents before going to the DFA, there’s a photocopy machine inside the passport processing area. Copies costs Php 3 per page.
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Category: Everything Travel
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A walk down Main Avenue

Thursday, 25 August 2011

It was a chance to go back to the Manila North Cemetery. After getting reprimanded for taking pictures without getting a permit last time, I was eager to have not just a reason to go back, but to take photos as well. We were there for the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Thomasites in the Philippines.

110th Anniversary of the Thomasites
US Ambassador Harry J. Thomas and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in front of the Thomasite’s plot

Named after the USS Thomas, the vessel which took them to Manila, 530 American teachers were stationed in the Philippines to “establish a new public school system, to teach basic education and to train Filipino teachers, with English as the medium of instruction.” [Source: Wikipedia]
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Category: Manila, Philippines 8 Comments

AirAsia Philippines

Monday, 15 August 2011

Low cost carrier giant AirAsia further expands its network with the Filipino owned and operated Air Asia Philippines. The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark becomes the 13th hub of the AirAsia group.

Air Asia Philippines
So great to see the Philippine flag on an AirAsia plane

Though announced back in December, the airline only received its first Airbus A320 recently and today, it landed at DMIA from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

The AirAsia Philippines is targeted to start flying commercially in October 2011, serving Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, upon official approval. The second aircraft is expected to arrive in first quarter 2012 and will ply the routes to Bangkok (Thailand), Incheon (South Korea), Kalibo and Puerto Princessa.

Suffice to say, this is great news for travelers, specially for those living in the North and Central Philippines. More than anything, I’m eager to see how this new player in the industry will affect airfare prices.

Category: Everything Travel
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Map of Little Tokyo

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

I haven’t been traveling lately and won’t be traveling anytime soon. I’m at my wit’s end, counting down the months until the next trip. The self-imposed travel ban was due to me trying my hand at being responsible, putting my money into grown up expenses like insurance, business registrations and an accountant, instead of squandering it on impulsively planned booked trips. The farthest I’ve been traveling lately is to Makati, where I get to experience the closest I’ll probably ever get to Japan: Little Tokyo.

Just Wandering Little Tokyo Map
Amazing map by the designer/photographer/calligrapher extraordinaire, Cla :D
(Click on the image to see the bigger version)

Little Tokyo is actually a compound where you can eat the best and most authentic Japanese meals in Manila. Many of these restaurants are own by Japanese, with a Japanese chef manning the kitchen, preparing and cooking ingredients imported from Japan and served to Japanese nationals.
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Category: Manila, Philippines
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So you want to become a travel blogger?

Monday, 25 July 2011

Last Thursday, I watched Varekai again. No, I wasn’t invited to watch again; I paid for my own ticket. The experience was so different in many ways than when I watched it last June. First, I was seated 3 rows from the back. When I watched it it the first time, I was on the 3rd row from the front. The complimentary pass got us access to the Tapis Rouge, the VIP area where you can munch on cocktails and sit on comfy couches while waiting for the show to start or resume after intermission. When I watched again, I had to stand with the rest of the audience waiting to enter the Grand Chapiteau. Since the dress rehearsal was also the media preview, we were allowed to take photos during the performance. Last Thursday, the only photo I was able to take was of the yellow and blue circus tent.

El Nido, Palawan
Blogging at El Nido

To be perfectly honest, I enjoyed Thursday’s show more. Sure, the perk were amazing when I watched the first time, but I was working throughout the entire show. I was busy taking pictures (and figuring out how to use Winston’s camera) that I wasn’t completely able to focus on the show. Last Thursday, sitting on Row P, seat 19, I was able to see the entire stage and watch the show in its entirety, not thinking how to shoot the photo or how I’m going to blog it.
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Category: Wandering thoughts 34 Comments