And ETC ! – Page 9 – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

Win A DUCATI Supersport Red from Old Spice Ph

Published on October 12, 2018November 14, 2018 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Old Spice Philippines is giving away a DUCATI SUPERSPORT – RED Edition to one loyal product user. 20 days to go before the raffle cut off (October 31, 2018).

Check this piece of pogi!

To join, follow this easy raffle mechanics:
1. Buy any Old Spice product during the promo period: July 15, 2018 to October 31, 2018.
2. Keep your Original Receipt (as proof of purchase)
3. Go to https://www.oldspiceph.net/ to register for the raffle
4. Enter all the required information on each field
5. Once completed, an email confirmation will be sent to the registered email address
6. Each Old Spice product purchased is entitled to one (1) raffle entry. Thus, one receipt may qualify for multiple entries depending on the quantity of Old Spice products purchased.
7. New draw date is on November 5, 2018
8. This raffle is open NATIONWIDE

DOH-FDA-CCRR Permit No. 0464 s. 2018

Old Spice is the authority on the male grooming experience and it brings authenticity, performance, and confidence to men all around the world. It offers a wide array of products for the modern man such as antiperspirant deodorants, deodorants, bar soap, shower gel, body sprays, after shaves, and colognes. It comes in various scent collections, allowing the man to choose the perfect man-smell for oneself given any and every situation. You can man-up today as Old Spice is found in all leading supermarkets and stores nationwide.

New Zealand Tourist Visa for Filipinos 2018 – DIY Online Application Guide with Photos

Published on April 22, 2018November 6, 2022 by iamjosemanuel19 Comments

WAIVED NA PO ANG TOURIST VISA FEE FOR NEW ZEALAND!

True! Hindi po ito fake news. Before, it was mandatory to pay NZ$ 165. As of June 2017, A resolution has already been approved, stating that the Citizens of the Philippines do not have to pay anymore the fee or immigration levy for TOURIST/VISITOR VISA application, when coming to New Zealand for fewer than 60 days (Reference: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/).

However, point out ko lang po clearly, NZ is NOT VISA FREE. It is only the big amount of fee that was taken out. We still have to submit necessary requirements to the NZ Embassy for the issuance of visa prior to our trip.

Traditional method of submitting paper requirements is still being implemented today. However, NZ Immigration already formulated a “Passport Handling-Online Application” method, which has taken visa application to the next level of easiness. With this method, applicants are only required to completely fill up a form on their website and then submit online the scanned copies of usual visa requirements. For this convenience,however,applicants shall pay a fee of less than 1,000 Pesos for the “Passport Handling”, which shall be discussed later. This is relatively a small amount compared to the big chunk of levy that has already been relieved from us. Passport handling fees may also be bank transferred na. This has made the application process more convenient, especially for us living far away from Manila/Cebu where embassy offices are located.
This guide blog focuses solely on Visitors (Tourist) Visa via Online Application. For other types of Visa, refer to https://www.immigration.govt.nz.

So without further ado (Char), here is a step by step guide on how I completed my application.

STEP 1 : Gather the visa requirements,

Photo – passport sized (900 x 1200 pixels minimum), light colored background(except white, ideally light gray), JPEG Format straight from file. Bilhin nyo yung file ng picture sa studio. scanned from printed photo is not allowed; file size between 500KB and 3MB
Valid Passport – scan pages with personal information; PDF Format
Government issued Identification Card – either driver’s license, PRC, SSS, GSIS, TIN, Philhealth; PDF Format
Proof of Employment – letter of approved leave from employer ideally with salary and other details ; PDF Format
Evidence of Fund – Bank Certificate with ADB; Bank Statements; Updated Passbook; PDF Format
Evidence of Onward Travel – Airline confirmed booking(meaning, ticket reservation from a reputable travel agency); PDF Format ; pwede rin Airline ticket mismo if you already have one, but not advised.
Cover Letter – letter of intention. You may also put here your proposed day to day itinerary ; PDF Format
Other Financial Document – Credit card billing statement, ITR; ; PDF Format
For Self Employed – business permit, SEC or DTI registration. Annual ITR for the employed; PDF Format
Record of Previous Travels – Scanned copy of your past and current passport with all stamps
Copy of other Valid First World Visas (If available) – USA, Schengen, Japan or others; PDF Format

Re bank funds, some successful applicants mentioned “100 USD per day x # days stay x 2” maintaining balance. I guess we should prepare the same na din (or more) to prove our capacity to visit their country.

Step 2 : Go to https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa

Select appropriate visa options. it will look something like this.

Click on the RealMe Link at the bottom to start application

Step 3: Create a RealMe Account which serves as your application form. This is where you will be uploading all your infos and scanned documents.

Provide usual infos, username and password. This step will also ask for an email verification.

After Email verification, your RealMe account will now look something like this. Click the “Visitor Visa” Highlighted in RED.

Step 4: Fill up RealMe Form in order that is given.

Fill up all the “Identity and Contact” requirements. one after the other. Save infos from time to time.

This may be intimidating, but just say No to all these entries, unless you seriously have a condition to declare.

The interface still asks for this stage even if you declared “single” early on. Samok ha!

This is the part where you upload your JPEG and PDF files

The good thing about this interface is that it prompts you for detected errors such as this. Cool! Very first world!

Step 5: Submit online your completed RealMe Form. In 24 hours, you will receive an email confirmation and instructions on where to submit your passport. This is not yet your approval.

Step 6: Payment of Passport Handling Fee thru Bank.

While it is most common for applicants to submit their passports personally, NZ offers an option to pay through Banco de Oro, which is very favourable for people away from Manila. Passport handling will be catered by VFS Global, which is NZ embassy’s partner agency. Details can be found at http://www.vfsglobal.com/NewZealand/Philippines/how-to-apply.html

Instructions on Bank Transfer Payments are detailed on this website.

For my application, I paid the 570 Handling fee plus 380 Courier Fee for them to return my passport after assessment. I did not avail the SMS assistance anymore, since the updates on my application can be monitored on my RealMe Account

Print the bank form and show to the bank during payment.

Step 7: Submit Passport to VFS Office for Assessment and Verification

Photocopy Bank Deposit Slip/ Transfer Slip and submit this to VFS together with your valid passport, the printed and signed bank form, a printed copy of “thank you” page and the Email Confirmation. Applicants from the province may send their documents ti VFS via any preferred courier.

Step 8: Result

Once the result is released, VFS will send your passport back to your given address. Courier fee for the return is part of the prior payment.

NZ Visitor Visa issuance is indeed fast. I got my approval 4 days after submission of passport to VFS.

Points to remember:

As per website, results are released 20 days after the submission. However, most of the recent applicants got their results within 3 to 4 days!

Since this is an online application, no need to print and submit paper requirements. Unless your uploads are not clear, then they may ask for those.

You can apply as early as 6 months before the trip.

Grant on duration of stay varies. Wala talagang template for this. But definitely, your stay will not exceed 59 days at a time.

For online application, No more sticker on your passport. The approval certificate that will be emailed to you shall serve its purpose.

—0—-

So there, hopefully this blog will be of help by the time you apply for your own. Though I am fully aware that this guide will not guarantee approval for everybody. Kaya sabayan nyo nalang din ng Novena for 14 days with miryenda cream bread and mayonnaise.

This guide,however, is focused purely on tourism/holiday visit. For other types of application, see https://www.immigration.govt.nz for details.

Re Waived visa fee, there is no information on until when this waived fee will last. So while we are enjoying the current privilege, might as well consider visiting this green country very soon.

Lastly, if you are unsure of your documents, or if you find the D.I.Y. online application too complicated, please get in touch na lang with a reputable travel agency to process your papers. Life is short, wag na pa stress!

The Balabac Squad

Published on April 8, 2018April 7, 2018 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

My 4 days and 3 nights island camping trip Balabac,Palawan was made even more fun and perky by these awesome travelers. Cheers to more epic travel stories for us in the future! Check out this video blog attached. Para sa inyo to lahat. Halong sa inyo tanan dira! =)

Balabac trip details? Wait lang guys. susunod nah. =)

So We’re Here in Baguio. San Tayo Kakain?

Published on October 15, 2017October 15, 2017 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Lamon! Lamon! Lamon! It’s that part of the laag that I look forward the most. Sino ayaw mabusog?

So last month, our travel group (char!) got invited once again by Azalea Hotels and Residences. This time, we visited the ever charming Baguio City. We did a lot of sight seeing. We visited BenCab Museum. We saw horses with pink hair. Quite a short trip, yet super fun. Baguio is lovely, as always. And the best part? Food trip! =D Here are some of the foodie highlights that we enjoyed during our stay.

FILIPINO COMFORT FOOD. Tradisyon Restaurant is Azalea Hotels and Residences’ in-house restaurant. The restaurant serves well-loved and familiar local and international food. The hotel chef dished up all his best entries during our stay. Here are some of the highlights.

IMG20170918122639_Fotor — Beef Tripe Kare-kare FTW!

All of Baguio’s freshest vegetables in one platter.

IMG20170919071418_Fotor — Tuyong Espada (Included with the hotel’s breakfast buffet)

IMG20170918195149_Fotor — Staple Pinoy Pinakbet

IMG20170919203845_Fotor — **Bulasing** . Chef’s own fusion of Pinoy bulalo and sinigang. Quite a unique blend of taste.

Tradisyon Restaurant is located at the Azalea Hotels and Residences Baguio, Leonard Wood Loop, Brgy. M. Roxas. Price range 150 to 400 Pesos. servings to share.

TRADITIONAL AND AUTHENTIC. A visit to Baguio is an opportunity to experience authentic Cordilleran food. The Farmer’s Daughter is one of the noted restaurants in Baguio that serve pure Cordilleran dishes. Most of the dishes here are of Ibaloi cuisine.

IMG20170919124100_Fotor — *Pinikpikan*. Soup-based chicken dish. Traditionally prepared wherein a live chicken is beaten to death with a stick.

*Pinuneg*. an Ibaloi version blood sausage. with a dip of chili alamang with soy and squeeze of calamansi.

*Kinuday*. traditional – smoked pork meat.

Lots of fresh and sauted vegetables to fill up the table.

Experiencing native dishes is a way of appreciating and giving respect to the Ibaloi tradition.

Dishes are good for sharing and ranges from Php100 to Php200. The Farmer’s Daughter is located in Awan, Baguio City, just beside the Tam-Awan Village.

A TASTE OF THE EXOTIC. Bar-B-que baby chicken. I didn’t eat this. Lol. But my friends enjoyed their piece. This street food is everywhere in Baguio. As such, sali ko nalang din sa list. Baka bet nyo to look forward. hehe

STRAWBERRY HEAVEN. Baguio and it’s region is blessed with year-long cool weather; thus, the abundance of different kinds of berries. Probably the most popular is their luscious and bright red strawberries that they generously put on almost all kind of pastries and desserts I can imagine. Here are some.

Strawberry Taho is virtually everywhere in Baguio

IMG20170918201909_Fotor — Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry topping. Tradisyon Restaurant

IMG20170918203836_Fotor — Tres Leches. Super milky and creamy cake bites. Tradisyon Restaurant’s best seller. Also with strawberry topping.

IMG20170918125035_Fotor — Choco-Banana Cupcake. by Tradisyon Restaurant

IMG20170918190749_Fotor — Dark Chocolate dipped Strawberry Kisses. Chocolates are also locally sourced. This set shown is a gift from Azalea. Similar gift sets are available on many places in Baguio.

Alright, enough about food. Move on tayo. Here is me strutting my best pose in front of Azalea Hotels and Residences, where we stayed for two nights. Azalea Residences is Baguio’s first and only 4-star serviced apartment hotel. (http://www.azaleabaguio.com/)

All shots included in this post were taken using OPPO Mobile Phone, The Selfie Expert. No filter. All Natural light. ‘Til then. =)

Jose’s 10 Favourite Cakes Around Davao City

Published on September 24, 2017June 20, 2021 by iamjosemanuel3 Comments

Hi Guys! It’s almost 2 am on a Saturday night, and I am still freaking alive, alert and awake because of that Old Town Hazelnut Coffee I had kaninang 6 pm, which I should have just passed. So since lurat pa mata ko, naisip ko lang to finally return to my long overdue blogs on list of favourite things sa buhay, like anything and everything I enjoy under the sun. And since nagpapa yummy ako ngayon and iwas sweets, let us start this series with my list of 10 personal favourite cakes and pies from different cafes around Davao City. This has no particular order bes ha, kasi the list is composed of variety of flavours and cake compositions. Therefore, I am not ranking one entry to the other. Karamihan nito, naging fave ko na kasi may kwentong unforgettable. Phak! Di, joke lang, gusto ko lang tologoh lumamons. Anyways, here’s the list. Hope you enjoy this.1. Banana Mckintosh – Basti’s Brew, Victoria Plaza. Yes guys, old school muna keyyy! Tayong mga taga Davao, alam naman nating institution na ang Basti’s brew nun college tayo (Haha, wala pa tayong pera nun mga bes, kaya happy bonus tologoh makapag Basti’s lang). Masaya talaga ako sa B.M. nila. Crumbly crust, caramelized banana filling, cream top, chocolate drizzle. Simple, spot on. Walang kyeme. Yung tipong parang Tita mo lang ang nag prepare? Ganun ka comforting ang Banana Mckintosh for me. Sadly di na to masyado naseserve ng Basti’s nun recent visits ko. Kung kilala nyo ang may ari, paki tanong naman.

2. Mango Charlotte. Bistro Rosario. Torres St. Yes guys, another old school Davao pastry. Sobrang deserving ng slot sa list ko, and I guess most Davao people naman my age would agree. Madaming childhood memories dala-dala si Mango Charlotte with its spongy chiffon, light cream and bold mango toppings. Saktong tamis lang. Simple. Spot on. Though there are some who say na medyo commercial na daw ang MC ngayon, pero kebs. Natutunan ko na siyang mahalin through the years, tatalikod pa ba ako?

3. Carrot Cream Cake – Basti’s Brew. Di naman ako masyadong fan ng Old school Davao noh? Chot. But personally, gusto ko talaga ang carrot cake basta freshly baked. Probably because it is not super common, and umay na din palaging mag chocolate. Basti’s version is slightly moist, which I like. Sakto lang din ang Tamis ng cream.

4. Fruity Cheesecake – Cafe de Flore, Torres St. Pasok na tayo sa mga recently opened cafes. Yes po, this one is from the cafe fronting Angel in Torres =D. Pretty to look at, and quality din. Gusto ko ung honest to goodness cheesecake center nila; non gelatinous, thus medyo brittle sya. Ganito ung nasubukan kong cheesecake sa Brussels. Chot. Pero di nga, try nyo. The Cafe is owned and operated by a French National. Though I only had this cake twice, and wasn’t able to visit na the recent months. I hope they were able to keep up. Di rin kasi mura this. nasa 180 Pesos to per slice. but it’s a large piece and I liked it.
5. Chocopology – Alor’s/Yummy Chicken, Torres Street. By now, you may have noticed, di ako masyadong mahilig sa chocolate cakes. However, This entry is an exemption. Probably kasi mestisa lang sya. lol. Layers of semi moist chocolate chiffon base, light cream, mocha and chocolate mousse. Probably because malawak yung layer ng cream that is why I didn’t find it too sweet. Sakto lang. Highly recommended this .

6. Matcha Cheesecake – Katsu Country, Jacinto Extension. Mahilig ako sa Matcha. Probably because mahilig sa matcha si crush so I have to cope. Chot! But seriously, Matcha flavour is exotic. Acquired taste bale, it’s not for everyone. Katsu Country is only months old, pero I must commend the quality of this featured cheesecake. Texture. consistency. Good! Again, non gelatinous. honest to goodness cheesecake lang on a plate. Super turned off ako sa cheesecake na parang jelly.

7. Nutty Matcha Cheesecake-Cuppycakes Boulangerie,Marfori Subd. A proof na mahilig ako sa Matcha. I can’t choose between this and the previous so I’m including both. But unlike the honest, unembellished composition of item 6, this matcha cheesecake is a bit fancy, with walnuts and caramel drizzle . And if I am not mistaken, the crust is semi carrot-ish.

8. Durian Cheesecake Mini – Lachi’s Marfori. No need to argue guys, Lachi’s is a dessert institution. Everything there is good. Sansrival, pecan pie, french cake. Lahat. But for this list, I am including the Durian Mini since ito naman madalas kong ma order.

9. Cheesecake Roulette – Park Inn Hotel, Lanang. All 6 varieties of good cheesecake on a platter. Perfect for presents on Christmas, kaya I included this para mag bigay ng gift idea. On this set, pinaka gusto ko yung cheesecake with caramel candy topping.

10. Banana Walnut Torte, Saging Repablik, Tiongko Street. This may come as a surprise to some, pero swear, on my list, this is on top! Saktong layers of sansrival-like crust, caramelized banana, dark chocolate layer and loads of crushed walnut. Pile up two sets of that goodness and cover with chilled cream. Comfort entry ko to. Simple, honest ingredients. may play of texture and flavours which I find exciting.
Ilang dates na ba naisama ko sa Saging repablik for this? Raise your hands. lol. Also factor din na malapit lang to sa bahay.

When I have visitors asking for dessert recommendations, I usually mention this Banana Walnut Torte. It’s a local recipe using local resources; the Davao banana to be specific. Local flair is key! But for those who love durian flavour, definitely there’s Lachi’s cheesecake.

So there goes my list. And let me just note that this is not a paid post or whatever. FYI. Consider me as a satisfied – Paying Customer that enjoyed eating his cake in peace and without counting the calories habang stable the blood sugar count.

As a good friend quoteed: ” Bahalag Tambok, basta lipay”! ’til the next blog.

Eat responsibly.=)

Biyaheng Pinas:Josemanuel Visits Baguio City

Published on September 24, 2017April 7, 2018 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Here’s a quickie vlog on how I spent my recent 2 days off in Baguio City. Flew in via Clark Int’l Airport. Baguio City is just two and a half smooth hours away by private van from Clark.

Traveling to North and Central Luzon is now easier for Davaoenos with Airasia Philippines’ direct Davao to Clark flights.

Stayed at Azalea Hotel and Residence Baguio. Splendid rooms and impeccable services as always. http://www.azaleabaguio.com

Josemanuel Wears Surfer Boy Highlights by Buddy Congson

Published on September 23, 2017September 24, 2017 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

Ohhw,Joy! It’s my first time to have my hair highlighted.

#YOLO!

I am currently wearing ‘Sun-kissed Surfer Boy Highlights’, professionally handled by The Buddy Congson of Balayage by Buddy and Hairs and Nails Salon Davao,Digos and General Santos City.

Get in touch with buddy through facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/buddycongson/

https://www.facebook.com/HairsandNailsSalon/

Katsu Country Japanese Inspired Cafe

Published on August 8, 2017August 8, 2017 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Tucked in a quiet corner along Jacinto Extension stands Katsu Country, a recently opened Japanese-inspired café in Davao serving tasty tonkatsu sets, ramen and creative pasta dishes. Super easy to find the cafe, as the sleek and very inviting millennial pink interiors can easily be spotted from the outside.

Here are some of the ‘must try’; my personal faves.

Kani Salad as starter. Generous Kani strips, chilled lettuce, tangy Japanese mayo sauce. 110 Pesos a bowl to share.

Katsudon rice topping . Deep-fried pork cutlet with egg, prepared with a sweet and mildly salty broth, placed over hot rice. 200 Pesos. Generous serving size.

Katsu Meatball Spaghetti. Traditional Spaghetti topped with deep fried beef balls. 175 Pesos per serve.

Chicken Teriyaki Pasta. Mildly sweet. Very flavourful. A Katsu Country Original. 150 Pesos per serve.

Katsu Country Signature Matcha Cheesecake. Honestly good, non-gelatinous, slightly brittle texture, which I like. It’s probably the best Matcha cheesecake in Davao, TBH. 200 Pesos for this set. Apart from these featured entries, the cafe also serves traditional Porkloin, beef,chicken and fish katsu sets, tofu katsu set for the vegetarians, burgers, and savory Shoyu Ramen bowls.

Katsu Country Cafe is located at the Ground Floor of Junction Bldg, Emilio Jacinto Extension, Davao City. Get in touch with them through Facebook, or contact 0917 314 6361 for reservations.

Boracay Quickie Trip : What’s in my Backpack Challenge

Published on May 7, 2017April 7, 2018 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Hello,mga bes. Yes, I feel super rejuvenated,alive and fresh from my recent trip to Boracay. Quickie trip lang, 3 days. Di ako excited nun. Di nga ako masyadong nakapaghanda. Before the trip, I just had my hair highlighted with Sun-kissed Brown Balayage, courtesy of the Master Colourist himself, Buddy Congson of Hairs and Nails Salon. May I promote pa noh? Ganun tlga. #LoveLove

Moving forward, I thought of sharing with you guys how I prepared and packed my things for this trip. We all have our own styles of loading our bags based on the purpose of the travel. Me personally, kahit anong occasion pa yan, I like my things light,organised and minimal, bringing only the necessary. I believe naman na pag may kulang, we can always buy them upon arrival (unless mamundok ka, then Kbye). As much as possible, I don’t baggage check in na. I don’t mind hand carrying my things naman, so that i can get off the plane swiftly and leave the airport agad. I don’t have to wait na for my bag sa carousel and all. Para sa mga nagtatanong, I use a Cabin Zero 44L Backpack. It’s a European brand na super lightweight material with huge storage capacity, parang maleta na ang peg. Hindi ito paid advertisement ha? Wag kayong echosera. I just like how this bag serves its purpose. Although wala masyadong compartments. It would be better if we also use smaller pouches to segregate and organise things. Sadly for this trip, airline crew wanted me to check in my baggage because of the go pro stick. Weird nga eh. I had many trips na before and selfie sticks are allowed naman for hand carry. But Kebs na; life’s to short to question airline protocol. Anyways, let us proceed with the dissection. Here is what’s inside my backpack:( from lower right, clockwise):

Pouch 1 for clothes
Pouch 2 for more clothes
Pouch for shoes and slippers
Pouch for Swimwear
Pouch Toiletry/Skin care/gadgets
Camera. Go Pro tayo kasi beach (On top of my backpack)
A smaller day bag. Though it would have been better kung ung waterproof type nalang, kasi beach eh. Next time.

—–oo——

The Breakdown:

1-2. Pouch for Clothes . Pouch 1 -clothes for super casual, beachwear and the likes, and Pouch 2 -clothes for porma and for dine outs. On other trips, I have separate pouch for semi formal/formal. Sakto lang ganitong style for quickie, business o leisure trip with friends. For long term backpacking, I have different method of packing. hihi. The Pouches, I bought lang sa 88 store. very helpful to.

3. Pouch for slippers and shoes. In Boracay, kasi kailangan porma, I brought one more sandal, not shown sa photo. lol .

4. Pouch for Swimwear. Recommend ko talaga mag rash guard sa beach, for skin protection na din. Sa brands, nothing in particular;department store- bought lang. Meron pa to goggles and ear plugs, di ko na nasali sa pic. Yung rashgard ko, may opening for the thumb to keep the sleeves in place.

5. Pouch for Toiletry/Skin Care/Gadgets . Toiletries pouch ko sa upper left. Nothing fancy. Toothpaste, conditioner, shampoo in a refillable bottle (less than 100ml). I don’t bring soap nah, body wash lang.Hassle eh. Though when I am at home, I maintain using organic soap from Myskin Origins.

Pouch for Medicine, eyedrops, and my daily fibre supplement.

Gadgets – Just Charger and spare batteries for Go pro.

The white triangle, spare plastic bag, lol, as in silopin from Gmall, pwede na. Always ako meron nito, even in my work bag.

Pouch for Skin Care, lol, dami. Ito un.

Face Mask – The cucumber mask in particular has a soothing and cooling effect to the skin; a perfect night care after a full day fiasco under the sun. I only use mask from The Face Shop; kinasanayan na.

Dermax UV Gel Sunblock for the face. I was advised by my derma to use only gel type water based sun protection, kasi I am prone to break outs. Mejo mahal, kaya for the face lang. I use a different one for the body.

Dermax Hyal C Serum. Serves as my facial moisturizer before bedtime.

Day-long Sunblock Gel from Cetaphil for the neck and body.

Alcohol in a spray type bottle. Very convenient. Refillable pa.

Eye Roll on. lol. Di ko alam bat nadala ko to, I don’t use this often.

Acne Gel Cleanser from VMV.

Lip balm with SPF 15 from Nivea.

My Favourite perfume in a small handy bottle. Walang reason not to smell fresh during travel.

This is my sun protection set. I also bring this with me during fieldworks.

So, yes basically that’s it. Haha, maarte ba? Sa skin care lng naman. Kailangan yun. Though I am fully aware that I do not have perfect smooth skin at the moment, it could have been worse if I never took care of it. Sabi nga ni Kris Aquino, oiliness is less to joblessness.

It was a fun 3 days trip to Boracay. Kulang tlga. But yes, we can always go back. Good thing Airasia Ph now offers direct flights from Davao to Caticlan/Kalibo. This means cheaper fare na for us coming from Southern Mindanao, because we do not have to pass by Manila or Cebu anymore.

Quickie weekend trip to Boracay? pwedeng pwede nah!

During our trip, we were hosted by AZALEA Hotels and Residences Boracay, in Station 2. Azalea Boracay is the only 4 star service apartment-hotel in the island. Good location, furnished kitchen on every suites,commendable services. The hotel even has a heated pool at the roof deck. Panalo! Will upload more blogs re our accommodation soon, for now, you may get in touch with at http://www.azaleaboracay.com/.

Til then. Ciao =)

Applying Schengen Visa Through The Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines

Published on February 7, 2017March 8, 2017 by iamjosemanuel15 Comments

— April 22,2015, Wednesday, 10:00 pm, General Santos City —

Earlier today, I got my passport back from the Netherlands Embassy with a valid Schengen Visa Sticker. Approved! Grabe! Ilang araw ko din to inanticipate! I was kind of doubtful with my application at first because me and two other companions had difficulty in the personal interview, which I shall be detailing later on.

The waiting time of uncertainty felt somewhat to similar when I was waiting for my board exam result back in 2008. I was not confident at all. Parang natatae ako everytime I think about it. But then it turned out good. This is my first time to get such Visa approved. The application was “D.I.Y., with personal interviews and taxing requirements. Other visas from previous trips were VOAs or coursed through an agency. Sorry if you find this OA, but really, travelling is a big deal for me; And granted the opportunity to visit Europe is a dream come true. So, yeah!

So by the time this will be published, I am probably in Warsaw, Poland already. So, wish me safe and luck guys! Laban! =)

— xoxo —

Moving forward to a more serious and productive note, here is how I got my visa application approved. For those interested, I hope this would help in some ways.

Applying Schengen Visa can be done three months prior to your trip. As a golden rule, it is always good to patch travel requirements early.

Why I applied through the Netherlands Embassy?

When travelling to multiple Schengen States, application for visa should be submitted to the embassy where a person intends to stay the longest. The embassy is keen on this, as they will be examining the itinerary you will be submitting.

The Netherlands Embassy also carries in the Philippines all visa applications for Poland, which in my case, the country where I intend to stay the longest.

In addition, I have been told that it is fairly easier to apply through them as they have been generously granting Visas for tourism the past years, provided with complete requirements. But then this was not in our case since we had difficulty in the personal interview, which I shall be detailing later. However, the Embassy still granted us a visa, so, Hoorayy for that!!!! =)

Booking a Personal Interview

Netherlands Embassy requires applicants to pay the Visa Fee first through any Union Bank branch in the Ph. Fee is a non-refundable Php 3,700.00. This however includes courier service fee, since they will be sending your passport back to you, with whatever result it brings. A payment form and a photocopy of the passport shall be submitted to the bank. Some branches also require bringing the actual passport for verification.
Schedule a personal interview; a day after the payment was made. This is where applying through Netherlands Embassy comes easier because you just have to book an appointment online through http://www.vfsglobal.com/Netherlands/Philippines/schedule_an_appointment.html . More information on the website.

2016 UPDATE: To schedule an interview, you pay at Unionbank Php 730.00 nalang, instead of the full amount. Keep the deposit slip, the reference numbers there are important. And if you can’t find the ref number, ask the teller to highlight it on the slip, as you have to encode that on the scheduling website. Usually after One banking day, you can make a schedule na. Remember also that you should complete the interview scheduling asap, as the receipt expires in 30 days.

Meanwhile, the VISA fee, amounting to Php 3,170.00, should be paid na on the day of the scheduled interview at the Embassy (before the interview, to be exact).

Others, such as the Italian embassy, require booking appointment via call center which charges Php 32.00/ minute call.

Apologies for being too wordy on this but I might as well make this post as detailed as possible, based our actual experience.

Below are the items I gathered for this Visa application, solely for purpose of Leisure and Tourism. For other types of visa, please check on the Netherlands website. The same requirements are also asked when applying though other Schengen State Embassies. However, It is advised to make further research for specific countries. Wise and detailed preparation would most likely result to better chances of approval =)

Requirements to submit during interview:

Formal cover letter addressed to the Dutch Embassy, stating your purpose “For Leisure and Tourism”, a summary of your trip, Date of Fly in and Fly out and number of intended days of stay.

Duly filled out and signed Schengen visa application form, downloadable from the embassy link given above. (present one original and one photocopy)

One (1) recently taken passport-sized photo (not used in previous visas). 35mmX45mm White Background. No Nametag. Provide a Serious Face, with mouth closed and face straight to camera. Clip photo with the filled up form. Don’t paste. Bring extra copies.

Current passport with at least 2 blank pages/ at least 3 months valid upon return

Bring Previous passports , if there are any.

Proof of travel:

Copy of the roundtrip airline reservation. The reservation should prove that the stay in the Schengen area does not exceed 90 days, which is the maximum for tourism. It is recommended not to buy the ticket until the visa is granted. Unless you found a cheap ticket on sale like my case, then that is a risk to take. Sale tickets are usually non-refundable. Ticket Reservation can be booked with KLM Airlines online for around 15 USD (non-refundable). If you have friends in a travel agency, then have them help you with this.

Detailed itinerary of your stay in Schengen Area from day 1 to exit, ideally showing the following information in table format:

Date – City/Country – Activity/to do – Hotel Address – Hotel Booking Number

Interviewers are very keen on this, as it happened to me. I as was randomly asked what my expected activities are on certain dates. As such, it is better to study this, especially if will be going multiple countries.

Proof of Travel medical insurance coverage (Eur 30.000 or USD 50.000)

The insurance must cover the entire period of intended stay, valid for all Schengen States and covering any expenses which may arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay. I got mine with MAPFRE insurance for 2,700 Pesos, covering 45 days. Do check embassy website for other credited insurance companies.

Proof of accommodation

Printed Hotel confirmation or hotel voucher to cover all days spent in Schengen Area. The Embassy needs this as your European Address. Ideally you can book this with Booking.com as they do not require downpayment.
Better chances of getting approved if you have a host or family in Europe. Provided, he/she must send you an Invitation letter from the Municipality + copy passport or residence permit.
If you are joining a group tour with accommodation, provide printed vouchers.

Proof of financial means . One or more of the following documents may be submitted:

Bank certification, indicating Average Daily Balance, date of opening, and purpose as “ Schengen Visa”. Applying as a tourist to Europe, it is recommended that you prove to the embassy that you have sufficient funds to spend for a vacation, to omit the idea that you would be working there without proper papers. Although there is no required savings amount mentioned by the Dutch Embassy, a few travel enthusiasts recommend fund computation as shown below,

(100 USD per Day x # of days stay + Ticket cost) x 2.

Unless you have a host or a sponsor for your trip, then provide an Affidavit of Financial Support as proof. I have a friend who got this support from her mom, and her application was ok.

Recent personal bank statement or balance over the last three months. This can be requested from the bank or just download it from your online account, which I did. Better chances if your fund is moving, and not a “one time” deposit.
International Credit Cards with recent Statement.
Latest Income Tax Return
Optional : Rental income or Photocopy of Land Titles and Assets under your name , just to prove your worth in your own country, and that you have obvious reasons to return home. I prepared this, it was not asked from me though =)

Proof of occupation

If employed:

Certificate of employment indicating monthly pay, position and date of employment. Provide as well 3 months payslip, if there is. This was asked from me.
Certificate of leave of absence.
Company ID and other proof of employment such as work contract. This is again just to prove you will be returning back to the Philippines.

If self-employed:

DTI/SEC registration of business
Income Tax Return etc.

If travelling with spouse and/or children : § Marriage contract § Birth certificates of children

For spouse of EU nationals travelling with or meeting the EU citizen: Visit the Dutch Embassy Website for this.

Photocopy of passport/s with old and new visa stamps from any countries. Impress the embassy with your previous leisure travels.

Processing time is 15 days from the date of interview. However, we got our passports just 7 days after, which came as a surprise. =)

How the interview went …

To my surprise, the interviewers on the day we were scheduled, were Filipina Staffs on all three counters. And it was not as quick as I thought it would be. My interview lasted for almost 20 minutes, to think that only 10 minutes was supposed to be allotted as per schedule.

As I understood, the interviewer was trying to squeeze out how much I know my documents and my Itinerary. She randomly asked me what activities I am scheduled to do on certain dates, so as to check how well I know my planned Itinerary, since my trip was a “Do it Yourself”, no group tours whatsoever.

These submitted itineraries however, are for visa purposes and may still be changed, provided you just stay in Schengen until the allowable maximum days granted on you; A week, a month, 90 days max, it depends on how well you defend your Itinerary.

I was asked for a company ID. I forgot to bring any. (On cue, heart attack!)

I also lacked a page in my hotel booking, forgot to print. ( another heart attack!)

She also asked me how I earn and save, which she found unimpressive, I guess, given the length of stay I requested, (Hahaha) which got me thinking about the savings formula of “expected spending x 2”. Or provide more if you can, so as to establish your worth and that you have a reason not to over stay there for whatever purpose. After all, this application is for tourism, as such, certain funds are expected.

I was also asked for additional documents from my friend in Poland, who is hosting me. There were lacking documents, which was the cause of another tiny heart attack for me. However, I was allowed to just email them to the embassy, after the interview.

On other days, Dutch citizens do the interview, which some say, are easier to talk to; And would not drag the interview longer than 5 minutes, when provided with complete documents. It is either you are good, or not.

In all honesty, I was not confident the moment I finished the interview. I went home sad. If not for the lacking documents and all, my interview could have been easier.

But despite those, I was granted the Visa still! Its like I won a battle I almost accepted I’d lose. Thank God things turned out well!

So here na ako . Wish me luck =) Hello Europe and Hello World ! =)