A Eulogy to a Great Man

I just lost a great man, who is both a father and grandfather to me. I couldn’t stop crying until today, when I went to his grave to bring him flowers and candles. I talked to him in silence, assuring him how I know he’s happy where he is right now. Free of pain finally and full of joy.

I miss you dearly, Lolo Juan. You broke my heart last Sunday when you left without giving me a chance to say goodbye. I was gone two hours and you chose that moment to let go – not on my watch. But no matter what happened, you gave me hope and enlightened me. You inspire me to be like you: a family man with a big heart, a dear friend to everyone, a man of courage, a generous giver.

I gave my eulogy yesterday to a great man, surprised by the volume of crowd who turned up to celebrate with us the life my dear Lolo has fully lived. I couldn’t believe it, seeing all of them in one Church as I stood in front. I couldn’t say how hard it was for me to let go and say goodbye. But then, there’s nothing you can do but accept the truth: When one life ends, we do not stop there. We try to live, holding on to great memories. Acceptance is the the only way to move on… And so I start today, with baby steps.

I wanted to share my aunt’s goodbye note to him:

He’s Kuya Juan to his siblings, Tiyo Juan to us his nieces and nephews, Lolo Juan to our children and all his apos, Engr. Malveda, Pareng Juan to his contemporaries, so many titles and yet what stands out the most is not the titles but who he is to all of us.

He is the head of the family, a confidante, peace-maker, negotiator, lawyer, the man that binds us all together as a family. Thank you so much Tiyo, San Joaquin won’t be the same without you. We will surely miss you. Simon always brags about your dishes, and asks why food in your house always tastes good. Your secret: Love. You love cooking for the people you love. Thank you so much.

May angels guide you and hold your hands in your journey to heaven.

Applying for a Tourist Visa: Approved or Not?

If you love to travel and if you are a Filipino, you can probably relate with me on this matter.

Applying for a visa as a Filipino citizen is like applying for a job: You need to have a good “resume”. To enter Europe, the US, Australia, the UK, China, Japan, Canada, etc., you need to spend time and burn thousands of pesos to get a visa. And there’s no easy way to be approved. You have to take it seriously (unless perhaps your funds are too fat and you have all the connections.) If you’re just a regular employee like me, be ready to be stressed out with all the preparations required. Visa processing takes time. Accept your chances to be denied and be excited at the possibility of getting approved. At the end of the day, you’re always given a 50-50 chance. When applying, always keep in mind that you have to prove that you are coming back home.

Here are some of the usual things that the foreign embassies (for Schengen visa, mostly) will require from you. It’s always best to go to the embassy websites for the latest requirements; you can just easily search for them via google. Note that I’m not a visa expert and the things I write here are based on my personal experience over the past two years applying for different tourism visas while abroad and in Manila. (As of now, I have been granted the following visas: UK, Schengen twice, Australia.)

1. Passport

Check your passport validity before your intended travel date and make sure you have enough blank pages for the visa stamps. For Europe, the minimum validity is at least 3 months after your return from the trip. For UK, I think it’s 6 months – same with Australia. If you don’t meet the validity requirement, you may need to renew your passport before applying.

2. Flight Booking

This is a must. You have to submit an original copy of your confirmed round-trip ticket. The dates specified in your ticket would confirm your intended stay at a given country. It has to reflect that you will be flying back to Manila. Some would say that you can ask a travel agency to do a “pencil” booking for you for a minimal fee. Or try calling the airlines to inquire if this is possible. So even if your visa is not approved, you don’t lose all your money. This is the best option but I haven’t done that. Embassies do not encourage you to purchase tickets until your visas are approved. But I took my chances and purchased my flights online. Haha. I picked refundable flights though, except for Australia. (You have to wait for 3 months to get your refund plus you have to pay a cancellation fee. The rules differ for each airline. Best to check with them.)

3. Cover Letter 

Cover letters are not required, but what is there to lose if you do one explaining your purpose of travel? I only wrote a cover letter once addressed to Spain Embassy to explain that Spain was my main destination (even if it’s not reflected in my round-trip ticket) for my Euro trip and that I wanted to be back again to visit other Spanish cities.

You can state the following details (for Schengen Visa):

• Type of Visa you’re applying for – Single or Multiple Entry?
• Travel Dates
• Point of Entry, Point of Departure
• Purpose of travel in the main destination
• Brief Itinerary
• Employment History
• Enclosures to support visa application

4. Itinerary/Hotel Accommodations/Letter of Invite from Sponsor

If you’re joining a tour, secure the invoice, day-to-day itinerary with your name, and hotel accommodations with your name, from the travel agency. Some tour companies do not send the documents for visa application, until you paid for the whole amount of the travel package. They say it’s an embassy policy, whatever. So, be sure to ask them how you can do refunds, if your visa gets denied.

Another option is to do your own itinerary! I did my Spain tour by myself. The itinerary I submitted to the embassy was based on existing itineraries online. Do a little bit of research and customize your trip. Your itinerary should have clear dates of when you intend to go from one city to another and what your activities for each day will be. You should also state the address and contact numbers of your confirmed accommodations. I have an account in HostelWorld.com and I’ve been using it ever since to book my accommodations whenever I travel. You’re only required to pay for 10% of the original cost and 1USD for cancellation protection. So if you cancel your booking, you only lose 1USD and refund the 10% immediately.

You can also ask a friend to write a letter of invite. For Schengen Visa, each country has a template for this. You can just print that and have your sponsor fill it out for you. When I applied for an Australian visa, my friend from Melbourne sent a letter addressed to the consul, explaining that (1) she was inviting me to visit Australia for n number of days, (2) her whole family has known me since high school, and (3) I would be staying at their place for the entire trip. She’s an Australian citizen for 9 years already and a registered nurse in Melbourne. She also sent a copy of her job registration (authorized by one of the doctors in the hospital she’s working for) and her passport.

6. Travel History

In the UK Visa Application Form, there is a section regarding previous travels in the past 10 years. If travel history doesn’t matter at all, it shouldn’t have a place in the form in the first place. UK embassy requires a photocopy of all visa stamps you had in your passport – if I remember it right. I believe that it helps somehow when you have previous travels. Even Spain Embassy has the same requirement.

If you do not have enough funds yet, you can always start traveling around Southeast Asia first. For me, there’s nothing more fulfilling than getting passport stamps! Haha. It’s like getting an A for a good Philosophy paper. Remember that Filipinos do not need a visa to go to any Southeast Asian countries, so don’t miss the chance. Can you believe that I spent less than 35k to visit 3 countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangkok) including airfare, entrance fees, hostels and pocket money? Travel may not be expensive so invest in travels and build your travel history. That is what I did and have been doing before I finally started applying for a visa. I’ve been traveling since 2008 and haven’t stopped since.

7. Proof of Employment

• COE. Get a signed/stamped COE (Certificate of Employment) from your HR. It should state your annual gross compensation, your position in the company, and your tenure. Address it to the embassy you’re applying visa for. You can have your HR mention that you requested the COE as a requirement for your visa application and that you will be shouldering the expenses during your entire trip.
• Payslips. Print your payslips! At least for the last 6 months.
• Approved Leave. Secure a letter certifying that your leave for the duration of the trip is approved by the company and that you are expected to report back to work on a specified date.
• If you have your own business, show the necessary documents to prove that you’re getting enough from your business to support your application.

8. Proof of Funds

• Bank Certificates. Original Copy. You have to show that your funds are sufficient enough to support your trip.
• Bank Statements/Bank Books. You should prove that you have consistent cash flow in the last 6 months prior to your application. You can easily download this online or request an original copy from your bank.
• Income Tax Return. The first two above are more important.

9. Travel Insurance

Even if this is not required by all embassies, I personally think this is important whenever you fly out of the country. For Schengen visa, they have a list of accredited insurance companies where you can avail of a comprehensive travel insurance. I got mine from ACE TravelAssure: 54 days for roughly 3900 pesos. I’ve asked several insurance companies and I think this is the cheapest.

10. Photo

For Schengen, UK and Australia, a passport-sized photo with clear white background is required. Your photo must be recent (at least 6-months old).

11. Fees (Tourist Visa)

• Schengen Visa (through VFS Spain) – 4780 pesos including SMS Tracking Subscription.
• UK Visa – 158 SGD plus 3 or 4 dollars for the SMS Tracking Subscription
• Australian Visa – 156 SGD

12. Visa Application Form

If you’re applying for a UK visa, you can fill out the form online. Check the UKBA website. The rest, you have to print for other countries.

Processing Times (before I got my visa):

• UK – 5 working days, not required for interview (Lodged in Singapore)
• Australia – 5 working days, not required for interview (Lodged in Singapore)
• Spain (first application) – 9 working days, not required for interview (Lodged in Singapore)
• Spain (second application) – 10 working days, interview required (Lodged in Manila). If you have been granted a Schengen Visa here in Manila in the last two years, processing can take 5 working days. And most likely, you will not be required to appear for an interview. Note that this is still under the embassy’s discretion. I had a Schengen visa granted just last January 2012 but the Consulate of Spain in Manila still asked me to come for an interview. Just answer the consul’s questions honestly and confidently, and you’ll be fine.

Where to Lodge your application?

You have an option to personally submit your application to the consulate or through third-party visa application centers for an extra fee (i.e. VFS Global for Spain Embassy in Manila and UK)

These are the links I used as requirements reference when I applied for the following visas:

• UK: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf
• Schengen (Spain Embassy): http://www.vfsglobal.com/spain/philippines/tourist_documentrequired.html
• Australia: http://www.singapore.embassy.gov.au/files/sing/Visitor%20checklist%2epdf

Friendly advice: Do not apply for a visa at the last minute. You can apply as early as 3 months before your planned trip. Gathering the requirements alone can be exhausting. Give yourself a month to prepare, I would say especially if you are busy with work. Visa application requires planning. You need to submit all the requirements and pray next.

Maintaing a checklist may sound dorky but it works!

I Survived Iloilo and Guimaras

It’s never easy to convince someone (particularly parents) that traveling solo around the Philippines for women can be exciting and worth it. This has been a real challenge for me since I started traveling in 2008. How was I supposed to do it? Well, as the saying goes, there’s no way unless you try. At 22, I did my first solo backpacking trip. My destination was decided on a whim and the first place that came into my mind during a seat sale was Iloilo. For less than 1000 pesos, I booked my return flight a few months in advance and literally told myself, “Bahala na si Batman.”

What kept me awake while waiting for my 4am flight

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury of time to plan for this trip. I crammed everything at the last minute. Hours before my flight, I wrote down a list of places to see in Iloilo and searched for a contact person from Guimaras Island. Then, that’s about it. From the office, I drove straight to the airport, left my car there, and waited for the first flight. All I had then was a small pink backpack, a cinnamon roll and a hot coffee, a messy itinerary, a telephone number written on a scratch paper, and a huge amount of courage. I’m telling you, this is not the best way to prepare for a solo trip, but when you know you’re ready, the adrenaline rush is always there. It somehow gives you hope that it can be done and even if you get lost somewhere, you’ll eventually find your way.

Upon arriving in Iloilo, I took the van/shuttle from the airport to the city for 50 pesos.  The shuttle airport terminal is not hard to find. For budget-conscious travelers like me, this is the cheapest way to go to the city. From SM City, I went straight to Ong Bun Pension House. This is not a fancy hotel but it was good enough for 495 pesos a night. There’s TV, air-conditioning, hot and cold shower. There’s also a wifi hotspot in the reception area. You can order in if you’re too lazy to go out (Hello, Room Service). The food is not that expensive.

GUIMARAS

I went to the hotel reception to ask for directions going to Ortiz port. No sweat. Surprisingly, it was only one jeepney ride away from the pension house. In 10 minutes, I was there, lining up to get to the next pump boat ride to Guimaras Island. The boat fare was only 13 pesos that time, one-way. The trip from the port to Jordan Wharf took around 15 minutes. Once you arrive in the Jordan Wharf, don’t forget to go to the tourism center and sign up if you’re a visitor. The officers here are very friendly. If you don’t have a concrete itinerary, you can ask them and they’ll be able to help you for sure.

All Aboard! By law, you can’t bring mangoes to Guimaras. Common sense should tell you why but you can go ask the locals.

While I waited for for Kuya Gerald, the tour guide I contacted the night before my flight, I got a chance to mingle with the locals. Kudos to the Ate’s and Kuya’s in the tourism center who were kind enough to share their own stories about Guimaras and how important mangoes are in their lives.

The Friendly Tourist Officers

Let me show you what I had in my itinerary. I gave this to my guide and had one day to do everything. This schedule was a bit tight for me and may not be applicable if you prefer a slower pace, but given my limited time, I was willing to explore whatever for a day. I couldn’t believe that after 2 years, I would still remember vividly what I did in Guimaras. I hope these photos can take you there:

Guinness’ Smallest Town Plaza in the World

Sadsad Falls. If you are up for a little hike, you can give this spot a shot. It’s worth it.

The Trappist Monastery. It’s too quiet here, it’s almost deafening. I’d say this is perfect if you need a solemn place to reflect. You cannot find a place like this in Manila.

Guisi White Beach. One of the cleanest beaches I’ve seen.

If Bohol has Chocolate Hills, Guimaras has the most vast Mango Plantation in the Philippines.

Guisi Lighthouse Ruins

Marine Turtle Sanctuary. They need donations!

Meet Kuya Gerald, the best tour guide! I enjoyed going around Guimaras, riding a tricycle.

Raymen Beach Resort, Alubihod

My favorite part of the trip: Guimaras Adventure Park. Remembering my first time to ever learn the proper way of holding and firing a gun (45mm). This was certainly the perfect way to end my tour. The owner, Engr. Vince Corpus, was impressed that he gave me a discount!

I didn’t get a chance to further explore Iloilo at night right after the Guimaras day trip. I wanted to, but I was just too tired. This is one of the cons when you are traveling at an exhausting pace. I usually have all the energy when I travel but sometimes my body just shuts down. Right then, I thought it was best to just rest, catch up on American Idol, and regain my energy for the next day.

My Humble Abode for 2 nights.

ILOILO

I started the next day right by going to the nearest branch of Ted’s Oldtimer to try some of that infamous La Paz Batchoy for breakfast. Then, again I relied on asking people for directions going to my next destinations. I survived in the end, but I was a bit hesitant at first because I couldn’t speak Ilonggo.

Iskolar ng Bayan sa Visayas.

Iloilo is a very Catholic province; that’s a given. It boasts a lot of cathedrals and small churches. From one town to the next, it’s very evident. Aside from Butterscotch hoarding, I did my own version of Church hopping on a Sunday. I hate to have favorites but the Miag-Ao Church won me over.

Jaro Cathedral and Belfry

The Gothic Church of Molo

The Miag-Ao Baroque Church, a UNESCO Heritage Site. This was built during the Spanish colonization in 1786 by the Augustinians. It took more than 10 years to finish.

The Interior of Miag-ao Church. The first time I saw this, I was speechless. All I could think of was how perfect the aisle could be for my own wedding. See this photo, the church was closed to the public but I had it to myself. I was very lucky that day.

It’s all because of this man. Kuya Noel, the caretaker, saw me taking photos of the church from all the possible angles I could think of. He invited me over and asked me I wanted to see the interior. Who was I to say no to that?

I had the privilege to meet the owner of the Old Sinamay House. She told me everything about her Sinamay business, its history, and significance today especially to the Ilongga mothers who are employed here to make garments out of Sinamay for a living. She inherited the business from her parents, from the parents of her parents – a legacy being passed on from one generation to the next. She’s pretty old but her memory is flawless and her stories are really something. Thank you, Lola Cecilia.

For less than 500 pesos spent on food and transportation for one day, I got to see firsthand an Ilonggo’s way of life through their faith, their day-to-day work, their local food and culture, and most especially through their language. I will never trade this experience for anything else.

Some takeaways that I can share with you:

1) You can do Iloilo and Guimaras in 2 days. Of course, this is subjective. It all depends on what pace you prefer when traveling.

2) Trust your instincts and when you’re in doubt, don’t be shy to ask questions. Filipinos are innately helpful.

3) Tell the jeepney/tricycle drivers “Lugar lang, Dong” instead of “Para”.

4) Forget everything but the Butterscotch and those to-die-for Guimaras Mangoes.

It’s really when you don’t plan everything that things will definitely come as a surprise — in good ways you’ve never experienced before. It’s interesting to do this once in a while: being in a different place outside and totally different from your comfort zone. It could be a learning experience, an eye-opener for you. I tell you, things like these you’ll never get to learn from your 8-5 shift in the office. Try it with friends if you can’t do it by yourself, and you’ll definitely be amazed by what you can do and how diverse the Philippines is.

If you travel solo, your parents may find it hard to understand it at first, but they will eventually/slowly, once they see the pictures you’ve taken and hear the things you’ve learned. You’ll learn how to be independent, that’s for sure. The whole experience builds your self-confidence and social network. Who doesn’t want that?

Fellow Filipinas, let’s travel more. Just do it!

I did it once and have never stopped since.

Viva La Vida

When I went to Bali last August 2011, I only had one goal in mind. And that was to meet Ketut Liyer and have my palm read by him. I thought I could use a wise man’s advice that time. I knew this was a stupid question but I asked him what I should do with my life. He doesn’t speak much English but he gave me three answers: (1) Travel,  (2) Write, (3) Publish. His first answer did not surprise me at all because I know that traveling is my passion; it keeps my blood pumping. But the last two – hmm – made me doubt him a bit.

Ketut trying to convince me that I’ll be married twice.

But then I suddenly remembered, I wrote several Filipino feature articles about people in one of my university’s official publications for almost two years. So maybe, Ketut has really got a point. During the past few weeks, I just felt like I needed to write about something and it didn’t take me long to decide on putting up this blog and just write about my journey, as I live my dream to travel the world.

I am Lynette and my plan is very simple: Live life while I can, while I’m young.

The Impossible Dream

I’m naming this travel blog after a Coldplay song which is a personal favorite, “Viva La Vida”. It means “Live Your Life.” I just added one word to emphasize how I want to do it. “Hoy “+ Viva La Vida. Hoy. NOW. I want to do it now. I want to live my life NOW. Even Albert Einstein agrees with me, “Never worry about the future. It comes soon enough.”

Or maybe I’m just a little bit crazy. 🙂

So follow me on my travels and I’ll do my best to take as much good photos as I can.

For now, just enjoy this song while thinking about your next trip. I hope I get to travel with you somewhere. We can learn from each other and be crazy together! Ciao!