2D1N in Baguio, Philippines (2020)

Random photo taken at Camp John Hay.

At long last, I have already granted my mother's wish for me to bring her to Baguio City last February 29 to March 1, 2020. Originally, we chose these dates to witness the Street and Float Parades during the Penagbenga Festival 2020. The said events were postponed due to coronavirus threats. My mother insisted that we still push through with the plan since my sister will no longer be available to take her place as 'dialysis nurse' for my father if we choose to travel instead on March 28-29, 2020, which by the way is my birthday (28th). We availed the services of a travel agency for a hassle-free experience. I actually contacted 4B Travel and Tours and they were the ones who made arrangements so we can be transferred to Byahe ni Jigz care.

How to Apply and Get a Japan Tourist Visa without Income Tax Return (ITR) 2019

It's the time of the year that I have to visit another country! Yey! This time, I will experience summer in Japan with my beshies. Since the Japan embassy does not accept direct applications anymore except for certain cases, I had to go through the usual application process and avail the service of a travel agency. Few weeks before I got my visa, my friends and I have already decided where to apply - Reli Tours in SM North EDSA. I didn't know what happened to me on the day that I submitted my application, I forgot to research where it was exactly located. I had some mishaps and thought it was on the first floor of SM The Block. I went there with my mother past 6:00pm already to find out that no Reli Tours can be found on the area. Luckily, there were other travel agencies who accept Japan visa applications. I chose Travel Pros and even though it was not planned, I did not regret choosing them.

How to get a replacement for lost PRC ID card in 3 easy steps

Lost ATM card? No problem with Metrobank Cardless Withdrawal

Last year, 2018, I lost/misplaced (or somebody stole my wallet) my Metrobank and BPI visa debit cards. Well, actually my mother and I both know where the cards were placed and we were wondering how the wallet containing the cards would disappear just like that. I never really used the cards aside from doing ATM deposit and withdrawal transactions. I am still hoping to find my wallet that's why I don't want to go to the banks to request for replacement. Just this month, I ran out of cash but got no time to do over-the-counter transactions. Lucky me, I have downloaded the Metrobank mobile app which allows me to perform cardless withdrawals. I have a Metrobankdirect account so I can easily log in using the same username and password.

How to upgrade old prepaid sim to LTE sim

I'm not that techie and not really into gadgets. I'm not the type who won't last a day without a cellphone. The millennial world of gadgets didn't even force me to spend money and compete with the people around me. It actually posed a problem with everyone who was trying to contact me.

Free Sunlife Insurance exclusive for Lazada Members

Good news for new and existing Lazada Members! You may claim your free Sunlife insurance until December 31, 2018!

7-in-1 Day Tour in Antipolo, Rizal (2018)

Holiday season! Woohoo. It's that time of the year again for parties, cheat days (controlled diet no more) and hang outs with friends, families and loved ones. Every year, we celebrate the Christmas Eve and Day (also New Year's Eve and Day) at home. Usually, my mother and my older cousin cook the dishes and we just eat together as a family. During Christmas Day and New Year's Day, neighbors, relatives, godchildren, and my parent's friends get together in our house and do usual celebratory acts like videoke singing, occasional drinking, and movie watching, among others. My father usually go to Pasay to be with my grandmother and relatives there. Most of the time, they eat and watch a "Kapuso" movie in SM Mall of Asia. My mother, auntie and younger cousin just entered the world of social media (or at least became active) this year. No wonder why there are lots of facebook posts involving our family recently. They're so cute and so millenial. Hihi. Plus the fact that my sister, an ex-OFW, got us a wifi connection when she came back this February. Actually, this also made me pursue having a personal blogsite.

Snow village in Casa Santa Museum.

One-day Tour in Tagaytay and Batangas on a Budget (2018)

I really have travel blogs that are overdue. I didn't have the luxury of time to write and organize my thoughts. I spent my free time mostly on youtube, watching videos about my 'ship', stalking them on social media and even reading this wattpad story that I came across while reading comments about them. Nakakaloka 'cause I think I'm too old for this. Haha. Anyway, I am going to share one of my recent travel with my family. I have a lot on my table actually but I'm posting this earlier than the others since the memories are relatively fresh.

Live your dreams in Fantasy World.

So my family and family friends had a day tour in Tagaytay and Batangas last October 21, 2018. We availed the services of Adventuristas Travel and Tours where my sister works as a travel agent/marketer.

How to be an Online Active Volunteer or Supporting Member of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

I am not wealthy but my heart is full of love for the animals. Naks! I have always been an active PAWS volunteer since February 2016. That time, as a full time master's student, I still have lots of time and energy to spend in the shelter. I was even able to assist during the Pet Cafe 2016 event in TriNoma featuring the animals from PAWS. I was present mostly on the days for the cats.  #PAWSheen 😸 When I entered the critical phase during my MS life in which I was doing my thesis, I decided to focused on my studies. Since I really wanted to support PAWS and their advocacy, I just opted to support them financially. As everyone should know, PAWS is a non-governmental organization (NGO). As an active and legitimate institution for animal welfare, they have an office, clinic and shelter. They also have to maintain the shelter, pay water, phone, internet and electric bills, buy supplies and compensate their regular staff, among others. Being an NGO, no government fund/budget is allotted for them. They receive financial support mainly from donors and sponsors, and from adoption fees and payments of the clients availing clinical services. The active volunteers and the supporting members really keep the organization alive. I have read somewhere on their page or group that supporting members are also considered as active volunteers. So for those people who want to help PAWS even if they are busy, being a supporting member suits them, us, for that matter. It is actually very straight forward to become one.

South Korea Visa Application through Travel Agencies starting July 1, 2018

Wow! Hallyu wave in the Philippines have pushed the embassy of South Korea to make some changes in the visa application. It has been implemented for 2 weeks already as of this posting. I came across this while trying to write about our South Korea trip last April 2018 which I will share one of these days.

Announcement from the embassy’s (located in Taguig) website goes like this:

“…From July 1, 2018, visa application will be processed through designated travel agencies only due to increased number of Korean visa applicants. Total number of visa applicants increased from 90,000 in the year 2015 to 120,000 by the end of 2016. In the year 2017, total number of visa applicants recorded was around 160,000.

 

This increase in number of visa applicants caused the applicants to stand in hot weather outside the embassy for hours to wait in line for their turn to apply for respective visas. To avoid such inconvenience, the embassy has designated 35 travel agencies to process Korean visa application.

BPI Save Up Account Life Insurance Policy

This is the insurance policy that will take effect when you open a BPI Save UP with Free Life Insurance account as of this posting. Original (and updated) text can be found on this link.

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp. General Provisions

1.    CERTIFICATE. This document together with the Info Card shall constitute the Certificate of insurance. The Certificate is not a contract of insurance. It contains only brief details for the Insured’s information, and is subject always to the terms and conditions of the Group Term Life Insurance, with Master Policy number 9900000985, a copy of which is available for inspection upon reasonable request at BPI Direct Savings Bank Head Office.

The “Company” whenever used below shall refer to BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp., while the “Policyholder” shall refer to BPI Direct Savings Bank. “Insured Individual” or “Eligible Individual” whenever used below shall refer to “Insured Accountholder” or “Eligible Accountholder.”

2.    ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. All individual accountholders of an existing Save Up Account of BPI Direct Savings Bank shall be eligible to participate in this insurance, provided that they are at least 15 years, but not more than 60 years old.

For joint accounts, all accountholders shall be considered eligible, provided each fulfills the eligibility requirements.