Happy Women's Day

Today ay Women's Day o Araw ng Kababaihan.  Celebrate womanhood. Ipagbunyi ang pagkababae!
Today lalong masidhi ang tawag sa Gender Equality dahil feeling pa rin ng maraming gurls na - dehado sila sa maramung bagay.
Yet, my personal thoughts on the "equality" issue is - go aheaf and fight for it! I am supporting it and I love the idea.  Kung ano ang kaya ng lalaki, kaya din ng babae.  Kung matalino ang lalaki, matalino din ang babae.
Pero kahit na anong pagsisisgaw ng ilang babae (again, ILANG BABAE - meaning hindi lahat) ng "equality" ... nagagawa pa rin nilang magsabing "Chivalry is Dead" kapag hindi pinapaupo sa tren or bus or kahit ano public utility vehicle.  Ginagamit pa rin ang pagiging "babae" para bigyan ng pabor.  Isnt this a form of blackmail?!
Blackmail o kakapalan lang ng mukha?
Is it "feeling entitled"? Or simply saying "I am a girl so I am weak"?
Asan ang hustisya at pagkakapantay pantay na sinisigaw?
Babae lang ba ang napapagod?
Babae lang ba ang may karapatang umupo sa upuan?
Babae lang ba ang nagbabayad?
Babae lang ba ang kelangan ng respeto?
In any case, alam ko marami ang nakakaintindi.  Marami ang naniniwalang kahit paano ay buhay ang pagkakapantay pantay.
Ang respeto ay hindi binibigay dahil ikaw ay babae.  Ito ay binibigay dahil ikaw ay tao.
As we celebrate this day, I hope men will appreciate what the women can do in all forms. I hope women can be more sensitive of men as humans, not as a "stronger" gender. 
I hope we all find the inner women in all men, and women find the inner men in them.

Taste Bud Tickler: Hole In One

Hindi ito tungkol sa golf.

Pagkain po ito.

Nauuso kasi ang food parks.

Eto mejo bago pa.

Hole In One along Bayani Road in Taguig.

Around 10 food stores selling iba't ibang food.

Sa bungad may Liempo, Chinese Food, Dessert, Drinks.

Sa baba, kasi mejo pababa siya, may Japanese, Korean, Mexican, American, Italian, Filipino food.

So basically - solb ang tiyan mo at madami ka pagpipilian.

I wont discuss anu ano ang food na binebenta...para may next time pa.

Overall, relaxing naman ang lugar. Malinis. Hindi mainit - well maybe dahil gabi na at nasa Ber months na tayo.

Pwede mag inum ng alak or beer.  I wonder lang if may nag away na dun dahil sa kalasingan... pero I doubt it.

Downside is - till 12MN lang siya pag weekdays. Lemme check kapag weekends.

Mejo madali lang naman hanapin ang lugar - though di siya masyado visible sa kalsada... kasi katabi siya ng Shell gas station na sarado.... nagiisa lang naman ang Shell sa Bayani Road.

Worth it naman itry.

Food price - sapat lang. Lagpas 100 ang food items nila.  Meron din ilan ilan na below 100 lang. Pero pansin ko wala naman umaabot ng lagpas 250.  Pwede na.

Mukha pang may nagpperform sa weekends kasi may speakers at merong larang stage. I am not sure. Weeknight kami pumunta eh - pasarado na nun.

Try nyo lang. Baka magustihan nyo.

Wander: Friendship for Visa

Going to Japan requires a Visa.  My upcoming trip will be my first time in Japan and there is nothing more stressful than prepping and waiting for the result of the Visa application.

I previously have written the things I prepared to apply for my Japan Visa.  I mentioned that I went to Friendship Tours to submit my documents.  It was easy, breezy fast!

Friendship Tours is located on the 3rd Floor of Dusit Hotel in Makati.  If you don't know where that hotel is, well, it is just beside SM Makati.  If you dont know where SM Makati is, probably you know where the MRT Ayala station is. If you got there, the you should be able to find your way to the hotel.

If you have a car, you can park at Park Square, which is just in front of the hotel. 

There's gonna be 2 of us going to Japan. We initially went to Reli Tours as their application fee is just Php950 - but there was a long queue.  So while waiting, I decided to go out and check the neighboring travel agency and there I saw fewer people in Friendship Tours, which by the way, is just in front of Reli Tours.

We decided to go there instead.

Since we have not filled out our Visa Application forms yet, we took a number from a box and while waiting, we were filling out our application form. We were about 2 or 3 numbers away from the current number being assisted so we have ample time to finish filling out the form.  Pens were provided by the way, but I suggest you bring your own.

When it was our turn, we went to this cubicle and the lady assisted my companion first.  She handed us a paste so we can put our photos on the application form.  She also checked the documents if they were complete.  She inserted the documents in one of the pages of our passport and told us that she will also get the payment. Talk about a one-stop station!

Each of us shelled out Php 1200 for the application fee.  The lady informed us that it will take approximately 5 to 7 business days for us to get our passports back and that our application will be forwarded to the Japanese Consul on Monday - since we went there on a Saturday morning.  After the payment, she handed us a receipt (for the 2 of us) and advised us that they will text any one of us if the passports are ready for pick up.  We left and hoped for an approval.

Fast forward and on a Wednesday afternoon around 4pm, I got a text message that my passport is ready.  I asked my companion if he got a text and he also did.

Thursday morning at 9AM, we went back to their office and waited for 2 other claimants before us to complete their transaction.

We handed our receipt to the guy at the claiming station and he handed us our passports - opening at the page with our approved Visa.

Yey!

I checked the back of our passports and yes, there was a white sticker - which indicates a good news.  I have read in some other blogs that a white sticker indicates good news and a red sticker is the opposite news.

My friend said that the 2 others before us had red stickers on their passports and could be asking a lot questions why before leaving thus it took us a while to be assisted.

In any case, an approved visa means you can immediately leave with a huge grin and be more excited for the next stage of the trip - planning.

Was it worth it to pay 300 extra as compared to the other travel agency?  I would say yes. For the very short time we spent waiting for us to be assisted in submitting the application and documents and the fast result, we can never complain.

So maybe next time we apply for a Japan Visa on our next trip, we would consider Friendship Tours again.

Meanwhile - I still have a huge grin, this time planning where to go and what to do in Tokyo.

Taste Bud Tickler: Purefoods Pulled Pork BBQ

I am not sure if this is new but I saw this on the shelves.  Worth trying of course.  You can see how much it costs for a 210g can.  It may be a little expensive for those who are kinda into a tight budget, but gotta wait till it touches your taste bud.

Pulled pork reminds me of sandwiches.  I gotta try this with..... rice. Hahaha..

Before the verdict, here are a few more pics.  There are a lot of them in SM Hypermarket.  If you are lucky, some promodizers might be roaming around and ask you to try their sample. 

Anyway, the packaging is typical.  Purefoods. Reliable brand.  

Here's a pic for the diet concious consumer. Nutrition facts.  I dont care that much.  Basta masarap.

Anyway, it comes in an easy open tab. Di mahirap buksan.  Ang ginawa ko, pagbukas, buhos sa mainit na pan na may konting mantika.  By konti, I mean just enough na hindi dumikit sa pan.

 I dont have a non stick pan by the way.  Maybe if you do, just dump it in the pan to heat it.  You will instantly hear the sizzle and smell the aroma of BBQ! Nakakatakam na smell. Pramis.  Saglit mo lang naman ihheat. Maybe enough na uminit na lahat.  Some people may want it dry, by all means, but I prefer na mejo hindi masyado tuyo.

Anyway, eto na, huhusgahan ko na.  Pinatong ko sa mainit na kanin.  Umuusok na kanin. 

Ang bango.

Ang sarap.

Nakakatakam.

And... yummy!

It tastes like barbaque.  I really thought kalasa niya ang corned pork but hindi. Iba ang lasa.  It tastes smoky too.  Smoky - parang pinausukan, but not naman pinausukan taste na parang tinapa.  Iba. 

Sa bawat nguya mo sa kanin, parang may burst ng BBQ. Masarap na ulam kesa palaman sa tinapay.  Pero pwedeng pwede rin talaga gawin sandwich. 

Im sure mapapabili ulit ako nito pag nadaanan ko sa grocery.  I am not sure lang if may smaller can.  This can may be good for 2 or 3.  Sa akin... pwede ko siya ubusin mag-isa....together with mga 2 or 3 cups na sinaing na bigas.

Anyway, this is not a paid ad.  Share ko lang ang bago ko natikman.  You might wanna try it too.

Wander: Prepping for Japan

Booking a flight is just the first step.  Meron pang mas importante na bagay na dapat gawin pag pupunta sa ibang bansa -- ang pag apply ng VISA.  In my case, Japan, kelgan ng visa para pumunta doon as tourist.  

Madami palang klase ng visa para pumunta ng Japan and it is important na piliin mo ang tamang klase ng visa na aapplyan mo.

In my case, and for the purpose of discussion, limit lang natin sa Tourist Visa na walang sponsor.

Siguro naman naiintindihan nyo ano ibig sabihin ng sponsor - pero sige na nga, sa madaling salita, walang gagastos para sa iyo, walang nagimbita sayo na pumunta ng Japan, na kusang loob kang pumunta doon at gamit ay sarili mong pera.

Before I enumerate all of the requirements, you need to know na FREE ang visa for Japan.  Yes, FREE, BUT, you need to go through accredited travel agencies para makapag apply ng visa.  Ilan ilan lang ang mga accredited na travel agencies, kaya if ever wala sa listahan, chances are, ang pinuntahan mong travel agency ay isang "middleman" lang.

Every travel agency has their own fee structure for the visa application.  Sa madaling salita, ibaiba ang bayad nila, na usually nagrrange from Php 800 to Php 1,500.

Para sigurado, click this link to see the list of accredited travel agencies where you can apply for a Japan Visa.  After mo malaman saan ang pinakamalapit na travel agency sa iyo, it is time to prepare the requirements.

    

I.  Philippine Passport

     Of course you need a passport.  At least 6 months valid na passport, at ang mahalaga ay nasa maayos na condition ang passport mo - hindi gulagulanit na parang dinaanan ng bagyo. Sa mga owners ng new design na passport (with the Lupang Hinirang Lyrics, make sure na ma pirma ito.  Also, make sure na meron pang 2 pages na bakante.

     If wala ka pang passport, schedule an appointment na sa DFA.

II.  Visa Application Form

     Depending on the travel agency, meron na silang blank application forms sa office nila, but, if you want to fill it out na agad agad, you may download and print it here.

     Please take note na WALANG BLANK FIELDS dapat.  Write "N/A" pag not applicable sa situation mo.  Also take note na if magpprint ka ng form, kelangan nasa A4 na size ng papel.  Importante yan, A4 na size, dahil yan lang ang size ng paper na tatanggapin nila.

III.  PICTURE

     Self explanatory. Magpapapicture ka. Size ng picture ay 4.5 cm by 4.5 cm.  Take note - centimeters po yan.  Some say ok na daw ang 2x2 na picture - but just to be sage, follow what is required.  Photo studios anyway know how to resize the picture.  Make sure na  within 6 months ang picture mo, hindi mo baby picture, or picture nung payat ka pa.  Bottomline is, tanggapin mo na na tumaba ka na.  And also, make sure lang na may collar para di naman panget tingnan.  Paano pag wala kang collar nung nagpapicture?  Ask the photo studio if meron silang edit, para kahit sa picture man lang eh maranasan mo naka amrikana ka.

     Make sure you write your name and affix your signature at the back of the pictures tapos PASTE it on the appropriate box sa application form.  Take note, PASTE/glue po, hindi po staple.

IV.  NSO BIRTH CERTIFICATE

     You need to order your birth certificate from NSO.  Pwede itawag, pwede rin order online.  I personally got mine online and paid tru credit card, and it was delivered after 2 business days.

     I trust that every reader has a birth certificate.  Pero may ilan siguro na 'special case'...

     - if no record - submit a "Certificate of Non-Record" from NSO and include the local civil registrar record.

    - if not readable - submit the NSO birth certificate and your Local Civil Registrar record 

      - if late registration,  submit your NSO birth certificate and your baptismal certificate and school form 137 (report card)

V.  MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

    Applicable if married ka.  Obviously if single ka, magwish ka na lang na meron ka niyan. Minsan nga jowa wala ka, asawa pa kaya?!

VI.  DAILY SCHEDULE in JAPAN

      Paano ito?  Well, eto may mga sample naman.   

     You do not need to book a hotel/accommodation para magka schedule ka. Parang show mo lang na may patutunguhan ka naman sa Japan.  You can create your own itinerary or schedule pero worth it na magbasabasa ng mga blogs at mga features on Japan so you will have an idea where to go and what to do.  Take note that the itinerary or schedule that you will create must be 'feasible' within the days na allotted sayo, or your budget.  Baka naman kasi dahil sa overly ambitious na itinerary eh pag sinilip ang bank records mo eh - magkaka discrepancy pa.  Make it realistic and simple.  You do not need to follow the schedule anyway.
     If ever hindi matahimik ang kaluluwa mo dahil wala ka naman talaga na book at kating kati ka na mag book, try mo sa Booking.com maghanap ng accommodation.  Pwede ka kasi mag cancel ng reservation for free sa Booling.com.  At least may maipapakita kang proof of booking kunyari ng hotel or accommodation - na pwedeng pwede mo isama sa application form.

VII.    BANK CERTIFICATE

    This is the tricky part.  How much should I have in the bank to get approved?

     I personally do not have a lot of money in the bank, but, I should say it is enough for the  intended duration of my travel.  Most blogs would probably advise to have at least Php 50,000 in the bank.  It makes sense.  But I think, it is really up to the proportion of the number of days that you will stay in Japan and the amount in the bank.  It would not make sense if you only have 50K in your bank for a 15-day trip and a very ambitious itinerary.

     Also take note that magkaiba ang  Bank Statement at Bank Certificate.  THe Bank Statement  would have your transactions listed, whereas the Bank Certificate will only show our balance, and your average daily balance.  Magkaiba naman ang current balance at average daily balance.  Current balance, obviously, magkano ang laman ng account mo, average daily balance ay kung magkano ang average na laman ng account simula nung ito ay na open.  It would be great if matagal na ang account mo sa banko, at hindi  lang ito inopen para lang specifically para sa trip.  Chances are, mas tinitingnan nila ang average daily balance mo - kesa current balance.

     If you have stock investments or mutual funds investments, you may also ask for a certificate of ownership of these investments.  I persinally have a mutual fund account and I got a certificate for that.  Ask your bank or administrator how to get one.  It usually comes with a minimal fee though.

VIII.  INCOME TAX

     Form 2316 from your employer.  Sa company namin, naka upload online ang 2316 namin so download and print ko lang (sa A4 size na paper).  Usually naman binibigay ang 2316 every January so you should have one.  If wala, ask your HR.

     If wala talaga dahil bago ka lang sa company?  You may write a letter of explanation kung bakit wala.  Maiintindihan naman nila ang kalagayan mo, dont worry.  Wag lang masyado maangas ang tone sa letter mo.  Kelangan mejo humble ang dating, afterall, nakikiusap ka lang na papasukin sa bansa nila.

IX.  OTHER DOCUMENTS

     -   Certificate of Employment - coming from your HR and should have your compensation details (kasi additional proof of income din yan) and if possible, may nakasulat na approved ang leave of absence mo from work and that babalik ka for work after nung approved leaves.  Importante din ang huli para ma establish ang econimic ties mo sa Pilipinas, na hindi ka mag TNT sa Japan.

Yun lang naman ang mga basic na kelangan sa pag apply ng visa sa Japan.  Madali lang naman hagilapin ang mga papeles.  If meron ka na ng mga yan, you can rush to the travel agency and submit them.  They normally tell you 7-10 days (business) for you to get your passport back.  Mine took only 3 business days.

Next naman is my kwento on the travel agency na pinuntahan ko for the visa application.