Itinerary to Bangkok, Thailand
My (2) friends and I are going to Bangkok, Thailand on Friday (June 26). Here is the sample itinerary that I created.
June 26 ( Manila to Bangkok via PAL) leaves at 10:30 AM
June 20 (Bangkok to Manila via PAL) leaves at 1:30 PM
26-Jun (Friday) Approximate budget Total for Day 1 (1000 baht)
1:00 PM - - - - - - - - - - - Arrival at the airport
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - - - - Airport to the Hotel (at most 500 to 800 baht)
- - - - - - - will stay at the Diamond Hotel
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - - - - Snack or Lunch (100 baht)
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM - - - - Stroll Around the spots near the hotel
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM - - - Thai Massage for 2 hours ( 300 baht)
27-Jun (Saturday) Total Cost for Day 2 (2200 baht)
8:00 AM to 10: 00 AM - - - Wat Po (50 baht)
10: 00 AM to 12: 00 PM - - Grand palace (250 baht)
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM- - - - Siam Paragon (High End Mall) (200 baht)
7:00 PM to 9 PM - - - - - - - Dinner at Chao Phrya Cruise (1350 baht)
9 PM onwards - - - - - - - - - Patpong or Khao San Road (200 baht)
28-Jun (Sunday) Total Cost for the day ( 1160 baht)
7:00:00 AM - 9 :00 AM - - - 2 hours trip to Floating market (60 baht)
9:00 AM to 11: 00 AM- - - - - FLOATING MARKET (DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET) Boat Hire is 400 baht (100 baht )
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM - - - - Trip to Elephant show (50 baht)
12:00 PM to 2: 30 PM- - - - - Crocodile Wrestiling, Magic Show and Elephant show (500 baht)
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM - - - - - - Rose Garden (show time at the Thai Village) at 3 PM (300 baht)
6:00 to 8 PM - - - - - - - - - - -Back to Chatuchak Market for shopping Dinner (150 baht)
29 June (Monday) - - - - - - - prepare to go home unless pahabol na pasalubong
10:00 AM - - - - - - - - - - - - - -To Airport (Ma trafffic) (200 baht)
Grand Total except pang shopping (4560 baht) or around (P 6, 500.00)
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Category: How to's (Making it through the US Visa Interview)
I was lucky to be promoted and be sent abroad (for free) for training (business visa). After my interview was confirmed which was just today ( 6/23/09) at 9 AM, I prepared my mind, my heart and my documents in getting through this interview.
Reminders:
**Don't bring any electronic device such as cellphone, psp, ipod. In this case, bring something to read like a magazine or newspaper.
**Anticipate and bring all the documents.
Process:
1. When you reach the US embassy, ask for the non-immigrant line. Talk to the guards only.
2. Show your filled-out DS 156 (https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp) and DS 157 (http://www.visapro.com/US-Immigration-Forms/Form-DS-157.asp) (with BDO payment) and passport to the security person.
3. Go through the Security check.
4. Preliminary Interview (Verification of Information input in DS documents. They will provide you then with your stub number (wait for an hour).
5. Your number will be called for the Electronic Finger Print.
6. After that, wait again for at most 30 minutes.
7. Your number will be announced for the interview. Go to the appropriate window with your documents. The officer will ask questions.
8. If your visa is granted, he will get the documents including the passport and will advise you to go to the Air 21 station in the lobby. You would know who did not pass the interview since they bring with them their passport after that.
My interview with the Officer
The interviewer was a foreigner (an American) who tries his best to speak in Filipino (LOL)...
1. He greeted me "magandang umaga sa yo"... I greeted him back.
2. 1st question: Why do you want to travel to the USA? ( You must give him a compelling reason why there is a need for the travel).
2. 2nd question: Who is sponsoring you? (I told him my company)
3. 3rd question: What is your monthly income?
4. 4th question; Have you visited any other country?
5. He asked me about out human resources manager as one of the signatories of the company. This is usually being asked if its for the training. And how many years is our HR manager working for our company (I just guessed the answer!)
6. How much is my savings! Oh men.. I remember I provided him just the payroll statement of account. Though I have a BPI direct savings account, I dont have any certifications with me (crossing my fingers on this one).
7. Lastly, the question that made me really nervous, "what is the status of your immigration case?".. I told him that I did not file for that one. Then, he mentioned the name of my aunt who petitioned me in 1995. Men! I was not aware of that. So, I told him again that I was not really aware of the petition..
After that....a moment of silence and analysis .....(I was really praying while my heart was beating so fast!!)
And then, he said " nakapasa ka sa interview.Pumunta ka na sa Air 21."... I was so happy and thankful to God!!
What I learned from this experience:
1. Bring a magazine or a newspaper. Remember there is a waiting time for about an hour and a half.
2. As much as possible, it is good if you have a companion who has an interiew schedule too. I was there alone and was not in the mood to be friendly. I was sitting the whole time, not talking to my seatmates or just anyone. (I was able to do that?)
3. While waiting, read what you have written in the documents. They will just base their questions from it. (Thats what I did while waiting).
4. Bring some food and a bottle of water. Though there is a mini store there selling foods and drinks, but if you are on a budget, bring your own. (I just bought a cupcake and gatorade)
So, this has been an awesome experience. Now, I am just waiting for my visa.. Hopefully, it would be a multiple entry...=)
Category: My Favorites (Website Forums)
Favorite Website Forums
I am an avid forum reader. I am much of a reader than being a forum contributor. If I am not blogging, I would have been reading a forum now. I love to read about travels, health, business ideas, home management, relationships - these are some of my favorites.
Anyway, here is the list of the forums that are really helpful!
1. Sulit.com
2. Entrepreneur.com.ph
3. Femalenetwork.com/girltalk/
4. Pinoymoneytalk.com
5. Pinoyexchange.com
I am excited to discover more forum websites!! Any suggestions?
Category: How To's (Getting a Cedula)
Getting a Cedula (Community Tax Certificate)
I need a cedula for my Pag ibig Loan!
If you are residing within the areas of Brgy. Kapitolyo and Shaw Boulevard in Pasig City and you basically need a CTC or cedula, the nearest and the most convenient place where we could get this is at the Mandaluyong branch near the Edsa Central (within the vicinity of Edsa Central Market, Mandaluyong Police Headquarters, Maynilad)
There were just two employees when I entered their office. They were accomodating so far.
Here 's what you need to do:
1. Fill out the form with your name, address, citizenship, place of birth, and just your signature.
2. Apprarently, they were not able to ask me the reason why I need it.
3. Pay the amount (Php 20.00) as provided. That's it! Well, I should not have paid that amount only (my bad!) since I have a job. How much should I suppose to pay then? Read below.
Basically, getting a cedula is so easy. For me , it is not a credible piece of proof of identity. One can just invent their salaries, or home address.
So basically, what is a cedula ?
Here is a short info provided by an Inquirer researcher.
(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20060811-14664/What_is_a_‘cedula’?)
History
THE CEDULA -- also known as community tax certificate -- was, in the 19th century, an identification card that had to be carried at all times. A person who could not present his or her cedula to a guardia civil could then be detained for being “indocumentado.” Considering the document a sign of Spanish colonization, Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros tore their cedulas in August 1896, signaling the start of the Philippine Revolution. The cedula has evolved into the community tax certificate under the Local Government Code of 1991. The code authorizes cities and municipalities to collect annual community tax from corporations, and from residents aged 18 and above who have been employed on a wage basis for at least 30 consecutive days, or who are engaged in business, or who are required by law to file an income tax return.
Two Components
The tax has two components: a.) the basic community tax (P5 for individuals and P500 for corporations), and b.) the additional community tax (for individuals, P1 per P1,000 of income; additional tax for corporations will depend on their earnings and real property the preceding year). The additional tax should not exceed P5,000 for individuals, and P10,000 for corporations.
The community tax should be paid to the barangay, city or municipal treasurer of the individual’s place of residence, or of the location of the corporation’s principal office.
Exemptions
Exempted are diplomatic and consular representatives, and visitors staying in the Philippines for less than three months. They can still get a cedula voluntarily for P1.
A person is required to present a cedula when he or she acknowledges a document before a notary public; takes an oath of office upon election or appointment to a government position; receives a license, certificate or permit from a public authority; pays a tax or fee; receives money from a public fund; transacts official business; or receives salary from a person or corporation
Cedula No Longer Valid For Document Notarization In The Philippines
....a Philippine notary public can no longer accept a cedula or a community tax certificate (CTC), the successor document to the residence certificate originally required by the Notarial Law as proof of identity, for the simple reason that it does not contain a photograph of the person to whom it is issued.
Moreover, it is common knowledge that a CTC may be easily obtained by anyone, without any supporting papers, thereby debasing its value as an identity document. For more information about this article, please refer to: http://www.unlawyer.net/?p=1534
I need a cedula for my Pag ibig Loan!
If you are residing within the areas of Brgy. Kapitolyo and Shaw Boulevard in Pasig City and you basically need a CTC or cedula, the nearest and the most convenient place where we could get this is at the Mandaluyong branch near the Edsa Central (within the vicinity of Edsa Central Market, Mandaluyong Police Headquarters, Maynilad)
There were just two employees when I entered their office. They were accomodating so far.
Here 's what you need to do:
1. Fill out the form with your name, address, citizenship, place of birth, and just your signature.
2. Apprarently, they were not able to ask me the reason why I need it.
3. Pay the amount (Php 20.00) as provided. That's it! Well, I should not have paid that amount only (my bad!) since I have a job. How much should I suppose to pay then? Read below.
Basically, getting a cedula is so easy. For me , it is not a credible piece of proof of identity. One can just invent their salaries, or home address.
So basically, what is a cedula ?
Here is a short info provided by an Inquirer researcher.
(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20060811-14664/What_is_a_‘cedula’?)
History
THE CEDULA -- also known as community tax certificate -- was, in the 19th century, an identification card that had to be carried at all times. A person who could not present his or her cedula to a guardia civil could then be detained for being “indocumentado.” Considering the document a sign of Spanish colonization, Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros tore their cedulas in August 1896, signaling the start of the Philippine Revolution. The cedula has evolved into the community tax certificate under the Local Government Code of 1991. The code authorizes cities and municipalities to collect annual community tax from corporations, and from residents aged 18 and above who have been employed on a wage basis for at least 30 consecutive days, or who are engaged in business, or who are required by law to file an income tax return.
Two Components
The tax has two components: a.) the basic community tax (P5 for individuals and P500 for corporations), and b.) the additional community tax (for individuals, P1 per P1,000 of income; additional tax for corporations will depend on their earnings and real property the preceding year). The additional tax should not exceed P5,000 for individuals, and P10,000 for corporations.
The community tax should be paid to the barangay, city or municipal treasurer of the individual’s place of residence, or of the location of the corporation’s principal office.
Exemptions
Exempted are diplomatic and consular representatives, and visitors staying in the Philippines for less than three months. They can still get a cedula voluntarily for P1.
A person is required to present a cedula when he or she acknowledges a document before a notary public; takes an oath of office upon election or appointment to a government position; receives a license, certificate or permit from a public authority; pays a tax or fee; receives money from a public fund; transacts official business; or receives salary from a person or corporation
Cedula No Longer Valid For Document Notarization In The Philippines
....a Philippine notary public can no longer accept a cedula or a community tax certificate (CTC), the successor document to the residence certificate originally required by the Notarial Law as proof of identity, for the simple reason that it does not contain a photograph of the person to whom it is issued.
Moreover, it is common knowledge that a CTC may be easily obtained by anyone, without any supporting papers, thereby debasing its value as an identity document. For more information about this article, please refer to: http://www.unlawyer.net/?p=1534
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