3 Things I Like About Pinas This Week
4:24 PMHello 2019!
3:39 PM
While I'm typing this, I am watching the coconut trees sway and dance in the wind from my window. 2018 pretty much taught me the same thing, how to acclimate. I learned to stop fighting the current and went with the flow. I learned to accept things as they are. Thus, I finally found my home here in Cebu. Nope not a house (not yet, at least), but a state where I feel connected.
4 Things I Like About Pinas This Week
3:18 PM
Look up. Since that moment a coconut fell an inch away from my head, I tend to look up and make sure I'm away from these trees when the sh...err.. smoothie hits the fan. Oh well, I love coconuts and the first thing I'm grateful for is saying goodbye to cans of coconut milk/cream from the supermarket. I now have access to freshly grated coconut and coconut water.
What else do I like about the Philippines this week?
What's in My Bag?
11:25 AM
The contents of one's bag reveal so much about a person. I can't necessarily claim I can't live without these items. Yet, you will see how my lifestyle has been altered when I compared them with previous posts; such as, what's inside my beach bag when I was still living in Dubai and my hand carry luggage during a 4-day trip to Prague.
3 Things I Like About Pinas This Week
10:54 PM
Hope you're all having a great week. December entails wrapping presents, last minute shopping, traffic frenzy en route to your office Christmas Party, year end work load, travel plans looming ahead, vehicle tax increase, income tax reduction, ho ho ho 13th month pay, what a way to end 2017!
As always, the year end brings a wave of nostalgia. Before 2017 sneaks up on me, I'm going to post my favorite finds and insights about living in the Philippines this week.
Shela: My Life Overhaul Back to Philippines
4:00 AMPhoto by Lito Flestado |
Shela enjoyed a comfortable life with her husband and daughter in Dubai.
Like most expats in the Middle East, we all knew we had to leave at some point. She quit her fabulous job in a luxury fashion brand in order to set up the business on her own, while her husband stayed behind in the UAE, as a back up plan.
We were still in Dubai then, when she took the leap. This chapter of her life was not really a part of our social media conversations. Online chatting wasn't really an ideal medium to share what she went through during her first year in the Philippines.
An idea sparked recently to feature her which was initially driven by my curiosity.To be honest, I wondered if she ever did go through repatriation blues as I did. Having read her side of the story while putting this blog post altogether, I wished I have read it before embarking on this journey. So allow me to share with you my brief interview with Shela about her experience moving back home:
3 Things I Like About Pinas This Week
5:51 PMLife is Beautiful Back Home in the Philippines
12:58 PM
If I were to ask my 2015 self, I would have imagined that by now I am well acclimated to my life here. That I have embraced every flaw and idiosyncrasies of my beloved country with unconditional acceptance and unwavering tolerance.
Yet, the last thing I wrote was a long paged account of bad customer service. I decided not to publish it.
For the simple reason that I can't expect others to change for me, nor blame things or people that are beyond my control.
For the simple reason that I can't expect others to change for me, nor blame things or people that are beyond my control.
Meditative Tuesday: Dear Self, Don't be Sad
12:29 PM
"When in doubt, eat Tapsilog"
Haha, that's my attempt in being funny today. (Tapsilog is a popular Filipino breakfast, a plate of marinated beef with fried rice and sunny side up egg)
I will be honest. My friend, the repatriation blues has re-visited me quite often lately.
I will be honest. My friend, the repatriation blues has re-visited me quite often lately.
Sometimes I wonder, what if I had the chance to warn myself in 2015 before leaving Dubai and coming home to the Philippines for good? These are the words I'm going to tell her:
Which Food to Send in a Care Package Going to the Philippines
4:15 PMWe could just dream, can we? Opening our cupboards and they would be loaded with items we have grown to love while living abroad.
Living in a country raining with balikbayan boxes (care packages) sent by family and friends abroad, I have had my fair share of stuffing a super jumbo box while I was living in the Middle East with items I bought during pay day. I packed the box and made sure each space and cranny was meticulously occupied. Shipping it gives one a great feeling, once it is completely full.
The greatest reward is to see their smiling faces once they receive the box, for the satisfaction that our hard earned money made our families happy back home.
Our Adventures Getting a 13A Permanent Non-Quota Immigrant Visa for a Foreign Spouse
5:52 PMAre you by any chance a foreigner married to a Filipino or Filipina and you are contemplating staying or living in the Philippines for a longer period?
For the first few years of erratic visits to the Philippines, Yohann and I have used the Balikbayan Visa that would allow him to stay in the country for 1 year.
All we needed to do is queue together and present ourselves to the officer at the Philippine Immigration Counter before entering the country along with our NSO Marriage Certificate. The assigned Immigration Officer has the right to approve or reject a Balikbayan Visa.
It's nothing extraordinary. It's merely a stamp on the foreign spouse's passport, but this would allow him to stay longer than the regular 30 days given to most Non-Filipino tourists. The drawback though, is he won't be able to get a Balikbayan Visa without me, if he exits and enters the country later.
All we needed to do is queue together and present ourselves to the officer at the Philippine Immigration Counter before entering the country along with our NSO Marriage Certificate. The assigned Immigration Officer has the right to approve or reject a Balikbayan Visa.
It's nothing extraordinary. It's merely a stamp on the foreign spouse's passport, but this would allow him to stay longer than the regular 30 days given to most Non-Filipino tourists. The drawback though, is he won't be able to get a Balikbayan Visa without me, if he exits and enters the country later.
13A Permanent Residence Visa...ah the sound of it already rings alarm bells of complex application process. Fear not. Take a deep breath.
The Countryside Life
5:29 PM48 days without blogging. 16 days without facebook and counting.
Today marks the day we finally get our own home internet connection. Yes, you read that correctly. Our home. After 2 years of nomadic life, I can finally fill up the blank address page in a raffle coupon without hesitation.
My absence online though was a result of a roller coaster of emotions.
The Anxiety of House Hunting
It took us more than 2 months searching for the right apartment. Satisfying extremely high standards with a limited budget can be quite a challenge. The first three-bedroom house we saw felt like 'the one.'
It was a dangled carrot that dimmed any possibility for other prospective apartments to compete with. However, the property owner took an extremely long time to sign the contract, despite giving us a verbal agreement that she accepts our contract draft. With lots of postponed meetings, delayed or unanswered texts and phone calls, the whole waiting game took a month. Only to be told later that 'the house' was sold.
Anxiety, tears, and depression took over. I had no idea searching for an apartment can be such a minefield. It was so far from my experiences looking for an apartment in Dubai even during the peak of its economic reign. In the Middle East, as long as I have my check book with me, I can sign the contract, close the deal that same day and move in whenever the apartment is ready for occupancy.
Desperation opened our eyes to other possibilities. We visited more houses after that until we came across a two-bedroom single detached home that was under construction in the middle of a rice field. All of us felt good when we checked the house and we knew that was it.
We saw about 19 houses in total.
Fiesta |
The House and the Fiesta
We were invited by the house's lovely owner and her beautiful family to celebrate Argao's fiesta with them. During this period, we got to know them a lot more.
Since then our fate turned around. I suppose good things come to those who wait. It is true that we can do anything, but we can't have everything.
Health Challenges
In between while waiting for the house's interior to be completed, we had to go back briefly to Manila to take care of our furniture and personal effects to be shipped, while dealing with some health issues.
I went to see a urologist and after undergoing an ultrasound, I was told that I have an 8mm kidney stone blocking my ureter. Surprisingly, I wasn't in any major pain. According to my urologist normally in this scenario, he would admit me for a ureteroscopy already, but I begged him if we could go down the medication route and rule out non-invasive procedures that would land me in a hospital bed.
I went through two weeks of drinking 2-3 liters of water per day, taking the prescribed meds, and downing pure lemon juice with olive oil. By the time I got back to Cebu, I had my second ultrasound and my stone is gone. Thank God, you have no idea how relieved I was!
We have consulted several moving companies for shipping items from Manila to Cebu but either we got a really high quotation or we never got any response. My old schoolmate, Madz Uy who works in the shipping industry recommended Big-ger Freight Solutions Inc.
I remember my first phone call to schedule the ocular inspection with Ronald Arkoncel, Vice President for Sales & Marketing for the shipping company, already gave me a good feeling. Our succeeding correspondences were even more impressive. Ronald is such a gem! They were fast in responding and they were flexible in accommodating last minute requests. We were notified as soon as the 20 feet container reached the port of Cebu and we were constantly updated on the movement of the trucks on the date of delivery. All of our boxes arrived and not a single item was broken.
Moving is usually stressful, but working with Big-ger Freight Solutions' professional and efficient team made our move easy, fun and definitely stress free.
Contact: Ronald Arkoncel
Big-ger Freight Solutions
Address: Room 302 HHC Building, Victoria Street corner Basco Street, Intramuros, Manila
Telephone: +63 2 5468912 / +63 2 5277417
Email: rca_214@yahoo.com
Website: http://big-gersolutions.com/
Big-ger Freight Solutions
Address: Room 302 HHC Building, Victoria Street corner Basco Street, Intramuros, Manila
Telephone: +63 2 5468912 / +63 2 5277417
Email: rca_214@yahoo.com
Website: http://big-gersolutions.com/
Unpacking
Opening each of our boxes felt like opening Christmas presents. I finally found my french coffee press and my favorite mug. I was reunited with my old comfy bed and my piano.
108 boxes. Now we are down to 35 boxes that are looking for storage.
Insects Smorgasbord
Being in the middle of a rice field means more insects. We hired Mapecon's pest control services to exterminate all fliers and creepy crawlies including post construction termite control. The pest control is a yearly contract with services done every 3 months. It made a difference as we see dead insects sometimes even ants, around the house every day, but the centipedes and spiders seem much tougher. Armed with a can of insect killer, I deal with centipedes and spiders I can find on a daily basis.
Unwanted Alarm Clock
We were also surprised to gain an unwanted alarm clock. A neighbor plays loud dance music through big speakers echoing across the field at 5 am everyday. It's so strong that our glass windows vibrate.
One morning, we were woken up by blaring old 80s tunes. The lack of sleep sent us to a moment of assertiveness. My husband went several doors down to ask nicely if our neighbor could lower the sound down a bit. He was busy chopping wood with a machete, while listening to his Ipod plugged in gigantic speakers. He obliged, however. Since then, he played his music in reasonable decibels.
Guess what? It turned out 30 minutes later that there was another neighbor responsible for playing loud music at 5 am. We realized this later based on the different choice of music. The dance tunes continue to wake us up daily, perhaps until we assertively request for our neighbor to adjust the volume down. For now we are grateful that evenings are peaceful and it seems everyone is in bed by 9pm.
Facebook Purge and Withdrawal
It has been 16 days since I abstained from checking facebook's news feed. The first few days were torture! Whenever I needed a social media fix, I turned to Instagram instead. Anyway, I'm still connected to friends and family on messenger since not everyone is on viber.
I was inspired by a friend who completely disconnected from everything online except for her browser and viber. I know, for a blogger, that's very close to social media suicide but I gave the FB abstinence at least a try.
Verdict:
It was liberating. The growing political articles being shared are just too much for me and despite unfollowing friends who are too radical in advocating their political stance, my news feed was rapidly becoming too chaotic. It was overpowering the positive and entertaining posts that a couple of friends were sharing.
The facebook silence is something I am enjoying right now. Away from the news that is beyond my control and away from opinions that I can never change. I am going to continue this FB fasting with a slight exception of sharing this blog post on the Travel Gourmande facebook page.
It's absolutely wonderful being able to write again.
How have you been?
What's life like in your part of the world?
Love & light,
Arni
What I Have Learned Living on an Island for Two Months
4:08 PMI never thought I would ever find myself one day standing in front of Gaisano Grand Mall in Lapu-Lapu City engulfed in awe.{Handel's Hallelujah Chorus gloriously plays in my mental soundtrack}.
The sight of Jollibee made my daughter scream while running to hug the popular fiber glass statue. I belted out orgasmic "ooohs and ahhhhs" gazing at products and brands that were only available in the cities, under the luxurious confines of air conditioned (yes air-conditioned!) supermarket aisles. My husband could not resist treating himself to a Belgian Waffle.
A plane ride later, we weaved our way through the urban jungle of Manila. I suffered an indigestion one evening from stuffing my face with a gigantic burger from Zark's, something that I was craving a lot when I was back in Santa Fe. To sum it up, our family had a bit of a frenzy after missing the urban comforts that we were used to.
Why We Are Embracing the Island Life
8:23 PMThank you so much for all of your mixed reactions from my previous post, both public and private feedback.
In this blog post, I am answering questions that I have received after sharing our adventures on the island.
Living on the island is such a great opportunity to bask in the beauty of this paradise and to meet locals who are equally lovely. Yet, I aspire to illustrate an honest view away from picture-perfect Instagram photos. In reality, behind every smile and gorgeous landscape are factors that may pose as challenges. Please let me make it clear, we have so much to learn and it is our own responsibility to adapt.
To long time readers of the blog, it is without any doubt, a big contrast to our previous life. Friends who know me by heart might be perplexed with this big change. Good Lord, I wasn't gifted nor had the passion to play "Survivor". I was in fact deemed fragile when I was in my teens to early 20s. My life abroad later toughened me up. I nod at the fact that we have come a long way from Dubai , France, Manila and now on this island.
Living on the island is such a great opportunity to bask in the beauty of this paradise and to meet locals who are equally lovely. Yet, I aspire to illustrate an honest view away from picture-perfect Instagram photos. In reality, behind every smile and gorgeous landscape are factors that may pose as challenges. Please let me make it clear, we have so much to learn and it is our own responsibility to adapt.
To long time readers of the blog, it is without any doubt, a big contrast to our previous life. Friends who know me by heart might be perplexed with this big change. Good Lord, I wasn't gifted nor had the passion to play "Survivor". I was in fact deemed fragile when I was in my teens to early 20s. My life abroad later toughened me up. I nod at the fact that we have come a long way from Dubai , France, Manila and now on this island.
"What is the biggest challenge of island living for you?"
What's Up Lately?
2:41 PM
What's Up Lately? How have you been?
The Holy Week in the Philippines is a huge event. Shops are closed on Good Friday. Everyone seemed to have left the capital, away on a beach vacation somewhere in one of the 7500 islands or touring in another country for a week long break, others are on a pilgrimage somewhere visiting 14 churches while the rest of us are on house arrest err staycation.
The afternoon in the suburbs is dead silent except for our neighbor's roosters who seem to tirelessly belt out karaoke tunes nonstop. Here's wishing that my baby daughter's nap time is undisturbed by its constant crowing.
Currently reading: Le Jour Ou J'ai Appris à Vivre par Laurent Gounelle
(The Day I Learned to Live)
It's about a French Man living in San Francisco told by a stranger that he is going to die soon and how this changes his life.
Currently drinking: Kapeng Barako or barako coffee with beans grown and roasted in Batangas, Philippines
Currently enjoying: The scent of sampaguita flowers my daughter picked from the garden.
Currently drinking: Kapeng Barako or barako coffee with beans grown and roasted in Batangas, Philippines
Currently enjoying: The scent of sampaguita flowers my daughter picked from the garden.
Currently watching: I just started watching a local film, Heneral Luna, based on a true story of an arrogant and fiery tempered general who was betrayed by the very Filipino Government that he fought for during the American Colonization of the Philippines in 1899. He was assassinated by politicians to protect their own personal interests and ambitions. Heartbreaking, I can't bring myself to finish watching it.
Awakened. (like someone just slapped me, awakened). My laptop died on me this week while working on a friend's project. I'm afraid it can't function well with the drafting programs I have been using. I was depressed when my laptop crashed. It was the only thing that allowed me to practice Interior Design. With it gone, it made me question whether its demise and my constant delay of finishing drafting works are manifestations of an actual lack of passion in this domain. It's still a big question mark. I think in my head practicing design in my home country I fear may not lead me to where I want to be in this field. Yes, it did shake my core and I'm currently lost career-wise while being here.
Currently contemplating and reflecting:
Living a Life with Intention. I have been reading a lot of articles about mindfulness and living with intention on a day to day basis and I am moved by it.
Here are some interesting links about the topic:
5 Steps Toward Living with Intention
I'm spending this Holy Week answering important questions while profoundly thinking about my answers and what I need to do.
I'm spending this Holy Week answering important questions while profoundly thinking about my answers and what I need to do.
Currently celebrating:
Our 10-year wedding anniversary today. Wow! I still can't believe we got married a decade ago. :))
What about you? What are you currently reading, watching and zzzzinking about?
What are your Easter Plans?
Love & Light,
Arni
Love & Light,
Arni
Getting my Foreign Husband's Driver's License in the Philippines
11:42 PMIf I were struggling to re-create my identity back in my home country after being absent for more than a decade, I can't imagine how it must be for my husband. Every time he was asked for a second identification card apart from his passport, he had no choice but to give his UAE driver's license that is nearly expiring.
"Are you ready to apply for your Philippine driver's license?" I asked him a few weeks ago. He nodded and started looking up how to start the process. Remember when I wrote about my own experience obtaining my foreign driver's license conversion at the Land Transportation Office a while back? He went through the same process as I did.
After obtaining much research and preparing the required documents and copies, (Check requirements here) we went to Land Transportation Main Office in Quezon City. For foreign nationals' application, we were advised by a friend of my brother's who works in one of the south branches of LTO to head over to Quezon City. I'm not sure if other LTO offices do process foreign applications as well. To avoid making a mistake leading to a waste of time despite its distance, we just followed her advice.
Where is it?
It was a long commute for us. LTO Quezon City is located along East Avenue. If you're taking the MRT Northbound train headed towards North Avenue, take GMA Kamuning station.
We circled Manila via LRT 1 all the way to Roosevelt Station to avoid the massive queues at MRT Station in Taft Avenue that day. We took a cab at WalterMart and a detour for a quick lunch in Maginhawa Street near Teacher's Village, thinking LTO is closed for lunch.
We circled Manila via LRT 1 all the way to Roosevelt Station to avoid the massive queues at MRT Station in Taft Avenue that day. We took a cab at WalterMart and a detour for a quick lunch in Maginhawa Street near Teacher's Village, thinking LTO is closed for lunch.
Guess what? They're not. LTO is open during Noon.
When we got inside the premises, we entered the wrong building first. The one next to the Chowking building is for application of transport registration. We were directed to a much bigger building with blue painted columns. The guard at the entrance was very accommodating and helpful, he directed us straight to Window 14. There's a central hall with rows of waiting chairs on either side and a chapel at the center. The main hall is open and airy. A complete contrast to the one where I applied mine. I'm glad we came here instead. There is good ventilation and the environment is pleasant.
They seem more strict as well. We hardly spotted any "fixer." If there were any lurking outside the gates, they were not as aggressive as the ones in Pasay City.
We approached the window and we spotted the LTO officer who was preoccupied encoding information. When we told him that we want to apply for my husband's foreign driver's license conversion, he checked his passport and entry date. We informed him that he doesn't have ACR (Alien Certificate Registration) but he intends to apply for both an ACR and a permanent residence visa.
We were told by the officer that it is mandated that the applicant's visa should be valid at least more than a year from the date of license application and he showed us their memo dated October 2015 of such rule. We then explained to him that my husband's visa is currently under "Balikbayan Visa", a free one year stay visa, this is an entry stamp valid for a year to foreign nationals married to a Filipina granted by an immigration officer under their own discretion at the airport on the condition that the couple present their marriage certificate and his Filipina wife be present with him upon entering the country.
My husband's Balikbayan visa is expiring in September which gives him less than 6 months stay. He intends to start his permanent visa process very soon before his Balikbayan visa expires. We showed the officer our company's SEC certificate and documents showing his name as a stockholder to convince him of my husband's long stay intentions.
We also mentioned that even if we start the residence visa application, my husband will only be granted a temporary one-year visa, not more, during his first year of application. He will only be granted a longer one during his second application process and he needs to drive soon.
The kind LTO Officer verified it with his colleagues after which, he returned with the good news. Yay, it's possible! :)
He was immediately given an application form to fill. We were directed to get a medical certificate complying with tests such as eye and physical test. This medical exam and certificate costs Php 200. The medical clinic is located on the first floor above Chowking.
After completing the form with his medical documents and requirements, we submitted them all back to the officer at Window 14 where he was given a number. His photograph was later taken as well as his signature. His name was then called at the cashier after 20-30 minutes of waiting. At the adjacent window, his name was finally called where he was handed his fresh and new driver's license.
The whole process took 1 and a half hours. The commute was longer but it was all worth the wait. Victory dance. Yay!
They seem more strict as well. We hardly spotted any "fixer." If there were any lurking outside the gates, they were not as aggressive as the ones in Pasay City.
We approached the window and we spotted the LTO officer who was preoccupied encoding information. When we told him that we want to apply for my husband's foreign driver's license conversion, he checked his passport and entry date. We informed him that he doesn't have ACR (Alien Certificate Registration) but he intends to apply for both an ACR and a permanent residence visa.
We were told by the officer that it is mandated that the applicant's visa should be valid at least more than a year from the date of license application and he showed us their memo dated October 2015 of such rule. We then explained to him that my husband's visa is currently under "Balikbayan Visa", a free one year stay visa, this is an entry stamp valid for a year to foreign nationals married to a Filipina granted by an immigration officer under their own discretion at the airport on the condition that the couple present their marriage certificate and his Filipina wife be present with him upon entering the country.
My husband's Balikbayan visa is expiring in September which gives him less than 6 months stay. He intends to start his permanent visa process very soon before his Balikbayan visa expires. We showed the officer our company's SEC certificate and documents showing his name as a stockholder to convince him of my husband's long stay intentions.
We also mentioned that even if we start the residence visa application, my husband will only be granted a temporary one-year visa, not more, during his first year of application. He will only be granted a longer one during his second application process and he needs to drive soon.
The kind LTO Officer verified it with his colleagues after which, he returned with the good news. Yay, it's possible! :)
He was immediately given an application form to fill. We were directed to get a medical certificate complying with tests such as eye and physical test. This medical exam and certificate costs Php 200. The medical clinic is located on the first floor above Chowking.
After completing the form with his medical documents and requirements, we submitted them all back to the officer at Window 14 where he was given a number. His photograph was later taken as well as his signature. His name was then called at the cashier after 20-30 minutes of waiting. At the adjacent window, his name was finally called where he was handed his fresh and new driver's license.
The whole process took 1 and a half hours. The commute was longer but it was all worth the wait. Victory dance. Yay!
Love & light,
Arni
Repatriation Blues: The Unmaking
12:20 AMA Walk in the Forest, Autumn in France 2007 |
I was on my way home commuting in a public transport after a long day when I heard this captivating song. I am taking a short course on Saturdays to learn current design drafting trends. Being back in school for an 8-hour long class, I was usually brain dead by 6pm sitting in a cramped commercial van stuck in horrendous traffic. This leaves a lot of time for contemplation.
A year ago, I was driving my Ford Explorer through the gated desert community barrier that automatically lifted using my sensor card. I swiftly gave a nod to the guard as I drove past the plush yellow villas and perfectly landscaped gardens. The contrast to that life a year ago and now is so drastic that I often feel I have gone back to where I have started after graduation. As if that life of grace and abundance was a dream that I suddenly woke up from. If there was a song that captured what I am feeling in verbatim, this would be it.
Kabayan Ako Series: How to Eat Balut
10:54 AM
"Kabayan ako..," my husband, Yohann proudly exclaims.
"Oh yeah? Have you tried balut?" I answered back.
"Hmmm..."
Balut or boiled duck embryo is a popular Filipino snack that most find strange, sometimes disgusting or even terrifying. According to CNN, "it's a Filipino delicacy that makes the world squirm." I ate lots of those when I was a kid. We have a saying back home, they're good for strengthening the knees. Each country from every part of the world has something exotic to offer anyway, so it's not that bad. This reminds me of the time we ate tarantulas in Phnom Penh.
Immersing oneself in the culinary scene of every place we visit is a good way to experience and understand one's culture. With that, my sister and I convinced our partners to finally try this challenge together. Though it's Fergus', my brother-in-law's second attempt to enjoy this popular Filipino snack, it ended up to be a memorable experience, especially when you have San Miguel Pale Pilsen next to you.
Immersing oneself in the culinary scene of every place we visit is a good way to experience and understand one's culture. With that, my sister and I convinced our partners to finally try this challenge together. Though it's Fergus', my brother-in-law's second attempt to enjoy this popular Filipino snack, it ended up to be a memorable experience, especially when you have San Miguel Pale Pilsen next to you.
Dare to try?
Bon Appetit!
Love & light,
Arni