What is a Balikbayan? Well, it is a person who is returning to the Philippines after spending some time abroad. If your wife is from the Philippines, but is living in your home country, when you take a trip back to the Philippines, your wife is a Balikbayan! As a Balikbayan, your wife is entitled […]
Can I travel to the Philippines on a one-way ticket?
Ofelia wrote in with a citizenship/travel related question today. Here is Ofelia’s question: I have both an American and Filipino passport. My plan is to stay in the Philippines for a year or so. Do you know if I could fly on a one way ticket without having to have problems with authorities of either […]
Getting a Balikbayan Visa
If you are a regular reader of the site, you certainly know the procedure to get a Balikbayan Visa (Balikbayan Privilege) when you arrive in the Philippines. You fly in to the Philippines with your Philippine spouse, she requests that you be given the Balikbayan Visa, and a 1 year Balikbayan Privilege stamp is placed […]
New tourist visas in the Philippines – EAM
Some time back, I got a question from my friend Bill. He was wondering about tourist visas. How long could Bill stay on his tourist visa? How often would he need to renew or extend his visa? Where could he do the renewal? Would he have to travel far to do the extension? Well, as […]
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Recently I wrote an article about the Balikbayan Privilege Program (which many of us call the BB Visa.. but it’s not a visa). Does Everything Have To Be Controversial? Many good comments were shared and different points of view expressed. I enjoyed it. There were (at last count) 88 comments, and the title, “Decide by […]
Dealing with Brownouts
Brownouts are a big part of our lives these days here in Davao, and for others around the Philippines. Especially in Mindanao where Davao is probably the most hard hit city. That’s why I am writing about it again today. Last week, Aaron wrote an article about Brownouts on Tuesday, and I wrote a sort […]