Taiwan has extended its 14-day visa-free privilege for Filipinos until July 2020 as “a display of Taiwan’s amity with the Philippines”. “The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on July 2, 2019, that the visa-free privilege for the nationals of the Philippines will continue for another year from August 1, 2019, through July… Full Story »
Travel
O.K., So Now You’re Retired in the Islands: Volunteering helps both retirees and communities
As a foreigner retired in the Philippines there are many opportunities to give back to the country that is now home. Volunteering provides a chance for retirees to be engaged socially, physically, mentally, emotionally, and sometimes even financially. Volunteering can lift one’s spirit, while helping lift the lives of nearby people. Caution when volunteering While… Full Story »
AirAsia named world’s best low-cost airline, as PAL and Cebu also praised
AirAsia has been named as the world’s best low-cost airline in the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the 11th consecutive year. Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific also had cause for cheer when the awards were handed out at at the Paris International Air Show yesterday (Tuesday, June 18). This year’s Skytrax awards were based… Full Story »
Pakikisama: The spoken and unspoken rules and culture for living in the Philippine
For most westerners arriving in the Philippines, there can be culture shock. Most travellers would say, however, that their initial experience in the country can be summed up in the words of kindness, politeness and hospitality. Behind that smiling population of good people is a method of interaction that is collectively known as Pakikisama. The… Full Story »
Currimao: The ‘black-sand’ beach town that’s so often overlooked
It was about seven years ago that I first arrived in the small town of Currimao, in Ilocos Norte… more by accident than by design. I had been on a trip to nearby Batac to visit the mausoleum of President Ferdinand Marcos, and after this bit of “culture” I fancied some time relaxing at the… Full Story »
