General Info

[TravelingMan3]

Got any you. S Military Retirees in here? I'm coming up on my 20 and looking to gather some info.

I'm retired Military Medically Retired currently live in Sosua Dominican Republic what Information are you looking for. To be honest I'm going to go to Thailand over the PI but if I can help I'd be glad to.

[WestCoast1]

Another look. 2 weeks ago I posted the first pic, a BioSurveillance Report from the Phils Genome Center (July 24). My empahsis at the time was the Delta variant. The DHO releases this each week. Here we are 2 weeks later, with the latest numbers for the variants. Here is a breakdown of what has happened in 2 weeks, percentage-wise. Guessing this is one reason they are so concerned about Delta. Somebody check my math:

Alpha cases up 18%, deaths up 5%.

Beta cases up 17%, deaths up 14%.

Delta cases up 278% (119 and 450 cases), deaths up 125% (4 and 9 deaths).

Gamma cases and deaths, no change.

P3 cases up 18%, deaths no change.

[Pinga 98]

Yesterday's test came back positive.

Pedro: Hope you have an Oxymeter (it is a cheap device) to monitor your oxyzen. If the level falls rapidly, time to go to hospital. I hope it does not come to that. But many affected don't feel trouble breathing until it is too late.

We all wish you luck!

[PedroMorales]

Worth noting, you are unlikely to be immune to all strains. My sister caught it twice working in a hospital. Recover soon NB.

I think I picked it up in my city centre or on public transport, of which I am not a big user. I am coughing 24/7 but the aches and pains like I am on the world's lumpiest, saggiest bed seem to be over. Although I didn't see it coming, I'd have figured this far into the pandemic, there would be small risk.

Some of the cures doing the rounds on the internet are Mengele stuff. I'll sit tight and hope my lungs hold out. Concentration is out and even typing this is a big effort.

[JohnIsFun]

Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.

Mate not everyone who contracts covid will be very sick. Take care and if the condition starts to deteriorate seek medical help. Good luck.

[PBtoCobra]

I am sorry to hear you are not feeling good. Where are you? If you are at home everything will be ok. You just have to endure 10 days of feeling like shit. But call your doctor immediately if complications occur or if you are having trouble breathing. If you are in the PI, God bless, you will still be ok, but your experience will be noteworthy.

So, get well soon and remember that after you recover you will be Superman IE immune.

Worth noting, you are unlikely to be immune to all strains. My sister caught it twice working in a hospital. Recover soon NB.

[Member #4698]

Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.

I am sorry to hear you are not feeling good. Where are you? If you are at home everything will be ok. You just have to endure 10 days of feeling like shit. But call your doctor immediately if complications occur or if you are having trouble breathing. If you are in the PI, God bless, you will still be ok, but your experience will be noteworthy.

So, get well soon and remember that after you recover you will be Superman IE immune.

[Albert9989]

Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.

Were you vaccinated?

If yes, no risks at all.

If not, risk stay low, but don't be late to visit urgencies if really breathing becomes difficult, oxygen can be needed in some cases.

Whish you to recover soon.

[Mdemde]

Yesterday's test came back positive.

Wishing you all the best, I'm sure you are aware that the vast majority of those that catch it do go on to recover.

[PedroMorales]

Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.

[TomJones06]

Got any you. S Military Retirees in here? I'm coming up on my 20 and looking to gather some info.

[WestCoast1]

This site has a different take about changes to the Visa on Arrivals process. On this site a Filipino Visa worker says that the Visa on Arrival processing will not change. Her take is that applying for a visa from an embassy will only be required by citizens of countries who currently require a visa before arrival in the Philippines. Sorry for causing confusion, however I imagine interpretations will continue to unfold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w

For those wanting to cut to the chase in this video, the discussion in the vid of not changing the current VOA system is at 5:55.

[Amanut]

This site has a different take about changes to the Visa on Arrivals process. On this site a Filipino Visa worker says that the Visa on Arrival processing will not change. Her take is that applying for a visa from an embassy will only be required by citizens of countries who currently require a visa before arrival in the Philippines. Sorry for causing confusion, however I imagine interpretations will continue to unfold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w

[Issaquah]

I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQV_xgEkPl4

I'm not sure the visa before arrival applies to countries that previously had visa upon arrival status. Take a look at the video link below from the Filipina Pea who interviews a branch manager from JRV visa consultancy. Another thing to keep in mind is that it has not been fully approved by the Philippine legislators and is still up for a vote in the Senate. Changes can also still be implemented before final approval.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w&t=615s

[WestCoast1]

I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest.

Informative post.

In the past, the LA Phils Consulate has always processed my visa applications in less than 24 hours when I send it to them. Always, regardless of what state I was living in, my passport and new visa was back in my hands within 5 days of my sending it. If I sent it (next-day air express, going and coming back to me) on Monday, it was back in my hands on Thursday or Friday. FedEx / UPS tracking showed it was at the Consulate for about 8 hours each time. The remainder of the several days was spent at sorting facilities or 'In Transit'. Also at the consulate are windows for in-person visa application. This too was fairly efficient; a friend tells me that after dropping it off at the window, the PP and visa was back in his hands in a few hours. BTW, it costs more to send it 'express' than it does to process the visa.

Having said that, its important to note that Phils government offices that are still open (some, such as city hall Makati, close some parts or all during ECQ), are operating at 50% employee capacity since the start of Covid, including the BI. They have reduced the number of clients allowed inside. They have gone to online appointment-only, so you can no longer just show up and 'fall in line'. Its possible that overseas Consulate or Embassy facilities might be required to do the same, so plan on a few extra days to get your visa processed for your upcoming trip.