General Info

[AsianPursuits]

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.

Grab you cannot fully register outside the country, you will need your local Ph mobile when you arrive.

For language download Nemo Tagalog. Pay the small fee to unlock the features. Proactive while you are driving around.

[JusRide]

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics..

You should be able to find a laundry shop within walking distance. They charge by weight (kilo). Just be sure to ask what's the turn around time so you know when they'll be done and cost for a rush job if you need it. Some will drop off at the hotel lobby if you ask. It's one of the great things about traveling south east Asia. If I have a piece of clothes that wasn't been washed yet, I just pack it in a separate plastic bag and have it laundered upon arrival.

Avoid shopping in the malls. Anything name brand is more expensive abroad. I think it's the import tax. Take a trip to Green Hills mall in Manila (tons of bootleg stuff), Angeles in Pampanga and negotiate.

Go to the Taxi booth (middle island) and get in line. When I was there last month, it was a flat 400 php and they stopped using the meter from the airport. It was written on the paper the booth queue gave me so I knew the driver wasn't trying to scam me. Driver said it was due to gas price hikes. Avoid the solicitors offering you a taxi ride when exiting the airport (they will overcharge you).

If you are using a trike always ask / tell the cost before getting in for your destination.

I just started using SendWave to transfer money. Before I was using Transferwise. Some restaurants charge a Service Charge, so if you see that on the bill it is a built in tip.

Ask the girl if she is on her period (has blood) as many will still go out with you and leave your bed sheets / towels with some nice art work.

Happy hunting!

[JusRide]

Yes, they accept JPG. If I recall, I believe there is a size limitation on the upload (OHP) so just crop and resize it but enough so you can zoom in later should you need it (E. G, vax proof for a restaurant). Most places don't ask but some did.

I'm flying into NAIA next week from San Francisco, CA. I have one question that I can't find seem to find an answer to on this forum: When you are uploading your proof of vax document on OHP, do they accept a (. Jpg) picture of your vax card (mine is a white 3 x5 inch card with a "CDC" logo in the upper right hand corner) or do they need something more official looking? Any feedback is appreciated.

G1.

[Goferring]

If you change clothes several times a day, but travel very light, just how many clothes do you take?

I can normally last about 3 or 4 days of casual clothes. Maybe a tad longer if I want to use absolutely everything I have but I generally avoid wearing long pants and shirts etc just to avoid a wash. It's pretty rare to not have anywhere that can provide a laundry service.

[PedroMorales]

I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

Enjoy. G

I like to have a carry on bag only; don't wannna get done for any bullet in the bag scam. If you change clothes several times a day, but travel very light, just how many clothes do you take? I also suffer from the problem I hate hand washing but it is sometimes important when no other options exist, as in back packing. In fact, another rule of thumb of mine is to be e sure to spend at least as much on myself as I burn on hookers. Ways made a b line to Robinsons etc to stock up while there and dump the old clothes.

[Goferring]

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.

6. Calculating how much US currency to use for paying hotels that offer a 20% cash discount, and for converting to pesos for sessions, bar drinks, shopping, and various crap.

It's a LOT of work to get to bang several dozen hotties. Worth it!

Anyway, thanks! I'll drop a post in the travel announcement board about a week before I fly.

I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

All of the above. Just deal with whatever you are faced with. Weather is never guaranteed.

What's open is also changing daily. Again, deal with whatever you find.

My apps from most used: WhatsApp, Grab, FilCupid / PinaLove / Tinder, Google Maps and Translate. Airlines and Agoda as required.

I always get by with English only but there is always Google Translate of needed.

Waaaay too difficult for me. Just go to an ATM, take out 10 or 20 k, rinse and repeat when funds are low. Lots of arguements here about cash Vs card. Pick what works for you. Every 1000 p is $20 so scale accordingly.

Remember a bit of planning is good but be prepared to be flexible as plans may change and opportunities arise.

Enjoy. G.

[MrHappyKat]

Once again, huge thanks for the advice, guidance and past posts provided here by those who have gone before. I have my non-stop flight dates booked (business class, thank you), my hotels booked and confirmed with guest-friendly policies confirmed by email and phone call. And I've sucked down enough YouTube VLOGS to never want to see another Walking Street and P Burgos vid again! I also have a good idea of navigating pre-departure paperwork: OHP, getting negative test results 8 hours before, Travel Insurance, local sim card purchase, airport to hotel, and inter-city transport, and pre-exit test facilities. Whew!

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.

6. Calculating how much US currency to use for paying hotels that offer a 20% cash discount, and for converting to pesos for sessions, bar drinks, shopping, and various crap.

It's a LOT of work to get to bang several dozen hotties. Worth it!

Anyway, thanks! I'll drop a post in the travel announcement board about a week before I fly.

[Guinness1]

As a data point for the Philippines entry it was so easy and fast. Here are my tips.

Retain your boarding pass for arrival checking.

A) Do not start the OHP registration until you have scanned / PDF copies of both your vax cert and your PCR / RAT. As I was getting a RAT 16 hours before my first departure, that means I didn't start my actual OHP until 15 hours before.

B) You will need to know who you are, where you live, your birthdate and other pieces of info (like your flight) which some people have found challenging. Most won't.

C) You will need to know where you are going on your first day after arriving in Ph.

After completing those details I received the barcode which also now states it is acceptable for boarding the flight.

D) I was then able to answer the supplementary health questions which were straightforward.

When I check the next day and before board I had the QR code also..

I'm flying into NAIA next week from San Francisco, CA. I have one question that I can't find seem to find an answer to on this forum: When you are uploading your proof of vax document on OHP, do they accept a (. Jpg) picture of your vax card (mine is a white 3 x5 inch card with a "CDC" logo in the upper right hand corner) or do they need something more official looking? Any feedback is appreciated.

G1.

[Buko Max]

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?.

Shouldn't be a problem as I've done this very same thing a couple of times before. As long as you have a return ticket, that's all that matters to the airline agent. Of course you will need to show proof before you step onto the plane in your home country.

You are probably eligible for a VISA extension upon arrival. Just make sure to notify the lead officer BEFORE you get to the booths. Look for the office / desk to the left and that's where you will pay for the extension. If any questions are raised, tell them you will be taking a side trip but it should be no problem. As long as they get their money (upwards of 2500 php). All this will save you a trip to a BI office.

[Dg8787]

Hello,

I am fully vaccinated and from Europe. I was not aware that we can stay only 30 days in the Philippines at the moment and they don't process Visa anymore. Unfortunately, I took an airplane ticket of 1 month and a half. I have just read this "Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period stay of thirty (30) days or less provided they have valid roundtrip tickets or ticket for another country and passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure in the Philippines."

I phone the Philippines embassy and they told me that the airways that I will take to go to Philippines may not accept me because I will come back after more than 1 month. I thought I could extend my stay when I will be in manila? I can t cancel my ticket or change the date cause it is too expensive.

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?

Thanks for your advice.

If you go back some pages you would learn how to purchase a cheap or refundable exit ticket for within the 30 days to show on arrival.

After arrival and before the 30 days expire you would go and get an extension on your visa.

[LoveEastAsia]

Hello,

I am fully vaccinated and from Europe. I was not aware that we can stay only 30 days in the Philippines at the moment and they don't process Visa anymore. Unfortunately, I took an airplane ticket of 1 month and a half. I have just read this "Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period stay of thirty (30) days or less provided they have valid roundtrip tickets or ticket for another country and passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure in the Philippines."

I phone the Philippines embassy and they told me that the airways that I will take to go to Philippines may not accept me because I will come back after more than 1 month. I thought I could extend my stay when I will be in manila? I can t cancel my ticket or change the date cause it is too expensive.

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?

Thanks for your advice.

[Goferring]

Can't think of any other possibilities.

5/ pay someone 500 p to reset the test for you then get on the plane.

Don't tell me people think that never happens. 😱

Yes I've been in Asia far too long. 😁

Enjoy your flight. G.

[AsianPursuits]

As a data point for the Philippines entry it was so easy and fast. Here are my tips.

Retain your boarding pass for arrival checking.

A) Do not start the OHP registration until you have scanned / PDF copies of both your vax cert and your PCR / RAT. As I was getting a RAT 16 hours before my first departure, that means I didn't start my actual OHP until 15 hours before.

B) You will need to know who you are, where you live, your birthdate and other pieces of info (like your flight) which some people have found challenging. Most won't.

C) You will need to know where you are going on your first day after arriving in Ph.

After completing those details I received the barcode which also now states it is acceptable for boarding the flight.

D) I was then able to answer the supplementary health questions which were straightforward.

When I check the next day and before board I had the QR code also.

In preparation for approaching the airline check-in I already know they will ask for four things. I had them printed and in my hand in this order.

A) OHP barcode or QR code. (I had the barcode printed).

B) Travel insurance.

C) Vax cert.

D) RAT result.

Check was completed easily.

On arrival in NAIA there was a signage directing people with barcodes down left alley, QR Codes to the right.

A) At the first desk I had to present QR code and boarding pass.

B) On to Immigration, standard questions.

C) On to baggage collection.

From aircraft door opening to taxi door was < 25 minutes.

[WestCoast1]

Does the testing site tell anyone if you are positive?

Just guessing that they are not allowed to do so, unless they are being paid by an employer or government agency specifically for said results (the same way companies or governments test employees for drugs -- an example would be airline employees). Persons testing covid-positive will simply have nothing to show in order to board their flight.

[Dg8787]

You won't be allowed on the flight, for sure.

Does the testing site tell anyone if you are positive?