How to Apply : Taiwan Visa (Visa-Exempt Status)

If you are a Philippine passport holder and has the intentions to visit Taiwan, and you have valid visas or Permanent Resident Cards of USA, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia and New Zealand, then you are qualified to a VISA-FREE Entry to this country.

Here's What to do Next:

1) Qualified applicants may register to this LINK.

2) Upon obtaining approval, Print out the Authorization Certificate to be presented to the Immigration officers.

*Note: The certificate is valid one month after approval. You may register several time if you happen to change your flight schedules.

Not qualified on the above criteria? Then you have two options left.

1.) Head over to the nearest embassy or travel agency of any countries mentioned above and lodge your visa application. (I suggest to do it via Japan, since it can be the cheapest and most likely grant an approved visa)

2) Apply directly to Taiwan Embassy

The following are the requirements for Philippine Passport Holders (Employed) 

1.  Online Visa form (filled it up and print) - LINK 
2. Two (2) Passport size photo
3. Original Passport (6 months valid from intended travel dates)
4. NSO Birth Certificate
5. Original CEO (Certificate of Employment)
6. Financial Statements (Bank Statements/Bank Certificate)

*Note: The applicant might be scheduled for interview if necessary.

Taiwan Embassy

41F Tower 1, RCBC Plaza

6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Visa Fees:

Single Entry : Php 2,100.00

Multiple Entry : Php 4,200.00

Consular Schedule:

Filing Time: Monday to Friday 8:45AM to 11:45AM

Releasing Time:  1:45PM to 4:45PM

Processing Time:

Regular Application : 3 working days

Rush Application : 1 working day subject for additional fee

* + 1,050.00 for Single Entry applications

* + 2,100.00 for Multiple Entry applications

How to Apply : Japan Visa

In preparation for my upcoming Taiwan Trip, I decided to apply for a Japan visa instead of Taiwan Visa mainly because of few things:

1.) Japan visa is cheaper than Taiwan Visa

2.) Having a valid Japan visa can get you to Taiwan and Turkey via their Visa Exempt and E-Visa.

The following are the requirements for Philippine Passport Holders (Employed):

1. Fully accomplished Application Form

2. Two (2) 2x2 inch photo

3. Original Passport (6 months valid from intended travel dates)

4. NSO Birth Certificate (must be requested same year of application)

5. Original Bank Certificate

6. Daily Schedule (Itinerary) 

7. Photocopy ITR (Income Tax Return - Form 2316)

The following were not indicated but I submitted as well

8. Original COE (Certificate of Employment)

9. I presented the Original ITR for reference purposes only.



I submitted my application via Discovery Tours (Fee: Php 800.00)

Discovery Tours

Address: 301 G/F Sagittarius Bldg., HV Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.
Office Hours: 09:00AM to 12:00NN ,01:00PM - 4:30 (Mon~Fri) and 09:00AM~12:00NN(Sat)

*Note: Direct embassy application were not accepted. Certain case were mentioned in the Embassy's official website

How to Apply : South Korean Visa

I quickly decided to apply for a South Korean Visa, One (1) working day before they implement the new requirements.

I'd been to South Korea twice. This will be my third visa application. My first visa was issued in Singapore while my second visa was issued here in the Philippines.

During the waiting game, I was hoping that the Embassy will grant me Multiple Entry since I have no plan to travel to South Korea anytime within 3 months.

I lodged my application last February 27, 2015. I claimed my passport after 3 working days, March 4, 2015.

I was blessed that I was given 3 years Multiple Entry visa.

The following are the requirements for Philippine Passport Holders (Employed):
1. Fully accomplished Application Form
2. One (1) Passport size photo
3. Original Passport (6 months valid from intended travel dates)
4. Photocopy of Bio part of your passport
5. Original and Photocopy of Visas and Stamps from OECD Member countries
6. Original COE (Certificate of Employment)
       stating: Position, Date Hired, Compensation, Office Address, Landline and E-mail Address
7. Original Bank Certificate
       stating: Account Type. Current Balance,Account opening date, and ADB (Ave. Daily Balance)
8. Original and photocopy ITR (Income Tax Return - Form 2316)

Effective March 1, 2015
9. Original or Certified True Copy Bank Statements  for the last 3 months.


Embassy Schedule:
Operations: Mondays to Fridays (Except for Philippine and Korea Holidays)
9:00AM - 11:00AM - VISA Applications
2:00AM - 4:00PM - VISA Releasing


Processing Time (Waiting Game) : 

Frequent Travelers : 3 working days
     * Applicants who had been to OECD Member countries within 5 years
     * Applicants who had been to South Korea twice within 2 years.

Non-Frequent Travelers : 5 working days


Note: Visa Processing may extend depending on the consular's judgment.
          Upon claiming your passport, that's when will you find out if you are approved or denied.


Visa Fees:
59days (or less) - Free
60 to 90 days - Php 1,800.00


Address: 122 Upper McKinleyRoad, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Tel No.: (632) 856-9210 loc 270 - Visa

Suggested Whole Day Activities : Seoul, South Korea

A. GAPYEONG AREA 

How To Go:

Option 1: via Intercity Train Express

• Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station
• Fare: KRW 4,800.00
• Travel Time: 45mins

Option 2: via Metro Subway Line

• Proceed to any GYEONGUI-JUNGANG Line and trasnfer to GYEONGCHUN Line via MANGU Station.
• Fare: approx KRW 2,000.00 (depending on your point of origin)
• Travel Time: 1hr 45mins.

What To Do Next:

Upon arrival in GAPYEONG STATION, head over to the nearest exit and you will see the Tourism Office and the queue for the Gapyeong Circle Tourist Bus.

• Fare : KRW 5,000.00 (payment to be forwarded to the Bus Driver)
• Inclusion: Unlimited use of the tour bus for a day
• Exclusion: Admission tickets to attractions

Suggested Itinerary

9:00AM - Take the first trip of the Circle Bus from Gapyeong Station

9:15AM - Arrival in Namiseon Dock

9:45AM - Arrival in Nami Island

1:15PM - Nami Island to Petite France

1:40PM - Arrival in Petite France

(C) SeoulnSki

3:40PM - Petite France to Morning Calm Garden

4:30PM - Arrival in Morning Calm Garden

(C) SeoulnSki

7:30PM - Morning Calm Garden to Gapyeong

8:20PM - Arrival in Gapyeong Station

*Note: 6:30PM departure terminates at Cheongpyeong Terminal only not reaching Gapyeong Station.

Approx. Expenses (Meal Exclusive)

KRW 4,800.00          Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station (via ITX)

KRW 5,000.00          Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus

KRW 8,000.00          Nami Island

KRW 8,000.00          Petite France

KRW 8,000.00          Morning Calm Garden

KRW 4,800.00          Gapyeong Station to Yongsan Station (via ITX)     

TOTAL EXPENSES : KRW 38,600.00

B. EVERLAND RESORT

How To Go:

Option 1: via Metro Subway Line

• From Any Seoul Line Station, head over to BUNDANG Line and transfer to EVERLINE and alight to the last station, JEONDAE-EVERLAND Station.
• Fare: KRW 3,050.00 (depending on your point of origin)
• Travel Time: approx 2 hours

Option 2: via Metro Bus

• Bus No. 5002 (Gangnam Station - Exit 10)
• Fare: KRW 2,100.00
• Travel Time: 50 mins

• Bus No. 5700 (Jamsil Station - Exit 6)
• Fare: KRW 2,100.00
• Travel Time: 1hr and 20mins

Theme Park Information:

• Day Pass: KRW 46,000.00         / KRW 36,000.00 (Children)
• 2-Day Pass: KRW 74,000.00     / KRW 58,000.00 (Children)

• Operation Hours: 10:00AM - 8:00PM (vary depends on season)

• https://www.everland.com/web/multi/english/everland/main.html

C. MT. SEORAKSAN

How To Go:

DIY Option: via Metro Bus

• Head over to DONG SEOUL BUS TERMINAL (nr GANGBYEON STATION Line 2)
• Purchase ticket bound to SOKCHO
• Fare: approx KRW 16,000.00 (depending on your point of origin)
• Travel Time: approx 3 hours

• From Sokcho Terminal, walk towards the nearest Bus Stop
• Take Bus No. 7-1 (bound for Mt. Seorak)
• Fare : KRW 1,100.00
• Travel Time: 30mins

Few Information

• Entrance Fee: KRW 3,500.00
• Cable Car Ride (Return): KRW 9,000.00 / KRW 6,000.00 (Children)

D. DEMILITARIZED ZONE (DMZ)

How To Go:

DIY Option: via DMZ Train

• Seoul Station - Purchase ticket bound to Dorasan Station
• Fare:  KRW 16,000.00 return
• Travel Time: approx 1 hour 30 mins
• Train departs once a day. 
• Seoul to Dorasan 10:34AM
• Dorasan to Seoul 4:10PM
• Bring your passport

DMZ Tour

• On your exit, follow the crowd as they queue for the DMZ tour

• Walk Tour (KRW 8,700.00)
• The 3rd Tunnel 
• Dorasan Observatory 
• Dorasan Peace Park

• Shuttle Tour (KRW 11,700.00)
• The 3rd Tunnel - inclusive of Monorail
• Dorasan Observatory 
• Dorasan Peace Park

Suggested Half Day Activities : Seoul, South Korea

A. ROUTE 1

Sample Itinerary

*Note: Walking tour can be very strenuous, but you are exploring a new city, it would be fun walking for several kilometers (at first). I highly suggest to start the trip late morning, or should I say, leave your hotel just enough for your lunch and start the trip right after.

11:30AM - Insa-dong Area has lots of restaurants to choose from. Souvenier items can also be bought here.
01:00PM - Changdeokgung Palace (KRW 3,000.00)
02:30PM - Bukchon Hanok Village (Free)
03:30PM - Gyeongbokgung Palace (KRW 3,000.00)
05:30PM - Gwanghwamun Square (Free)

From GWANGHWAMUN, walk towards CITY HALL and take subway Line 2 bound to SEOUL STATION (1 station) and transfer to Line 4 alight at MYEONG-DONG (2 stations)

06:30PM - N Seoul Tower (Cable Car - KRW 8,500.00)

08:00PM - Explore Myeong-dong shopping district

B. ROUTE 2
Sample Itinerary

09:00AM - 11:00AM - National Museum of Korea
                                       Admission Fee: FREE
                                       Nearest Exit: Ichon Station (Seoul Line 4 - Exit 2)

From ICHON, take subway Line 4 towards SAMGAKJI (2 stations only)

11:30AM - 2:00PM - War Memorial of Korea
                                    Admission Fee: FREE
                                    Nearest Exit: Samgakji Station (Seoul Line 4 - Exit 1)

Note: Only few restaurants around this area. Just take a late lunch in Hongik University Area.

From SAMGAKJI, take subway Line 6 and alight in HAPJEONG and transfer to Line 2 ( 7 stations in Line 6, 1 station in Line 2)

3:30PM - 5:00PM - Trick Eye Museum
                                  Admission Fee: KRW 15,000.00 / KRW 12,000.00 (Children)
                                  Nearest Exit: Hongik University Station (Seoul Line 2 - Exit 9)

From HONGIK UNIVERSITY, take subway Line 2 and alight in DONGDAEMUN HISTORY & CULTURE (9 Stations)

5:30PM - onwards - Dongdaemun Area
                                   Explore Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Shopping Malls around the area.

Greenfield District's The Hub

The Hub is formerly known as "Jeepney Hub" by commuters going to Makati and Rizal Areas. It was strategically located near EDSA Central at Shaw Blvd/EDSA. 

It was then last year when Jeepney Hub formerly bid goodbye to the public and Greenfield started to reorganized its area and turn it into The Hub. The construction of The Hub started last March 2011 and properly turned over to Greenfield this April 2012. It was constructed by Teodoro Construction Corporation who did able to materialized the concept of Greenfield of turning the old Jeepney Hub into a more profitable space called The Hub.

The Hub is consist of 19 stalls but only 17 stalls were leasable and some do lease combined units for their restaurants/bars.

Perspective

Actual Picture

Actual Picture

Here are the restaurants/bars that you must look up to this year. Last May 2012, Brother's Burger and Y-Tree were the first two who opened up and the rest were still under construction.

COMING SOON AT GREENFIELD DISTRICT THIS 4TH QUARTER OF 2012

THE PORTAL (FORMERLY "WET MARKET", ACROSS THE HUB)

Greenfield City Clean Air Run 2012

Last May 27, 2012, Greenfield held its 3rd annual run. 5 buses were available at Greenfield Main Office located at United St., Greenfield District (near EDSA central and Shaw blvd). Calltime for all runners is 2:30AM and bus will leave exactly 3:00AM (as per instruction to the guideline included during the distribution of singlets). 

Before and after the race, the runners were welcomed by sets of drummers that cheers you up and boost your energy while you left and approach the finish line.

During the race, runners were well-supported by many power stations that provides water and energy drinks with some cheerers with uniforms to lighten up the strain you currently endure.

After the race, each finishers in all categories were given medal and some few remembrance including:

         1) Loot bags

         2) Finisher's Kit for 21K finisher

         3) A pair of gardenia bread with sachet of Cheeze Whiz

         4) Sugar test c/o Diabetesol

         5) Kellog's

         6) Photobooth c/o San Marino

         7) Free 5-minute back massage

         8) Breakfast c/o Greenfield

         9) Games with prizes (Gift Certificates)

         10) Mentopas for body pain

         11) BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES AND FRESH AIR!

         

Me posing for my ultimate remembrance! :) photo by @Sigue Correr Runners

and me again! 

Greenfield's next Sports Event:

June 2-3, 2012 - GREENFIELD CITY ULTIMATE INVITATIONAL

June 23, 2012 - 1ST GREENFIELD CITY SOUTH BOWL

Starbucks Happy Hour

Our company offers unlimited coffee during work hours, but this time of the day, my officemates decided to grab a quick dose of frappucino at Starbucks nearby and what makes us to be there is the Starbucks' Happy Hour.

Starbucks' Happy Hour is a month long promo (April 30, 2012 - May 28, 2012) wherein ALL Frappucino can be bought half the price every Monday 2:00PM -6:00PM

As expected, all people are into PROMO :)

STARBUCKS 

Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City

Credit Card Dilemma

Before, I was too enthusiast to have a credit card yet to hesitant to used it. Then after sometime, more cards were accumulated and my expenses grows bigger and bigger and bigger. Though I didn't experienced yet to be charge for not paying (Finance and Interest Charge).

But, last April, I called RCBC to inquire on how they will compute finance charge cause during that moment, I cannot pay the whole statement. I asked the CSR to helped me compute if I will have a remaining balance of 1,000.00

To share to everyone, here's how RCBC compute their finance charge

First : Your total Due balance be multiplied to a percent factor for finance charge interest (3.5% in case of
           RCBC)

Second : You then compute EACH of the Transaction during the covered period.

           Example : Your cut-ff is every 14th of the Month and Due Date is every 3rd of the succeeding month
                             a) count the number of days from the date of transaction (not the posting date) and the
                                  cut-off date for the period.
                             b) the days from (a) be divided to how many days in a month covered
                             c) multiplied by the finance charge interest (3.5% in case of RCBC)
                             d) multiplied again to amount of transaction
                             e) do this in EACH and EVERY transaction made

Third : You then compute EACH of your payment made for the entire period (before due date)

          Example: Since your cut-off is every 3rd of the Month, all payments made before cut-off will be counted.
                          a) Subtract you Total due and your first payment
                          b) Count the number of days between your Payment and Cut-off
                          c) the days from (b) be divided to how many days in a month covered
                          d) multiply (a) and (c) and the finance charge interest (3.5% in case of RCBC)


ADD ALL THREE. and that's the total Finance Charge to be reflected on your next billing!

with that, I decided to pay the remaining balance of 1,000.00 instead.

Two Zero One Two

CEBU - BOHOL

DAVAO - SAMAL ISLAND

CAGAYAN DE ORO - CAMIGUIN - BUKIDNON

PUERTO PRINCESA - CEBU

ILO ILO - GUIMARAS - BACOLOD

What's Happening Globe?

Over the past few days, globe has been consistent about their signal coverage. We're paying for their services yet they provide us this signal issues. I've been with globe for almost 10years now, but recently I feel disappointed with their services.

Delayed Text messages.

Cannot connect to the internet.

Low signal using viber/tango even though the connection were in 3G.

Greenfield City Clean Air Run 2012

I saw this on our bulletin board so I decided to make an entry about it.

On the 27th  of May, Greenfield will held it's Third Annual GCity Run. Organized by The Greentenial Run.


You can register at the following outlets :
- Second Wind Running Store (Teachers Village, Ortigas Home Depot, Greenhills)
- Toby's (SM Bacoor, Park Square, SM Molino, SM Cavite, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Calamba, SM Lipa, SM Southmall)
- Mizuno (Eastwood, Alabang Town Center, Trinoma, BGC< MOA, Festival Mall)
- The Sports Outlet - Paseo
- G-Force - Paseo

Registrations Fees:
500m - P150.00
5K - P500.00
10K - P500.00
21K - P500.00



For the 21K, Greenfield offers 3 Categories to choose from
1) Standard 21K
2) First Time 21K
3) Barefoot 21K

And this year, Greenfield will distribute medal to all participants that will able to finish the race from 5K to 21K.

Greenfield Clean Air Run 2012 Singlet

BIB

21K Finisher's Shirt

MEDALS

               5K Finishers                                 10K Finishers                            

                                        21K Finishers

                         

           21K First Timers                           21K Bare Foot Runners

                 

ROUTES

Facebook Event Page :http://www.facebook.com/events/137942549668651/