Useful travel videos about the Philippines

Should you be planning a first trip to the Philippines in the near future, Geobeats has produced a couple of short and useful travel videos that are well worth watching before you go. The first video you should watch covers Filipino etiquette that business travelers will find particularly useful:

The second video worth watching covers public transportation in and around Manila but of course, business travelers would probably prefer a taxi or rental car over a Jeepney!

Although English is widely spoken or understood in the Philippines, the third video you should watch covers some basic Tagalog phrases that will definitely impress local Filipinos if you were to make an effort to learn and use them:

Travel videos about the Philippines

Should you be looking for a new and often overlooked destination in Asia for a vacation, the Philippines has much to offer – from beautiful beaches for swimming to some of the best shopping and diving sites in Asia. This Visit Philippines video created as part of the Philippines Department of Tourism’s WOW Philippines campaign will highlight the best of what the country has to offer:

In this second video also created by WOW Philippines, various destinations around the Philippines are highlighted while a Filipino song is sung by various popular Filipino artists:

And finally in this last video, the islands of Palawan (considered on of Asia’s last unspoiled frontiers) and its El Nido resort are highlighted:

The Philippines: Obtaining an extension of a Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a

If you will be visiting the Philippines for pleasure, business or for health purposes, a 21-day visa is usually granted upon arrival while a 59 day visa can be obtained before arrival from any Philippine embassy or consulate general. Obtaining an extension of Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a (Non-Immigrants) is also fairly straight forward and applicants should observe the following procedures:

• Verification of travel and derogatory records, assessment of filing, implementation and other fees and generation of Order of Payment Slip.
• Releasing of OPS to the applicant.
• Payment to collecting officer and issuance of an official receipt.
• Approval of Extension.
• Updating of records, visa implementation and document archiving.
• Release of Passport.

Requirements for a Temporary Visitors Visa or extension are as follows:

• Valid passport of the applicant.
• Tourist Visa Extension form duly accomplished (BI Form No. MCL 07-02).
• Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate.

The fee structure for all visas and visa extensions are outlined on the Bureau of Immigration’s website and extensions may be done either in person at a Bureau of Immigration office or via an accredited representative (such as an immigration attorney or even a travel agent) for a small additional fee.

Generally speaking, visitors to the Philippines (so long as they are not working in the country) can live there for up to a year without ever leaving just by properly obtaining visa extensions (further information about how to do this can be found on the Living in the Philippines website and listserv). However, any visitor coming to the Philippines to work in the country must secure a proper work permit (preferably prior to arrival).