Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Enjoying Philippine Transportation More
Buses, cabs, jeepneys, tricycles, calesas, and pedicabs—these Philippine transportation vehicles are road wonders that either give us headaches (they keep us wondering why they’re allowed on the streets) or great help (they get us to our destinations like nothing can). Here are tips on how we can further enjoy them.
Air conditioned buses are comfortable Philippine transportation vehicles. They offer relaxed travel, great seats, and sometimes even DVD movies. But taking the ordinary, non air conditions buses is better. This Philippine transportation is more exciting and affords more fresh air circulating around. It gives live sights and sounds of the city, the crazy race on the highway (where one’s bus is an entry), updates on different localities, and a panoramic view of the city skyline. Public ordinary buses are often occupied by more friendly and open common folks who easily make conversation even with strangers. This Philippine transportation makes for a more enjoyable trip.
Cabs are often manned by observant drivers who always have a tale or two to share with passengers. One can enjoy a wild highway chase with other cars, with lots of sudden twists and turns and cuts, as the driver relishes on past experiences, gossips, news commentary, government top secrets, traffic updates, and other whatnots or bric-a-bracs under the sun. With their eyes on the road 24/7, cab drivers are excellent reporter-companions that add color to a Philippine transportation ride.
Jeepneys are a microcosm of a Filipino community where the driver acts as the barangay head. This Philippine transportation has more interaction going among the more involved passengers. It’s only here that passengers demonstrate the native “bayanihan” spirit when they help each other get fares across to the driver. When somebody gets off, almost everybody helps the person stop the jeepney. The same thing with getting on, especially with baggage. Here, even foreigners are expected to share in the cause.
Calesas and pedicabs are Philippine transportation systems that ease up the rush hour by its slow and easy travel. They feel like there’s no need to hurry and things can always wait. In them one can always enjoy a break from the busy pace of city life. Tricycles, on the other hand, are more rugged and daring Philippine transportation for better thrills and adventures.
Going ordinary on Philippine transportation is accessing a unique world of native rough thrills and reflective tranquility. It’s where one meets a typical Filipino in the flesh.
Philippines Temporary Visitor Visa Guidelines
Do you need to stay in the Philippines for a short period of time? You’ll need a Philippine visa known as a Temporary Visitor’s Visa. This visa is issued to any foreign national who wants to travel to the Philippines for business, tourism, and educational purposes. The issued visa, however, is not a guarantee that the holder is automatically admitted. Immigration authorities assigned to every port of entry in the Philippines are the ones responsible for admission.
There are a nationals from certain countries who may enter the Philippines without a visa but should meet the following conditions. Their visit to the Philippines should not last more than 21 days. They should also hold valid tickets for their return trip or to their next destination. For the list of countries whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa you may visit the Philippine Government web site.
Brazil and Israel Passport holders may visit the Philippines even without a visa. These nationals should limit their visit to the country to 59 days or less.
The following passport holders are also allowed to enter the Philippines even without a visa. Those from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), British National Overseas (BNO), Portuguese Passports issued in Macao, and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Passport holders. They are only allowed to stay in the Philippines for seven days or less.
You can only apply for a Temporary Visitor’s Visa in person. Minors under 18 may be represented by someone responsible for them. But these minors will be required to appear in person with their representative for the Consulate interview.
You may apply for a Temporary Visitor’s Visa at the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in your country. The minimum requirements for a Temporary Visitor’s Visa are the following: (1) passport or any travel document that has a validity of over six months after your visit to the Philippines, (2) your visa application forms, (3) any document that proves that you are a businessman or a tourist, (4) your tickets for your return home or to your next travel distination, (5) your payment for the visa fee, and (6) two passport photos.
Having a visa in your hand is necessary to be able to enter legally in the Philippines. And if you want to extend your stay in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines will be happy to help you secure the extension of your stay. Other visa information is available at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration web site.
