VIA process has changed Hi, thanks for writing this up. I think recently the process has changed at VIA center in makati.
I went there on a Monday around 12 noon, (this was the second floor of Allegro building) and I had to wait 2 hours, and then documents-checking took a full hour.
The BIG Change is that after all my documents were checked, they said I needed to return on another day with an appointment for "Compliance" which is located on the 3rd floor. They said the earliest appointment i could get was 2 weeks away because all the slots were filled until then but I fought and argued and luckily got an earlier date only 3 days later. They didn't even keep my documents, it was returned to me.
I don't know if this was because I was missing 2 documents which they told me to bring. (But then why couldn't I simply return the next day with the new documents??).
Anyway, this is just a heads-up for any other readers of your blog, to plan accordingly.
Hi Im also planning to go in Europe but in only one country. In italy. Do you think how much ill be needing to stay there like more or less 90 days. Amd if i book temporary hotel does the italian immigration here in Manila will check it? And so i really need that hotel for 3 months?
Glenda To be on the safe side you'll have to show at least 150 euros for every day that you're there so you will have to show at least 800,000 Pesos in your bank account. And yes they will check your accommodation bookings
Gaudi was a genius I also abolutely love the art and architecture od Gaudi. He sure was a genius. You didn't visit Parc Guell. did you? If you didn't you missed something there. /Ake
Loved seeing the GoT locations I recognised the steps but not where Arya got stabbed. We're planning on re-watching all the old eps before Season 8 is released! Rubbing her foot on your leg? I think that girl's watched waaay too many 80s and 90s rom-coms :)
Loved seeing the GoT locations Yeah it was on that bridge. It's hard to recognize since they did a lot of CG but there are more places there that I did not include. Really cool to see them in person. Too bad I didn't have enough time to see Seville in the south but I'll be back someday! Lol at the 90s rom coms!
Kumusta! Hey! I was in Spain the same time as you. Did you see me!! ja ja ja I absolutely loved Barcelona, as did you! Great blog and pictures. I'm jealous you made it to Montserrat. I didn't have the time. Teaches you for wearing another countries scarf! Did you go to a game?
Kumusta! Didn't see you but I really thought I saw you in BC a few years ago working at a vintage shop until I read your blog where you mentioned that you worked in prison! No I didn't. Football is not a thing in the Philippines so it wasn't really in my radar
How did it go? I hope you made it to Europe! :) I just got back from Europe (Zurich,Munich,Budapest,Prague in 10 days!LOL) a week ago and I can honestly say that I think $2,000 (excluding plane fare) should be enough. You just have to be 'tipid' in some parts of your travel. :) Let me know how your trip went.
Nice to read your story I went to Rome alost ten years ago and visted the Vatican Museum and St Peter's Basilica. I wish I had thought about taking this photo then but I didn't. I have to enoy yours instead. /Ake
Nice to read your story Thanks! I thought it looked very beautiful so I snapped a photo. It's only when I wrote this entry that I discovered that it's actually famous enough to have a name
Raphael is now my official favorite artist. Oh the joy. that you say "After seeing thousands of paintings in one day you get tired of it and just look for the famous ones like the Da Vinci's, Raphael's, and Michealangelo's." Ah the irony of it Harold...you had to buy the souvenir fridge magnet within the Vatican walls to be authentic and it cost you three times more than outside the walls. So much magnificent art yet your everlasting memory is the ring that you slipped on and couldn't give back. Isn't travel grand? Always full of surprises!!!
Raphael is now my official favorite artist Oh yes it is! Haha! I still wear the ring sometimes and it always reminds me of that moment at St. Peter's Basilica whenever I put it on
Multiple entry visa Hey
With your multiple entry visa were you able to stay for the months then depart Australia and re enter for 3 months again? If so, how long do you have to exit the country before re entry?
Multiple entry visa Hi Kara! Yes you can re-enter for sure but I don't know how long you have to be away to go back. I guess a day outside of Australia is good enough?
Rome Losing your bus ticket then your wallet...sounds like excitement had overcome you. That you picked the world's worst hostel...genius. When in Rome do what the Romans do...lucky you Harold. Funny that you bang on that others may view you as a poor man from a Third World country...I can see you smiling and saying "I wonder what the poor people are doing"...Aussie saying when you are somewhere exotic having the time of your life! Am I right?
Rome Believe it or not I actually am poor. Or at least I see myself as one when I compare myself to people who I think have it all together. And being a traveler I can't help but compare my salary and lifestyle to people in developed countries where they earn at least twice more than what I make in a month. But most people think I have a lot of money because they say I travel a lot. But even that is relative because I don't see myself as well traveled yet even though I've been to 20 different countries now. Maybe because I meet a lot of people who have been to 60 and more. And because I read TB so much! So I don't feel like I've seen enough of the world when I look at your blog for example. But whatever my status is is not important as long as I am having fun. And yeah I guess it was a good thing that I picked a hostel that the locals would actually stay at. I didn't see it that way!
Total Amount in Bank Certificate Hi Sir. How much did you have in your bank certificate? was it all from continuous savings? and does it have to be in your account for at least 3 months? If you don't mind me asking. Just trying to get an idea of roughly how much I need to put in my account. Thanks.
I've always meant to save money, buy cars, properties, raise a family, etc. But the world is too big and beautiful, and it calls me to explore! Until then, the usual go-to-work-pay-bills-then-die type of life will have to wait. Follow me on Instagram @HaroldBernal... full info
Erwin
non-member comment
VIA process has changed
Hi, thanks for writing this up. I think recently the process has changed at VIA center in makati. I went there on a Monday around 12 noon, (this was the second floor of Allegro building) and I had to wait 2 hours, and then documents-checking took a full hour. The BIG Change is that after all my documents were checked, they said I needed to return on another day with an appointment for "Compliance" which is located on the 3rd floor. They said the earliest appointment i could get was 2 weeks away because all the slots were filled until then but I fought and argued and luckily got an earlier date only 3 days later. They didn't even keep my documents, it was returned to me. I don't know if this was because I was missing 2 documents which they told me to bring. (But then why couldn't I simply return the next day with the new documents??). Anyway, this is just a heads-up for any other readers of your blog, to plan accordingly.