Bali is one of those places that sparks just the most picturesque of places in our minds. Its glossy beaches, lush jungles, and temples and that famous Instagrammable spot in between two pillars of stone are just a few of its wonders.
Bali, Indonesia | Photo from Unsplash
A great news for the wanderers of the world is that Bali is now open to international tourists. Tourists with feet that are just itching for a travel after that very long years of not being able to.
No worries though as we’ve got you. Here is everything that you need to know before experiencing a trip to Bali, Indonesia:
Visa Exemption for PH
The best thing about Bali is that us Filipinos are not required a Visa to visit as we are under the Visa Exemption Arrangement. With this, we can even stay for a maximum stay of 30 daysto properly immersed ourselves into the local culture.
Requirements for Visit Visa Exemption:
Passport that’s valid for a minimum of six (6) months
Return ticket or pass to continue the trip to another country
Proof of ownership of health insurance
Bali, Indonesia | Photo from Unsplash
Requirements for travel from Philippines to Bali
As the pandemic is still here, we should still be vigilant with our health and safety as well as the medical and travel requirements you need to have:
Proof of vaccination (both digital and physical) showing the traveler has complete doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered 14 days before departure. Otherwise, a:
Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure
Download the mobile application “PeduliLindungi” available on iOS and Android
Register an E-Hac or Electronic Health Alert Card via PeduliLindungi
Prepare travel insurance with USD 25,000 minimum coverage, including medical and treatment expenses for COVID-19
Bali, Indonesia | Photo from Unsplash
Quarantine Rules
Vaccinated tourists – Quarantine is not required (including those who have complete doses of vaccine at least 14 days before departure)
Unvaccinated tourists/ Incomplete doses– mandatory five days quarantine upon arrival
IMDb just dropped gruesome and mysterious images from an upcoming indie horror movie titled Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.
Photo from IMDb
The movie is reportedly in post-production from writer/director Rhys Frake-Waterfield starring Amber Doig-Thorne, Maria Taylor and Danielle Scott as the main actors in the said film. According to the IMDb page, the film is a grisly retelling of the Winnie the Pooh “legend”.
Winnie the Pooh, a fictional anthrophomorphic teddy bear created by the English Author A. A. Milne, is one of the most popular characters adapted for film and television by the Walt Disney Company.
Check out the images from Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey here:
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
Photo from IMBDb
But this movie, of course, is not done by Disney now as our fluffy cutesie teddy bear is out of Disney’s clutches and went to the public domain about 4 months ago.
Although there’s no details on its release date yet, this film is an R-rated horror film so children under 17 are adviced to have an accompanying parent or adult guardian when watching this.
Every Cebuano has surely tasted lechon at least once in their life. The world-famous delicacy has become a staple for many Filipino occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, festivals, and many more.
Photo from Cochi by Marvin Agustin Facebook Page
But did you know, that there is a variety of this Filipino favorite that’s taking the internet by storm?
Probably first popularized by actor/chef Marvin Agustin, cochinillo is similarly prepared the same way as the traditional lechon.
Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Page
What’s the difference between a Cochinillo and a regular lechon?
The main difference is that cochinillos are suckling piglets, meaning they are around a month old only when prepared as a cochinillo. Most lechons use pigs that are already weaned while cochinillos use younger pigs.
Viral videos of chef Marvin Agustin crushing cochinillos with a plate has become very popular, intriguing the Filipino audience.
Chef Marvin prepares and sells cochinillos from his restaurant and his videos are part of his marketing stint, which proved to be very effective.
Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Page
Cochinillos are revered by meat enthusiasts particularly because of its tender and tastier meat. Cooked in an oven until crispy, the moist and tasty meat of the cochinillo that its meat easily falls off the bone.
The buttery flavor is also noted, which is mentioned not to be present in most traditional lechons. They are also quite good when paired with a special sauce, mostly consisting of suka pinakurat and soy sauce.
Photo from Cochi by Marvin Agustin Facebook PagePhoto from Cochi by Marvin Agustin Facebook PagePhoto from Cochi by Marvin Agustin Facebook Page
Although quite relatively new in the Philippines, cochinillos have actually existed a long time ago already in other countries. The El Sobrino de Botín in Madrid, Spain which is known as the oldest restaurant in the world that is still in operation has served the roasted suckling or el cochinillo around the 1700s.
Among other Spanish dishes, the cochinillos are one of their best-sellers and up to this day, still a crowd favorite.
Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Page
In Cebu, various lechon shops and stores have started selling cochinillos via special orders. During Christmas, they have become quite in demand, as most Filipinos wanted to try something new aside from the traditional lechon.
For those who want to work abroad, then this might be the opportunity for you.
Last May 18, 2022, the Facebook page of POEA Government Placement Branch In-Action posted a Recruitment Specification Form or RSF stating that Japan is in need of professional nurses and healthcare workers to work for the country.
Tokyo, Japan | Photo from Unsplash
The Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services or JICWELS mentioned that they are in need of 50 nurses or kangoshi and 300 healthcare workers or kaigofukushishi in their native language.
The following are the qualifications for each position:
NURSES:
Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing with active PRC license;
Minimum of three (3) years hospital work experience;
Must be motivated and committed to work and study as candidate for “Kangoshi” to obtain a National License in Japan.
CAREWORKERS:
Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (with or without PRC license);
Graduate of four (4) year course BUT should submit TESDA National Certificate II in Caregiving (NC II)
Applicants are also required to undergo Japanese language proficiency which would last for twelve (12) months. This is mandatory before any applicants can undergo employment.
Qualified applicants can register online via POEA’s website and must personally submit the necessary documents:
Photo from Unsplash
NURSE/CAREWORKER:
Detailed resume with one (1) piece 2×2 recent picture
Clear photocopies of:
Transcript of Records (TOR)
College Diploma (4-year course degree)
Updated Certificate of Employment, if applicable
Japanese Language Training Certificate, if available
Valid TESDA NC II Certificate in Caregiving (if not BS Nursing Graduate)
Valid NBI Clearance (multi-purpose)
PEOS Certificate
Printed copy of Worker’s Information Sheet/E-Registration
Applicants’ passports should be valid within six (6) months from the date of scheduled departure. Also, applicants are required to present their original documents for further checking of written information before forwarding the resume to the employer.
Furthermore, those who have a previous record of entry in Japan either as “kangoshi” or “kaigofukushishi” under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) or Technical Internship Committee shall be disqualified.
Matsuyama, Japan | Photo from Unsplash
The set deadline for the applications are:
May 24, 2022 POEA Regional Offices
May 25, 2022 POEA Central Office
Photo from POEA Government Placement Branch In-Action
Photo from POEA Government Placement Branch In-Action
Photo from POEA Government Placement Branch In-Action
Filipinos love to travel, this one is like an undeniable fact at this point and luckily for us, more and more countries are opening up to our country allowing us to travel Visa-Free.
Jeju Island | Photo from Unsplash
One of these who have opened their gates again after the pandemic started is the beautiful South Korea which we have seen in dramas and movie a whole lot in our screens especially Jeju Island.
Both Jeju Island will welcome tourists visa-free starting June 1, 2022 as announced by South Korea’s Interior and Safety Minister Jeon Hae-cheol last May 4 and further said that South Korea will gradually open up to international tourists once COVID-19 cases in the country continue to decline.
This visa-free program wa started in 2002 to promote tourism on Jeju Island.
But wait there’s more as not only will you be able to see and experience Jeju Island but also Gangwon province. Jeju Island’s waiver for Filipinos will be through the Jeju International Airport while Gangwon province is through Yangyang Airport.
Jeju Island | Photo from Unsplash
Stay for 30 days in SK
Yes. You’ve read that right. International tourists can stay for as long as 30 days to fully enjoy the sights and sounds of South Korea and its festivities. You’d be able to adapt to the local life in the provinces in no time.
International events will be taking place in Gangwon province as well which makes it the opportune moment to visit.
Gangwon-do, South Korea | Photo from Unsplash
Jeju Island Top Attractions to visit
Mount Hallasan
Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls
Seonim Bridge
Jungmun Saekdal Beach
Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff
Gangwon Province Top Attractions to visit
Nami Island
Jumunjin Beach
Byeolmaro Observatory
Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge
Seoraksan National Park
Jeju Island | Photo from Unsplash
Before travelling though, always remember to do your research beforehand on the countries’ entry requirements.
What are you waiting for, reenact those famous scenes in all your favorite Kdramas and visit South Korea now.
It’s time to give-back to our modern-day superheroes.
Their worries will now be alleviated as the one-of-a-kind hospital built specifically for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) called the OFW Hospital in Pampanga is now operational.
Photo from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook Page
It is a special kind of hospital and a first of its kind as it mainly provides medical care and health services to both OFWs and their dependents.
OFW Hospital started its partial operations as a polyclinic last May 2 and will be fully operational by the end of June 2022 as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration and inspection of the hospital last May 1.
Photo from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook PagePhoto from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook PagePhoto from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook Page
Operating as a polyclinic, only ordinary treatment and outpatient services are provided in the hospital for now. Don’t worry if you have many questions, as a “Malasakit Center and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration desk” will also be set up to provide you with further assistance once you are within the premises of the OFW Hospital.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, when the hospital is fully operational by June, medical equipment will be already transferred and set up in the facility like Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized tomography (CT) scan, Dialysis equipment and others that are worth P200 million in total.
Photo from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook Page
Operation of the hospital is made possible by the following:
Provincial government of Pampanga- Donated land used for the hospital worth P400 million
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – owner and manager of the hospital
Bloomberry Cultural Foundation- cost of construction
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) – funding the procurement of medical equipment
UP-Philippine General – initial operationalization of the hospital’s polyclinic
provide assistance in training clinical and administrative personnel
planning and acquisition of hospital equipment
formulation of clinical and fiscal process flow
Photo from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook PagePhoto from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook PagePhoto from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook PagePhoto from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook Page
Some netizens took to Tiktok to document their experience in the newly built OFW hospital and to be a direct witness of its free services and the reviews are all good so no need to hesitate to avail their services.
Our K-dream to visit South Korea is now just one flight away!
Cebu Pacific will resume international service from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in July 2022, starting with flights to South Korea.
Photo from Cebu Pacific Air
Beginning July 3, the low-cost carrier plans to run twice weekly flights from Cebu to Seoul (Incheon) in response to the South Korean government’s efforts to reduce travel restrictions for foreign tourists.
“We are very happy to restart this flight as we know passengers in the Visayas and Mindanao have been looking forward to travel internationally again, without needing to pass by Manila,”
SAID XANDER LAO, CEB CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER.
“We hope to expand our international network more in the coming months as we’ve already stabilized operating over 100% of our pre-pandemic domestic capacity,” he stressed.
Photo from Cebu Pacific Air Facebook Page
Fully vaccinated tourists going to Seoul must secure the following requirements:
A negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 48 hours of departure
Everyone is talking about it and almost everyone is invested in it and in the rare case that you haven’t been aware of the ongoing defamation trial case of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard then you might want to read our list for it is by far the most interesting high-profile case today.
Photo by John Phillips/UK Press via Getty Images
It is like watching a movie or a tv series but happening in real life. It got drama, lies, emotions, attitudes, mistakes, shocking and eye-opening evidence and events and also a free learning on Law and trials.
1. The dog or human poo in the bed
This really is at the top of our list as it is the most unbelievably funny thing that has been brought up in court. There was poo in Johnny Depp’s side of the bed after an argument with his ex-wife and it was said to be human feces placed out of spite but Amber swears it’s of their dog. This information got so out of hand in twitter that it has its own hashtag trending #Amberturd.
2. Depp’s cut-off finger
The first to had his testimony was Johnny Depp and the world was shocked as he testified to be the Domestic Abuse/ Intimate Partner Violence victim and states that Amber is the abuser in the relationship. He then proceeded to share his experience including the time where he got his finger cut-off. He testified that Amber Heard threw a bottle that severed his finger. He also had a burn mark on his face that he also said to be his ex-wife’s doing, putting out a lit cigarette on his face.
Photo from REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
3. Testimony being debunked by make-up company
Miss Amber Heard’s lawyer initially talked about the alleged make-up kit that her client uses to cover up the bruises that she allegedly had. She brough the kit and said that this is the what Amber always brings in her bag during the entire relationship. The company though debunked the lawyer’s statement with a Tiktok video showing that the kit was released in 2017, months after the relationship ended which was in 2016.
Photo form FOX YouTube Channel
4. Lawyer objecting to his own question
It really has everything, these live broadcasts. It even has blunders for comedic effect with Amber Heard’s lawyer objecting to his own question. Johnny Depp’s witness was being questioned in the stand by said lawyer and normally, it is the opposing lawyers who will say “objection hearsay” but he did it after asking the question himself in which the judge actually said “But you asked the question”. To be fair though, lawyers says that it is a possible mistake during trials as it tends to be very long and high tension.
5. Big Knife as a gift to Johnny from Amber to Johnny
The beautiful big knife was a gift from Amber to Johnny and it was presented to the court and jury in actuality. It was to better assess its size and the danger it can possess. The point of Johnny Depp’s lawyers is that a victim would not possibly gift their abuser a weapon that could potentially harm them further.
Jury shown knife Amber Heard gave Depp | Photo from Independent
6. Plenty of Voice recordings
As all trials go, lots and lots of evidence were presented and the most telling are the voice recordings of their arguments as they do recordings regularly. Those recording were cringy and tells everyone that the relationship was toxic. It also records Amber being angry at Johnny as he tends to leave during a fight and hides. She also admitted hitting Johnny Depp, her exact words were “I did not punch you, I was hitting you”.
7. TMZ owning the copyright of Amber’s video
As it is such a high-profile case and with it being broadcast live, everyone can see and react and make content everywhere. One of the videos presented as evidence though was of Johnny attacking the kitchen cabinets. The most interesting part is that it was copyright claimed by the tabloid, TMZ, which raised the question who gave/sold it to them.
Photo from Law&Crime Network YouTube Channel
8. Gone Girl similarity
When it was time for Amber Heard to give her testimony, she testified that she was beaten a lot by her ex-husband. She further claims that she was sexually abused with a bottle on her private part which is very similar to what happened in “Gone Girl”.
9. Donated and pledged used as synonyms
Camille Vasquez, Johnny’s lawyer did the cross-examination on Amber and when it was time for the donation topic, she insisted that she did donate the 7 Million settlement money to charity as she has “pledged” the entirety. When it was clarified that the question was donated not pledged, she said that she uses the words “donated and pledged” synonymously.
10. The start of “Men too” movement
One of the most powerful recordings and the one that Johnny Depp’s team ended with is this.
“Tell the world, Johnny Depp, tell them, I, Johnny Depp, a man, I am a victim too of domestic violence, and see how many people believe or side with you.”
We already have the “Me Too” movement for sexually abused women and now this case and this statement made a great impact to men who claims to have also been abused by their partners. It goes to say that everyone can be an abuser no matter the gender.
Photo from AP via MARCA
We feel bad for the people who are actually involved in the case but it can’t be denied that this defamation case with all its evidence and revelations is very interesting and gets you watching it for hours. We just hope that the truth will come out and justice will be served to those who deserve it.
“I am an artist. I always have been and always will be an artist in service because I am not my circumstances.”
These are the passionate words shared by the inspiring Xyza Cruz Bacani who recently graduated with Master of Arts in Arts and Politics program at the Tisch school in New York University last March 18
Photo from Xyza Cruz Bacani
She is a world-renowned photographer known for her powerful, subtle, and intimate images of our Filipino migrant workers all over the world. Her photos have even been featured in New York Times and CNN.
Bacani is surely an inspiration not only for what she put out in to the world but also for the journey of how she got there.
Photo from Xyza Cruz Bacani on NYU
She was an OFW herself, working as a domestic helper and nanny in Hong Kong along with her mother. Her moment came when a Filipino photographer Rick Rocamora “discovered” her black and white photographs online.
Then, NYU saw great potential in her and offered her a scholarship for a Master’s program even without a college degree.
“I am a graduate of Masters in Arts and Politics at New York University. Even without a college degree, NYU took a chance on me. I am a scholar and grateful to people who paved the way for me to dream, who saw my potential and extended their generosity,”
– BACANI, GRADUATION POST
As a street and documentary photographer, Bacani is a recipient of several prestigious recognitions:
One of “BBC’s 100 Women of the World 2015,”
“Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2016”
Grantee of Pulitzer Center
Photo from Xyza Cruz BacaniPhoto from Xyza Cruz Bacani
She had her work cut out for her as it was never easy especially with her skipping an academic degree but nevertheless, she described her time at NYU as a fun and humbling experience.
You or someone you know may have a name that contained clerical or typographical error. Unfortunately, most of the time, these errors are left as is, as most parents at that time had no luxury of going through the entire process just to have their child’s name corrected.
Photo from Unsplash
Luckily, that won’t be the case anymore as Republic Act No. 10172 has already existed since 2012. But you might be asking, ‘what is this law all about?’
Republic Act No. 10172 or “An Act Further Authorizing the City or Municipal Civil Registrar or the Consul General to Correct Clerical or Typographical Errors in the Day and Month in the Date of Birth or Sex of a Person Appearing in the Civil Register Without Need of a Judicial Order, Amending for This Purpose Republic Act Numbered Ninety Forty-Eight”, removes the need of a judicial order in case a typographical error is officially recorded in the civil registrar.
This means that parents or guardians can appeal to the city or municipal civil registrar directly to clarify the correct name of a child and have it corrected without the need of a judicial order, which is required before this act was passed. Judicial orders are one of the main reasons for Filipinos who experience this blunder don’t bother having their child’s name corrected, particularly because of the fees and the long process involved.
Photo from Unsplash
Under the Section 1 or the Authority to Correct Clerical or Typographical Error and Change of First Name or Nickname of the R.A., it states that “No entry in a civil register shall be changed or corrected without a judicial order, except for clerical or typographical errors and change of first name or nickname, the day and month in the date of birth or sex of a person where it is patently clear that there was a clerical or typographical error or mistake in the entry, which can be corrected or changed by the concerned city or municipal civil registrar or consul general in accordance with the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.”
Section 2 describes ‘clerical or typographical error’ refers to a mistake committed in the performance of clerical work in writing, copying, transcribing or typing an entry in the civil register. This means that the law only allows the name correction for such instances. Parents or guardians who want to change their child’s name into a completely different name is not allowed.
Photo from Unsplash
Section 5 of the R.A. describes the necessary documents needed for a petition to be honored:
(1) A certified true machine copy of the certificate or of the page of the registry book containing the entry or entries sought to be corrected or changed;
(2) At least two (2) public or private documents showing the correct entry or entries upon which the correction or change shall be based; and
(3) Other documents which the petitioner or the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general may consider relevant and necessary for the approval of the petition.
A certain fee is still needed to be paid for those who want to go through this process, where section 4 states that all fees collected by the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general pursuant to this Act shall accrue to the funds of the Local Civil Registry Office concerned or the Office of the Consul General for modernization of the office and hiring of new personnel and procurement of supplies, subject to government accounting and auditing rules.
