Magic(al) Realism

Guide for Pinoys: Tourist Visa Application for China

11:43 AM

Some friends have asked me about visa application for China and I just remembered this is a long overdue post.

Yes, we still need a visa going to China kahit beshy-beshy na ang current admin with them, while Taiwan have granted and even extended visa-free for Filipino tourists. Oooh the ironies of this One-China Policy.

Anyway, I went to Beijing and Inner Mongolia last December 2018- January 2019 to visit a dear friend who is taking her PhD in Xishuangbanna. This supposedly will merit a long post but my lazy self overruled. 😜

So for fellow Pinoys travelling to mainland China, here are the needed requirements for first-time applicants:

Your passport. Make sure it is valid for a minimum of 6 months upon travel to avoid hassle at the immigration.
Filled- out visa application form. You can download it here: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/sblhqz_660598/P020130828561586361528.pdf Type your answers and do not leave any field blank. Put N/A if the item does not apply. Again, type first your answers before printing!
Photo – Please provide 2 color photos and affix one of the photos on the Application Form. The photo should be recent (within 6 months), front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. DO NOT STAPLE YOUR PHOTO!
Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance (including the past 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate. Just go to your bank and request for this and this usually takes around 3-5 days. So how much should you have in your bank account? It will depend on the length of stay in China. My modest calculation is around Php 2,000- P3, 000 per day x the number of days you will stay there. If you have more, why not coconut?! 😀
BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form (I submitted our company pay slip)
Certificate of Employment (detailing the salary and the length of employment
Business Registration Certificate (if you are the owner);
Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable).
Other relevant documents proving the applicant's economic condition/ employment/study, or supporting the applicant's travel to China, or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable);
Copy of your round-trip airline ticket
Travel Itinerary. There are a lot of online guides already on which area you plan to visit. Tailor fit based on the number of days you are there. If you are taking a guided tour, then you can ask them to send the itinerary.
Copy of Hotel reservation.
If you are not staying in a hotel and say your friend invited you over, you have to get an invitation letter* and the photocopy of the inviter's Chinese ID/ Passport with Chinese Residence Permit.

* The above mentioned invitation letter must contain the following information:1) Information on the applicant : full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
2) Information on the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
3) Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.

The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
The proofs of kinship refers to marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship
issued by Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.

If you cannot personally give your application or if you are travelling as a group, ensure an authorization letter and photocopy of your ID, for the one who will submit the requirements on your behalf.

You can apply at the Chinese Consular Office in Makati.
Address:
2nd Floor, the World Center,
330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue,
Makati City, Metro Manila

You can now also apply at Chinese Consular Office in Davao City
Address:
Acacia Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City
Tel No.: 082-298-7471

REMEMBER, Visa application is only in the morning, from 09:00 am to 11:00 am, Monday to Friday.

Regular processing is 4 days to get your visa.
Visa payment for Single entry is Php 1,400 upon claiming. You have to pay in cash!

Again, you have to collect personally your visa for the consular office. Walang delivery service sila mga mamsh. If you're travelling as a group and just one person will get it, ensure again an authorization letter and photocopy of ID.

CHECK THE DETAILS OF YOUR VISA BEFORE YOUR LEAVE THE CONSULAR OFFICE.

Make sure that the dates are correct. It should cover the date of your arrival and exit.

These requirements are only for tourist visa. If you need other types of visa, you can check more details from the China Embassy in Ph here: http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/visas/t960523.htm

RULE OF THUMB WHEN APPLYING FOR ANY VISA:
Bahala ng sumobra ang dala mong documents, kesa magkulang at pababalikin ka. Oh the hassle!
Better to be prepared, have extra documents rather than scramble for forgetting one seemingly petty document.

#RaiseYourFlag at one of the original part of Great Wall in Huairou District, Beijing

I hope this helps. Message me if you want clarifications.

And I have a separate post for the must- have apps that will help you around in China. Kanji letters mostly dun mga mamsh and if you go outside of the city centers, konti lang ang nag-Eenglish, so better equip yourself with helpful apps. 😉

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Asia

Introduction to Yangon (Rangoon)

7:00 AM

Myanmar is a relatively a new democracy, as per Western standards of nation-building. Just came out of military dictatorship, this nation is grappling with the entry of investments, economic zones and entry of tourists.

What's in the news?

The first time I read about Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is Amy Tan’s novel, Saving the Fish from Drowning way back in 2008. That novel used a ghost perspective looking at the American tourists travelling from China to Myanmar. The tourists were kidnapped by Karen people of Myanmar as one of the American teenagers was the prophesied savior who will lead them to victory. While the tourists did not know they are even abducted but thought it was part of a great jungle adventure! The novel is half spoof and fairy tale and an irony of sorts, how can you save the fish from drowning? It’s like taking out of the fish because you’re afraid for it to get drown in deep water. And it also talked about the uneasy political situation in Burma, including the debates on changing its name.

Anyway, I got hooked with that novel that I gave it to my younger sister as her reading assignment. And it all came back to me when my colleagues told me about Myanmar and its recent ‘reopening’ to the world after the military junta was ‘overthrown’.

Myanmar is a former British colony and an extension of the Indian province, were problematic British soldiers and ambitious Indian professionals have been tasked to serve. The country has a long history of struggle for its independence from foreign colonizers up to the military rule after.

You might also wonder, what is the correct name, Myanmar or Burma? Before, it was politically incorrect to use the name Myanmar. The U.S. government refused to use Myanmar as it does not acknowledge the name change made in 1989 by the country's military junta.

The military rulers had changed several other mispronounced name places from the British colonial period such as “Mergui” as Myeik, “Rangoon” as Yangon, “Pegu” as Bago.

The name change to Myanmar was recognized by the United Nations and by countries such as France and Japan, but not by the United States and the United Kingdom. With some political reforms made by their former President Thein Sein, it was only with President Obama’s administration that the US started to use Myanmar.

Their democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi also uses 'Burma' in English but in her statements published in Burmese she has used 'Myanmar' instead of 'Bamar'."

One of our fellow traveler asked our guide what is the politically correct one to use. Myo, our guide said, Myanmar have 135 officially recognizes ethnic groups. Burma (Bamar), is only one of it and is considered the largest ethnic group. Renaming this ethnically diverse country means inclusivity. Myanmar, is a Burmese word of Myanma meaning “swift and strong.”

Now back to our trip.

So when you visit here, it is a must I daresay you take the Free Yangon Walk Tour by Beyond Borders that happens every Monday and Wednesday at 4PM. The walk starts at Maha Bandula Park in front of the City Hall and Sule Pagoda. You will learn a lot of inside stories you have to read only in history books and I know you have no time for that.

Sule Pagoda, a 48 meter (152 feet) high golden dome was used by the British as the nucleus of their grid pattern for the city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s. The pagoda's peculiarity is its octagonal- shaped pagoda. which retains its shape as it tapers to the spire.

Sule Pagoda at night

This is one of the most notable landmarks and a historical area for demonstrations and large gatherings. Sule Pagoda, for one is the gathering point for the 1988 Uprising or the 8-8-88 Nationwide Popular Pro-Democracy Protests and the 2007 Saffron Revolution, protests against Myanmar's military dictatorship led by the monks.

The day we arrived is the day of our walking tour too. February 27, Wednesday. It was an auspicious day too as we witnessed the huge gathering of people in support for the amendments of the 2008 Constitution.

Crowd supporting the call for the 2008 Constitution amendment at Maha Bandula Park, infront of the City Hall

Their 2008 Constitution was made during the military junta and it states that he Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) retain significant control of the government. 25% of seats in the Parliament are reserved for serving military officers. The ministries of home, border affairs and defense have to be headed by a serving military officer. The military also appoints one of the country's two vice presidents. The Commander in Chief of the army has powers that could even rival that of the President and with absolute power on state emergencies.

Looks like a good retirement plan for the army!

There is a call to amend the said Constitution however, the benchmark to pass the amendment is also extremely high! It requires more than 75 per cent of all representatives in the national parliament, as well as more than half the votes at a national referendum. This leaves no doubt that the military controls the current constitutional amendment process, given that it occupies 25 per cent of the seats in parliament. The provision on amending the Constitution must be amended foremost to ensure that this is no longer the case.

An outsider looking in, I don’t know if they will get the votes considering the current composition of their Parliament, but boy, it was such a huge crowd and palpable excitement of a non-violent gathering. But we also saw military officers in plainclothes that day taking pictures. Memories of my student days rallying with military intelligence officers taking pictures came into my mind.

Which make us- the Philippines and Myanmar like siblings! We have that same experience in terms of military rule, dictatorship after colonization. So, it is now surprising to see a lot of Filipino NGO workers here in Myanmar, sharing the experience about Martial Law, community organizing and development principles. And with our current President appointing retired generals in the major Cabinet positions, we Filipinos are like Myanmar, militarization of the bureaucracy! Same same but different.

The walking tour have introduced us to the colonial buildings in downtown Yangon with British colonial era designs: Victorian, Queen Anne, Neoclassical, Art Deco and British-Burmese. Many of these buildings are clustered along streets laid out in a chessboard pattern centered on the Sule Pagoda.

Downtown aerial view from http://yangonarchitecture.tumblr.com

Top: Rander House (1932) now Internal Revenue Department took over the lower floors, while the top floors were turned into apartments.

Left: Accountant General's Office and Currency Department where collections of colonial government revenue that came from opium), salt, custom duties, railways, post offices, telegraphs and major irrigation works.

Right: Sofaer’s Building designed by Isaac Sofaer, a Jewish immigrant from Baghdad, where Egyptian cigars & European luxury items were sold

If you are interested more with the colonial buildings in Kyaktuada Township, Yangon's downtown area, check out Architectural Guide Yangon: for more in-depth history of each buildings.

We also chanced upon people preparing htamane, sticky rice along the road.

This where the financial district thrives with smuggled books, bookshop area in Pansodan Street. We went as far as the bridge going to the jetty during sunset. One thing you will notice here, they have a lot of crows!

Inquisitive Walking Group at Myanma Port Authority on the background

We ended the tour at Yangon Stock Exchange, formerly the Reserve Bank of India. We parted ways with our guide Myo and our fellow travelers.

Liezl and I were famished with all the walking! So, we went back to Maha Bandula Park to try the local food in one of the many stalls offering noodles and fresh juices. We ate rice noodles and sugar cane juice, ordering in halting English and sign language. The young woman serving our noodles and her twin sister (we assumed) were amazed. They thought we’re also Burmese. They keep on giggling at us, Asians. I told her, we’re same same. 😊 They wore dresses and with thanaka, that paste-like powder in their faces that served as moisturizer, make-up and sunscreen.

rice noodles with fresh veggies for the famished souls!

Here’s a thing in Myanmar. You will see young men and women in all ages wearing thanaka and their traditional clothes still. Men still wear longyi, a tubular textile rather than pants as compared to other Asian counterparts. Polo shirts on top and longyi, hoooow comfortable!

hand-painted postcards from Hla Days

of course, I tried the thanaka on myself. It leaves a cooling sensation on your face! I brought one home.

So while we in Southeast Asia are same same, this is distinctly Myanmar- thanaka and longyi. And they are proud and tall with it.

We walked to Hla Days, a social enterprise store with a collection of different products across Myanmar. I bought handmade postcards, hand-painted by differently-abled persons while Liezl was charmed by a lovely wrap-around skirt.

Downstairs is the highly rated trip advisor Rangoon Tea House. We went inside to look and indeed, it is full of tourists. Liezl and I wanted to try it, but we realized we only have a few thousand kyats (chats) left and only for taxi fare.

We hailed a cab and told him our hotel. We are negotiating in broken English still when this delivery guy on his bike stopped and helped us out. He told the cab driver the address in the local language and told us the amount he is asking. 4,000 kyats. That’s around Php 138.00. We agreed immediately. And only to be told, it was already expensive! Our grab ride from the hotel to downtown area is 2,300 kyat (Php 79.00).

Travel Tip: ask the person in charge in your hotel reception to write your Hotel’s name and address in Burmese.

So yes, fellows, it’s kinda cheap even to our Pinoy standard cost. I will share our guesstimate costs with our no-frills chill itinerary in a separate post.

That's it for Day 1 of our Yangon adventure!

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Random Thoughts

Karma and Chance Encounters

1:38 PM

I was in Mandaluyong 2 weeks ago for a meeting. I was representing my cousins who are planning to have a franchise of a gluta drip and spa and I’m meeting its owner at Coffee Bean. The owner was late for 30 minutes. I don't mind as I have brought my work along with me.

I was midway my work when the spa owner arrived. He and I had a good chat for an hour, he answered all my queries and the needed requirements. He left and I continued my work when someone tapped me on my shoulder..” May Cheeeee? Is that really you?”

Standing in front of me, is our smiling, bespectacled high school valedictorian who is now an oncologist. At first I could not believe this man is the boy whom I kicked his chair he almost feel on his face! I always remember this incident and I always feel bad but somehow happy knowing that I have a story associated with this humble doctor. Fun times.

We told anecdotes and memories shared at our high school alma mater. We updated each other on our current works, difficulties and passion projects that needs pursuing. We decided to have an early dinner slash merienda catch up. He’s just living in the area and knows a good place to chill. We rode the tricycle and reminisced our high school days riding the tricycle after school despite the hazards of overloading. Looking back, we’re indeed reckless, wild and free.

We talked and laughed till our bellies ached. I still can’t believe that after how many years of not meeting each other, we will have a brief encounter here in the Big Metro, of all places! He also told me was just done with his laundry and decided to drop by at the coffee shop. And the delayed start of my earlier meeting coincided with this chance encounter.

Partly, one of the reasons why I’m restarting this blog is because of Lance. Lance is first person I know who’s been blogging (bottling his brain!) since high school and who reads voraciously! Imagine, he can still blog despite his daily rounds at the hospital!

Now, that’s a challenge for my procrastinating self.

Snacks with Merlot at Locavore. Sooooo Tito/a!! 😊

Thank you Doc Lance for reminding me to go back to what I love doing. Indeed, ‘old’ friends keep you grounded. And I can’t help but think of Murakami’s quote:

Even chance meetings are the result of karma… Things in life are fated by our previous lives. That even in the smallest events there’s no such thing as coincidence.

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travel diary

DORA IS BACK!!

10:46 AM

After much prodding from friends, I am back slowly into blogging. As I posted here, I’ve been all wrapped up with bigger responsibilities the past years. I’ve been travelling both for work and personal inclination. I still do document my thoughts through my journals or notes in my phone.

Just recently, I deleted the notes in my phone and I accidentally deleted its back-up as I was trying to free up some space. %^U@$CRYVX. There go my daily thoughts in Batanes!

I post a few pictures in Facebook every time I travel and several friends messaged me how, the budget and what places to see. I promised them to post about it once I have my free time.

It’s been months and adulting has a way of sucking up all your energies. I know this should not be an excuse but, I warn you now. As you grow older, naps and long uninterrupted sleep is your bestfriend!

Anyway, I just want to say Hello and thank you for the friendships tested by time, for the new acquaintances, travel companions I’ve met along the way and to my online clients who believed in my writing skills even though this virtual space has been in hiatus for quite some time.

I will try to share the backstories- anecdotes, people I’ve met on the road, travel mishaps and some tips on the places I visited. Again, I am no expert. I just want to share to you the joy of exploring. You do not need to be rich to travel. There are a lot of budget airlines now, you just need to take note of those seat sales and your vacation leaves!

Also, I won’t be telling you how to be frugal to the point of haggling too much (sobrang barat) to the detriment of the locals. Know when to haggle as if you’re being made to pay 4x the average price, and know when to respect that tourism is the only source of income and the impact of high inflation rate in the area. Take note: Hindi mo ikakamatay ang dagdag na Php 50 sa bayad sa habal-habal or tricycle especially when you’re travelling solo. Travel to help local economy, buy the local products.