American Expat in the Philippines
When I first read this breaking story about domestic travel restrictions being lifted in the Philippines, I was as excited as a turd in a toilet bowl. Was the Philippines finally on track to loosen some quarantine lockdown measures? While I applaud the Inter-Agency Task Force, IATF, for attempting to issue uniform travel protocols across … Read more
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte rejected the advice of his own COVID-19 taskforce that urged the President to loosen lockdown restrictions across the Philippines. Even Francisco Duque, the only physician on the taskforce, composed mainly of military and police generals, said the Philippines was ready for the Modified General Community Quarantine, MGCQ.
Metro Manila Mayors Vote to Loosen More Restrictions There are tens of thousands of tourists, if not millions, wanting to visit the Philippines. Many of them want to wiggle their toes in the sandy white beaches of Boracay. In addition, there are foreigners who desire to visit their loved ones. Consequently, will all foreign tourists … Read more
Shopping at home online vs. going out to the city Excursions to nearby Iloilo City via motorized wooden-hulled banca boats ended January 1, 2021. MARINA, the Maritime arm of the Philippine Department of Transportation, banned the banca boats, pump boats. The ban, announced years in advance, was part of a modernization program to replace the … Read more
Might just be Easier to Book a Trip to the Moon I’ll keep this short. While checking the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s Facebook page this morning, I ran across some interesting information. The graphics come from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. On thing about the Philippines, they never make things easy. Herein, are “18 … Read more
New Regulations to Take Place Feb. 16, 2021 First of all, this story broke late Friday afternoon, February 5, 2021. Supposedly, the Philippines’ COVID-19 Task Force is going to allow more foreigners in the country. That’s what the headlines were announcing on a multitude of online newspapers. The new regulations are to take place February … Read more
A Sliver of Sanity Sweeps across the Archipelago “Pandemic fatigue.” It’s a condition perhaps suffered by people all across the planet. Aren’t many of us tired of hearing the same old phrases? “Social distancing.” “Wear your mask.” “Wash your hands.” Frankly, I am. The Philippines’ first coronavirus case was a little over a year ago. … Read more
HOWEVER, ONLY 15-65 YEAR OLDS ALLOWED TO GO OUT UNDER COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS First of all, I was scratching my fat kano head while watching the news last night. Pia Hontiveros, CNN anchor, was delivering the latest newscast while comfortably sitting in front of a fireplace. (Fireplace in the Philippines, you might wonder. It was 19.9 … Read more