BLOGGED PHILIPPINES

Cebu Pacific Will Hold Piso Fare Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 21:47:00 +0800

If you have a Cebu Pacific app, then you might have received a notification saying that Cebu Pacific will hold a 1 - Peso Fare promo or commonly known as Piso Fare promo this evening at 12:00AM, December 24, 2018.

This midnight!

The details of this promo is not yet out and the best way to find out is to stay late if you can and see for yourself. For the meantime, you can do the following:

1. List down any flights you wanted to book.

2. Check the calendar for 2019 and see the holidays next year.

3. Most importantly, check your budget and see how much you can spend for a holiday trip.

By doing the above things, you can prevent yourself from booking unnecessary flights.

You can also tune in to www.cebupacificair.com.

Cebu Pacific Seat Sale Promo Code: VISA for 294 Pesos Base Fare

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 5 Oct 2018 22:55:00 +0800

If you want to explore South East Asia, this is probably the best chance you had this month to get a cheap fare for next year. Cebu Pacific, Philippines' larges airline announces a flash sale offering as low as 294 Pesos base fare. Here are the destinations under this seat sale promo:

Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Incheon, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bali, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Jakarta

Note: Except for Hong Kong, all the rest are from Manila. Hong Kong promo is for flights coming from Cebu.

The seat sale is open for booking until October 6, 2018 while the travel period is from January 1 to March 31, 2019. To avail, just key in the word "VISA" in the promo code section. The promo poster is shown below.

Base Fare Only

Please take note that the figure shown above is just the base fare. Cebu Pacific began showing base fares recently in contrast with their previous practice of showing the all-in fare. On top of base fare, the passenger will need to pay taxes, admin fees and other charges. These charges can quickly add up.

Oh by the way, when booking, be extra careful. It's a general practice for airlines to put all sorts of stuffs to your flight by default like baggage, choice seating, insurance etc. You may need to manually disable these add-ons. Otherwise, you'll unwittingly pay for them. And just like I said, the cost can quickly add up.

No Visa Countries

Except for Incheon,South Korea, the rest of the international destinations in this seat sale promo are visa free for Philippine passport holders. For example, you can visit Hong Kong for up to 14 days without visa. Other countries above allows much longer stays. For the list of visa free countries for Filipinos, please see the article below.

[Read: List of Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos]

Tigerair Taiwan Will Fly Straight Cebu to Taipei

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 21:22:00 +0800

Tigerair Taiwan will begin flying directly Cebu to Taipei starting December 1, 2018. This is the airline's response to the steady increase in the demand for flights to Taiwan. The initial schedule for flights is every Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can book your tickets at www.tigerairtw.com.

Screenshot of Tigerair Taiwan website.

With this new route, Tiger Air Taiwan will compete with Philippines' largest airline, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines. The three will utilize the newly-opened Terminal 2 of Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

No Visa Policy Until July 31, 2019

The increase in demand for Taiwan fights is undoubtedly influenced by the relaxed visa policy of Taiwan for Philippine passport holders. Filipino visitors are allowed visa-free entry to Taiwan if they will only stay there up to 14 days. This experimental policy was implemented starting November 1, 2017 and was initially set to expire July 31, 2018. After that period of evaluation, the no-visa policy was extended until July 31, 2019.

Taiwan is now among the 161 countries in which Philippine passport holders can enter without visa. And since Taiwan is one of Philippines' closest neighbors, it has become a convenient place for international travel and recreation.

[Read: List of Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos]

You may wonder where's Tiger Air Philippines. Well, the short answer is: it was acquired by Cebu Pacific in 2014 and re-branded as Cebgo the next year.

iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr - Price and Availability in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 17:55:00 +0800

After months of rumors as to the design and features of the next-generation of Apple iPhones will look like, it was finally revealed last Wednesday (Tuesday in US) September 12. Apple announces the release of three new iPhones: iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr.

I will not talk much about the features of these new phones but here's some that I found interesting.

Xs Max us like the Plus version of older iPhones. It's the bigger iPhone Xs.
Xr is the new low-end iPhone. The only major difference between this and the iPhone Xs's is the screen. This one is LCD while the iPhone Xs's are OLED.
Dual SIM support - Nano + eSIM.

The all new iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xs. Photo by Apple Inc.

If you want to know more about the features of this new iPhones, you can visit Apple's website.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

As it has been in the past, Philippines is not included in the first or second batches of countries where these beautiful iPhones will be made available with. But the wait may not be that long. Give it a month or two after it goes on sale on the first and second batch of countries and then we can expect it to be launched locally either through Apple Philippines website or your favorite carriers: SMART and Globe.

While this is not official statement, I said this because last year, iPhone X was announced September 12, and it goes on sale November 3 and then it was launched in the Philippines December 1. That's barely a month! It looks like the same will happen this year.

Now if you really want to get it in your hands about the same time as the first batch of countries mentioned in the announcement, then you can easily find people who will be able sell it to you prior to it's official release locally. Of course, you will have to pay for a premium that will cover the cost of shipping as well as provide some profits to the seller to keep them interested. I would advise against this though since there are uncertainties as to the warranty and the quality of the product itself (did it break during shipping?).

Now let's talk about the price. What we currently know are the US dollar prices. Here's the start of the price points. Note that the lowest model has 64GB memory space in it.

iPhone Xr - 749 USD
iPhone Xs -999 USD
iPhone Xs Max - 1099 USD

To give you a better idea, last years 999 USD iPhone X turns out to be 64490 Pesos. You can ratio and proportion that and you may have guessed the final price.

The Most Advanced Expensive iPhone Ever

The iPhone Xs Max will be the most expensive iPhone ever! So much for its gorgeous design and for its amazing marketing, these new iPhones have broken the records. The question is: will you buy one? Let us know by your comments.

Cebu Pacific PISO FARE 2019 Promo!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 22:04:00 +0800

Cebu Pacific is about to reveal another edition of their famous PISO FARE seat sale promo this midnight. While there's not yet details as to the travel period, you may now start planning your trips late this year up to next year.

Cebu Pacific 1 Peso Base Fare on ALL destinations

About Piso Fare

Piso Fare is the brainchild of Cebu Pacific, once an unknown airline more than a decade ago, now the largest Philippine airline company flying Filipinos domestically and directly to Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Piso Fare is initially a literal one-peso all-in fare promo. I remember in 2009, I flew from Cebu to Manila for just one peso and all I need to pay is the bag and the terminal fee. Recently through, Piso Fare came to be just the base fare. The taxes, admin fees, terminal fees can add up pretty quickly and the all-in fare without baggage can be jabout 1000 pesos. But still, that's a significantly lower fare compared to regular ones.

Update on Details

As announced, Cebu Pacific is currently holding a PISO FARE 2019 seat sale promo. The travel period is from June 1 to September 30, 2019. The booking period is until September 13 or until seats last. All destinations are on sale except Melbourne (Australia) and Basco (Batanes)

Please take note that only the base fare is one-peso. Adding other fees such as taxes, the all-in fare will start from 481.12 Pesos for domestic and 851 Pesos for international travel.

You can book your tickets online at www.cebupacificair.com or via their mobile app available on both iOS and Android platforms. If you don't have credit cards, you can still book and reserve the ticket up to 24 hours. Just proceed with the booking and you can select the payment center options at the Payment section.

AirAsia Announces A New Piso Fare Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 4 Sep 2018 20:13:00 +0800

Good news everyone! AirAsia Philippines announces a new promo offering as low as 16 Pesos all-in fare on selected domestic destinations. International routes are also part of this sale though. The travel period is from February 18 to November 26, 2019. You can book your tickets online at www.airasia.com or via your AirAsia mobile app until September 8, 2018.

Screenshot of AirAsia's Promo poster

Travel From Clark

If you want to fly really cheap, then Clark is the hub of choice. AirAsia and Cebu Pacific has been increasing their presence in this airport. It's been here for quite sometime but it was not being utilized compared to NAIA in Manila. AirAsia use to fly here but at one point they pulled out their operation. Now they're back and in this seat sale, you'll get a really nice deal.

TIPS: 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Hong Kong!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 01:36:00 +0800

I traveled to Hong Kong last February this year, and that's my second vacation and 7th time there. Most of the time, I'm just passing by on the way to other destinations, so I know what I'm saying. So here are some tips to save money in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong as viewed from The Peak

1. Book a cheap lodging place

Hong Kong has one of the most expensive real estate, if not the most costly. You would understand then that renting a place there is so expensive. But because of the economy of scale, meaning the sheer number of tourists, some hotels could lower their prices to keep up with the competition. If you're not sensitive to the room size, you can have a decent place to stay for just 1000 pesos per person per night. It could be lower if you're in a group of 4 to 6. Book using agencies such as Agoda.com or Booking.com to see many options.

In my previous stays in Hong Kong, I stayed at Apple Inn in Mong Kok and KG Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui. Both offered excellent services. The rooms are tolerable! I always tell myself I'm not there for the room, and I'm always on the street. As long as it's sleep-able, I'm okay with it.

2. Use Bus over Train. No to Taxi

The bus can be around 20% cheaper than the train. Of course, train is much faster and more reliable than buses. If ever you decide to take the train as a primary way of transportation in Hong Kong, make sure you get an Octopus Card. With that, you can have small discounts which add up later.

A Double Decker bus in Hong Kong. Photo by mailer_diablo - Self-taken (Touched up), CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

3. Bring some food

Bringing food can save you a lot of money. You better get some if you're like me and don't trust street foods the first time. A few packs of crackers and cup noodles will solve your breakfast requirements without spending much. McDonald's, oh yes, my all-time favorite. McDonald's is my go-to place for familiar foods. But even with a simple meal, you can spend around 200 Pesos (30 HKD). And finally, bring lots of instant coffee or tea packs. Also, the foods I mentioned here are dry, light, and last longer.

Bring water containers such as tumblers, or you can spare the bottle of the bottled water you bought. If the hotel provides free water, take advantage of it. Water is expensive, just like anything else.

Lastly, if you can avoid eating inside Theme Parks, you'll save a lot—prices inside cost about twice that of the outside. And the thing is, in major theme parks such as Disneyland and Ocean Park, you can't just go out for lunch. It simply needs to be closer to the next cheap fast food.

4. Haggle in the Night Market

Everybody loves shopping! Well, okay, not everybody, but most do. When you see items displayed side by side, you can't help but desire them.

Mongkok Ladies Market. Photo by TonySKTO - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link

Here's a tip that works. If you ask how much the item is and the salesperson tells you a price, divide it by 5 to 10 and start haggling until you meet somewhere in the middle. For example, if they say that a keychain set is 20 Hong Kong dollars, say 4 HKD. You'll probably get it at 10 HKD or less. It works most of the time! If one seller refuses, don't hesitate to look for another one. I'm sure you'll find a seller willing to lower their prices to even more than half what they initially mentioned.

5. Use Klook.com to book your theme park

The Hing Kong Disneyland

Others offer much cheaper than what Klook.com offers. But here's the thing: if you have yet to try them, use Klook. They're legit! And they offer significant discounts. And I mean substantial. For example, you can reduce Ocean Park admission by 77HKD or 500 Pesos. Similarly, you can get about 80HKD discount for a Disneyland 1-day ticket. That's two meals worth!

My last tip is obvious: BOOK PROMO FARES!

PROMO: As Low as 199 Pesos Base Fare from Cebu Pacific

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:36:00 +0800

Cebu Pacific announces a new promo offering as low as 199 pesos base fare on selected destinations, particularly several Cebu routes. The lowest fare is from Cebu to Tacloban or Kalibo but promo fares are also offered in other destinations such as Tandag, Davao and Iloilo. The fares for flights to China via Xiamen, Hong Kong and Shanghai were also discounted significantly. The travel period is from October 15, 2018 - January 31, 2019 for domestic and October 26, 2018 - January 31, 2019 for international flights. Promo is open until August 31, 2018 or until promo seats last.

The complete list of promo fares can be seen in this link:

https://www.cebupacificair.com/pages/seat-sale-promo

Tickets can be purchased online via www.cebupacificair.com or via their ticketing office.

No Credit Card? No Problem

The biggest concern for many who wanted to avail of the promo fares is the absence of a credit card. While it's true that credit card payment is the best option out there, it's not the only option. Cebu Pacific along with other airlines has provided several other means to pay your ticket over-the-counter. You can book it online and then reserve it for 24 hours. If you pay within that period, then the ticket is yours, otherwise, it will be forfeited and the slot will be made available for booking to others. No penalties or any sort of sanction. Of course, we're all encouraged to be serious with this provision and playing with the system won't bring any profit. So just don't play with it.

Among the options is to pay via Cebuana Lhuillier, 7-Eleven, BPI over-the-counter payment and many more. Book online and in the payment section, you'll see all the available options

PROMO: Philippine Airlines Announces 199 Pesos Seat Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:41:00 +0800

Philippine Airlines followed suit with a major competitor and announces their own version of a 199 Pesos seat sale promo. Yes, for as low as 199 pesos you can fly to selected domestic and international destinations on this travel period: September 16 , 2018 to March 31, 2019. The promo poster screenshot is shown below taken from PAL's website.

The promo is up until September 2 or until seats under this promo are all taken. So, basically you have a week to book. But of course, promo fares on "good dates" like weekends or holidays are easily sold out. So there's a reasonable degree of urgency on this matter. Bu the way, you can book your tickets online at www.philippineairlines.com or at any PAL ticketing office. Since they're close tonight, it's best to book online NOW.

For a complete detailed list of how much per destination and specific travel dates, you can visit this page.

https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/promotions/ultimateseatsale-PH

Base Fare Only

The fare describe here is just the base fare. It means it's exclusive of other fees such as terminal fees, taxes and other administrative charges. More likely these will amount to around 900 pesos on domestic and much higher for international flights. I don't have the exact number right now but just expect to pay more than what is shown in the promo poster.

I Would Recommend Autumn in South Korea

I would say it's the best season: Fall or Autumn. Dry cool weather and leaves changing colours. The last bloom of nature before it finally rests and hibernate for winter. Yes, autumnal views are the best! I've tried autumn twice, almost thrice and I miss it so much. I said almost thrice because I had a trip to Korea late September 2016 but I realised I was too early. Autumn season didn't came until late October. I got some autumnal feels in the mountainous sites I visited though but it never came close to the one I experienced in the United States. I stayed there the in last leg of summer until winter which means I got to see the full autumn in all its glory.

Leaves changing colours in South Korea.

Fall/Autumn in the United States

Korea and Japan are among the top spots in Asia where you can get to see this amazing phenomenon. This promo provides a good opportunity to experience one, even just once in a lifetime.

Cebu Pacific Announces 199 Pesos Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 20:18:00 +0800

Cebu Pacific announces a new set of promo fares to selected domestic and international destinations. The promo base fare is as low as 199 pesos. Coupled with other fees, the all-in fare will be around 900 pesos inclusive of the terminal fee. The domestic travel period is from September 1 to December 16, 2018. For international flights, the travel period is February 1 to June 30, 2019.

Cebu pacific's 199 Pesos Promo

You can book your tickets online at www.cebupacificair.com or at any Cebu Pacific ticketing office. This promo is up until August 26, 2018 or until promo seats last.

Back to Base Fare Display

Cebu Pacific is once again back to displaying base fares instead of all-in fares which they used to do in a couple of years past. While reason is not stated, it's possible that the rising prices of terminal fees and other administrative charges may have some contribution. For example, in this 199 Pesos promo from Cebu to Tacloban, the cost of terminal fee in Cebu is 300 pesos plus another 280 pesos for the "administrative" fee. The extra charges is even greater than the base fare. If it will be displayed as an "all-in" fare, it won't be as attractive as the base fare. So for a typical consumer, please be mindful of these extra fees before you get so excited about it.

Travel to Taiwan Now!

It can be said that this time is the best time to travel to Taiwan. Yes, the no-visa policy was extended until July 31, 2019 but we don't know if it will be the same after the said date. Here's a reason why: China is not friends with Taiwan (read Wikipedia to know more about that) and Philippines and China are becoming close friends. It will not surprising before China pressures the Philippines to distance itself from Taiwan. I know that's speculative but it's not impossible. So if I have the circumstances, I will schedule a trip now. Taipei is among the destinations included in this promo with 1199 pesos base fare tag. Let's just say you'll have the ticket at 2000 Pessos. Round trip will be 5000 pesos. Not bad for an international flight!

Taipei 101 By Alton Thompson - 2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Cebu Pacific Announces 799 Pesos Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 14:12:00 +0800

Boracay is set to be opened for the general public this coming October 26, 2018. And to spice up that event, Cebu Pacific is offering 799 Pesos promo from Manila, Clark or Cebu to Boracay island either via Caticlan or Kalibo. The travel period is of course from October 26 and will be until December 31, 2018. And the timing can't be better since that period is so packed with holidays. For example, November 1 and 30 both fell on a weekday and very close to a weekend. Employees are sure to rejoice over this year's arrangement of matters.

Boracay island in October 2015.

Aside from the Boracay flight, there are also promo fares for other destinations. For example, flights to and from Cebu costs just around 1000 pesos. To book your tickets, you may go directly to the website www.cebupacificair.com or through their ticketing office.

Promo is up until August 20, 2018 or until seats last.

No Credit Card?

This is the age old concern of many people but it's been solved ages ago. So to remind everyone, you can still reserve your tickets online even without a credit card. Just book through the website, and in the Payment section, you can see ways to pay it over the counter like through Cebuana Lhuillier or BPI deposit.

A Cleaner Boracay?

Because of concerns regarding the effect of Boracay establishments to the environment, the government implemented a 6-month closure. The purpose of which to have a major cleanup of the island and removal of establishments who does not want conform to the environmental requirements. The closure became a controversial issue but later on the government still proceeded amidst growing public outcry over the cleanness of the top tourist spot in the country.

But as mentioned earlier, Boracay is set to a big comeback this October. Will it be a cleaner Bora? The best way to know is to go there and see for yourself. This promo is intended for you to do just that.

Philippine Airlines Announces Promo For September 2018 Flights

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 11:23:00 +0800

UPDATE: This promo is extended until August 24, 2018!

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announces a new promo offering as low as 488 pesos base fare on select destination. The travel period is from September 1-30, 2018. Both domestic and international destinations are on sale. The booking period is from August 10 to 17, 2018 or until promo seats last. You can book your ticket at the PAL's website or visit any PAL ticketing offices nearest you. Here’s a screenshot of the promo poster taken from PAL’s website.

The complete list of destinations can be found here.
https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/promotions/SeptemberMadnessSale-PH

Recommended Place to Visit

This month of September, I would like to recommend the following destinations:

Taiwan

It will not require a huge budget. Taiwan is cheaper than other typical Asian destinations such as Singapore, Japan or South Korea. And all the more you should visit the country, because of the no visa policy. They recently extended the policy until next year. Who knows if this will change next year as the Philippines and China’s relationship gets closer and closer? In this promo, the base fare from Manila to Taiwan is just 109 USD.

Taipei 101. By Alton Thompson - 2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Puerto Princesa

It’s rainy season during September that’s why I just put this option on number 2. But Puerto Princesa is a really nice place. The Underground river and the beaches offered by this place is awesome and really worth your money. If you still have time, you can go to El Nido, a five-hour drive from Puerto Princesa. There, you can find some of the best beaches in the world. And I mean it! From Cebu to Puerto Princesa, the base fare on this promo is just 488 pesos.

By Mike Gonzalez - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

FREE Calls to Your Favorite Fast-food Chain on Globe Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 4 Aug 2018 16:08:00 +0800

In the age of mobile apps and ordering via internet, people are increasingly going from "calling" to "tapping and clicking" their fast food orders. The arrival of Honestbee, Foodpanda and just recently, Grab Food is a testament to how much this trend is growing. The visual effect these apps provide has a huge advantage over voice only "call".

In an apparent attempt to pull back some users in using the hotlines, Jollibee Group teams up with Globe Telecoms to allow free calls on their Globe handset to order from their favorite fastfood. Yes, even without a load, you can make a call to the Hotlines. Here's the promotional poster.

Just dial these numbers to order:

Jollibee - #87000

Mang Inasal - #71111

Chowking - #98888

Greenwich - #55555

Burger King - #22222

For more information check this link http://business.globe.com.ph/news-and-events/jollibee-to-expand-express-delivery.html

How to Set an Appointment with SSS Online?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 4 Aug 2018 14:31:00 +0800

To avoid long lines in SSS Offices, you can use their online services to set an appointment before going there. Here's the steps to do it.

Note: SSS stands for Social Security System, a government owned and controlled corporation serving as a statutory insurance service for private individuals.

1. Log-in to www.sss.gov.ph.
In the login tab in the menu, you can select SSS Login and you'll be greeted with this interface. Use your username and password to login. In case you forgot either or both your password and your username, just click the appropriate link.

In case you haven't registered for an online account, click the appropriate button to register.

2. Once you have entered your account, hover over to Members Profile and select the Appointment System link under it.

3. Select from the drop-down menus the Purpose of your visit, the Region, and the SSS Servicing Branch you wanted to visit.

4. Select a date from the calendar provided and then select the time of appointment.

5. Once finished, click submit and you'll receive an email and further instructions. Make sure to go to the branch you have chosen on the date and time you selected. Bring the necessary documents. It will depend on what transaction you want to do.

Note: This procedure may change with time because systems are being updated from time to time.

How Much Does a MRI Scan Costs in the Philippines?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 23:06:00 +0800

My dad needs a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan for his prostate problem. I did a little research on how much does it cost to have one. Well, it depends on many factors, such as which body part is to be scanned. There's also this technique called "MRI with contrast," wherein the patient will be injected with a chemical to make the scan clearer. For your information, this technique of adding contrast is known as Gadolinium Contrast Medium. It adds cost to the procedure, but with more clarity, the more you can trust the diagnosis.

MRI Machine KasugaHuang, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

So, in my father's case, we had a Prostate MRI, and I assume it was without contrast since he was never injected with the "contrast" chemicals. We got it in i-Scan Healthcare Inc. here in Quezon City. The cost is 13000 Pesos. Please take note that the amount was just for the scan, and a separate professional will read the result. Some laboratories offer this service (i.e., the reading), and they will add another grand or two to the price for the professional fee.

I found helpful information from this blog, Medical Prices Data in the Philippines. The article about MRI pricing contains a sizeable comment section wherein people comment on their recent experience and how much it costs. The latest was early this year, so the prices are relatively recent.

Our receipt. I covered the private details.

If you recently had an MRI scan, please leave a comment and tell us what type of MRI scan you did, when, what laboratory you got the scan from, and how much it cost you. Anonymous comments are welcome! This information is to help others find the cheapest possible MRI in their locality.

Cebu Pacific Announces Piso PAIR for 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 23:05:00 +0800

Yes, it's not Piso Fair but it's Piso PAIR. Buy one ticket for 99 pesos and get the other one for the same route at 1 Peso. This is the latest promo announced by Cebu Pacific. Promo period is until tomorrow, July 17, 2018. The travel period is from January to June 2019. If you have plans of travelling next year, then it's high time to book your flights.

Cebu Pacific's latest promo is entitled PISO PAIR

When you book using the website or through mobile app, use the promo code PISOPAIR.

Cebu Pacific is the largest carrier in the country. In addition to domestic routes, it also offers direct flight to many Asian destinations as well as to Australia and Middle East.

NEW: Experience Terminal 2 of Mactan-Cebu International Airport

On July 1 this year, the much awaited and anticipated opening of the second terminal of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) finally happened. The team up of GMR and Megawide has successfully constructed this new facility effectively de-congesting the country's second busiest airport. In 2017, MCIA recorded serving 11 Million passengers.

Aside from capacity, this new terminal boasts modern and stylish design that will attract people to spend more time in it. The concept is a resort-airport where people will be able to relax and have fun while waiting for their flight perhaps during a long stopover.

This new features will come with a cost though. Already the most expensive airport in the country with terminal fees currently running at 300 Pesos for domestic and 750 Pesos for internal flights, MCIA seeks to increase the international terminal fee to 850 Pesos.

So Cebu Pacific Will Strictly Implement the Hand carry Baggage Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 22:07:00 +0800

It’s in the news last week that Cebu Pacific will strictly implement their policy for hand carry baggages. So what really is the current policy. Here’s what their website says.

Every passenger is allowed one carry-on or cabin baggage, with a maximum weight of 7kg and dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm for Airbus flights and 56cm x 35cm x 20cm for ATR flights. - source

This stricter implementation is set to begin tomorrow. Cebu Pacific explained the purpose of this move: “to streamline operations and to provide a more efficient check-in experience.”

Cebu Pacific Flight

So if it has been your habit not to care for the actual weight of your carry on bags, then it’s time to weigh in. Excess weight will require check-in which will cost you more than to book a check-in baggage in advance.

Most airlines are not strict with this 7kg policy. AirAsia is the only company I personally know that is very strict at this. But since Cebu Pacific is the largest airline company in the country, this move will surely irritate many. So, to avoid the inconvenience of fighting over your excess baggage weight, why not just pack right and travel stress free. Do not let this one thing steal the joy of your trip especially if you’re going to a vacation.

Well, it is easy to understand why Cebu Pacific is doing this. Yes, it’s to streamline operations and to provide a more efficient check-in experience. While it may benefit the customer for a little, this is really for the company. Without unpaid weight on the plane, Cebu Pacific can sell more
Weight for checked-in bags and possibly cargo. This will all contribute to a better bottom line. This is business you know!

"Foldable" Umbrellas Now Allowed in Carry-on Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 22:08:00 +0800

About eight years ago when me and my friends were flying from Cebu to Davao, we came across an issue as we pass by the second inspection point in the airport. After my friend’s bag passed through the X-ray machine, an airport officer called her up and confirmed if she’s bringing an umbrella inside the plane cabin. On that day we knew that umbrellas needs to be checked-in. We are not informed of the new policy. In that instance, my friend surrendered her precious umbrella than pay extra baggage for it.

Baggage security check in airports.

Since then, things have already improved. At some point, checking in your umbrella won’t cost you a dime. And now, the latest as per my experience last month, you can now bring your “foldable” umbrella inside the plane. The prohibition only applies to cane type of umbrella. What I mean are the long “non-foldable” umbrellas.

So the next time you fly and are worried you won’t have an umbrella to use in your destination, this information may comfort you. Things have improved a bit and made sense more and more.

Why are we told not to use cellular phones while flying?

This is another one of those airplane policies most people don’t understand. Do we really have to turn off the phone while flying? Can I just keep it on and just keep on playing music and not call or text? Oh by the way, there are WiFi equipped planes too and they encourage people to buy the service. Is that an exception? Maybe these are some of your questions as a passenger. Well, I would recommend reading this interesting article from The Telegraph, a UK newspaper.

[The real reason why you're told to put your mobile in flight mode]

Philippine Airlines Announces Promos for the Rest of 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 21:43:00 +0800

Asia’s first commercial passenger airline, Philippine Airlines announces their latest promo covering both domestic and international flights. For those flying domestically, the offer is as low as 599 pesos base fare on selected destinations. On international flights, the offer is as low as 109 USD for selected destinations.

The promo begins July 9 and will be available for booking until July 15 or until promo seats last. The travel period is from July to December 31, 2018. For the complete list of destinations under this promo, please check the link below.

https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/promotions/julyseatsale-ph

Philippine Ailrines By Konstantin von Wedelstaedt http://www.airliners.net/photo/Philippine-Airlines/Boeing-777-36N-ER/2422638/L/, GFDL 1.2, Link

No More Free Baggage

I'm not when did it start but I think it's late last year that Philippine Airlines began to offer their cheapest domestic fares without baggage allowance. This is in contrast with what most of us are familiar, 10 kilogram check-in baggage allowance by default. Anyway, Philippine Airlines is kind enough to warn users that there’s no baggage allowance when you book the cheapest fare type during the booking process. This new policy better aligns Philippine Airlines with its competition namely Cebu Pacific and AirAsia.

Taiwan Extended It's No-Visa Entry Policy for Filipinos

Taiwan's no-visa entry policy for Philippine passport holders was extended for another year. This probationary policy is supposed to last until the end of this month, July 31, 2018. But the Taiwanese government decided to extend it for another year. Whether this policy will be permanent in the future remains to be seen as the Philippines is seen to continue to forge a closer relationship with China. China on the other hand claims sovereignty over Taiwan and considers it not a separate country but a renegade province. But while this policy is still in effect, Filipinos can book airline tickets to Taiwan without worrying about visa. The promo shown above is a great opportunity to travel cheap to Taiwan this year.

[Related: List of Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos]

How to Renew Philippine Passport?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 18:05:00 +0800

Every ten years, Philippine passports expire and need to be renewed. Issuance of new passports are done at any office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This article was originally titled "How to Renew Passport in DFA Cebu?" Now I changed it since the process has changed since I last renewed my passport in 2016. Here's the latest basic steps as of 1Q2022.

Confirmed Online Appointment. Link here.
Accomplished Application Form
Personal Appearance
Current ePassport with photocopy of data page
Original PSA authenticated documents that will support the change of name (for some women).

Marriage Contract
Annotated Birth Certificate
Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court ordered instruction
Death Certificate of Spouse

Payment During Booking of Appointment

This is the solution to the problems of the previous system. Before, anyone can just reserve a slot whether they are serious or not in coming at the appointed time. This leads to multiple reservations which are not taken seriously. If you remember the passport processing delays in 2017, this is one of the causes. Now, you have to pay in order to book an appointment.

How Much Does it Cost?

Regular passport processing which takes 12 business days costs 950 pesos while express processing which takes 6 business days costs 1200 pesos. Delivery fee varies on where you want your passport to be delivered.

For Unique Situations (i.e. lost or damaged passport)

For unique passport renewal situations such as lost or damaged passports, there may be additional requirements and fees. Here's the link -> https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/passport/requirements/passport-adult/adult-renewal-epassport

Cebu Pacific Announces 22 Pesos Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Mar 2018 09:31:00 +0800

Low-cost airline Cebu Pacific announces a 22 pesos promo to all destinations (except Basco and Melbourne). The promo offers as low as 22 pesos base fare for those travelling from November 1, 2018 to March 30, 2019.

Image by Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France - Airbus A330-300 Cebu Pacific AL (CPI) F-WWTR - MSN 1420 - Will be RP-C3341, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Tickets can be booked online at www.cebupacificair.com or through their ticketing office.

The promo is in conjunction with Cebu Pacific's 22nd anniversary. Cebu Pacific, from its humble beginnings in the late 90s has grown to be the largest airline in the country. Its revolutionary low-cost business model and low fare promos has changed the way Filipinos fly. Once an option only for the well-offs, now air travel is in the reach of ordinary Filipinos.

DFA PASSPORT: Appointment Slots Are Available Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:28:00 +0800

Maybe it's the pressure from the social media, which was amplified even more when the mainstream media began picking up the story of the outcry from affected people. Whatever the root cause is, you can go ahead now and set an appointment online in select DFA offices in the country. And when I mean now, I mean RIGHT NOW!

I just checked the DFA appointment system and there are slots for April 2018 in select DFA Offices in Metro Manila. And here's a thing that's even more interesting, Tacloban DFA has an opening this month January 2018! Wow...whether you care about the alleged corruption inside the DFA or not, you can set it aside and set an appointment now, I mean NOW!

Fully Booked Since mid-December 2017

The DFA Passport appointment system is fully booked until March 2018. It opened up the slots early December last year but just after a week or two, all 27 offices has become fully booked. This sparked outrage among citizens. Reports have emerged that while the system is fully booked, travel agencies can still process passports anytime but for an exorbitant price. The social media seen a increase of these stories like this recently until mainstream media picked up the issue and brought it to a larger audience. The pressure might've caused the opening of slots as observed in the story above.

Oh by the way, here are some screenshots...

Maybe other DFA offices have opened up slots as well so please check it by yourself. Here's the link to the Passport Appointment System - https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment

TECHNOLOGY: Cebu Pacific App Now Have a Guest List Feature!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:12:00 +0800

Thank you very much Cebu Pacific! At last, my most awaited feature in Cebu Pacific Air app has finally arrived: the Guest List. You see, I book flights for a lot of people and through the years, I have accumulated a guest list of over 50 people and 30 of them were repeaters. So the Guest List feature is really handy!

A Brief History

About five or so years ago, Cebu Pacific introduced the Guest List feature in their website which allows logged-in users to save the details of people they booked in the past. You can also manually enter details. And that feature is awesome as it saved a lot of time. You don't need to input the Name and Birth date details over and over again. But about two years ago, when Cebu Pacific revamped its website (which is good overall), that feature was put into a limbo. You can still access the guest list in the Manage booking section of the website but it cannot be accessed directly during booking.

And there came the official Cebu Pacific Air app in 2015. It's not that great when it started but recently, Cebu Pacific has been beefing up features on it until today. So let's all welcome the Guest List feature. Now when you book a flight after you logged-in, you can access the Guest List using the Group Icon in the Guest Name box. Here's what I'm talking about.

Why not try using this feature and see how much time you can save? Let me know your experience by leaving a comment below.

SCAM: My First Scam Text This Year; 850000 Pesos from GMA Kapuso Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:12:00 +0800

It's a brand new year for everyone, including local scammers. And despite all the efforts by PLDT and Globe Telecom to curb text message scammers, from time to time, they still creep out and show up in our inboxes. And as hard to believe as the messages of winning some great amounts of money is the fact that there are still people who believe them. I personally know someone and that scam text message triggered events that turn her life upside down. So my point is, we still need to be careful regarding these scam messages. The danger is real!

So without further ado, here's the scam message I received a few days ago. On Sunday, January 7, 2018 at exactly 3:33PM (PH time), I received this message from a certain Atty. Jhon Acosta with phone number 09552962911

Congratulations!
Ursim# Hadwon PHP850,000
From(GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION) To Claim Send Ur (NAME/ADD/AGE)
&Call Me Now
Im Atty;JHON ACOSTA
DTI#0391s2018
Thankyou,

Do Not Ever Reply

Obviously, this is a scam. It bears all the marks of it namely, unexpected win of a huge amount of money, unknown sender, don't know your name and a request for a call. But some chose to reply with nasty words or even curses. They may reason that it doesn't cost them anything and that they just want to have fun. While that may prove to be harmless, it may not always the best thing to do. Here's some logical reasons:

Some of this just randomly key in phone numbers or get it from poor sources. Replying will just tell them that the number they have sent to is valid and exists. That information may help them attack you in the future with more subtle methods.
It's a waste of time and energy. Let's face it, it's not worth it.

So, what scam messages have you received this year? Let me know by your comments!

Angkas is Back in the Streets But For Delivery Only

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 10:26:00 +0800

Angkas is now back in the streets after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) banned their operation late last year. Now they're back but not as a human transport service but as a parcel delivery service. So, let's all welcome Angkas Padala!

Their mobile app was also updated to match the new service offering. Just go to the your App Store and Google Play to update.

How Much Does it Cost to Deliver?

For Manila, the base price is 50 Pesos for the first two kilometers, and 10 Pesos per succeeding kilometer. Pricing may vary based on demand.

For Cebu, the flag down price is 20 Pesos and 15 Pesos per kilometer for the first 8 kilometer, and 20 pesos per kilometer beyond that.

Weight and size should not exceed 10 kilograms and 43cm x 38cm x 24cm dimensions respectively.

All items must be unsealed and inspected by the biker before delivery. Prohibited items includes cash, precious stones, jewelry, banderols/tax stickers, negotiable instruments, weapons and other hazardous materials, animals, human remains, pornography, and any illegal goods such as narcotics.