Traveling around Philippines on a shoestring budget

Traveling around Philippines on a shoestring budget

You love to travel, your budget is tight, will it stop you to go on and see the best places this country has to offer??

Life & Style section of rappler.com just published a nice article about traveling without spending much. There are tips how to save some penny on your trips and how to enjoy vacation spending less. There are also some suggestions or ideas where to go in our 7,100 island country. Best places you've probably never been and may wanted (badly) to try to see and experience this summer vacation.

Including this picturesque (never thought we have) that I wanted to discover myself.

Tapiya Falls in Batad, Banaue

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR TODDLER

All the stuff you carried whenever you went out when your child was still an infant would be doubled or tripled this time. These means the amount of toys, clothes, gear and snacks you will need to bring to make your toddler comfortable and keep him entertained as well.

Below are the things you will need while on the road, and how to easily and efficiently pack them.

• Diapers (very essential, thus bring some extra for emergencies or delays)
• Baby Wipes
• Diaper changing pad (either disposable or reusable for a quick diaper change)
• Blanket/s (bring some for comfort and warmth)
• Plastic Bags (carry different sizes for storing used diapers, clothes and garbage)
• Toiletries and Hand Sanitizers
• Tissues
• Toys and Books (something that will keep him calm and entertained, make sure they are small and easy to carry)
• Clothes, socks and shoes (warm and easy-to-wear clothes)
• Bathing suit or swim wear (just be prepared)
• Bibs (bring extra and should be washable)
• Sunscreens and Sun hat (for heat and allergy protection)
• Drinking Cups or Plastic bottle (make sure he drinks plenty of water aside to his milk to avoid dehydration)
• Plastic feeding set (his own plastic plate, spoon and fork)
• Portable high-chair or fold-able chairs (for feeding and rest)
• Flashlight
• Snack food (include his favorite snack)

•  First aid kit (pain reliever and other supplies for treating minor injuries)

• Insect repellant lotion or small mosquito net

• Laundry soap (for washing clothes and bibs en route)

• Car seat (if you’ll drive your own car)

• Collapsible stroller (in case he get’s tired) 

How to pack?

- Prepare things and pack them days before your travel. Keep a checklist and post them at the dresser or a table so you could monitor what you already have and what else to bring. 

- Separate the baby’s stuff and clothes by using a diaper bag  and place it near you so you can easily find them.

- Bring your own extra like shirts and towels - just in case.

- Use reseal-able plastic for first aid kits and toiletries to avoid leaks.

- Have your own pocketbook or portable gadgets that you can use at night or when the child is napping. 

- Don’t’ forget your camera or a handycam (and it’s battery charger).

How to Approach Stranger In Their Own Language/Dialect.

If you're wandering in a new place, enjoying your road trip or your vacays chances are you can never be completely spontaneous and will eventually find some answers about where, what and how. 

If you don't know which direction to take in an intersection or which one tastes better, red or green... remember that it's not illegal to ask a question. 

There are different ways to approach somebody and kindly say "Good Day. May I ask something?" 

-in our native tongue.

 
Tagalog:                  "Magandang Araw. Pwede (ho/po) bang magtanong?"


Ilocano:                   "Naimbag nga aldaw. Mabalinti Agdamag?"


Cebuano/Visaya:     "Maayong Adlaw. Pwede bang mangutana?"
                                "Maajong Adlaw. Mahimo bang mangutana?"


Bicol:                      "Marhay na aldaw. Pweding Manghaput?"


Ilonggo:                   "Maayong adlaw. Pwedi mamangkot/kapamangkot?"

Pangasinense:        "Masantos ya agew. Sarag toy mantepet?"

Ibanag:                   "Makasta nga aggaw. Wayya na mangiyevu? 

Kapampangan:         "Mayap a aldo. Pwede ku mangutang?"





- in an aliens tongue for "Good Morning, May I ask something?"


French:                    "Bonjour, peux-je demander à quelque chose?"

Italian:                     "Buon giorno, potrei chiedere qualcosa"

Spanish:                 "Buen día, me permito preguntar algo?"

Russian:                  "Dobroe utro, mogu li ya sprositʹ chto-nibudʹ?"

German:                  "Guten morgen, darf ich etwas fragen?

Thai:                       "S̄wạs̄dī txn chêā,s̄āmārt̄h c̄hạn t̄hām xarị bāng xỳāng h̄rụ̄x mị̀?"

Korean:                   "annyeonghaseyo, nan mul-eobolyeogo..."

Japanese:                "Ohayōgozaimasu, anata ni nanika o tazunete mo yoidesu ka?"

Chinese:                  "Zǎochen hǎo, wǒ kěyǐ yāoqiú mǒu shì?"

Reference: Google Translate, Yahoo! Babel Fish and Free Translation.

PINOY SOUVENIRS: Only in the Philippines

Whenever we while away the time at the mall, one souvenir section displayed near the main entrance of the Department Store keeps attracting my attention. It’s an “onli-in-da-Philippines” themed souvenir that I find really nationalistic.

Onli-In-Da-Philippines Mugs

These mugs are crafted in a very Pinoy style. Perfect for a coffee lover that definitely will recall his visit to Manila while having a sip or for the mugs collector due to its unique designs.
 
I used to collect mugs but because of my NPA status (No Permanent Address) which I changed my home address every 2-3 years, I naturally stopped collecting anything. (The last thing I've collected -my Books- are now kept in a box ready to move anytime, duh!).

Onli-In-Da-Philippines Bags

Very affordable, easy-to-carry, trendy and fashionable as well. There's one design that i swear to have someday. Can be use for your shopping, school, work, most especially in your travel or out-of-town adventure where you can display your nationalistic side. (Be proud to patronize your own than carrying a fake brand, right?)

Onli-In-Da-Philippines Shirts

(My apology for the blurred pic, I'll try to get a better one next time)

I always wanted to have the Pinoy T-shirt or something with 7,107 Island design (and I still haven't, still waiting to anybody who can give me one ^_^). It's very trendy nowadays. Politicians, celebrities, corporate officials and other known personalities are in the trend for this Pinoy T-shirt. I think it started with the late Francis M.s clothing brand. But here, you can also find shirts with designs of your own province and favorite tourist spots as well as the Filipino pride- Jeepney's. A really proud-to-be-Pinoy fashion.

Onli-In-Da-Philippines Caps

If you ever get tired of your NBA or baseball league caps, why not try to switch to one of these truly-Pinoy caps. In many different colors and designs to choose, it's a perfect alternate to your favorite sun protection. 


Perfect souvenir for foreign tourists and even our OFW Balikbayans. What a great way to promote our tourism and our country if these items can be use abroad. ^_^

WHAT WOMEN SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING ALONE

You finally got a week-long vacation leave from work. You’ve decided to take an out-of-town escape all by yourself and take advantage of your independence. While the idea is exhilarating, exploring places you’ve never been might have some ups and downs. So, before packing those backpacks and be wanderlust, remember these safety tips to keep you informed and wary.

KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY

Google provides information about destinations through blogs and travel websites.  Make sure to look up for related news, guides and tourist reviews of a particular place. Travel blogs offers high definition photos and experience-based-reviews you can use as reference. They also provide suggestions about transportation and accommodation best fits your preferences.

Also, try to look up on culture and tradition of the place so you’ll not end up being out of place or lost. Learn how you will dress appropriately to avoid attracting unwanted attention and power plays.

BRING THE MUST-HAVES.

If you believe bringing mobile phone is a necessity, you should also understand that network signals can be a problem to your possible destination and may not be useful at some time. Bring a whistle (3-blasts from the whistle is an Internationally Recognized Distress Signal) or any handy noisemaker (a bell, toy horn, etc.) in case you get lost, need help, injured or stranded. A portable flashlight is quite useful when it gets dark as well. Carrying a map with guides and landmarks is useful whenever you’re in a crossroads.

 LET OTHERS KNOW OF YOUR WHEREABOUTS

You may want to shut down your mobile phone to avoid calls and texts that might spoil your vacation. Therefore, tell your family, friends or roommate where you will be spending the week, when you will be back (try to be exact), the name of your travel agency or hotel. If network signal is possible and you want to check some message or voicemail, at least informed them of your whereabouts at some point. In case of emergency or anything goes wrong with your plans, they can call for assistance then fly in to find out.

SOMETHING TO IDENTIFY

Exercise carrying your documents that provides your identification such as passport, ID’s, credit cards, ATM or licenses. It’s in case of misidentification or being confused with another person. Emergency and extra funds for your travel plans is another thing.

DUTY FREE PHILS: Balikbayan Plus OFW Business Center

GO PASALUBONG SHOPPING AT THE FIESTAMALL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEWLY OPENED ONE-STOP PROCESSING HUB FOR YOUR TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS.

 

THE BUSINESS CENTER LOGO

Duty Free Fiestamall recently opened the Balikbayan Plus OFW Business Center that offers document processing, courier, cellphone loads and money changing services. This one-stop processing hub caters not only to Balikbayan and regular international travelers but also to the general public.

THE SERVICES BEING OFFERED AT THE CENTER ARE;

1. WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER  (Tel: 552-4337 local 3398)

•           NSO Processing (Birth Certificate, Marriage Contract, Death     Certificate, CENOMAR)

•           US Dollar money changing

•           DFA Passport Renewal Processing

2. SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM OR SSS  (Tel: 552-4337 local 3397)

•          SSS Number issuance, verification and inquiry service
•          Receives Benefits and Loan applications

3. PHILHEALTH                                       (Tel: 552-4337 local 3396)

•           Distribute and Receives Membership Registration Forms
•           Online verification of claim status

4. Home Dev't Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG   (Tel: 552-4337 local 3392)

•         Distributes Member Data Forms
•         Accepts Membership Registration and Payment
•         Receives Loan Application

5. NBI CLEARANCE                                (Tel: 552-4337 local 3394)

•         Issuance of NBI Clearance

6. AIRFREIGHT 2100 OR AIR 21              (Tel: 552-4337 local 3399)

•         Accepts packages, freights and express documents for door-to-door delivery service

7. OWWA                                               (Tel: 552-4337 local 3395)

•        Answers queries for programs, trainings and projects for OFW's.

8. LTO (every wednesdays only)                (Tel: 552-4337 local 3393)

•        Accepts Application and Renewal of registrations and licenses.

GUIDES AND DIRECTIONS ARE POSTED AT THE MALL PREMISES

THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUSINESS CENTER

The Business Center as it now accepts general public as clients is starting to become crowded, where lines or queues are extended outside the office.

 
So, to be able to finish your transaction as quickly as possible you must arrive early as the Business Center opens at 9:00AM to 5:30PM  
from MON-FRI only.

Upon arrival, you will be prompted to get your queue number choosing which agency you wished to avail the service.

DUTY FREE PHILS. FIESTAMALL

ENTRANCE OF DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES FIESTAMALL
IN NINOY AQUINO AVE (FORMERLY SUCAT ROAD) PARANAQUE CITY.

" GO PASALUBONG SHOPPING WITH THE FAMILY AT DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES FIESTAMALL"

MALL ENTRANCE

This is the new tourism slogan of the Dept. of Tourism in the country.

(painted at the top wall of Fiestamall building for tourism promotion purposes)

The main lobby of the Fiestamall building. Photo was taken during the Chinese New Year celebration, the reason behind the lobby's theme design.


SHOPPING INFO


Mall Hours: 9:00am to 9:00pm


Contact No. 02-5524337


 Regular international travelers/foreign tourists have 48 hours upon arrival to shop at duty free outlets while OFWs/balikbayans have 15 days (30 days during holiday season).

Duty Free Philippines offers a different programs that cater to the specific needs of every travelers. These are the:

• Balikbayan Plus Program for returning OFWs and Balikbayans
• Travelite Program for frequent international travelers
• Premier Club Program for our elite circle of loyal shoppers and privileged customers.

Special privileges are also extended to BigAtin members of their major partner, ABS-CBN Global, who designed the program specifically for their loyal TFC subscribers.

To avail the privilege cards you may contact their Marketing Programs Unit @ #552-4356 or e-mail them to mktg.programs@dfp.com.ph

Duty Free Philippines Outlets/Branches

• Fiestamall @ Ninoy Aquino Ave., Paranaque City
• NAIA Terminal 1, 2 & 3 in Pasay City
• Mactan Int'l. Airport in Cebu
• Waterfront Hotel @ Lahug, Cebu City
• The Northwing @ SM City Cebu
• Davao Int'l Airport in Davao
• Laoag Int'l Airport in Ilocos Norte