Michi Photostory

I have tried different ways on how to apply and renew my passport. I’ve tried the walk-in process at DFA-Pasay, travel agency and online appointment. A few years ago, I learned about the DFA Courtesy Lane so last month I took advantage of it. If you are a senior citizen, PWD, solo parent, pregnant, minor, and OFW, you don’t need an appointment. You can just go to the DFA office and apply or renew your passport.

NO APPOINTMENT IS NEEDED for the following applicants in the Philippines:

SENIOR CITIZEN and one (1) travel companion
PERSON WITH DISABILITY (PWDs) and one (1) travel companion
SOLO PARENT and his/her minor children
PREGNANT WOMEN
MINORS SEVEN (7) YEARS OLD AND BELOW and his/her parents and minor siblings OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (land-based, or seafarers)

Read: How to Apply for PWD ID in the Philippines


So last month, my son and I went to DFA-NCR South (Metro Department Store) to renew our passports. We were there before 9AM, the Metro Supermarket opened at 9AM. There are lines for Courtesy Lane, 10AM and 11AM appointment. So we fell in line at the Courtesy Lane and the guard gave us a number. I’m not sure if there is a limit per day for the Courtesy Lane so just to make sure, we arrived before the opening time.


At 10AM, the guard advised us to go up to the DFA office. There are separate chairs for senior citizens and for a group of PWD, pregnant, solo parent, minor and others. While waiting, the DFA staff give out forms. To make my life easier, I already filled-out and printed our forms at home. You can download the forms here.

New Regular Passport Application Form 
Renewal Regular Passport Application Form
Regular Passport Application Form for Minor 

Those with scheduled appointments went inside already, then sinisingit per row ang nasa courtesy lane. The guard checked our bags and documents and informed us to go to INFORMATION.

Information Counter 

We proceeded to the Information Counter, the staff checked our documents. She asked for some information and then she advised me that my 10-yr old son is not allowed to renew. I was surprised because I know that I am allowed to bring one travel companion. But the staff insisted na adult companion lang daw ang pwede for PWD. Kung may kasama daw ako na 7yrs old below, pwede daw ang anak ko 10 yrs old na magrenew.

I was so disappointed because 

1. I am allowed to bring one travel companion pero adult companion lang daw. So asawa ko pwede pero hindi pwede anak ko. Immediate family member naman anak ko.
2. Pwede lang anak ko magrenew kung may kasama pa ako na anak na 7yrs old. (e only child lang ang anak ko)
3. So kung 7 years old ang minor, ano definition nila ng adult children? Kawawa naman ang 8 yrs old to 17 years old kung sasabihin nila sa akin na 18 years old ang adult children.
4. No use ang courtesy lane sa akin kasi babalik din ako para magparenew ng passport ng anak ko. Dobleng pagod pa.

I can’t blame the staff because she is just following the policy na hindi ko alam na ADULT COMPANION or CHILDREN lang. But now I know because I researched about it, pagkalabas na pagkalabas ng ko DFA office. So lesson learned, I will just book an appointment next time and read more information. Pero sana baguhin nila policy nila na pwede + 1 basta immediate family member. 

People with disabilities (PWDs) with proof of disability o PWD is allowed one (1) companion 

1. The companion of the PWD must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, parents-in-law, and children-in-law of the PWD and must show proof of relationship.
2. If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the PWD to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.

For more information, read the details here. Based on my experience, hindi ko binasa yung buong article, nung nakita na PWD + 1 travel companion, naniwala na agad ako without checking the conditions.  Anyway, since nandun na rin ako, tinuloy ko na rin kaysa sayang punta namin. So sinamahan ako ng anak ko para sa pagpaparenew ng passport and sasamahan ko siya next time.

After the Information Counter, the staff informed me to go to Step 1.

Step 1 - Processing 

Requirements for Passport Renewal (Adult) 

1. Confirmed Online Appointment
2. Accomplished Application Form
3. Personal Appearance
4. Current ePassport with a photocopy of the data page
5. Original PSA authenticated documents that will support the change of name.
- Marriage Contract
- Annotated Birth Certificate
- Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction
- Death Certificate of Spouse

Read: 3 Ways to Get PSA Documents

NOTE: If a woman opts to retain the maiden name, a Marriage Contract is not required.
*Additional requirements may be required.

I submitted the following 

Accomplished Application Form 
Photocopy of Current ePassport Bio Page 
Photocopy of Valid ID 

Step 2 - Payment 

It was Saturday so all applications are Express Processing; I paid P1200

Step 3 - Photo

There is a separate line for courtesy lane so I’m done at 11:08AM. I chose pick-up so I have no idea about the delivery fee. I applied September 7, 2019 and I can claim my passport on September 19, 2019. It is supposed to be 7 Days Processing lang since Express ang binayad ko but I guess hindi naman nasusunod so it is better to apply early if you really need the passport.

Read: How to Book and Pay for your DFA Passport Appointment Online

September 27, 2019 

I did not claim my passport on the scheduled date para isang pagod na lang. Hinintay ko yung release date ng anak ko which is September 26, 2019. And para sure, the following day ko na kinuha.

1. I gave our receipts and wait for my name to be called.
2. The staff gave our passports and I checked all the data on our new passport.
3. I went back to the counter and the staff canceled our old passports.
4. I filled out a form (Passport No., Name, Contact No, and Signature)

I claimed our passports in 5 minutes.


Important Reminders on the Releasing of Passport

1. Check the estimated passport release date on the receipt.
2. Bring the receipt and the old passport for cancellation on the release date.
3. Check all the data on the received e-passport upon release.
4. Affix signature on the space provided on the newly claimed passport to avoid problems at the entry/exit points when traveling abroad.
5. Only immediate family members are allowed to get the passport on behalf of the applicant. Immediate family members include father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, and children of legal age.
6. Passport shall be released to an immediate family member only with a proper authorization letter, and valid IDS (with photocopies) of the applicant and the representative with Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support and Consent.
7. The passport of the minor applicant shall be released only to parents (PSA Marriage Certificate is required if the father will claim the minor’s passport) or to an authorized representative with Special Power of Attorney or Affidavit of Support and Consent and photocopy of IDs of the passport holder and the authorized agent.
8. Passports unclaimed after six months will be canceled per Department Order No. 37-03

Last year, my son was complaining about his tooth and when we checked it, parang meron nang sira so I informed the dentist about it. But the dentist told us na “hayaan na lang daw na matanggal kasi baby teeth naman daw and baka masira kasi yung alignment ng teeth”. She also informed us about the sealants.

Dental Sealants 

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the premolars and molars to prevent tooth decay. The sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years which is 6 to 14 years old. It is a painless process but painful for my pocket, hehehe! We paid PHP800 for each tooth so a total of PHP3200 for his dental sealants.

Few months had passed and my son complained again about his tooth so I just told him that we will go to the dentist pag-uwi namin sa Pinas. So we scheduled an appointment but to my disappointment, the dentist canceled his appointment two days prior to his schedule at may mahaba daw procedure so hindi na niya magagawa yung sa anak ko.


Simple Tooth Extraction 

We don’t want to wait anymore so we just go to other Dental Clinic kahit magbayad na kami. Three years ago was my son’s first tooth extraction experience, we went to a Pediatric Dentist to do the procedure. Mukhang wala naman trauma anak ko, ako lang natrauma sa expense. Lol. Since my son is already 10 years old and I feel na matured na siya so sa regular dentist na lang kami nagpunta for simple tooth extraction. Free sana because of our health card but the dentist rescheduled his appointment so napunta kami sa ibang clinic.

Read: My Son’s First Dental Check-up  
My Son’s Experience with Pediatric Dentist 
Simple Tooth Extraction by Pediatric Dentist  

Anyway, a child needs a tooth extraction if 

1. Tooth decay is too extensive for restoration
2. Preparation and space management
3. Baby teeth fail to fall out before permanent come in
4. Removal of chipped or damaged teeth that cannot be repaired

In my son’s case, may butas na daw kaya sumasakit. Ayaw namin mahawa pa yung ibang teeth so tinanggal na talaga. I thought it will only take a few minutes like nung first tooth extraction niya but I was wrong, depende din siguro sa cases. The dentist took a long time din to remove his premolar tooth, she even said na parang hindi baby tooth yung sa anak ko sa tigas. Hehehe!

She also advised me to have an x-ray before my son hit 12 years old, kasi ang dami pa daw baby teeth ng anak ko. Para daw macheck namin kung need tanggalin yung baby teeth para makalabas yung permanent teeth or hayaan na lang. May cases din daw kasi na wala talaga permanent teeth so aalagaan na lang yung baby teeth.

We paid PHP600 for his tooth extraction, mas mura talaga compared sa Pediatric Dentist. Since it was just a simple tooth extraction, no need for an antibiotic. She just informed us to drink paracetamol. She also shared some information on how to take care after extraction or surgery.


Tooth Extraction Aftercare 

1. Apply a cold compress for 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times for the first 24 hours.
2. Take your medicine as prescribed.
3. If pain persists after 3 days, see your dentist.
4. Avoid strenuous activities. No flying or diving for at least two days.
5. Avoid sucking on anything for at least a week.
6. Do not take hot liquids for 24 hours.
7. Do not smoke for 48 hours.
8. Avoid spitting for 24 hours. Wipe your saliva with a tissue.

My son just took a rest for one day and nagkaroon ng reason para kumain ng kumain ng ice cream. The following day nakapag-Landers na nga kami and he can eat regular food na, parang walang nangyari.

Read: DIY Tooth Pocket 

Donate a Book is one of the projects of #SMShareMovement and I think it’s been years already that I’ve been seeing this every Back to School season but I’ve never donated my son’s books. I always keep my son’s school books for future use. And if I feel that he no longer needs it, I will give it to family or friends.


But I think they never used my son’s books din kasi nakita ko na nakatambak din siya and nabaha na nga lang so I stopped giving my son’s books so from Grade 1 to Grade 4, nakatambak siya sa house. When I went to SM, I saw “Donate a Book” project again but since I was busy for my back to school preparation, hindi ko siya naasikaso.

Then last weekend, I saw one FB post, she donated 57 books and got 57 coupons so it means, one coupon per book. And because of that, I decided to give it a try so we went to SM Sta Rosa to donate my son’s books. I only bring Grade 1 books para hindi naman mabigat dalhin. Good thing I did that because we still looked for the staff pa kasi wala tao sa booth. So imagine kung ilang books ang dala ko habang naghahanap ng staff, ang bigat lang.

I thought I will get one coupon per book but I was wrong. The staff informed me na kapag may sulat na daw yung book, per bundle daw. So 5 books = 1 coupon so in the end, I only got two P50 Off Coupon. Imagine I spent P7000+ for this set of books and P100 na lang value niya after gamitin. But of course, it is better than nothing. Wala naman ko nakuha sa Nursery to Kinder books na pinamigay ko din. Hehehe! At least may pakunswelo si SM sa pagdonate mo, nakatulong ka sa ibang bata and nabawasan ka ng tambak sa bahay mo.

But keep in mind that there are terms and conditions in using the coupon. P50 Off Coupon with a minimum of P500 single-receipt purchase of regular-priced items from the SM Store’s Stationery Department Store.

1. Can only be redeemed on regular priced SM Stationery items from the SM store. May 20, 2019 - July 07, 2020.
2. Offer is not in conjunction with other ongoing promos or discounts.
3. Only one dicount coupon may be used per transaction.
4. Folded, crumpled or stapled savings coupons may still be accepted by the SM Store given that bar codes are not encroached and security features are still intact.
5. Must be surrendered to the cashier upon redemption.

I already used my one coupon and I still have one coupon pa, next time na lang pag worth P500 na yung bibilhin ko. Next year, I will donate our Grade 2 school books naman.

If you are a mom or dad and you have kids that already go to school, I’m pretty sure that sometime in your life, you are asking yourself “What are you going to do with their old notebooks?”. It is easy to throw those old notebooks and just buy a new set of notebooks every school year. But of course, we all know that we can still use those old school notebooks and used papers.

Ever since my son started going to school, I always have a pile of papers, notebooks, and books. So at the end of the school year, I do my own inventory so I will have an idea what I need to buy, reuse and recycle. Last March, I only spent less than P400 for my son’s school supplies compared to P1431 if I will buy everything at their school bookstore. I saved money because I still have enough supplies and I will reuse most of his school supplies like notebooks.


Having said that, I always collect those notebooks and used papers that I can reuse and recycle. It is my way of helping the environment and saving money too. I already blogged about my DIY Scratch Pad before, so you can check my post here on how I reuse old papers.

Read: DIY Scratch Pad

For now, let me share “How to Reuse or Recycle Old Notebooks”. There are 3 things that I do with old school notebooks.

1. Reuse Old Notebooks 

After the final exam, I will get all my son’s notebook and check if there are notebooks that I can reuse. For this school year, I reused 3 notebooks. Math, HELE and Araling Panlipunan. I just removed all the used pages and replaced the cover so it will look new.


For our Math spring notebook, the cover is not in good condition so I removed the cover, spring and sew the pages of the notebook. Then I used a cardboard to make a new cover. I was able to make two new Math Notebook.


For HELE and Araling Panlipunan, I just removed the used pages and cover it.


2. Make Scratch Paper 

My son is using composition notebooks so I don’t tear the used pages, I cut it so I can reuse the other side. You can use a paper clamp to keep all the papers, make a scratch pad using padding glue or use fastener. This year, I have some fasteners so I used it to make my own scratch paper. It is easier since the pages of the notebook are not uniform. If you notice, I still have writing notebook, leftover from Grade 3 Level.



3. DIY Notebook

Since I have a lot of scratch papers, sometimes I make a DIY notebook. For those school notebooks that my son can’t reuse, because I feel that the pages are not enough, I used it. Instead of buying Filler Refill, I make my own notebook.


After removing the used pages, collect the unused pages. You can use a stapler or sew the unused pages including the cover to bind it. In my case, I just sew the paper, using the present holes as my guide. So now, I have 6 Filler Refills and I don’t need to buy anymore for my notes or journals.



This is an easy DIY project that you can do to save money every school year. I am lucky that my son reuses his school supplies.

Note: I got the pencil wrap PDF file from Pinterest. So I just print the file and used it for our notebooks.

Applying for a visa is a nerve-racking experience especially if this would be your first time or if you are not a frequent traveler. I always feel nervous every time I applied for a visa and fortunately, all my visas were approved. I feel happy even they only give me a single-entry visa, it is better than a visa denied.


Few months ago, we applied for a Schengen Visa via VFS Global Norway and I’m the one who claimed for our passport. The staff gave me the envelope and advised me to check the information so I opened the envelope and immediately checked the Visa Sticker.

It is very important to check if all the information is correct. 

1. Check if your name is spelled correctly.
2. Check if the passport number in the visa sticker is the same as the one in your passport.
3. Check if the plane ticket or reservation corresponds with the entry and exit date indicated on the visa sticker.
4. A visa is issued for one, two or multiple entries, in accordance with the document need for entries.

* If you plan to leave and re-enter the Schengen area during your stay, you will get a visa with two entries. If you have documented a need for multiple entries during the validity period, your visa is issued multiple entries.

* If the information regarding your name, passport number or travel period is wrong, please inform the Embassy immediately, so that any errors can be corrected.

How to Read the Visa Sticker 

Duration of Stay - DAYS indicates the number of days you may stay in the Schengen area. The days should be counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (the entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (exit stamp).

* Based on my visa sticker, I applied for 60 days and they gave me 60 days.

The period of time between ”FROM… UNTIL” is usually longer than the number of days printed in the “DURATION OF STAY” field. The difference in period is meant to give you the flexibility to plan your entry into and exit from the Schengen area, but your stay in the Schengen area must never exceed the exact number of days in the “DURATION OF STAY….. DAYS”. No matter how many days yo have stayed in the Schengen area, you must leave no later than the date printed in the “UNTIL” field.

* Based on my visa sticker, they gave me 75 days from the day of my flight.

Controls at the border 

You short-stay visa allows you to travel to the Schengen States, but the final control of the entry conditions is done when you cross the Schengen border. A visa does not automatically entitle you to cross the Schengen border. It is therefore recommended that you carry with you the copies of documents which you presented when you applied for the visa ex. Invitation letter, travel confirmations, or other documents stating the purpose of your stay. This will help to make the border control procedure easier and avoid delays at the border.

* I agree with this because, on my third visit to Norway, the Immigration Officer asked for my Invitation Letter and Return Ticket. For my two visits, IO only asked me about our purpose and how long are we going to stay and she stamped our passport but on my third visit, she asked for documents. So it really depends on the IO, it is better to be ready with your documents to avoid delays and long lines. 

Note: You must follow the period of stay allowed by your visa. If you need to stay longer, please contact the local police for further advise well in advance of the visa expiration date. Persons who wish to stay longer than 90 days during any period of 180 days should apply for a residence permit from the Philippines.

If you apply for a residence permit while in the Schengen area, this deemed a violation of the conditions of your visa approval. Even if a residence permit is granted, it may result in future visa application/s being refused.

Source: Flyer from Norway Embassy

I already blog about our experience in Applying for Schengen Visa via VFS Norway two years ago but I noticed that there are few changes na, that is why I’m sharing with you our experience this year 2019.

What is a Schengen Visa? 

Schengen Visa is a short-term visa granted to applicants up to 90 days. It allows him/her to visit 26 Schengen Countries for a family visit, tourism, business or any reason with an intention to return to home country afterward. The Schengen Member States Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

22 countries are part of EU (European Union)
4 countries part of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association)

Where Should You Apply for a Schengen Visa?  

1. Apply for visa in the embassy that you will be staying the most of your traveling days.
2. In case, the number of days is the same. Apply for visa in the embassy that you will enter first.

Read: Visa-Free Travel for Filipinos

I checked the Tourist Visa Requirements and I saw the proof of accommodation and itinerary but our main purpose is visiting my mom in Norway so we chose Visit Mother/Father and Visit Other Relatives/Friends Checklist.

How to Apply For Schengen Visa Via VFS Global Norway 



Visitor's visa 

A visitor's visa allows you to stay in Norway or other countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.

Step 1: Print out the checklist and gather necessary documents. You can check here the different requirements depending on the type of visa that you need.

Base on the checklist, these are the documents that we submitted.

Visit Mother/Father Checklist (Housewife) 

1. Cover letter
2. One (1) passport sized photo with white background and not older than 6 months.
3. Original passport
4. Photocopy of original passport - biopage and used pages (with visas and stamps)
5. Letter of invitation from your mother/father (for Sweden: Invitation Form 241011)
6. Photocopy of PSA birth certificate
7. Photocopy of the passport biodata page of your mother/father.
8. Proof of sufficient funds of applicant (or parents/legal guardian if applicant is under age of 18) - original bank certificates/transcripts and photocopy of credit card statements for the last 6 months.
9. Proof of sponsorship or (for Norway) UDI Guarantee Form for Visit plus photocopy
10. Proof of family ties - photocopies of your PSA Marriage Certificate and/or Birth Certificates of your children (if applicable)
11. Photocopy of roundtrip airline ticket reservation
12. Photocopy of travel medical insurance

Visit Other Relatives/Friends Checklist (Employed) 

1. Cover letter
2. One (1) passport sized photo with white background and not older than 6 months.
3. Original passport
4. Photocopy of original passport - biopage and used pages (with visas and stamps)
5. Letter of invitation from your relative/friend (for Sweden: Invitation Form 241011)
6. Photocopy of the passport biodata page of your relative/friend
7. For visiting relative - photocopies of PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc. to prove the relationship.
8. Proof of sufficient funds of applicant (or parents/legal guardian if applicant is under age of 18) - original bank certificates/transcripts and photocopy of credit card statements for the last 6 months. 9. Proof of sponsorship or (for Norway) UDI Guarantee Form for Visit plus photocopy
10. Proof of family ties - photocopies of your PSA Marriage Certificate and/or Birth Certificates of your children (if applicable)
11. If currently employed - original Certificate of Employment or photocopy of work contract stating position, length of service, salary and duration of approved leave of absence.
12. Photocopy of roundtrip airline ticket reservation
13. Photocopy of travel medical insurance

Visit Other Relatives/Friends Checklist (Student) 

1. Cover letter
2. One (1) passport sized photo with a white background and not older than 6 months.
3. Original passport
4. Photocopy of original passport - biopage and used pages (with visas and stamps)
5. Letter of invitation from your relative/friend (for Sweden: Invitation Form 241011)
6. Photocopy of the passport biodata page of your relative/friend
7. For visiting relative - photocopies of PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc. to prove the relationship.
8. Proof of sufficient funds of the applicant (or parents/legal guardian if the applicant is under age of 18) - original bank certificates/transcripts and photocopy of credit card statements for the last 6 months.
9. Proof of sponsorship or (for Norway) UDI Guarantee Form for Visit plus photocopy
10. If currently a student - original certification of enrolment from school. If you will be going on a holiday during summer or semestral break, submit s certification of reservation or certification of enrolment to prove that you are enrolled for the next school year/semester. If traveling during school year, a certificate of leave of absence from the school should also be submitted.
11. Photocopy of roundtrip airline ticket reservation
12. Photocopy of travel medical insurance
13. Photocopy of parent’s/legal guardian’s passport or government ID

Note: For roundtrip airline ticket reservation. We just called KLM to reserve a ticket, the booking is good for three days only so by the time that we submitted our application, expired na yung booking but our visa was still approved.

Read: Where to Buy Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa
3 Ways to Get your PSA Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate

Step 2: Fill in your application online 

1. Go to UDI Application Portal and enter User ID and Password. For first time user, just create your account.
2. Click New Application (visas, residence permits, citizenship, immigrant’s passport, EEA registration).
3. Click Application forms for citizens of all countries (Application for visitor’s visa, residence permits, permanent permit, Norwegian citizenship, immigrant’s passport or border traffic permit).
4. Choose the right visa application form that you need. I chose Visitor’s Visa for Groups. (Application for visas for groups visiting Norway and other Schengen countries.)
5. Click I accept the Legal Disclaimer and Go to application form.
6. Fill-in the application form.

Note: I fill-in the 3 application form and save it. I did not submit it yet because I’m waiting for my mom’s documents.

Step 3: Submit the form. 

Log in to the UDI Application Portal, click individual/group application form, review application and submit the form.

Note: You can no longer edit the application once submitted so don’t forget to review it. You must pay the fee to submit the application.

Step 4: Pay fee - via credit card only (Visa or Mastercard) 

Visitor's visa for adults and children over 12 years old (single or multiple entries) 60 euro
Visitor's visa for children between 6 and 12 years old (single or multiple entries) 35 euro

Total: EURO155 or PHP9484.82

Step 5: Book your appointment. 

I click the link for Schedule an Appointment, then VFS Manila and it leads me to VFS site where I need to register.

Click new user, fill-in the form and submit. 

First name
Last Name
Email
Contact Number
Password
Confirm Password

Note: The registration will expire after 30 inactive days from the last appointment date.

How to Schedule an Appointment 

1. Click Schedule Appointment

Enter the following details: visiting country, residing country, centre and purpose of travel and click continue.
2. Click Add Applicant

Enter the following details: passport number, date of birth, passport expiry date, select nationality, first name, last name, gender, contact number, email ID then click submit.

Then click continue and choose the date and time.

Note: In my case, I add 3 applicants but I was having a hard time booking an appointment. The date shows available slot but I’m getting an error so we called VFS office and the staff said, magbook daw ng paisa-isa. Pagsasabayin na lang daw kami pagpasa ng requirements.

I followed it and I was able to book 9:45AM and 11AM appointment. I received the email and I printed the appointment letter.

Step 6: Hand in application and documents in person



Norway Visa Application Centre, VFS Global 
Ground Floor,
Ecoplaza Building Don Chino Roces Avenue,
Makati City, Metro Manila
Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/norway/philippines/
Helpline: +63 2 790 49 02

Note: Go to VFS Global Norway and submit all your documents. The guard will ask for your passport and appointment letter. He/She will give you a form, fill out the form and give it to counter 6-8 (Norway). Wait for the staff to call your name. The staff will just review your documents, ask few questions and then pay for the VFS fee.

Aside from the visa fee, VFS will collect a service fee of Php 1,530.00 for each visa application. VFS accepts payment in cash at the Norway counter in VFS during your appointment date.

Total: PHP4590

Processing Time: 15 Days after the submission of documents.

Note: The staff informed us about the 15 days processing time. So delikado si hubby because in less than two weeks may biyahe na siya. My husband has upcoming business trip in USA so he asked if he can pull-out the passport just in case matagalan pa ang decision. We added a letter and plane ticket sa application form niya. The staff said, we can borrow the passport naman pero sa Norway Embassy daw kukunin.

Step 7: Biometrics

After payment of Visa Fee, you will have your Biometrics. We had our biometrics 23 months ago pero nagbiometrics pa rin kami. Take photo and give fingerprints. No fingerprints for my 10-year old son. Medyo matagal kami ngayon, more than an hour bago matapos.

Step 8: Pick-up your passport from the Visa Application Centre

Bring your official receipt and a valid ID. Claim your passport between 2PM to 4PM only. If a representative will pick up the passport on your behalf, please hand in the following:

Official receipt
Signed authorization letter with complete details
Original valid ID with a photocopy

Note: We all went to VFS Norway to pick-up our passport but because of the expensive parking fee, kami na lang ng anak ko bumaba. Hehehe! So my husband gave me an authorization letter and valid ID.

We arrived before 1PM and claiming of passport starts at 2PM so we waited outside the VFS office. At 1:30PM, the guard allowed us to enter just to register and they get our official receipt to secure our slot. At 2PM, they let us in na and true enough, kami naman ng anak ko nauna tawagin. I gave the authorization letter and a valid ID. You have to open the package and check your visa if everything is okay. Then fill out the form and that’s it.

Our Experience in Applying for Schengen Visa Via VFS Global Norway

First month of the year and I was busy preparing for our Schengen Visa Application. I thought it would be less stressful because this would be my second time to apply but I was wrong. When I checked the requirements, that is the only time I realized that I don’t have PSA copy of our birth certificate and marriage certificate. Ang dami kong stress sa pag-complete ng requirements.

1. I went to SM Business Center to request for a PSA copy and nakatatlong balik ko just to claim my documents, ang one week timeframe naging two weeks. So it is better to order online if you need it asap.

Read: 3 Ways to Get Your PSA Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate and CENOMAR

2. I asked my husband to get a Certificate of Employment and since we need the original copy, we waited for the papers from Singapore.
3. My husband requested for Bank Certificate, and was advised to claim it the following day. We claimed it after two days and guess what? Doon pa lang niya ginawa. Nakakaloka ang bank staff, sabi niya i-claim na lang the following day, after two days na nga kami bago bumalik tapos hindi naman pala niya ginawa. It took her more than an hour just to finish our bank certificate. I don’t understand bakit ang tagal nila iprocess, one piece of paper lang naman yun. Nastress ako kasi I requested bank certificate na rin though sa ibang bank and within 15 minutes, nakuha ko na. Hindi na ko pinabalik pa. Now I know na iba-iba rin pala ang process per bank.
4. I went to my son’s school and paid the tuition (downpayment) for school year 2019-2020 so I can get Certificate of Enrollment. I was so surprised when the school staff said, balikan mo na lang tomorrow. What? Last time, nakuha ko naman agad pero ngayon pinabalik din ko.
5. I asked my mom to send me the documents that we need for our Schengen Visa application such as Letter of Invitation, Copy of her passport and UDI Guarantee and this time, she sent the documents one week earlier but I was disappointed kasi wala rin nangyari because the documents arrived late, almost 3 weeks compared sa 2 weeks nung 2017.

Read: How to Track Parcel in PHLPost

That’s why I am hesitant in applying for visa

1. It is hard to prepare and complete the requirements.
2. It is so expensive because you need to pay for all the requirements that you need, pay visa fee and even VFS fee.
3. There is no assurance that your visa will be granted so iyak na lang pag denied, sa dami ng gastos.

It took me 3 weeks to complete the requirements. Anyway, that is the only tedious part because after you complete your requirements, everything is easy na.

January 28, 2019 (Monday)

1. I received my mom's documents.
2. I submit our application form online.
3. Pay the Visa Fee
4. Book an Appointment
5. Buy travel insurance online
6. Prepare and arrange all the documents

January 29, 2019 (Tuesday) - we went to VFS to submit our documents, pay VFS fee and do biometrics.
February 1, 2019 (Friday) - we received an email and text regarding our visa application
February 4, 2019 (Monday) - we claimed our passport.

“The Royal Norwegian Embassy has the pleasure of informing you that your application for a Schengen visa has been approved. Please pick up your passport at Norway Visa Application Centre, VFS Global between 2pm and 4pm from the next working day if submitted in VFS Global Manila and two (2) working days later if submitted in VFS Global Cebu”

It was our second-time of applying for Schengen Visa and they still gave us a single entry visa. Though we only ask for single-entry, of course, I’m hoping multiple-entry na lang ibigay so we don’t have to spend visa fee every time we are going to visit my mom. But anyway, we’re still happy because visa approved. My son and I got 60 days and my husband got 24 days, finollow lang talaga nila yung travel insurance and plane ticket.

Read: Understanding your Visa: How to Read the Visa Sticker

We all know that health is wealth and we always hear these three words. But after what happened last year, it made me realized that health is indeed wealth. It is very significant to give importance to our health because it can deplete your wealth. No matter how much you save for the future, that money may not be enough to pay for the hospital bills, treatment, therapy, medicine, and other medical expenses. 

And because of that health scare, last quarter of the year we spent most of our time in the hospital and clinic for a check-up, lab test, and therapy. I was so paranoid about my health and for my husband’s health. Cancer runs in my husband’s family, 9 years ago my sister-in-law lost her battle with colon cancer and last year, two of my in-laws were diagnosed with cancer. It was hard to accept but life must go on and we’re praying for healing and provision.

I wanted my husband to try colonoscopy because prevention is better than cure but he was hesitant because of the price of the colonoscopy. While I was browsing Deal Grocer site, I saw the Colon Cleanse promo of Centro Holistico so I told my husband about it. He watched some videos about Colon Cleansing and parang nagdalawang isip pa lalo. But after few days, pumayag din so I bought One Session of Colon Cleanse P1375, the regular rate is P2000. There are two branches, one in Pasig and one in Alabang and I chose the latter.

It’s been years since the last time I bought a voucher from Deal Grocer so I was surprised when I learned that I can pay via Paypal. I think yung huli kong bili, credit card payment and USD pa yung currency nila. I bought Crosswinds Resort Suites and Nurture Wellness Village voucher before.

To give you an idea, let me share the description of Colon Cleanse from Deal Grocer 

1. Toxins in the body could be the cause when you’re feeling bloated and fatigued. You can flush them out effectively with this all-natural treatment.
2. Colon cleanse is also called the “ultimate detox treatment”, it will rid your body toxins, harmful chemicals, and buildup in the colon. It uses an organic solution of Barako coffee to aid in the process.
3. The mixture triggers the liver to produce enzymes like glutathione to target free radicals and speed along the detoxification. It also helps lower inflammation, prevent constipation, prevent reabsorption of toxins, and reboot gut.
4.Added benefits such as weight loss, an improved immune system and radiant skin due to the increased production of glutathione. It is also known to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

The voucher is redeemable from Monday to Saturdays only, from October 29, 2018 to January 2019 but not valid from December 23, 2018 to January 2, 2019. So after our Batanes trip, my husband called Centro Holistico to reserve and ang available na lang is last week of January. Buti, umabot pa bago mag-expire so it is better to use your voucher immediately.


Fast forward to my husband’s Colon Cleanse Session, off we went to Centro Holistico at Commercenter Alabang. It was only 11:30AM and 1PM pa yung appointment so my husband just showed his voucher and ID and nag-ikot-ikot muna kami. After one hour, we went back to the clinic and the staff gave him a form.



1. Fill out the form
2. The staff check his blood pressure and weight
3. After that, the staff called my husband for an interview daw. The doctor will verify the information that you’ve written in the form and also asked about the medical history.

My son and I waited for him pero nung 1PM na at hindi na lumabas, we went out the clinic na and we had lunch at The Farm Organics.

According to my husband, there is a private room for the colon cleanse. You have to change your clothes, the nurse will explain the procedure and the colon cleanse session will take more or less 60 minutes. About 5 gallons of water are flushed through your colon using a tube that was inserted into your rectum. I don’t want to overshare but my husband told me, medyo nakakailang din kasi minamassage yung tummy niya nung nurse during the procedure and nandun lang talaga hanggang matapos. After the session, they gave him tea. My husband felt, lumiit daw tiyan niya. Sana nga daw, nagsukat siya ng before and after.




There are pros and cons about this treatment and I’m still thinking if I will buy this every year and I’m contemplating kung ita-try ko din ba. hehehe! I hope may promo ulit sa Deal Grocer. Have your tried colon cleansing?

Centro Holistico
2/F Commercenter Alabang, Commerce Ave. , cor.
Filinvest Ave., Filinvest Corporate City,
Alabang, Muntinlupa
(02) 828 8863, (0917) 581 2990
Mondays to Fridays, 10AM - 7PM; Saturdays, 11AM - 7PM

If you love adventure and you love bringing your pet in your hiking, camping or any travel adventures, don't forget to bring their own travel essentials. Yes, our four-legged friend has their own needs and these are some must-have items for your adventurous pet.


1. Leash 

A leash is very important when going on an outdoor adventure with your pet. This is because the leash enables you to always be in control so that the pet will not run off and not come back. It is especially necessary with dogs since they are more susceptible to run off in the woods when they spot squirrels or hares. The leash is also helpful if you are going to do some trail running or cycling since you can do those two exercises with your dog. In addition to the leash, it is essential that you get a collar on your pet with the pet's name and your contact information in case you get separated.

2. First aid kit 

When going outdoors with your pet, it is very important to have a first aid kit close since the animals are an adventurous lot and they may get into situations that may cause them bodily harm. The first aid kit should have these items; gauze, antiseptic cleaner, styptic swabs, heavy-duty bandages, tweezers to remove ticks or thorns, antihistamine in case of snake bites, liquid bandage in case of split paw pads and an antibiotic ointment. Other medical items can also be included in the first aid kit depending on the location of the adventure as well as in case of serious injury. Also, remember to carry gloves for you to use while treating the animal. In addition to the first aid box, you can also buy a heat stroke prevention kit in case you are traveling to a really hot location or a warmer in case you are going to a cold region.

3. Sleeping equipment 

When out on an adventure with your pet, it is more likely than not that you will be spending some time out in nature and you will be sleeping in tents or similar outdoor structures. It may be interesting to sleep with your pet in your bed but most often or not it may be uncomfortable sharing that space because you may have been out in the sun for long and both you and the animal may not be clean. Having to sleep in the resulting odor may be difficult therefore it is wise to invest in some sleeping equipment for your pet. Consider buying a small sleeping pad for them to sleep in as well as a blanket. You can also buy a pet-sized Hurtta sleeping bag instead or even a wool, feather or fleece blanket.

4. Utensils

Your pet will need additional equipment when you are out for your adventure. Some of these are utensils like a bowl for serving food in and a water bottle for carrying clean, pathogen-free water. Carrying your own utensils will ensure that the pet will consume clean safe food and water that you serve them rather than any scraps they may scavenge on your trip. Monitoring what they eat and drink will ensure that you can keep them from contracting any food or water-based illnesses. Other things you can carry for your pet include clean towels to dry them off after you clean them or if they happen to wander off and get into water bodies.

We all know that traveling is costly but there are ways to save money for your next travel adventures. If you love to travel, I’m pretty sure that you always look forward to travel expo because it is the best time to score cheap plane tickets, discounted hotel and resort packages, affordable package tours and even travel stuff are on sale like luggage, hand-carry bags, packing cubes and many more.


Since we live outside Metro Manila we don’t normally go to travel expo unless we have upcoming travel trips. So when I learned that there will be 26TH PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2019 from February 8-10, 2019, I immediately saved the date. It's been more than three years since our last visit to travel expo.

Read: Philippines Travel Mart Experience

26TH PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2019 Experience 

Fast forward to our trip, my husband and I went to SMX Convention Center and we arrived before 8AM. On the way to the parking area, I already saw the crowd outside the SMX so totoo pala na ang dami ng tao. I was a little bit worried na baka matagalan kami bago makapasok kasi late na kami nakarating. But I was wrong because we did not have a hard time, thank God for Citibank credit card and Courtesy Seating.


After we parked the car, we asked the guard where is the line for Citibank credit card holder and then we went straight to the other side of the building. Then I saw the Citicard Courtesy Seating so we did not go out the building anymore. Yey! To register, the staff asked for our credit card and we filled-out a form and she gave our free tickets and flyer. Then we just waited for the opening time which is 8:30AM. Only those who have tickets can enter the travel expo.


Since we’re one of the early birds, we did not have a hard time falling in line. Unfortunately, some of the booths were still closed. Hindi yata sila aware sa early bird sale. Anyway, we immediately went to our target booth and reserved a plane ticket. Since we already have specific travel plans, we only visited 5 booths; 2 airlines, 1 luggage booth, 1 travel bags booth and 1 travel stuff booth. So we were able to book a plane ticket, bought 1 checked-in bag and 1 hand-carry bag, luggage cover and anti-theft bag. We started at 8:30AM and we finished everything after 4 hours, we left SMX at 12:38NN.





If you are planning to visit travel tour expo, check my travel tour expo tips. Check photos and videos here.

Philippine Travel Tour Expo Experience and Tips 

1. Always be prepared

Cliche as it may sound but it is very important that you are always ready and prepared. This will help you to be organized and it will also help other people. Why? I noticed some people na dun pa lang mag-iisip kung saan pupunta, magcheck sa calendar ng travel dates, and they even don’t know their travel details.

A. Have a List  

Some booths may ask for passport information, birthday of the children or any details that they need in order to book your ticket or package tour. So be prepared, list down your possible travel dates and travel details.

B. Research 

Travel Expo always announced their event weeks before so you have enough time to save the date, plan your future trip, check the list of exhibitors and research for rates or prices. I did this before going to travel expo.

I checked the list of exhibitors, kung nandun ba yung airlines, hotels, resorts or store na interested ako. Then I did a mock booking online to check the airfare if ever I will buy online so at least I have an idea if mura ba talaga sa travel expo or not.

C. Bring Eco Bag 

Sa dami ng flyers and freebies, you need an extra bag para di ka na mahirapan maghawak.

2. Come early 

As the quote says “The early bird catches the worm”, it is important to be early so you can get the first dibs and you can avoid long lines. And if you are lucky, you can also take advantage of courtesy seating for pregnant, senior citizen or PWD or if there is a promo or Early Bird Sale from partner companies. I took advantage of this using the Citi Credit Card and Courtesy Seating so I have one hour to check the booths bago pa dumami tao.

3. Plan your route 

In PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2019, there were 994 booths from over 400 travel tours, airline companies, government offices, embassies and even travel related. You will feel overwhelmed sa dami ng pagpipilian. But everything will be easy if you know your travel plans so while waiting for the opening or before starting your booth hopping, check the map so you know where to go first. Take note two floors yan, so mark those booths na plan niyo puntahan.

4. Notebook and Pen 



Don’t forget to bring a notebook and a pen. You will fill-out a lot of forms or you will take down a lot of notes. Not all airlines will print-out your reservation. Qatar Airways gave us a print-out booking reference but Emirates, just gave us a quotation and sinulat na lang namin. After visiting different booths, compare your notes and check who has a better deal, then go back to that booth and buy.

5. Don’t go alone 

Since you will spend most of your time falling in line, it is better to have a buddy, a friend or family so just in case you need to go to the restroom or you want to check other deals, may isa na nakapila at may isang naghahanap.


You can also go separate ways, your partner will visit these booths and you will visit these booths then you can compare notes after. You can save time by doing this. Other booths give out number so no need to stay in the booth for so long, just go back to the booth and check kung malapit na turn mo.

6. Check freebies 




One thing I like in travel expo is the freebies. Yes, aside from the sale, promo or discounts, you can also get some stuff by simply visiting their booth, liking their social media page, sharing their booth on your social media, taking photos or by purchasing at their booth.

7. Look or ask for special deals 

Be observant. Yes, make use of your time. Kaysa mainip ka sa kakahintay, observe other people. You will get some ideas sa kaka-observe mo lang. Lalo na yung mga freebies na bitbit nila or yung mga nabili nila. After buying our plane tickets, pauwi na sana kami kaso ang dami ko nakikita na may luggage na bitbit so hinanap namin and we were able to score affordable Samsonite Luggage and Pacsafe bags. There are more brands there na mas mura pa sa nabili namin like American Tourister, it just depends on your preferences.



Samsonite Handcarry Luggage 
Original Price PHP15,550
Discounted PHPrice P5970
Savings: PHP9870

Samsonite Luggage (Large/30kls) 
Original Price P19250
Discounted Price P10,587.50
Savings: P8662.50

Pacsafe Crossbody Bag 
Original Price: P4490
Discounted Price: P2000
+ 10% promo when I registered (less P200)
Savings: P2690

If you will ask me worth it ba pumila or pumunta sa travel expo?

My answer is yes, travel expo is like a one-stop shop so hindi ka na mahihirapan pa na maghanap ng mga package tours, discounted tickets and sale. You will feel safe din because your are dealing with authorized agents or staffs so for sure hindi scam ang mabobook. Just bring a lot of patience and make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

But when it comes to airfare, I noticed konti lang naman difference nila if you will book online because the rate still depends on your travel dates. In our experience, konti lang difference nung sale nila dun sa nakita ko online before the travel expo but we still booked it because we can pay in Philippine Peso currency, big savings yun kasi ang laki ng foreign exchange currency fee sa credit card namin. If I book online, most of the time USD lagi pag international destination.

Read: 9 Ways to Score Cheap Airlines Tickets 

Citi Credit Card Holder Perks 

1. Free Entrance
2. Early Bird Sale on February 8, 2019 from 8:30 to 9:30AM. Simply present your Citi Credit Card at the designated entrance.
3. Free Pantene, Safeguard, & Whisper Travel Gift Pack for a minimum single-receipt of P8000 with your Citi Credit Card on February 8 - 10, 2019. (Straight transactions). Maximum of 1 gift pack per merchant, per client, per day. No split transactions allowed.
4. Get Free Meals at Max’s Yellow Cab, Teriyaki Boy or Sizzlin’ Steak with your Paylite Spend. Enjoy a free P500 eGift Voucher from Giftaway for every single-receipt Paylite spend of P10,000 to 24,999 or P1000 eGift Voucher from Giftaway for every single-receipt Paylite spend of P25,000 and above.

FYI

There is a different line for Citibank credit card holder and nonCitibank credit card holder.
There is courtesy seating so in case you are pregnant, senior citizen or PWD, look for courtesy. seating, you can bring 1 companion only.
No entrance fee for Citibank credit card holder.

Schedule of PTAA Travel Tour Expo 

* Early Bird Sale on February 8, 2019 from 8:30 to 9:30AM. Simply present your Citi Credit Card at the designated entrance. 

February 8, 2019 (Friday) – 9:30AM to 7:00PM
February 9, 2019 (Saturday) – 9AM to 7PM
February 10, 2019 (Sunday) – 9AM to 6PM

Entrance Ticket 
Php 100 – General Admission including children and students
Php 70 – Senior Citizens
FREE - Citibank credit card holder

26TH PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2019 
Halls 1-4 and Function Room 1-5,
SMX Convention Center, Sea Shell Lane,
Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Planning and budgeting for a large group in Las Vegas is a difficult task. But, if you have an idea of what the group will do while in the city, it will take the pressure off your shoulders. Such a  vacation requires your group to consider some key factors when budgeting. You must have a good plan for all the activities the group will engage in. You need to know how the group will be accommodated, what they will eat, and how they will be transported.  In this article, we focus on three things you need to budget for when traveling with a group to Vegas.


1. The Hotel 

There are plenty of accommodation facilities in Vegas. But picking a hotel that can accommodate a group of people could be a challenge. You need to plan and make your reservations early to avoid the inconveniences. The facility should have rooms for conferences, just in case you need to assemble at one place to plan for the day. Group hotels charge between $200-250 per room. So if you are in a group of 10 people, you need to budget about $2,500 per day. If you will be in Vegas for 5 days. You should allocate $12,500 to accommodation. The goal here is to have all the members of a group stay in one place for safety and planning purposes.

2. Meals

Obviously, budgeting for meals is very important when traveling in a group.  If the facility you will be accommodated in does not serve meals, you’ll need a restaurant where you can go for meals. Many hotels offer buffets that cost about $30 for breakfast. So for 10 people, you need about $300 per person. If you will be in Vegas for 5 days, it will cost you about $1,500. Picking a hotel that offers a group menu is important. It will allow you to dine at the same place. Group menus may be cheaper depending on the hotel chosen. Some hotels offer rigid menus while others allow you to choose what to eat. Lunch will cost about $45 per plate so you need about $450 per day for a group of 10 people. For 5 days, you need about $2,250. Dinner will cost about $50 per person. For a group of 10 people, the budget for dinner should not be less than $500 per day. If you will be in Vegas for 5 days, you need to spare about $2,500 for dinner.

3. Transportation

Las Vegas is a popular vacation destination.  So, you need to make plans for transportation early enough. If you are in a group, you need a Charter bus Company Las Vegas to move your members from the airport to your hotel. You will spent about $750 to transfer members of your group to destinations of their choice. It will cost about $15 to transport each member of the group to a chosen destination. So, for ten people, you need about $150 per destination. If you are planning for a group tour in Las Vegas having a budget is necessary. You need to budget for transport, accommodation, and food. You should also have some spare money to use to pay for entry fees.

Batanes is one province of the Philippines that is part of my bucket list but it took me a long time to visit this place because airfare is so expensive. Yes, there is no other way to visit Basco, Batanes except to book a flight. There are flights from Manila, Clark, Tuguegarao, and Vigan so just visit the airline website so you will have an idea of the flight time and rates.

Manila to Basco 
Airswift
Cebu Pacific
Skyjet

Clark to Basco
Philippine Airlines

Tuguegarao to Basco 
Northsky Air
Sky Pasada

Vigan to Basco 
Platinum Skies
As I’ve said before, Batanes airfare is not cheap so most of the time, Filipinos will just visit other Asian Countries than Batanes. I won’t deny that because I’ve experienced that when I was planning for our holiday.

SIDE STORY:

December came and I was planning for our holiday getaway. We’re supposed to go to Taiwan, I already checked for plane ticket and hotel. But I was having second thoughts because it is more on nature trip and temples so I’m not sure if my son will like it. Remember our Bangkok Trip? Ayaw niya ng temple trip namin, hehehe!

Read: 6 Days in Bangkok with Kid

When my son came home from school, I asked him where he wants to go. Taiwan or Batanes? Temples or Mountains? I enumerated the possible places that we are going to visit in Taiwan and in Batanes and he chose Batanes.

So we let go of our Taiwan Trip and we immediately plan for our Batanes Trip. I’ve read some articles like PHP8000 Batanes Budget Trip and PHP12,500 DIY Batanes Trip, in my mind, I thought makakatipid ako because we’re not having an international trip but I was wrong.

When we decided to pursue our Batanes trip, my husband immediately called Bernardo’s Hotel to reserve a room and I purchased our plane ticket on the same day. The following day, I continued my getaway planning and at that moment, napapaisip ako if I’ve made the right decision. Why? Ang mahal pala talaga pumunta sa Batanes.

1. Our Batanes plane ticket is more expensive compared to Taipei plane ticket.
2. Bernardo’s Hotel rate is almost the same with Taipei hotel rate. No kids rate for my 10-year-old son.
3. Lastly, the tour package rate is so expensive. No kids rate too for my 10-year-old son.

So I checked some possible options on how we can save for our Batanes trip and I showed it to my husband but after brainstorming, we still chose Bernardo’s Hotel + Tours + Meals Package. My husband deposited 50% downpayment to confirm our reservation.

But of course, that is only our preference. We all know that we have our own needs, wants, and lifestyle. If you are reading this post, I’m pretty sure you are planning to visit Batanes anytime soon and you are curious if you can really go to Batanes on a budget. My answer is Yes, yes there are some ways to save money for your Batanes trip.

How to Save Money for Your Batanes Trip 

1. Buy cheap airline tickets. 

Batanes is known for expensive airfare but from time to time, you can score cheap airfare. Yes, watch out for airline seat sales, visit travel expo or if you have an airline membership card, use your miles. You can read a lot of blog post where they were able to buy an affordable plane ticket.

For Philippine Airlines, the cheapest one-way ticket that I’ve seen is PHP4000+ and the rate may change depending on the season. Prepare more or less PHP10,000 for a round trip ticket if there is no seat sale. If you will use miles, just pay PHP800 for Round Trip tickets.

Read: 8 Ways to Score Cheap Airline Tickets

2. Look for affordable accommodation 

After buying your plane ticket, it is time to search for your accommodation, Batanes offers affordable, mid-range and luxury type of accommodation. Of course, homestays, lodge or inns is the choice for the cheapest accommodation. You can book for as low as P1200, check the list below. These are some examples but I’m pretty sure there are more choices on the internet.

Affordable Batanes Accommodation 

Davocol’s Inn
DDD Habitat Lodging House
Dive Batanes Lodge and Restaurant
Florabelle’s Iraya Guesthouse
Martin’s Inn
Midtown Inn
Marfel’s Lodge
Nathaniel’s Lodge
R&E Bed & Breakfast
Shanadel’s Inn
Savatan Homestay
Ysabelle Homestay

3. Prepare your own meals 

To be honest, not only airfare is expensive in Batanes but almost everything. Yes, even food so prepare around P300 budget every meal/per person if you will eat in the restaurant. It is like eating in Metro Manila, hindi siya provincial rate. If you want to save money, do not stay in the hotel because you cannot cook your own food.

Read: Where to Eat in Batanes

4. Look for promos, deals or discounted tours. 

I learned about Bernardo’s Hotel because of Deal Grocer, I love checking this site if I’m looking for affordable deals. Last year they are offering two deals, P19,000 (3D/2N) and P27,400 (4D/3N). I did not avail the promo because that is only good for two persons but as of this writing, they have offers for 4 persons na, P30,900 (3D/2N) and P40,500 (4D/3N). The offer includes room, transfers, tours and full-board meals.

You can also book tour at Klook, I was surprised when I learned that Klook have kid’s rate. Waah! Sayang!

3 Days North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island Tour P5,500 
2 Days North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island Tour P4,800 
North Batan Half Day Tour P1500 
Sabtang Island Day Tour from Batan Island P2500 
2 Days North Batan and South Batan Tour P3500 
South Batan Tour P2000 

If you are not picky, then join group tours. Group tours are cheaper compared to exclusive tours. You can book from your hotel, travel agency or buy tickets from Klook. I paid P7200 per person for our 3 Days North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island Tour, so you can already see the difference. (Private Tour)

Klook.com
5. Book a Tricycle Tour

If you want DIY Batanes tour then book a tricycle, you can ask your hotel for contact, book at the travel agency or read some blogs for tricycle driver contact. We are family of three so we can avail the tricycle tour but we had a bad experience with tricycle tour kasi when we went to Guimaras, that’s why we did not choose this.

According to my research, this is the rate of the tricycle (good for two)

P1,100 - North Batan

P1,700 - South Batan

P2,200 - Sabtang

Tricycle Tour from Travel Agency (with lunch) 

One person

P1499 - North Batan

P1999 - South Batan

P2499 - Sabtang

Two persons

P999 - North Batan

P1299 - South Batan

P2299 - Sabtang

Three persons

P899 - North Batan

P1099 - South Batan

P1999 - Sabtang

* Rates are per person basis. 

Planning ahead of time is very important because you can wait for seat sale or visit travel expo. You can search and compare different rates of hostel or hotel. And you can find more affordable deals that will match your budget. That’s it for my savings tips.

Read: Pasalubong from Batanes

* This post contains affiliate link/s. If you decide to make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.