Dad's Review - Offloading of Filipino tourists by immigration officers

The new Clark Airport

This is the current buzz in Philippine's travel world after the missing Malaysian Airlines due to an earlier statement by the chief of Philippine Immigration Authority that a financial capacity is required before any Filipino tourist would be allowed to leave. However, due to confusion and countless posts of irate Netizens, the statement was later retracted and clarified that financial capacity is not a requirement at all for any Filipino to travel abroad.

According to Philippine Immigration website, any Filipino who wishes to travel abroad simply needs a valid passport, plane tickets and visa. However, it is a known fact that aside from these travel documents an immigration officer usually asks for other supporting documents depending on the country a Filipino tourist intends to visit.

It is also stated on their website that they're mandated to check the documents of any Filipino tourist to prevent him or her to become a victim of human trafficking. But for all their intent and so-called mission, there is no getting away from the fact that countless of Filipino tourists have been offloaded and suffered financial loss even if they are brandishing complete travel documents on the face of the immigration officer. These people behind those glass counters don't care whether a passenger will lose hard-earned money or everything he has once they find loophole in the passenger's reason for traveling.

As an OFW and as a Filipino Dad, I would like to share my point of view regarding tourist worker.

In October 2012, I was invited by a government owned Gas Company in Abu Dhabi, UAE to attend an interview. The company provided me a visit visa, RT tickets and a 3D/2N accommodation in a 5-star hotel in Abu Dhabi City aside from reimbursement for any incidental expenses incurred during traveling. Upon presenting the visit visa to the immigration officer at NAIA T1, the old lady at the immigration counter ushered me to another immigration desk for an interview. After 30 minutes of discussion with the young lady interviewer I was allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi City.

In addition, my sister and brother who have been jobless for quite sometime left Philippines as tourists a few years back. They are now gainfully employed in UAE and corrected their status in our embassy.

Our Immigration Authority should be made aware of the reality of highly competitive world of global labor market. Gone are the days that companies abroad would lined-up at our doors to hire us. Overseas job hunting through weekend newspaper can now be considered as a thing of the past for social media and internet have taken over the arduous old-school task of connecting the employers to suitable applicants.

These days, the softcopy of your employment documents are requested by your prospective employer or its agent for a thorough review; a telephone interview sometimes follows. In case they find you qualified for the job, it is cheaper for the employer to send visit visa and RT tickets for face-to-face interview, inspection of documents and possibly medical exams rather than conducting the actual selection in the Philippines. By doing this, the employer or company is assured that it can select from a roster of highly qualified individuals from different countries aside from reducing the cost of hiring. If you are fortunate enough to be selected after a battery of exams and interviews then contract signing or an offer letter will follow. Oftentimes you need to go back to your country and wait for their call or offer; in this case another visit visa will be issued for your final mobilization. I got my previous jobs through these hiring procedures thus I knew how difficult it was to compete with other nationalities vying for the same position. Not to mention the edge of these "other nationalities" since they are not being restricted by their government to travel abroad.

With regards to my siblings, my sister was recruited through an agency in Philippines; she was deployed using a tourist visa in UAE. After completing her contract she left her employer in search of better opportunity. She was fortunate enough to find a higher paying and stable job. Soon afterwards our younger brother followed. Both of them are now working under the same company and enjoy all legal benefits under UAE labor law.

According to a recent press release on Philippine Immigration Facebook page which was taken down perhaps due to numerous negative comments from Netizens, offloading is a result of implementation of their guidelines. Yet, numerous individuals have been offloaded even if they have presented all requirements to the immigration officer.

To minimize unnecessary offloading, I would like to recommend the following to our immigration authority. Thus I consider this post as an open letter to Philippine Immigration Authority.

1. Professionalize their ranks. Hire and train younger or newly graduate as immigration officers because they have not yet been exposed to corrupt practices of those veteran immigration officers. Moreover, assign polite and courteous staff as interviewer whose main objective is to clearly check and validate the travel documents and not to intimidate the passenger.
2. Information campaign that will emphasize all requirements (not guidelines) needed by a Filipino tourist before he can visit a particular country. This can easily be done through the social media. I mentioned requirements and not guidelines in order to be very specific. Any imaginative immigration officer can easily play around those guidelines since they are too generic. It is better to call a spade as spade.
3. Stick to the requirements. Incomplete requirement means a passenger can be offloaded. On the other hand, any Filipino tourist should be allowed to leave without any further interview once complete travel requirements have been presented. Do not demand other supporting or annoying documents such as pictures, birth certificate, recommendations, health insurance, etc. which are not included on the list of requirements.
4. Never ask for show money. I have personal knowledge that some of my friends and colleagues have been asked by immigration officers to show money before they were allowed to leave.
5. Immigration officer should provide an offloaded passenger an official document indicating the list of requirements needed by the passenger or the cause of being offloaded. There should be a legal and official way to inform the affected passenger regarding the reason of his/her offloading.
6. Put-up a complaint desk inside the airport so a further and final analysis of the situation can be done in case an offloaded passenger felt that a mistake was committed by the immigration officer. This is a check and balance procedure to prevent any immigration officer in offloading a passenger by sudden whim. There were even instances that an offloaded passenger who fell in line again was allowed by another immigration officer upon seeing that the passenger has complete travel documents.
8. Lastly, don't treat tourist workers as law transgressor. Truth be told, they are simply searching for greener pasture and willing to take risk just to achieve their objective. Hence, offloading can be considered as trampling on one's right to find better opportunity, if I may say so. It makes me wonder why the Commission on Human Rights is never making a fuzz about this matter.

To sum it all, it can't be denied that there is a general sentiment that a Filipino tourist worker searching for a gainful employment abroad through internet or personal application is usually treated/assumed/profiled by Philippine Immigration Authority as victim of illegal recruitment or human trafficking. Nevertheless, in case a Filipino tourist worker has been exploited abroad then our government is legally and morally bound to assist its citizen whether he is a documented worker or not. This situation shouldn't be used by our government as reason to restrict the movement of all Filipino tourist workers. Otherwise, it goes without saying that it is better for our government to be lazy than to be tired in protecting its poor citizens abroad.

Furthermore, numerous reports have emphasized that even documented workers can be exploited and abused abroad while obviously not all undocumented workers would suffer terrible fate.

In fairness, there are recent improvements regarding the immigration services in our airports such as having a single queue in front of departure immigration counters to prevent connivance between passengers and immigration officer, additional personnel and desks at the arrival area of NAIA T1 for faster processing and conducting interviews in an open area to avoid the old practice of bribery and extortion. I noticed too that many immigration officers appear respectful and courteous unlike before. Faster service is noticeable as well except at Clark Airport arrival area where an immigration queue sometimes reaches 45 minutes.


See related post: Practical tips for Filipino tourist workers to avoid getting offloaded

P.S.

My family and I have never been offloaded in any of our many trips abroad be it from Clark Airport, or NAIA T1, T2 and T3. My wife also underwent an immigration interview once but eventually allowed to leave upon verification of her travel documents. We always make sure that we have RT tickets and hotel booking.

SORRY GUYS. I HAVE DISABLED THE COMMENT SECTION. IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHY PLEASE READ THE LAST INQUIRY. IT APPEARED SEVERAL TIMES ON MY EMAIL CAUSING MY SMART PHONE TO GO HAYWIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT; I AM WORKING IN A GMT +1 PLACE. TOO BUSY TO BE DISTURBED BY THIS KIND OF QUESTION. NO OFFENSE MEANT.

Treasures amidst us

I have been an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) for quite some time. Like any other OFW, my main focus in life is to provide a bright future and comfortable life for my family. That was my way of thinking until I encountered the biggest trial an OFW would face.

In 2011, Arab Spring reached Yemen. There was continuous violence in Sana’a City, its capital. Fighting between government forces and protesters has resulted to loss of many lives.

Because of this, our government raised the travel alert to Yemen from level 2 to alert level 4 which was mandatory evacuation. Several of my fellow Filipinos lost their jobs since they were not able to return to work. They were on vacation when the ban was implemented while the rest of us were on duty.

I faced a huge dilemma for I need to choose between the welfare and future of my family against my personal safety. I chose to stay with my job and prioritized my family; two of my kids were in college while the youngest was in high school at that time. In addition, I would definitely find it difficult to find another job that offers 28 days work and 28 days vacation.

In short, for more than a year, I wandered in several Asian countries during my monthly vacation; I wouldn’t dare step foot in any part of my country since I knew that our immigration officers would definitely not allow me to leave again since I have a valid Yemen Residence Visa.

Since I couldn’t go home during my vacation I started my wandering in Singapore and explored Sentosa Island by foot. I noticed that plenty of tourists were swimming and basking in the sunshine along the beach while huge commercial ships anchored a few miles away were blocking their view of the horizon. I pity them since I have seen far more stunning sea view while frolicking at the beaches of Pangasinan, Zambales and Quezon many years back.

During my wandering, my wife and I visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We were awed by those great French architectures such as Notre Dame and The Post Office. These landmarks are truly impressive but lacking compared to our centuries old baroque churches. It dawned upon me that we have plenty of old churches dotting our archipelago nurtured by the faithfuls since time immemorial. I suddenly felt an urge to visit some of them and admire their enduring strength which represents the resiliency of Filipino people.

Camp John Hay

When my wife and youngest kid visited me at Kuala Lumpur, I brought them to Genting Highlands, a famous theme park with hotels and casinos at the top of the mountain. It was their first time to ride a cable car making the trip unforgettable. Upon reaching the peak, we immediately explored both its indoor and outdoor amusement parks; a visit to Ripley’s Believe It or Not completed our day. Though the whole place is considered as engineering marvel, its beauty is superficial unlike our own Baguio City. It took us less than a day to fully enjoy this place while our first Baguio trip that lasted for 3D2N in 2011 wasn’t enough to enjoy its entirety. With a stab of longing, I vividly remember the stunning Mines View, smell of pine trees at Camp John Hay, perfectly green Botanical Garden and a sneak at creepy Teachers Camp, among others. In addition, we were transported back to the past while having lunch at 50’s Diner. Given a choice to re-visit between Genting Highlands and Baguio I would definitely choose the latter anytime. Moreover, compared to our previous family trips abroad, we were most happy during our trip to Baguio City. It marked a lasting impression to my being that nothing can replace those treasures we consider our own. We simply need something to remind us that we have great places that can be at par and to some extent better than the world’s bests.

Malacanang of The North

Thus, after the travel ban was lifted in 2012 and around 16 months of being away from home, I arranged a family trip to Ilocos province for 4D3N and celebrated Christmas at Vigan City before proceeding to Laoag City. The whole experience was simply indescribable. The surreal and eerie atmosphere of soundless and deserted Calle Crisologo during our late evening stroll, the majestic view of South China Sea on our way to Pagudpud, the overpowering structure of Bangui windmills, the time-trapped Paoay Church are just some of our awesome experiences in Ilocos province. I can’t imagine how much thrill and excitement my family and I can handle if we would have a chance to visit our entire country. In fact, we haven’t set foot yet at Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol though we have plans to visit them in the near future before my kids start searching their own places under the sun.

at work

Because of our Baguio trip I never thought that my perspective as an OFW would dramatically change. Admittedly, I learned that there are a few things in an OFW's life better than being a miser and a workhorse. 

Because of this we started 2014 by spending a night at Subic Bay. The family enjoyed their first dip on the sea. It was blissful for any Pinoy Dad to see his family chasing and riding those strong waves until after sunset. We had a great dinner afterwards and enjoyed the sea breeze while a live band was performing on a makeshift stage. Chilled drinks completed my day.

In one of my sweet moments with my wife, cuddling her while watching our favorite TV show, I mentioned that it was my ardent dream to drive from Luzon up to Mindanao before I retire from my work abroad. She was quiet for a few moments then asked “Alone?” I smiled.

Dad's Review - Travel in Style (Part 2) - Emirates A380 Business Class

This is the third time I have traveled to Dubai from Bangkok by Emirates Airline Airbus A380.

shot from boarding lounge, notice the dual level embarkation tube

It wasn't a big deal traveling in the largest passenger airplane until recently when my boarding pass was rejected and torn apart by the Emirates staff at the boarding gate. You have been upgraded into business class according to the staff. I saw envious and prying eyes from my fellow passengers most of whom were Caucasian.

I calmed myself and pretended to be in relax mode though my pulse was starting to beat faster. I have been upgraded many times to business class by Emirates Airlines in their Boeing 777-300 ER but I've never expected that I would be lucky enough to experience A380 business class. This is one of my perks as Silver member of Emirates frequent flyer program.



As we have known, all economy passengers of A380 are restricted at the lower part of the plane while the upper part was solely for business and first class passengers; they even enjoy a different tube in embarking and deplaning from upper level.

almost empty business class area

The first class area is located as usual at the front while the remaining portion of the upper level is for business class. In addition, there is a bar and lounge at the end of the upper level which opens when the plane has reached its cruising altitude. I forgot to take a photo of the lounge but nevertheless it was truly the most amazing part of the A380. Not to mention the wide selection of free booze and lovely bar staff.

Regarding space and comfort, first class passengers enjoy a small or mini-room while the business class passengers have their own cubicle with shelf full of drinks such as Perrier and Cranberry juice. You have the entire area beside the window while the center area is reserved for two cubicles. In short, 4 business class seats or cubicles are occupying a space equivalent to 10 economy class seats. That how massive the seat of Emirates A380 business class.

Though it was my first time in Emirates A380 business class I noticed that there was no difference in electronics comfort compared to their Boeing 777 business class. Nothing differs with food and drinks either. The usual welcome drink (I usually asked for their Moet & Chandon Champagne), fine dining atmosphere and the usual 3 selections of main course while appetizers and desserts are served separately.

In my observation, the A380 business class has never been full in all those Bangkok - Dubai flights since the blanket had some dusty smell, a sign that it has been stored for a long period of time. The one inch thick mattress being laid on 777 business class seat when you were about to sleep was never offered to any of us. Moreover, there wasn't any "loot" or complimentary bag as well; a big let down for any Dad since the wife would definitely appreciate those Bulgaris and lovely pouch.

Inside the toilet, surprisingly enough, the seat has faux wood material while the usual business class amenities such as dental and shaving kits and sealed comb abound.

my side table with my favorite champagne

wider flat screen

It was announced by the cabin staff before our take-off that wifi facility at the upper level would be made available once the plane has reached 37,000 feet. I waited for the wifi connection but it seemed the staff forgot to announce that it wasn't free and quite expensive. Oh well, I decided to watch a couple of movies and had a short nap since the flight time was a little more than 6 hours.

It would be great if Emirates will make this behemoth plane available on their Dubai - Manila route so that an upgrade will be most welcome for any Dad who is going back to his job at the Middle East considering the flight time of more than 8 hours.

See: Travel in Style (Part 1)

Big Better Burger (BBB) - The Annex, SM City North EDSA

Tired of the usual burgers and meals being peddled by large burger chains? Then don't despair since a new and not-so-famous burger joint is now making a buzz in the Metro.

BBB at The Annex, SM City North EDSA

Being adventurous and tired of the usual fast food joints I coerced my wife to try Big Better Burger while on our way to Ace Hardware at The Annex, SM City North EDSA.

The place seemed bare since the usual crowds you see at other burger joints were missing. At any rate, it didn't prevent us from trying this burger joint with a catchy name.

We weren't disappointed since my wife and I were one in concluding that BBB's menu was amazingly unique and exciting. The taste of their grilled burger is even at par or better to some extent compared with other known burger brands in the Metro. Because of this we made it a point to bring our kids on our next visit.

With family in tow we returned to BBB at The Annex one weekend and thankful due to the absence of the usual "burger crowds" at lunch time.

One would be surprised to note that BBB has its own character far from the usual generic design of other burger joints. Wooden chairs and tables and a small counter comprise the interior. Gone are the plastic wares and stainless dining set-up.

MENU

The kids surprisingly enjoyed scrutinizing the menu since they have been accustomed in selecting their burgers from lighted billboards at the counters. Being unfamiliar with BBB's exotic burger meals they played safe and settled for 1/3 pound Cheese Explosion while my wife and I chose 1/3 pound Shitake Teriyaki Rice. We added 45 pesos to convert our order into value meal; fries and regular drink included.

sizzling burger with chunky Shitake slices in sweet Teriyaki sauce

Admittedly, BBB's grilled burger is somewhat similar to Burger King; smoky flavored and tasty. However at BBB, you have several options to go with your burgers such as Shitake, Pesto, among others. I am an avid fan of Ultimate Burger of Jollibee since I am more satisfied eating burger patty with rice. Hence at BBB, aside from my Shitake order, I can enjoy my burger with different kinds of rice and sauces. In addition, unlike in other burger joints where your order or meal usually await for you on their "production lines," at BBB the burger will be grilled after an order has been placed thus you have to let it cool down before gobbling it up. You have been warned, LOL.

newly grilled burger and bun with crispy fries

Our kids loved their cheesy one-third pounder smoky flavored burger and the large and crispy fries as well. Observing them I knew that their perspective for a normal burger meal has been changed to say the least.

Considering the affordable price, homey dining ambiance and the uniqueness of the menu I highly recommend this place to any adventurous individual who has gotten tired of the fast-paced crowds and their usual burger meals.