Event | Indonesia at a Glance with the ConGen at the Indonesian Consulate

It is a pleasant day in Davao City. The Consul General of the Indonesian Consulate, ConGen Berlian Napitupulu, has invited friends from the local media and social media to taste some food, witness and hear great things about Indonesia. The event, for me, is a realization and an envy.

ConGen Napitupulu with Ian Garcia at the Media Briefing

Indonesia and the Philippines are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Other countries included in the ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Timor Leste is also part of the Southeast Asia region but not yet part of the ASEAN, hopefully very soon. Aside from this group, which has celebrated a golden year last year, Indonesia and the Philippines are part of an economic cooperation known as Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA. Basically, the nearest ASEAN neighbors the Philippines has are from the BIMP. To exchange trades with them is really a very good way of getting along with our neighbors, especially with Indonesia, which is the largest economy in the region and among the top ten (10) largest economies in the world.

Bottom to Top: 

First things first, the invitation is at lunch time, and the best way to experience Indonesian hospitality is served with some Indonesian dishes. They have served the 1) padang sauce shrimp, 2) famous beef rendang, 3) tumis mix vegetables, 4) chicken satai, 5) shrimp chips and 6) fruits. It is indeed a very wonderful start. It has some similarities with Filipino food and all yet delicious!

Aside from the lunch being served, there are some tasty, great and exotic snack items served to taste. Yes, there are variety of snack items like the pang-pang, ping-ping, teng-teng, ting-ting, tong-tong, salak, durian pancake, my fave teh tarik drink and passion fruit juice! It isn’t hard to memorize the names at all! :-p

Variety of snack items

Salak and other snack items (sorry, I forgot the names)

Teh Tarik

Actually, I am marveled with the industries present in Indonesia. There’s a lot! Yes, a lot! There are many products from Indonesia that is in the Philippines right now that ranges from wellness and grooming products, food and beverage items, automobile, construction materials and many more. They have a number of industries that make their economy afloat and really one of the largest in the world. That’s one of the things I envy about Indonesia, I wish we have much industries like theirs. It is also a very inspiring thing that Indonesia is reaching out to neighboring countries like ours wherein they are pretty willing to impart their culture and expand their presence to connect more people from the Philippines to Indonesia and vice versa. ConGen Napitupulu has been proactive in doing so and with that, the Indonesian Consulate will be conducting a Food and Beverage Expo this coming June 2018 here in the city at a mall. Aside from that, their Trade Expo Indonesia on October 2018 invites business people to invest in Indonesia.

There’s more of Indonesia! Like the Philippines, Indonesia is an archipelago but they are the world’s largest group of islands. They have rich natural beauty and culture that is preserved and ready to face the world - like Medan! This is again a thing to emulate - preservation of rich culture to attract visitors.

Garuda at the Indonesian Consulate

Indonesia may not be a huge English-speaking country, but they have managed their huge industries to be around the region and the globe. They may not be among the countries with top numbers of business process outsourcing companies, but they are among the top economies in the world. Yes, that’s Indonesia! We can learn from them and learn from each other. :-)

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Travel | Japan Visa Requirements for Filipino Passport Holders

Travel has been a "dose for sanity" to me. An acute change of environment is a brain stimulant for me - just like coffee! Also, just like some lyrics from a song, "all my senses come to life"! Though my travel adventure isn't about a love story but it is a chance to indulge another culture, experience a way of living and taste sumptuous food. Also, traveling makes me fulfill my dreams of visiting a place, especially, Japan! Yes, for an ASEAN like me, going to this country is one in the bucket list. There are four (4) seasons in this country and surely, different colors and hues will be experienced each season. Yet and yet, before coming to this country, do not forget to accomplish your visa (oh yeah, third world country problem...lol). However, it is not that difficult to get one visa, for now; just be sure to have the complete requirements processed through an accredited agency. So, Filipinos wanting to visit Japan, as tourist, should prepare the following:
1) Completely filled out Visa Application Form in A4 paper.
2) One (1) Japan Visa passport photo, WHITE background, glued at the application form.
3) Valid passport at least six (6) months before the travel.
4) Detailed daily itinerary in Japan from ARRIVAL to DEPARTURE date.
5) Original Bank Certificate
6) Original and photocopy of your latest BIR Form 2316 or the Income Tax Return (ITR), original copy will be returned

First time travelers to Japan will have additional requirements to comply, to wit:
1) Original Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly known as National Statistics Office) within one year
2) Original Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority within a year (if applicable)

For students/minors traveling to Japan, additional requirement will have to be submitted, to wit:
1) Photocopy of School ID.

Tip: Retired or senior citizen will not need to comply the ITR. If one lacks a requirement, a letter addressed to the embassy should be attached and submitted for the visa processing.

Usually, you will be advised that your visa will be available within 7 working days. Good thing that I got mine within two (2) days after submission of requirements. I have paid also nine hundred pesos (P900.00) for the visa with its processing. It should be noted that the visa processing payment by agencies may differ in cost.

After getting your visa, get ready for a luxurious visit to Japan!

My stories from Japan will be posted here in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com. I hope you will share your stories, too!

Travel | Enjoying Spring in Seoul: Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Insadong

DMZ Landmark at Paju, South Korea

A different way to experience South Korea is to visit the Demilitarized Zone or known as the DMZ. It is located at Paju, Northeastern part of South Korea. It is one of the boundaries of the North and South Korea wherein during the Korean War, the place is one of the battlefields. This place is witness to the pain of the Korean War and the national conflict. Many of its relics and monuments serve as remembrance of the past and the strive for an everlasting peace among the countries.

A day prior the tour, I have asked my friend to book me for the tour and gladly i am reserved. It costs around KRW 46,000. The pick up area for a joiner like me is near the Hongik University Station bus stop. There is excitement and anxiousness in my mind knowing that I will be visiting the boundary of North and South Korea. Some question like, "Am i really going to this? Am i really in the right state of mind visiting the place? Will I still go back home safely?", afloat in my mind. It is because some blog posts say that there are restrictions in what to wear and how to behave when in the DMZ - since North Koreans might be taking some photos of tourists from afar or by a drone and will show to their citizens how people dress outside their country. Anyways, that is part of the adventure when in South Korea!

From Hongik University Station to DMZ is almost an hour tour bus ride. While I am containing my excitement towards our destination, I am still looking for those late bloomer sakura through the window... Hoping to see either white or pinkish sakura!

Bell Peace

Anyways, first stop is at the DMZ ticket booth and tourist information center. Tourists are given only a few minutes to take some photos and tour around the area with a constant reminder of wearing the tour ID. In the vicinity, you will see the Bell of Peace. It is a very huge bell that represents peace of mankind and unification of the Korean nation in the new millennium.

DMZ Memories Monument

Steam Locomotive

Just some meters away, you will see a Steam Locomotive at Jangdan Station of the Gyeongui Line. It is such a huge old steam-run train derailed by explosions of bomb, aside from that, the train is bathed by traces of explosion - it is so tragic to imagine.

Freedom Bridge

Then, a few meters away again, you will see the Bridge of Freedom. It is a wooden bridge made to free more than 10,000 prisoners. At the end of this bridge, you will see some flags or some cloth tied that symbolizes territory and grief of the area during the Korean War.

After few minutes, we get back to the tour bus the we proceed to our closest distance to North Korea. We pass through the Imjingang Railroad Bridge towards the DMZ observatory and the 3rd tunnel.

Rail Bridge of Imjingang

Dora Observatory

It is said that the North Koreans tried to dig tunnels towards Seoul. Several tunnels are discovered and one of it is the 3rd tunnel that is now part of the history and tourist attraction. Tourists are invited to watch the film showing about the tunnels and then try to walk down the tunnel which I think is a kilometer away to experience and witness some discoveries in the tunnel. Tourists are urged just to walk in their own pace with helmet on and devices kept in the lockers provided. I suggest that no claustrophobic individual will try to enter... At the end of the tunnel, you will just witness a boundary between the two Korea then back to the surface. You will feel peace and tension at the same time since there are military personnel from South Korea and also some ally armies from the USA.

Aspiration for Permanent Peace!

Dora Observatory

Never miss to have that photo opportunity with the bean like landmark at the DMZ, for me, it symbolizes mending of ties between two Korea.

The 3rd Tunnel, DMZ, Paju, South Korea

Then, we proceed to the observatory. Some young South Korean military forces are there to man the boundary. Tourists are restricted to take photos beyond a designated yellow line. There are some binoculars you can coin in to peek a view in the nearby North Korea. It is foggy then, no clear image is seen but at least I manage to seen a part of North Korea - a vast area with some industries but less to no people around.

Dorosan Station, South Korea

Dorosan Stamp

Then, we proceed to the Dorasan Station. It is a train station built that hopes for a peaceful entry from South Korea towards the capital of the North, Pyeongyang. There too, tourists can have a stamp of the Dorasan Station but please be reminded not to stamp it on your passport or face some consequences in the immigration. The place is peaceful but you know there is still internal tension between the two countries. Anyways, I am one with peace between the two and of the whole world! :-p

Sakura

Sakura

There you go, the experience is fun for a half day tour. More pleasant since I saw the sakura, some late blooming sakura in Paju!!!

Sakura Behind Me!!!

In the tour bus, different nationalities are there and glad to befriend some of them. Going back to Seoul, we take some time in a ginseng museum, you will really need not to miss it! (Sarcastic attitude!!!) Then, some new friends and I look for a place to eat lunch! We walk around Insadong and find for a spot to eat and have some shared beer. Then, after eating, tummies are full and there explore a bit in Insadong, act nuts, and ate 'poop pancake'! Such an activity for the day!!!

Lunch time!

Shopping Store in Insadong

"Poop" Pancake Stall

Yeah, I enjoyed the tour and going around with some new found friends. It is cool to be a tour joiner!

Those glasses!!!

"Poop" Pancake eating!!!

But hey, it isn't my last day in South Korea yet. I am enjoying much of the spring time. Stay put for my update and share your stories too in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Travel | Enjoying Spring in Seoul: The Palaces, Museum, Sakura, Shrine, and Lotte World

Seoul City Hall

The following day, I explored the city alone. The landmark where I started the tour is at the City Hall. So, to justify that I really am at Seoul, the Seoul City Hall is the best place to be and have that selfie! LOL see previous post here

Good thing in the City Hall area is that it is also near other landmarks to visit. Since it is spring time, most spring flowers are in bloom and vibrant such as this red and white flowers in this "I love you Seoul" landscape at the Seoul Plaza. Behind this landscape is the beautiful building of Seoul Metropolitan Library.

I Love You Seoul at Seoul Plaza

Flowers at the Sidewalk

Lots and lots of flowers at the sidewalk...vibrant and colorful! This is not a usual scene in the Philippines because these spring flowers will surely dry up in the tropical environment. I thought that these are plastic ornaments but no, these are real flowers!

Just across the Seoul Plaza is where the Deoksugung Palace is located. So, I took the chance of exploring the place also. The entrance fee costs KRW 1000. This palace is said to be the palace that has western touch and it bridges the old and modern eras of Seoul.

Gate of Deoksugung Palace

Deoksugung Palace

Inside Deoksugung Palace

Inside and outside the palace, there are pinkish flowers, and I always suspect it as the cherry blossom, but they are not! I am late for the bloom of the cherry blossoms. Some moments of rain and gust are also factors that will fall off the flowers just like those petals at the right photo - actually, those are cherry blossom petals. Those trees that you see are not green when the buds are in bloom! As the locals say, you will see white, pink, then green. Another point here is that, this stone-wall road you see is considered as one of Korea's beautiful roads, indeed!

Deoksugung Doldam-gil: One of the Beautiful Korean Roads

I continued to walk along the vicinity and I arrived near the Seoul Museum of Art. That big floral bouquet is one their entrance's visual arts. The Korean people are really arty! 

Big Floral Bouquet at Seoul Museum of Art

Further steps, you will arrive at the Seoul Museum of History. It is where I further explore Seoul through the eyes. They have a scale model of the city that is very cool! It plays well with some lights and texts - very modern to present the division of districts in Seoul even to its main streets. By the way, it has a free admission - good thing because I am able to stay while it is raining.

Sakura!!!

Seoul Museum of History

But hey, upon walking towards my next destination, since the rain has stopped, too - look what I have found!!! Eureka! Eureka! Eureka! I found a species of cherry blossoms (the photo at the right)! From its looks and color - this is like the ornaments displayed inside the malls in the Philippines - this is indeed a cherry blossom! Anyways, the search is not still off since to see more of it because the cherry blossom is the prominent icon whenever we talk about spring time. :-)

After seeing that cherry blossom, I proceeded to the Gwanghwamun Square. It is where you will see the two most respected historical figures by the Koreans: Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (statue at the left) and King Sejong (statue at the right).

After visiting the Gwanghwamun Square, I proceeded to Changdeokgung Palace - recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage and listed on 1997. It has an entrance fee that costs KRW 3000. This is among the palaces that has a colorful past and has been home to one of Japan's princesses during the Japanese occupation in Korea.

The Changdeokgung Palace

Where the Japanese Princess Lived

At the Changdeokgung Palace, there is also a scheduled palace tour in English. It is very interesting to learn about the history of the place and I hope there is such a thing in the Philippines. However, there are no royal families in the Philippines, perhaps, it can be done among cultural villages. Anyways, moving forward, more steps, the next palace is the Changgyeonggung Palace, however, I did not enter the palace because I want to catch the Jongmyo Royal Shrine.

Jongmyo Royal Shrine is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995. It has an entrance fee of KRW 1000. It is where the memorial tablets for the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, the last dynasty the served Korea, are kept. They follow Confucian tradition.

Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo Shrine

Memorial services in this shrine also hold the oldest ancestral rites conducted since 1464. It is recognized as the one of the Masterpieces of the Oral Tradition and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. At this shrine, there is also an English shrine tour. There are some restrictions where to step in the shrine's paved ways since it is believed that some of those ways are for the spirits not humans.

The Lotte World

This is my final destination for the day...the Lotte World, one of South Korea's theme parks. It is already almost night time when I arrived. Spending more than KRW 20,000 entering the park isn't that practical at all. Few hours to spend is not worthy, so, I just took a photo outside. LOL

That was a very tiring day. Much of walk the whole day. Pretty excited for another day's tour at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where you will be at South and North Korea's boundary!

I hope you enjoyed the visit in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com. Share your story too!