Travel : Japan Eases Visa Requirements for Filipinos

Mount Fuji - Japan's highest peak

Many countries do not require visa for Philippine nationals to visit their country; but other countries require Filipinos to get an entry visa, and some of them have very stringent requirements. One particular country that is quite strict in issuing visa to Filipinos is Japan. This is understandable because some Filipino tourists overstay in Japan to find jobs when their visa expires. The high exchange rate of the Japanese yen, the high-paying blue collar jobs, and job referrals from friends/relatives who are already working there, are some of the  reasons  why these Filipino visitors are enticed to find jobs in Japan. 

There are also thousands of overseas Filipino contract workers all over Japan (working mainly in the entertainment industry) and it would not be an easy task for Japanese immigration to apprehend these overstaying visitors, so this could also be one reason for them to strictly qualify visa applicants from the Philippines.  For whatever reason, getting a Japanese visa is a hurdle to many Filipinos.

A couple of weeks ago, there were "unofficial" news that Japan would be easing up on visa requirements, and many Filipinos welcomed the news with anticipation. But last  Tuesday (June 17, 2014) the Japanese embassy in Manila released the news officially :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has approved “substantial relaxations of visa requirements” for tourism visas issued to nationals of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said Tuesday.

The policy move is just an “initial step” of the ministry's “endeavor to realize the exemption of visa requirements,” the embassy also said.

A report by Kyodo News on April 15 said the Japanese government is “making arrangements” to waive visas for tourists from the three Asian countries.

A report on Nikkei Asian Review quoted a Japanese Tourism Agency official as saying that for the Philippines and Vietnam, Japan will launch "a substantive visa exemption" by simplifying visa acquisition procedures for participants of tours offered by the travel agencies designated by the Japanese government.

Tourist visa requirements were relaxed to help achieve Japan's goal of attracting 20 million foreign visitors by 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympics and Paralympics, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun.

“For national of the Philippines multiple-entry visa requirements will be substantially relaxed, and requirements for single-entry tourism visas will be relaxed to a quasi-exemption-equivalent level when applied via specified travel agencies,” the embassy said in its statement.

However, other details, including “the beginning date of application” are still being worked out, the embassy said.

According to The Yomiuri Shimbun, visitors from overseas surpassed the 10 million mark for the first time in 2013 due partly to the yen’s weakening.

It said Japanese officials believe that by making it easier to obtain a visa, the number of foreign tourists to Japan will double from the 2013 level by 2020.

New Source : GMA News

Indeed this is a welcome development specially to Filipinos. Japan is geographically so near to the Philippines but it seems so far to many Filipinos because of this visa impediment. 

For the three countries specifically mentioned (Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam) who would be benefitting from this development, it is obvious that economic and political reasons had been considered for their inclusion------These three countries are the fastest growing economies in Asia these past years; and Vietnam and the Philippines are Japan's allies in fighting China's expansionist scheme in East Asia.-----

Japan is a very beautiful country with a unique and ancient culture; and the Japanese people are admired for their kindness and courteous manner. Many people would love to visit the country if given the opportunity. With the easing of visa requirements (and maybe even a complete waiving of visa requirements soon) this will give more people a chance to visit Japan. Im sure many Filipinos are already excitedly planning for a Nippon adventure. 

Let's forget Hong Kong (who likes unfriendly people anyway?). As one travel writer puts it : Japan will now be the "New Hong-Kong" for Filipinos. 

Picture Sources :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/10029963/Mount-Fuji-to-get-World-Heritage-status.html
http://www.tourist-destinations.com/2011/06/kyoto-japan.html
http://www.japanfreeclassifieds.com/

History : Was Dr. Jose Rizal Anti-Chinese?

Dr. Jose Rizal - Philippine National Hero

With China's blatant bullying, its incursion and occupation of our islands in the West Philippine Sea, there is a growing anti-Chinese (not Chinese-Filipinos) sentiment prevailing among Filipinos nowadays. But these are not the only reasons for this anti-Chinese feeling. Here are more reasons : their mining companies are destroying our mountains, and polluting our rivers and seas with their irresponsible and negligent mining practices; their quarrying of our beaches of black sands and magnetite has been destroying our beaches, and causing soil erosions in our coastal areas; their financing of big-time drug syndicates and drug manufacturers; their export of chemically-contaminated food products, lead-laced baby products, children toys, cosmetics and other products in the market; their illegal fishing and poaching of endangered animals species in our territories; their growing monopoly of  retail and trading business, and dumping of cheap and low-quality Chinese products undercutting our local products , their partnership with local gangsters to operate illegal businesses; their arrogant and rude manners as tourists, their mushrooming casinos and gaming investments, and more. The Chinese are able to do some of their illegal and nefarious business activities by bribing unscrupulous locals, civil servants and local government officials, immigration and police officers. All of these have contributed to the growing anti-Chinese feeling in the country.

These activities of the present-day overseas Chinese are not unlike that of Rizal's description of the overseas Chinese in the Philippines during his time, as he described it in his novel:"El Filibusterismo".

El Filibusterismo

Download : El Filibusterismo ( English Version )

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10676/10676-h/10676-h.htm

Some of Rizal's works and writings are said to be bias against and contemptuous of the Chinese. A Rizaliana  article I read convincingly proved that he was indeed anti-Chinese. But the article also rationalized that "his antagonism towards the Chinese was largely a product of the cultural and political situation of his time". I think in the same way, we can also reason out that this present day anti-Chinese sentiment of Filipinos is also a product of : a cultural difference with this new wave of overseas Chinese, a political and military issue with China, and mainly, an economic issue with a country who wants to dominate our region economically through bullying, aggression, intimidation and unscrupulous business practices.

The article  is entitled "Rizal's Chinese Overcoat" written by Mr. Alfonso O. Ang, a Chinese-Filipino, writer and member of the Philippine National Historical Society. The article partly discussed Rizal's Chinese ancestry and lineage. Ironically, despite this fact about his ancestry, the article lengthily proved his being anti-Chinese. It cited many instances of Rizal's contempt for the Chinese and his anti-Chinese behavior through his works and historical records. Proofs of Rizal's anti-Chinese behavior was drawn and concluded from these instances : his description and potrayal of a Chinese character by the name of "Quiroga" in his novel "El Filibusterismo", his dislike of  Chinese merchants and his boycotting of Chinese stores during his exile in Dapitan, his denial of his Chinese ancestry during his trial in Fort Santiago,  his expressed anti-Chinese sentiments in some his letters, and other instances where he showed his contempt for the Chinese. The article also noted that Rizal never mentioned his Chinese lineage in any of his writings.

By the way, the article was written by the author mainly to question the veracity and purpose of a book (about Rizal and his relation with China) published by the Peking University (authored by Chinese and Filipinos) to promote Philippine-China relation.

Perhaps, Dr. Jose Rizal was indeed anti-Chinese during his time because of some significant and personal reasons. Just like how we Filipinos, nowadays, are anti-Chinese because of the reasons mentioned above. But I'm sure that if he were alive today, he would have had the same sentiments like us, and would surely be boycotting "Made in China" products.

Source :
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Reflections/rizals_chinese_overcoat.pdf

Related Links :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDfpOsKJqZU

http://betterphils.blogspot.com/2013/07/chinese-invaded-zambales-blow-up.html

http://opinion.inquirer.net/57293/dark-dates-in-chinese-and-philippine-histories

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/67088/death-sentence--black-ore-gold-rush-scars-philippine-coastsChina Occupation and Incursion Protest 

Rants : Why are the Chinese Filipino Communities So Silent on the Abuse of Filipinos in Taiwan?

I am reprinting a portion of Philippine Star columnist  Federico Pascual's article on his Postscript column dated May 19, 2013. I hope that the Taiwanese people (the new generations) would read his article and realize that the Philippines was one of the few countries who helped the Kuomintang Chinese, and gave them refuge when communist forces were pursuing them after their defeat.  Some of them remained in the Philippines and became citizens and residents of the country.

The irony of it is that : the Taiwanese (whom the Filipinos helped during the Chinese civil war) are now badly treating and  hurting the Filipinos (OFWs) in Taiwan. But what is bothersome is the silence of the Chinese Filipino communities on the abuse of Filipinos (OFWs) by the Taiwanese. Their silence is quite "deafening". Haven't heard any of them condemn the abuses committed by the Taiwanese on OFWs. Do they even care? I believe they do. Because this is not about race or nationality, it's about people needing help.

The Chinese Filipino communities should immediately exert efforts to help these hapless OFWs and help our government rescue them from the Taiwanese. They could use whatever leverage or influence they have with Taiwan or even China to help the Filipinos be protected or rescued from the Taiwanese.

Mga kababayang Tsinoy, please help the OFWs in Taiwan.

Taiwanese are now not just burning Philippine flags
but also hurting Filipinos(OFWs) in Taiwan

"When communist hordes overran China in 1949 in the concluding chapter of a civil war, the Philippines gave aid and sanctuary to Kuomintang Chinese fleeing the mainland on way to Taiwan. Many of them settled in Manila and flourished in business.

Now they are treating us like rubbish just because one of them was killed by stray bullets when their boat intruded into Philippine waters last Wednesday and tried to ram a Coast Guard craft that accosted it.

The President of the Philippines humbled himself and apologized for the unfortunate death of one of the Taiwanese intruders – but this was rejected by Taipei as “insincere.”

Next time we feel like apologizing to a neighbor, especially if he is a renegade Chinese, we should find out first if the apology would be accepted."

Article Source :
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2013/05/19/943749/aquino-faces-acid-test-china-taiwan-rows
Picture Source :
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/74467/taiwanese-fishermen-burn-filipino-flags-in-protest

Interesting Events : The Sabah Standoff - Malaysia's Big Dilemma

Map of Sabah

Malaysia is in a big dilemma on the Sabah standoff. The ongoing standoff  was due to the "illegal" occupation of  a "kampong" in Lahad Datu in Sabah by the heirs, followers and "royal army" of the Sultanate of Sulu. The group is invoking their legal and hereditary rights  to permanently stay in Sabah and they also submitted some demands to the Malaysian authorities. This incident is related to the heirs' long-standing Sabah claim, and this particular incident  is one that the Malaysians can not ignore or hide. If previous claims on Sabah  before were initiated by the Philippine government, the claim is now initiated by the actual heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, the lessor and the acknowledged owners of  Sabah.

Here are some possible scenarios for Malaysia if it doesn't exercise prudence on this standoff. Malaysia can accept the demands of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu but this could mean acknowledging the right of ownership of  the Sultanate to Sabah, thereby strengthening the Philippine claim. With this scenario, a possible ceding or partition of Sabah is not far-fetched.

It can also reject the demands of the heirs but this could start an insurgency in Sabah. The heirs and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu have a sizable number of supporters within Sabah which they could mobilize. These followers and supporters of the Sultanate have been long time residents of Sabah and many of them were actually born in Sabah, and practically considered ethnic Sabahans. Most of them also possess Malaysian citizenship. Malaysia wouldn't want these scenarios to happen.

An immediate solution to quell this "occupation" of Sabah is forced dispersal and eventual deportation of the Sultanate's "subjects", but this move could turn violent and cause bloodshed. Some of the Sultanate's followers are reportedly armed. This would attract more attention and the international media would surely scrutinize the Sabah ownership issue. It definitely wouldn't want this to happen.

A worse scenario would be the involvement of the separatist groups excluded in the recent Mindanao peace process and creation of Bangsamoro autonomous region.(Incidentally, the Mindanao peace process was brokered by Malaysia) These groups might shift their "separatist cause" and tie-up with Sultanate's cause of reclaiming Sabah. If they could not get Mindanao, they might as well help get Sabah. An interesting fact about the  Mindanao conflict is that it had its roots from the Sabah claim. So basically, this two issues are intertwined. The MNLF already publicly acknowledged that  it supports the "incursion" of the Sultanate's followers in Sabah. Reports say that some of the followers who are now in Lahad Datu are actually members of the MNLF. This last scenario would be unthinkable. The Malaysian and Philippine governments wouldn't want this to happen at all cost.

The previous claims of the Philippines on Sabah had been ignored by the Malaysian government despite legal and historical proofs that the territory belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. The most tangible proofs of ownership are the continuing annual rental payment of the Malaysian government to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu; and a legal decision made by the High Court of North Borneo acknowledging that (part of) Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. Furthermore, the lease agreement entered into by the Sultanate of Sulu and the British North Borneo company specifically stated that : the lease prohibits the transfer of Sabah to any nation, company or individual without the consent of His Majesty’s Government (“Sultanate of Sulu”).

The Sabah standoff has put Malaysia in a dilemma, and Malaysia has to exercise prudence in its decision and action regarding the ongoing standoff. Everyone, Malaysians and Filipinos, wants it to end peacefully.

Let's all hope that Malaysia will do what is fair and just. And maybe, just maybe, it could give some concession to its lessor's demands.

Map Source :
www.sabah.edu.my
Related Links :
http://opinion.inquirer.net/47269/the-sabah-standoff-revolt-left-out-sultanates-heirs
http://www.epilipinas.com/sabahclaim.htm
http://thephilippineclaimoversabah.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html#4474224499964159725

Economy : Philippines - Asia's Laggard No More!

Many Filipinos almost gave up on the Philippines. A few actually did and migrated to other countries. Many were forced to work abroad, and by doing so, helped the country withstood the economic crises through their dollar remittances. The Filipino "diaspora" is still ongoing. Almost 10% of the total population of the country live or work abroad. The irony is that while many developing countries are hiring Filipino technocrats and labors to maintain their economic developments, the Philippines continues its brain drain. (Though there seems to be a reverse brain drain nowadays with other nationalities immigrating to the Philippines). For many years, the Philippines was the "Laggard of Asia". But Filipinos remained patient, patriotic and resilient despite all the odds.

Recently, Time magazine featured a special report on the Philippines referring to it as a new Asian Tiger. And other sources' statistics point to an improving economy of the country. Of course, Filipinos were ecstatic about the news. But everyone seems to ask : Is this for real?

Philippines : Asia's New Tiger

The country's economic growth as statistics show is on the bright side in the next few years. Some ASEAN neighbors are in economic lull right now after experiencing phenomenal economic booms in the previous years. Indonesia and the Philippines' economies seem to be the ones in active mode right now. 

If it's any indication of the good things to come, according to real estate pundits, the real estate boom in the country will continue for the next three years. I guess then that for the next three years our economy would still be on an upswing. 

Another indicator are the positive words of New York University professor and economist Dr. Nouriel Roubini about the Philippines' strong economic growth and resiliency, and his opinion/recommendation that the Philippines should be upgraded to investment status this year or in the next thirty months. Dr. Roubuni said these encouraging remarks about the Philippines despite his prediction last year of a "global perfect storm next year (2013) as economies the world over slow down or shudder to complete halt."[1]

Other factors which might help sustain our economic growth in the years to come would be : the transfer of Japanese companies to the country because of the ongoing territorial conflict of Japan with China, which has affected Japanese factories and companies located in mainland China; the growing tourism industry and the BPO service industry. 

The uninterrupted dollar remittances of OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) and Filipino emigrants would still be the lifeline of the Philippine economy that will ensure  stability in case other factors fail to deliver. For years it has become the anchor of the country's economy.(The Filipino diaspora has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.) But this has to stop eventually, exports, tourism and BPO, not OFW remittances should be the country's main dollar source for its foreign currency reserve. A positive effect triggered by OFW remittances is an increase in domestic spending and consumption.

2012 Philippine GDP growth : 6.6%

Last year the Philippines had a 6.6 percent GDP growth. The best in the ASEAN region and the sixth best in the world. Let's just hope and pray that this trend continues. For the moment let's be happy that our country is Asia's laggard no more!

News and Picture Source:
http://www.businessoutlook.co.uk/specialreports.html
http://www.businessoutlook.co.uk/reports/2012/Philippines_Dec2012.pdf
News and Infographic Source :
www.rappler.com
[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/17/us-roubini-outlook-idUSBRE86G1C820120717
Related News :
http://business.inquirer.net/82418/japanese-manufacturers-move-to-philippines

Trivia : The Philippines - Most Emotional Country in the World

Filipinos the most emotional? I always thought the Italians are the most emotional people in the world. I had a chance of working with Italians for quite awhile and mind you the workplace was full of  drama. The scenes that you see in "The Godfather" movies are normal ( except for the killing of course ) everyday scenes with Italians around. They laugh, curse, talk, show affection in the full spectrum of emotions, couple that with their thick Italian accent, it's an opera.

But despite their being emotional and prone to sudden burst of temper, the Italians are one of the nicest nationalities I had worked with.

Click to enlarge map

Most emotional countries

Map Source : http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-20/map-where-the-emotionally-challenged-live

Let me go back to the original topic : Filipinos the world's most emotional people?
There was one incident where a  fellow Filipino engineer and our Italian supervisor fought in the company where I used to work. They had a fist fight and if it were not for the intervention of cooler heads either one of them might have had ended up in the hospital. There was a lot of cursing and emotions while two engineers settled their differences.The Filipino engineer was more intense, and emotional in proving his point. In the end, our Italian supervisor ended up apologizing to the Filipino engineer.

If a Filipino can "out emote" an Italian, then I guess the survey is right, we are the most emotional. I hope that also translates to a higher EQ (emotional quotient) and not being emotionally challenged.

But the survey is not just about one end of the emotional spectrum, it encompasses the whole bandwidth of emotion: happy, sad and other emotions in between. To quote the article : "Filipinos were the most likely to admit feeling both positive and negative emotions"

I guess there is also some positive note to the survey when the article mentions :
Bloomberg Businessweek quotes Gallup’s Jon Clifton as saying: “If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world. But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they’re not doing so well.”

Okay Pinoys, don't cry now!

Source :
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-20/map-where-the-emotionally-challenged-live
http://interaksyon.com/article/48582/omg--philippines-is-the-worlds-most-emotional-country-poll-says

Related Link :
http://247wallst.com/2012/11/30/the-worlds-most-and-least-emotional-countries/?utm_source=247WallStDailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NOV302012A&utm_campaign=DailyNewsletter

People : World's Least Rude People

For the "nth" time, I have been mentioning in this blog that we Filipinos are among the friendliest people in this planet, not because I am a Filipino but because this is what I have observed after having met, interacted and worked with other nationalities. I guess our friendly disposition comes from being exposed to a lot of cultures and people for a very long time, our innate sense of humor and our Latin heritage.

In a recent survey of  a leading European travel site of the "World's rudest nationalities", there is a mention of the "least rude nationalities". The "least rude nationalities" are topped by the Brazilians, the people of the Caribbean Islands and the Filipinos. If you have noticed, these "least rude nationalities" have something in common : they are countries of Latin heritage and places with many celebrations  and festivities (e.g. religious festivals, fiestas,  carnivals / mardi gras). And if I may add, countries which love to sing and dance.

This is really something heart-warming said about our country and our people, specially so since the compliment comes from other nationalities. I guess this is really the reason why it's more fun in the Philippines.

World's least rude people : Brazilians

Source :  http://globalnation.inquirer.net/32107/filipinos-among-‘least-rude’-in-the-world-says-survey

             

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