The Journey to the Philippines Part 1

It is now November, and the situation has changed slightly from when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. I traveled to the Philippines for work from late September, so I am writing this as a memo.

Although there was a lot of anxiety due to the pandemic, I was able to enter the country safely after obtaining a 9a visa video.

It took about a month to obtain the 9a visa and a bit over a month to receive the entry permit needed to apply for it. In total, it took a little over two months.

Currently, the 9g visa is primarily in use, so it might be difficult with a 9a visa, but it seems safer to assume that obtaining a visa could take several months.

Although various reports have already been made, it might not be necessary for me to explain—when entering the Philippines from Japan, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory (Japan is already recognized as a green country, so quarantine is no longer required).

The situation at Narita Airport looked like this; it was quite empty.

When I made my reservation, I was told the plane was fully booked, but looking around, there were hardly any passengers. I guess this is how they are required to operate at that density.

Upon arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, various procedures related to quarantine are carried out.

At one point, I was repeatedly asked to submit a QR code called the One Health Pass, which must be registered in advance for entry. I thought I would be kept waiting for quite some time, but I was able to leave the airport in less than an hour.

I stayed at a certain hotel in Makati. The check-in for the hotel is done through a separate underground parking lot, apart from general customers. As a basic premise, it is assumed that guests may carry the virus, so the check-in process is very strict.

The rooms are completely designated for quarantined guests, with chairs placed outside the room, and meals delivered three times a day at fixed times. Guests cannot step outside at all.

After check-in, I was given a sandwich, which was a nice surprise. I thought eating something like this at night might make me gain weight, yet I finished it. The tuna sandwich was quite tasty.

Each meal looked something like this. The rice was warm (which was pleasantly surprising when I picked it up), and the taste was decent.

Example of Breakfast

Example of Lunch

Example of Dinner

This is the sunrise on my first day in Makati. It’s a 14-day confinement living.

However, looking at the current situation, I have a feeling that soon it will just be a memory of "Oh, remember when we had COVID?"