The Backpack Adventures

Update! It's 2022! Are you planning to explore the Philippines this year?  Check out this list of Philippine holidays for the year 2022 so that you could book your flights early.  Philippine Holidays 2022 Date   Name Type 1 Jan Saturday New Year's Day Regular Holiday   23 Jan Sunday First Philippine Republic Day Special Working Public Holiday   1 Feb Tuesday Chinese Lunar New Year's Day Special Non-working Holiday   25 Feb Friday People Power Anniversary Special Non-working Holiday   1 Mar Tuesday Lailatul Isra Wal Mi Raj Common local holiday   20 Mar Sunday March Equinox Season   9 Apr Saturday The Day of Valor Regular Holiday   14 Apr Thursday Maundy Thursday Regular Holiday   15 Apr Friday Good Friday Regular Holiday   16 Apr Saturday Black Saturday Special Non-working Holiday   17 Apr Sunday Easter Sunday Observance   1 May Sunday Labor Day Regular Holiday   3 May Tuesday Eidul-Fitar Regular Holiday   12 Jun Sunday Independence Day Regular Holiday   21 Jun Tue

Road to JET 2021: Timeline October 1, 2020  - Application for 2021 JET Programme was opened for Filipinos. I learned about it through the Facebook Page of the Embassy. I downloaded the application files and other requirements from the  Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Website . You can click this  LINK  to check it out. I downloaded the following files: Application Form (Word)  Application Guidelines (PDF)  Attachment Chart Sheet of Application (PDF)  Self- Report of Medical Condition (s) (Word)  Statement of Physician (Word)  The deadline for submission: January 8, 2021 . October - November 2020 - I worked on completing my requirements. Luckily, I have a copy of my Transcript of Records and Certificate of Graduation. It would have been challenging to acquire them as the country is facing COVID 19 pandemic and most schools are closed or has limited manpower.  November 9, 2020 - I contacted and informed my superiors about my plan and also asked them for the reference letters. Just

Road to JET 2021 What is the JET Programme? JET Programme stands for Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme . It is a Japanese government initiative that aims to promote mutual understanding between the people of Japan and other nations. The program also aims to promote grassroots international exchange between Japan and other nations.  JET Programme started in 1987 and was exclusive mostly to native English-speaking countries. The program eventually expanded to become one of the largest exchange programs in the world having already invited thousands of educators, coaches, and coordinators for international relations. The JET Programme was opened to the Filipinos in 2014. Since then, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines already sent around 200+ JET participants to Japan.  Do you want to know more about the JET Programme? Read more by clicking this LINK .  Road to JET 2021: Intro After my first visit to Japan way back in 2014 , I have dreamt of coming back to stay longer and hopef

What I love about traveling, aside from seeing new places and experiencing new cultures, are the opportunities that I get to meet new people. It's also a great way for me to promote my country to other people.  One Fine Day in Tagaytay Last September 2019, I was lucky enough to be sent to Singapore for the five-day Google Innovator Program . I met tons of amazing people in the said event and got quite close to some of them. One of them was Sophie Tai who is an awesome Googler based in Taiwan.  Sophie and Paola during our Google x Singapore 2019 stint Since she frequently hangs out with us team QSR guys, she kinda became our adopted member and a part of our "gang". During one of our chats, we happened to talk about the beauty of the Philippines . She opened up that she's actually planning to visit this 2019 or early next year. I told her to send me a message if her plan would push through and I'd be glad to show her around. First stop:  Bag of Beans Tagayta