Early 2014, I purchased a ticket to Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia for 8 days from October 2 to 9 of the same year. However due
to some unforeseen reasons, I was not able to proceed with my planned trip. Several
days later, I was still feeling down and disappointed with the cancellation of that
trip when an unexpected opportunity came – 5 days trip to Malaysia with my
sister and a friend. So with only a few days to prepare, I was able to board
the plane and spent 5 days of spontaneous travel around Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
On the morning before our departure, when I am
supposed to double check my luggage and review our (unpolished) trip itinerary,
I went to Quezon City for an important meeting. Right after that, my sister and
I hurriedly hailed a taxi and endured an hour of traffic on our way to the
airport. I thought that maybe, just maybe once we’re at the airport
everything will be smooth sailing BUT to my dismay it was NOT.
We arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Terminal 4 (formerly known as Domestic Airport) an hour and a half before our
expected time of departure. Enough time for us to check in for our flight, pay
the Philippine travel tax and most importantly clear the Philippine
Immigration. Let me tell you the tale of how hard Filipinos can take a vacation
abroad. LOL.
My sister and I together with our friend, Anne
approached the Philippine Immigration with all smiles. We went to different
immigration personnel so I was quite worried about my
sister since this was her first time to go out of the country. I just reminded
her to answer truthfully and in a respectful manner. We were interviewed with
the usual questions. Where are you going? What will you do there? How long are
you planning to stay there? And the likes. Our friend cleared the immigration
without much of explaining to do but never did I imagine that my sister and I
will be detained for further questioning by another Philippine Immigration officer
in a separate room. As far as I can remember, we have complete documentations
to guarantee that we will be returning to the Philippines and not become some illegal
alien on the country of our destination. We have a reserved accommodation in
Kuala Lumpur, proof that I can shoulder my sister’s expenses for the duration
of the trip, a return ticket back to the Philippines and other necessary
documents.
