I Shall Return, NZ!

My flat in Auckland, New Zealand (Nov 2014)

I left New Zealand upon completion of my postgraduate studies in November 2014. After more than 2 years away, I finally get a chance to visit my alma mater in Auckland. The wedding of my nephew Neeko later this year opens an excuse for me to go there with my family.

See you soon, Aotearoa!

Finished with my postgraduate degrees at the University of Auckland

I recently received my diploma for my master of public policy, capping off my two year academic stint in New Zealand. I can't believe time flew by so fast. It seemed like only yesterday when I applied for postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland and scholarship with the New Zealand Embassy. Today, I have my Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts with Merit on Development Studies and a Master of Public Policy with Second Class Honours First Division.

I'm thankful to my wife Ria and daughter Bea for allowing me to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. I am extremely lucky to have a partner who supported me 100% of the way and sacrificed so much by taking care of our daughter and running our household, all by herself. I hope I can return their love and affection. I am grateful as well to my mom Aileen and dad Roque for their support, and to the rest of my family for their encouragement. 

Thanks are also due to my policy professor, boss, and dissertation supervisor, Dr. Julie MacArthur, for her guidance and support. I really appreciate how she gave me the freedom to work on my dissertation at my own pace, and at the same time be there for me to check on my progress, review my drafts, and give sound advice on how to improve my paper.

Lastly, I am extremely grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and all who make up the New Zealand-ASEAN Scholarships Programme (NZAS) for giving me this great opportunity to obtain a post-graduate diploma and a master's degree at the University of Auckland. Rest assured that I will use all that I learned in New Zealand to help my home country of the Philippines.

My write-up in the University of Auckland website

If you are reading this post while taking your postgraduate studies in New Zealand, and feel depressed, burdened and/or stressed with all the academic obligations, let me reassure you that this too will pass. You can make it! Good luck and God bless!

#parasabayan #parasaPilipinas

Income Tax Obligations of Filipinos who Study Abroad

In so far as tax obligations are concerned, what happens after you complete your studies in New Zealand (or wherever you studied abroad) and return to the Philippines? Is a Filipino overseas postgrad student required to file an income tax return (ITR) with the Bureau of Internal Revenue?

• Well, according to the Official Philippine Government website, the short answer is no.

• Gov.ph states that non-resident citizens are exempt from filing income tax returns. 

Which begs the question, do Filipino overseas postgrad students fall under the definition of 'non-resident citizens'?

• In my opinion, yes.

• Among those listed, Filipino overseas postgrad students fall under the classification of 'Filipino citizen who leaves the Philippines during the taxable year to reside abroad, either as an immigrant of or for permanent employment.'

HOWEVER, if you earned income from sources WITHIN the Philippines while you were away, you are required to declare that income and file an ITR.

So, to summarize:

• If you are a Filipino overseas postgrad student who did not earn any income from sources within the Philippines during the taxable year, you are EXEMPT from filing an ITR.

• If you are a Filipino overseas postgrad student who earned income from sources within the Philippines, you are required to file an ITR.

Don't Forget to bring Vicks

Pag malamig ang panahon, napansin ko na mas madalas hindi naliligo ang mga ibang lahi dito. Alam ko kasi lumalakas ang baho at putok ang naamoy ko kapag winter. Lalong lalo na sa graduate computer lab namin. Pag summer o autumn, hindi ganun ka sama. Meron paminsan minsan may uupo sa tabi mo na may amoy, pero oks lang. Lipat ka lang ng computer. Pero talaga pag winter, yung buong lab mabaho. Kahit saan ka lumipat, amoy mo yung hindi pagkaligo, or worse, yung putok. Mahihilo ka ng di oras. Ang panangga mo sa B.O. ay Vicks vaporub. Pahid ka lang ng kaunti sa may ilong mo para hindi mo maamoy yung baho. 

Ayun lang. Payong kapatid. Don't forget to bring Vicks.

Bungy jumped in Queenstown

So I ticked off another item on my bucket list...

I was in Queenstown with my friends last September and they all wanted to ski and/or paraglide. But I already went skiing and skydiving before, so I wanted to do something different naman. And since commercial bungy jumping started out in Queenstown thirty years ago, I told myself I might as well do that there, right?

Anyway, I chose to jump with AJ Hackett Bungy. Their office is at the heart of Queenstown--Shotover corner Camp Street. When you get to town, you can't miss it. After registering and paying, they weigh you. And then you ride a bus that brings you to the jump sites.

My weight in red marker.

There are three options to choose from. First is the Kawarau Bridge Bungy. This is the first and original commercial bungy jump in the world. The drop is 43 meters (roughly 140 feet)--the shortest among the three. If you're heavy enough, you can request to take a dip on the Kawarau river. Tandem jumps are also available. The next is the Ledge bungy. This site is located on top of Bob's Peak near downtown. The drop is 47 meters (154 feet), with a spectacular view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. The third and highest bungy is Nevis. It is New Zealand's highest bungy at 134 meters (440 feet)! It's crazy! The jumping platform is on a cable car suspended from wires connected to two mountains. It is not for the faint of heart.

I chose to do the Kawarau Bridge bungy jump because of its historical significance (and because it was the shortest. Haha). But you can, if you want (and if you have money to burn) do all three jumps! They have combos for that sort of thing.

Once you get to Kawarau Bridge, you line up for your turn. Of course, while you're waiting, you see the other jumpers, and it all starts to sink in and it gets on your nerves--you're jumping off a bridge. You're jumping off a bridge! Yung nauna nga sa akin, parang mag-ba-backout na, so pati ako parang ayaw ko na rin. But the people working the bungy know what to do. They've seen countless jumpers get nervous and they're trained to calm people down. They chitchat with you so that you don't think too much about the jump. 

After the lady in front of me jumped, it was my turn. So what happens is you put on a harness around your waist and pelvic area--like the ones you wear when you wall climb. Then you sit down and they wrap a thick folded towel around your leg. When that's snug, they tie a nylon cord over the towel and around your leg until it's tight and secure. Afterwards, they clip you to the bungy cord. That's it. Ganun lang pala.

So that's Kawarau River. Look at that. What a beautiful view. I made the right choice when I decided where to bungy jump. I asked the guy who strapped me if I could touch the water of the river, because it's an option. Unfortunately, I wasn't heavy enough. Apparently you have to be 73 kilos or heavier to get the water splash. Sayang.

So after strapping you, the guy helped me get to the edge of the platform and say my goodbyes to the video camera. By this time I am nervous as hell. I wanted to back out, but where was I to go? My feet were already tied. Besides, it's non-refundable. So no choice but to jump.

And so I jumped.

I thought I could get my bearing during the dive--you know, like Superman swooping down a building, but the jump goes by so fast. All I could see was a blur of bright sky, then blue water. 

Next thing I knew, I was swinging like a pendulum and worried I was going to hit the rock wall. Anyway, it was still exhilarating. Kahit na sandali lang yun, yung rush na tumalon ka from a bridge gives you a natural high. 

So what happens next? Well, you stop swinging. Then instead of pulling you right back up, there's a boat on the river that pulls you down. You grab on a pole and they lead you to the boat and unstrap you.

And that's that! 

Bungy jump, checked!

If you ever find yourself in Queenstown and have time (and money) to spare, I recommend to do it. I know it's also on your bucket list. Don't lie. You might as well bungy jump where it all started, right? And the views are not that bad. :)

Skydiving in Auckland

Skydiving was on my bucket list for the longest time, and where else better to do it than in New Zealand, right? I did mine with Skydive Auckland late last year (2013). I originally planned to do it in Lake Wanaka near Queenstown, but it got cancelled twice due to strong winds. So that's my first tip. Skydiving is a weather dependent activity. You have to reserve at least two days for it. If it gets called off on the first day, at least there's another opportunity for it the second day.

Skydive Auckland offers three heights. 9,000 feet that gives you 25 seconds of free fall; 13,000 feet which gives you 45 seconds of free fall; and 16,500 feet which gives you 70 seconds of free fall. I chose to jump at 13,000 feet. The standard price is NZ$325, but I got mine at a discounted rate of NZ$255 on BookMe so I suggest you regularly check their page for deals in case you're interested on jumping with SkyDive Auckland.

Exclusions

Unfortunately, skydiving is not for everyone. It is not recommended for those with any of the following:

a. Pregnant

b. Scuba dove the last 24 hours

c. Nasal or sinus congestion

d. Have a cold or flu

e. Have problems equalizing pressure in ears

f.  Severe motion sickness, asthma or allergies

g. Heart conditions or epilepsy

h. Shoulder, knee, back or neck injuries

Step by step

So what happens when you choose to tandem skydive? Well, here's my experience.

1. First, you are led to the briefing room where they will play an instructional video. The presentation will, among other things, teach you how to position your body when you jump from the plane.

2. Next, they will measure your weight.

3. Afterwards, you put on a jumpsuit.

4. And then, your instructor will assist you in gearing up. He'll help you put on the harness and give you your hat and goggles.

Here hugging my daughter.

5. You're allowed to bring guests for as long as there's space in the van. At this point of the activity it would be nice to get a hug from your loved one.

6. Next, you board the plane, and it takes off.

I try to put on a brave face, but I am nervous as hell.

That, my friends, is the face of fear.

7. There are no toilets in the small plane. So if you have to pee, then you better hold it in. The plane will take around 20 minutes to climb to the right altitude. This is the most nerve-wracking part of the activity. The wait and anticipation just kills you. You'd like to back out but it's too late because the instructor has attached his harness to yours. There is no backing out.

8. When you reach the correct altitude, they open the door and out you go. Everything happens so fast, the next thing you know you're accelerating 0 to 200 kph in 8 seconds, which feels like going down a roller coaster, and then you free fall. 

9. In free fall, you don't feel like falling anymore. It's what you feel when you put your hand out of the car while it's moving, only instead of just the hand, it's your whole body. You feel the wind blowing all over you and it's like you're floating.

10. At this point, you won't feel scared at all. The trees and rivers look so tiny. Skydive Auckland explains that above 5,000 feet, people have no perception of height. So just enjoy the fall.

11. When you reach 5,000 feet, the instructor pulls his cord and opens the parachute. There is a slight jerk, but nothing to be worried about. If weather permits, the instructor will let you steer the parachute for some time. The glide down to the drop zone will take around 5 minutes. Enjoy the view.

12. Before hitting the ground, the instructor will tell you to lift you legs up, you do as he says, and you land softly on your bum. Congratulations! You just completed your first tandem skydive!

So, there. I hope I inspired you. If you're in New Zealand and skydiving is in your bucket list, I highly recommend doing it here. You can skydive in Auckland like I did. But I suggest either Lake Taupo or Lake Wanaka for the better views.

And remember these tips!

   Tip 1: Prepare for at least 2 days for this activity, as it is weather dependent.

   Tip 2: Check out for deals with BookMe.

   Tip 3: When making a booking, ask if there's space for your guest in the van.

5 Tips on Driving in NZ

I wrote about travelling in New Zealand in another post. It was mostly about getting around the city. You can survive your entire stay at uni by using the public transport system like the bus, train, and ferry, but if you want to explore the country, you'd eventually have to drive (or ride) a car. And after experiencing driving in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown the past year, let me share with you some tips, just in case you find yourself behind a steering wheel. 

1. They drive on the left side of the road.

This is obvious. New Zealand follows the British road and traffic system where drivers drive on the left side of the road, not the right where we Filipinos are used to back home. This also means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, and the gear shift is on the left of the driver. It takes a bit of getting used to, I perspired the first time I took the wheel even though it was freezing cold outside, but you'll manage.

The red car on the right has the right of way.

2. Give way to the car on the right when entering a roundabout.

Unlike in Quezon City Circle where drivers don't follow any rule when entering the rotunda, New Zealand traffic law requires a driver to give way to the car entering the roundabout on his right. Tatagalugin ko. Pag nagsabay kayong dumating sa roundabout, kung sinuman yung nasa kanan, siya ang mauunang pumasok. If you are unsure who came in first, best to just wait, turn your signal, and then proceed.

3. Do not slow down along curves on the highway.

In the Philippines, it's second nature for drivers to slow down when approaching a turn. Naturally, that's what I did when I drove up to Cape Reinga in Northland. Unfortunately, that pissed the drivers behind me as you are not supposed to slow down on the highway. Apparently, they expect you to keep you speed even though driving on a curve. Well, won't the car tip over? That's what I thought. I learned that turns on New Zealand highway roads are inclined to make sure cars don't tip on their side when approaching. So there, unless a road sign specifically indicates a slower speed, do not slow down on curves. Just maintain your speed.

Give way to incoming traffic.

4. Give way on one-way bridges.

For reasons eluding me, there are a lot of bridges on highways in the countryside that are single lane. Minsan napapaisip ako, naghihirap ba ang New Zealand at hindi nila kayang magpatayo ng two-way bridges? Anyway, the rule is to follow the road sign before the bridge. If you see a sign as shown above, that means you have to give way to the car approaching the bridge on the opposite side. If there's no sign, that means you have the right of way.

5. Flashing your lights does not mean, "I'm first."

Finally, be careful when flashing your lights. If in the Philippines it means, "Nauna ako dito, liliko ako, bagalan mo," it means the complete opposite here in New Zealand. In other words, if you flash your lights here, it means you acknowledge the other driver and you are giving way to him to make a turn and cross your lane (like on a signless intersection).


Note: Tourists and international students are allowed to drive in New Zealand for the duration of their visa, as long as they carry a valid drivers license from their home country and be at least 21 years of age.

Orientation at the University of Auckland

Some local Maori students perform the Haka for incoming international students

February is just around the corner, which means, for students in New Zealand, summer is ending and a new school year is about to begin. And like any other tertiary institution, the University of Auckland starts the year with Orientation Week. Let me guide you through it.

With other Filipinos in Auckland Uni. Yes, I was the only thorn among the roses (the other, Mike, was based in Tamaki).

Orientation Week started with me meeting other Filipino postgrad students at the Owen G. Glenn Building of the Business School. Aside from NZAS scholars, I learned that the ADB and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) also sent students to New Zealand. 

Joan and I are both lawyers. She took up LLM while I took up PGDip in Development Studies.

The first day is the orientation for international students (both undergrad and postgrad). Before entering the auditorium, we were greeted by the traditional Haka dance performed by local Maori students. Nothing to be scared about. They don't actually hurt you. Haha. Afterwards, we were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor--the highest ranking official of the university.

We're all given goody bags filled with pamphlets and flyers.

In the auditorium, Rebecca Wilkinton (the International Office Director) oriented us on what to expect in the coming year. 

That's Rebecca standing in front.

Yada-yada-yada. Lot's of talking. Don't worry about it. Anyway, after the international students orientation, there'll be the postgraduate students orientation and the respective faculty (arts, business, law, etc.) international students orientation. They're all pretty much the same, and from experience, you don't have to attend all. Kahit isa lang attend mo, okay na.

The Uni Guide is on the right (not the guy on the left).

Okay, what else? Ah yes, through out the week, students wearing red, called the Uni Guides, will take you on a tour of the buildings and facilities in campus. To be honest, I did not go on one. I was busy applying for my student ID at the International Students Office and opening a bank account at the nearby ANZ branch. But if you feel you want to, then go ahead. You can join any Uni Guide tour at any time of the day.

What I do recommend is to attend the library-sponsored workshops because they are informative and educational--especially for people like me who were unfamiliar with 21st century academic research. If you're not able to make the first seminar, do not worry. They hold the same seminar several times in the first month. Attend as much as you can. They have the general library orientation, one in IT access, another in using databases, then one on thesis drafting.  

That's pretty much it. Just to summarize, you can attend just one of the general orientation talks since they'll all say the same thing. But, I strongly recommend you attend all of the library-sponsored workshops because they are very informative.

PS: The guy next to me above is Brian Lythe. Yes, that guy you're exchanging emails right now. That's how he looks like.  Cool yan. :)

Where to Eat in Auckland Part 2

A few months ago I wrote about international fast food chains present in Auckland. I was supposed to follow it up with another post on local fast food chains, but other things kept me pre-occupied. So here finally is my second list of where to eat in Auckland. In no particular order:

  a. Burger Fuel
  b. Burger Wisconsin
  c. Mexicali
  d. Sal's
  e. Fritz's Wieners
  f.  St. Pierre's Sushi
  g. Tank
  h. Others: Hansan, Elliot Stables, Tony's

New Zealand has its own share of home-grown fast food joints. I frequent these when I am bored eating at Mcdonalds or Pizza Hut.

Burger Fuel

First on the list is Burger Fuel. It is a local hamburger fast food chain. Think of it as Brothers Burger back home in Manila. They're supposed to be designer burgers and therefore a bit more expensive than Mcdonalds and Burger King.

Nothing really special. Parang Brother Burger lang.

It is what it is. It tastes like a Brothers Burger burger. One thing different is that Kiwis like to put guacamole (AKA avocado) in almost anything, including burgers. So, go to Burger Fuel if you want to taste avocado in your burger.

They have Burger Fuel all over Auckland. They have one in Metro center on Queen Street, and another one along Customs Street near Britomart. A standard burger combo would set you back about NZ$12.

Burger Wisconsin

Another local burger with avocado. Wala naman lasa.

Interestingly, the other local burger chain is named after an American State. Burger Wisconsin is another hamburger fast food restaurant. It too is like Brothers Burger, but slightly 'more designer'--if there is such a term, and ergo more expensive.

Burger Wisconsin outlets are fewer than Burger Fuel. In fact, there is no Burger Wisconsin in the CBD. I had to take the bus to Ponsonby to sample their burger. The other closest store would be at Onehunga. Although the burgers taste better than Burger Fuel, it is not worth the effort (and the bus fare) to go to a Burger Wisconsin branch. Eat here only if you are in the area.

A standard burger combo will set you back around NZ$16.

Mexicali

There used to be two Tex-Mex fast food joints in the city, but California Burrito closed shop late 2013, leaving Mexicali the last man standing. I love tacos and burritos, and Mexicali does not disappoint. Meals are a bit more expensive than Mcdonalds value meals, but I eat here when I'm bored with burgers. The tacos  and burritos taste fresh. It's like Chihuahua in Greenbelt 3. The mini burrito costs NZ$9.95 while a regular burrito is NZ$12.99. The mini one is enough for me. Plus they have a frequent customer card that actually comes in handy. You earn points every time you buy and after some time you get enough to pay for a taco. And they award you with a free burrito on your birth month. Sweet deal if you ask me.

There are two Mexicalis in the CBD. One is located at the Viaduct center near Quay Street. While the other one is along K Road. Both are about a 10 minute walk from City Campus, but the trip is worth it.

Sal's Pizza

My friend Grace and Sal's Pepperoni and Cheese half-and-half pizza.

Above tacos and burritos, I love pizza. And Sal's makes delicious pizza. It's like Sbarro but better--much, much better. At a time when Shakey's and Pizza Hut scrimp on tomato sauce, Sal's does the opposite--smothering the pizza with lots of juicy and tangy tomato sauce before laying the cheese. And while Sbarro tends to undercook its pizzas, Sal's makes sure their pizzas are just right and crispy. 

A slice of Sal's cheese pizza is NZ$4, while a pepperoni would set you back NZ$5. If you're eating as a group, better order a whole pizza since it will come out cheaper.

Sal's began to spread like mushrooms in 2013. There's a Sal's across the Civic Centre on Queen Street. There's another on Commerce Street. And the one I frequent is near Parnell, just a 5 minute walk from Unilodge or Carlaw Park.

Fritz's Wieners

If you like sausages, then this is where Fritz's Wieners comes in. They serve European sausages in kiosks scattered around the city (there's one along Elliot Street, near the reverse bungee jump; and another along the viaduct centre).

They keep it really simple. There's a mild sausage and there's a spicy sausage. And you can ask them to put fried onions and/or sauerkraut to your sandwich. They retail for NZ$7. I have one when I'm in a hurry.

St. Pierre's Sushi

For some reason, Kiwis love sushi. They have independent mom & pop sushi stores all over the city. But there is a chain named St. Pierre, and I go here if I want to eat sushi. 

I have to say, even if they're only kiosks, they make good sushi--way, way better than the ones sold by their counterparts in Manila like Teriyaki Boy and the like. St. Pierre makes the sushi right in front of you, and I think with the freshest ingredients because the product tastes fresh. The cheapest value pack (4 rolls) will cost you NZ$4.99. My personal favorite is salmon and avocado. Mmmmm, yummy. Just thinking about it makes me want to hop on a plane back to Auckland. For those who don't like their lunch in a seaweed roll, St. Pierre also sells Teriyaki Chicken on rice and Miso soup.

You won't have a problem looking for a St. Pierre shop around the city. Just look for the bright yellow sign.

Tank

Tank is not really fast food, but it is homegrown. It is the Kiwi's version of Jamba Juice or Big Chill. There's nothing else to say, really, except that the drinks are expensive. NZ$5 for a small cup?! Too expensive for juice. But if healthy is your thing, I'm just saying, they have Tank over here.

Other Local Restaurants

Hansan

Again, Hansan is not technically fast food, but I'll write about it since we are talking about where to eat in Auckland. It's like Pho Hoa or Pho 24. If you want to eat pho or vietnamese rice noodle soup, I recommend Hansan. They have big servings, which you can actually split in two if you want to. Tastes authentic, even though the operators are Korean and not Vietnamese. A bowl of piping hot raw beef pho will cost you NZ$12. There are other combinations. My favorite is the beef steak and pho combination because I only finish one steak and take home the other for dinner.

There is a Hansan branch on Kitchener Street just across Albert Park. It's very near City Campus.

Elliot Stables

Not fast food, but another alternative to eat in town is Elliot Stables. It's actually more of a food court than a restaurant. It's an upscale food court serving different types of food. They have artisanal pizza and european sausages to name a few. 

Tony's

New Zealand is famous for its meat. So you have a lot of steak houses around the city, but they are expensive. A standard steak meal will set you back around NZ$35. The cheapest set I found was a lunch special at Tony's Steak & Seafood on Wellesley Street. The special included rump steak, coleslaw and chips for NZ$16. Believe me this is the cheapest. Pretty good, but if I were you, you're better off cooking your own steak. You can buy two pieces of Angus rump steak for less than NZ$10 at Countdown, which could last you two dinners!

There are two Tony's Steak restaurants in the CBD. The lunch special I talked about is at the one located on Wellesley Street. The other Tony's is on Lorne Street.

So there's my list. If you cook at home, all the better. You will save a lot. But from time to time, do eat outside and sample what Auckland restaurants and fast food joints have to offer.

Happy Eating!