QUARANTINE AND IMMIGRATION ISSUES - OH HERE WE GO!

As per instruction from the Consular of Chicago, the first thing we did once we got rested (well, sort of) was head to the Bureau of Quarantine located in Port Area. The weather was above 80's so we wore shorts - BIG MISTAKE. We were not allowed entry to the building, except for JJ. Apparently, anybody (10 years and above) who wish to transact business in any government offices cannot wear shorts or flip flops. I was wearing my favorite Talbot's above-the-knee khaki shorts so I guess that was acceptable because I was allowed in. Now Michael, however, cannot. Should we go back to the hotel to change or to a nearby clothing store to buy a pair of pants? Now here's the funny part: the security guard advised us to go a couple of doors down the side of the Quarantine building and go into the copy shop where Michael can "rent" a pair of pants. Really??? Will there be any size available for a 6'4" Americano? We tried, and lo and behold, the lady pulled out a pair of blue jogging pants from one of the boxes. I thought she must be an expert in this because the pants fitted Michael perfectly. We found out it doesn't matter what kind of pants you wear as long as they are not shorts. As much as Michael hates to wear ANY kind of jogging pants he didn't have a choice in the matter, so off we went to the Quarantine Office. Oh, the rent for the pants is 50 pesos. I wish I had the camera with me then, I would have shared a picture of not-so-happy Michael here but I left it charging at our hotel room. Now on to the important business. The Philippine Consulate in Chicago required, among others, physical exams: chest x-ray (the result should be submitted in CD); urinalysis, stool exam, blood test, etc., which was fully accomplished. You'd think that took care of it - NOT. The Philippines has almost the same requirements and some more: VDRL or Syphilis test and the Urinalysis and Stool exam should have been microscopic instead of just the regular exam. They preferred the Chest X-ray to be in film also, not CD. Having said that, Michael has to submit to urine, blood and stool exams according to Philippine requirements. Luckily everything is done in the same building and for all three exams it only cost us a total of P700.00 or $15.50. Think how much these would have cost us to do them again in the USA! I will be submitting a suggestion to the Philippine Consulate regarding these requirements. If only they have the same forms to avoid additional expenses and hassle on the part of the parties involved. I would advise getting into the Bureau of Quarantine's website at www.quarantinedoh.com to get details/updates. The staff at the Bureau of Quarantine were really nice and helpful so we had a positive experience there. The results came back in an hour and the passports were stamped and we were on our way to the Immigration Office. I found this at the back of the Bureau of Quarantine's Medical Examination for Foreigner's form. Thought I'd share it for a laugh - none of that political correctness nonsense of America:

So I have a warning for idiots who want to come to the Philippines, think twice. You are not allowed in this country. ICR card processing information to follow. Thank you for following.