#overseasfilipinos — Public Fediverse posts

Sandiganbayan suspends Marcoleta as senator | The wRap

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/october-19-2026/

Philippines Targets 6.4 Million International Tourist Arrivals this Year

The Philippines, which has been enduring economic weakness and high inflation for much of 2026, is targeting 6.4 million international visitor arrivals this year, according a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, international tourists/visitors is a reference to both foreign tourists and overseas Filipinos who arrived in the country. In 2025, the Philippines attracted 5.94 million foreign tourists and 543,000 overseas Filipinos which combine for a grand total of 6.48 million international tourists/visitors. That said, the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) target for 2026 technically the same when compared to what was achieved in 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines expects tourist arrivals to remain flat at around 6.4 million this year amid more muted travel demand due to the ongoing fuel crisis, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay told reporters last week that the DOT expects international visitor arrivals to remain relatively unchanged from the 6.48 million recorded last year.

“6.4 [million] is our target because I was really super anxious about the fuel crisis and the accompanying higher airline fees, as well as the lower sentiment for traveling,” Angara-Mathay said.

Even against this backdrop, Angara-Mathay said tourist arrivals remain relatively strong, having posted 3.46-percent year-on-year growth as of Oct. 6.

The latest official DOT data showed that visitor arrivals from January to August inched up by 0.8 percent to 4.42 million from 4.38 million in the same period last year.

“I was afraid that it would go down, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we’ll be able to match [last year],” Angara-Mathay said.

Given the expected boost in arrivals during the holiday season, the DOT still sees room for growth this year, especially if the government approves its proposed expansion of the visa-free scheme for Chinese tourists.

The DOT is pushing to expand visa-free coverage for Chinese nationals to other gateways in hopes of opening more flights between the Philippines and China beyond Manila and Cebu.

Chinese tourists are currently allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for stays of up to 14 days, provided they arrive through either Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) or Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The current arrangement has already resulted in a surge in Chinese visitors this year, with arrivals nearly doubling to 303,567 as of end-August from 156,926 a year ago.

“There is a direct correlation with taking out that friction of the visa with [increased] travel. So hopefully, everyone’s on board, unfortunately one more agency needs to be convinced,” said Angara-Mathay.

While she did not identify the agency opposing the visa-free expansion, the DOT chief emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are fully on board.

The DFA authorized visa-free entry for Chinese nationals earlier this year, while BI issued the implementing guidelines.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the tourism industry of the Philippines has what it takes to attract more than enough foreign tourists and returning overseas Filipinos to exceed the DOT’s 2026 target? Do you feel uncomfortable about the Philippine government’s effort to expand visa-free coverage for Chinese nationals to other gateways? Do you prefer to see the authorities focus more on attracting more travelers from Southeast Asia and Europe? What do you think are the three biggest problems of the tourism industry of the Philippines today?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Valid visas, baseless claims: The aggressive deportation of Filipino seafarers 

Hundreds of seafarers — mostly Filipinos — were detained at US ports and shackled for deportation following interrogations ‘full of torment and terror’

https://justpaste.in/news/filipino-seafarers-united-states-deportation/

#DepartmentofMigrantWorkers #maritimeindustry #overseasFilipinos #OWWA #EditorsPick

Rappler Recap: Mary Jane Veloso, home at last

Before going back to her hometown, Mary Jane Veloso first attends Mass and talks to the media, reflecting on her 16-year ordeal in detention and how she coped

https://justpaste.in/news/video-recap-mary-jane-veloso-nueva-ecija/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #PhilippineNews #veloso #rappler

At long last, Mary Jane Veloso back home in Nueva Ecija

The moment that Mary Jane Veloso says she has fervently prayed for finally comes, following 16 long years of imprisonment

https://justpaste.in/news/mary-jane-veloso-arrival-home-nueva-ecija/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #PhilippineNews #veloso #nueva

The week in photos: September 19-25, 2026

A recap of news, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest images from the Philippines and around the globe

https://justpaste.in/news/the-week-in-photos-september-19-25-2026/

#donaldtrump #overseasFilipinos #Photojournalism #SaraDuterteimpeachment #GlobalAffairs

Rappler Recap: Mary Jane Veloso reunites with family after pardon

From Nueva Ecija, the family of Mary Jane Veloso picks her up at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City

https://justpaste.in/news/video-recap-mary-jane-veloso-family-pardon-september-2026/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #PhilippineNews #veloso

[OPINION] No good immigrants: Lessons from the win of far-right party in Germany

Current and prospective overseas Filipino workers all over the world can take important lessons from the AfD’s victory in this region

https://justpaste.in/news/opinion-no-good-immigrants-lessons-afd-win-german-state-election/

#Germany #migrantworkers #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #ThoughtLeaders

3 Japanese scholars examine Filipino migration story in UAE

Japanese professors specializing in Philippine studies launch a pioneering book that documents the history and daily lives of OFWs in the United Arab Emirates

https://justpaste.in/news/book-japanese-authors-filipino-migration-story-united-arab-emirates/

#bookauthors #books #Dubai #overseasFilipinos #UnitedArabEmirates

The week in photos: September 26 to October 2, 2026

A recap of news, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest images from the Philippines and around the globe

https://justpaste.in/news/the-week-in-photos-september-26-to-october-2-2026/

#overseasFilipinos #Photojournalism #SaraDuterteimpeachment #SenateofthePhilippines #GlobalAffairs

[Mind The Gap] Buyer’s remorse on Trump? Vote your pocketbook!

Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option because our families here and back home are paying the price. Every vote counts.

https://justpaste.in/news/mind-the-gap-vote-your-pocketbook-united-states-midterm-elections/

#donaldtrump #FilipinoAmericans #overseasFilipinos #USelections #EditorsPick

Mary Jane Veloso’s advice to future OFWs: ‘Mabuting dumaan sa legal’

Mary Jane Veloso, recently freed, was jailed for 16 years after an illegal recruiter from her hometown tricked her into smuggling drugs into Indonesia

https://justpaste.in/news/mary-jane-veloso-advice-future-ofws/

#DepartmentofJustice #MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #PhilippineNews

ICE detains Percy Lapid’s son in California

(2nd UPDATE) Mark Mabasa applied for asylum before new policies targeting asylum seekers were announced, and his uncle argues that he is working honestly to support his family

https://justpaste.in/news/ice-detains-percy-lapid-son-california/

#migrantworkers #overseasFilipinos #USimmigration #PhilippineNews #mabasa

‘Forgotten Island’: Filipino American stories are Filipino stories

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/forgotten-island-movie-write-own-filipino-american-stories/

3 Japanese scholars examine Filipino migration story in UAE

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/human-interest/book-japanese-authors-filipino-migration-story-united-arab-emirates/

3 Japanese scholars examine Filipino migration story in UAE

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/human-interest/book-japanese-authors-filipino-migration-story-united-arab-emirates/

The week in photos: September 26 to October 2, 2026

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/the-week-in-photos-september-26-to-october-2-2026/

[Mind The Gap] Buyer’s remorse on Trump? Vote your pocketbook!

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/mind-the-gap-vote-your-pocketbook-united-states-midterm-elections/

[Mind The Gap] Buyer’s remorse on Trump? Vote your pocketbook!

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/mind-the-gap-vote-your-pocketbook-united-states-midterm-elections/

‘Mabuting dumaan sa legal’: Mary Jane Veloso gives advice to future OFWs

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mary-jane-veloso-advice-future-ofws/

Mary Jane Veloso’s journey home is a story of grit

Mary Jane Veloso did not lose hope that she would someday be free and reunited with her family, and that homecoming has finally become reality

https://justpaste.in/news/mary-jane-veloso-journey-homecoming/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #Indepth #Newsbreak

Mary Jane Veloso’s case: From death row to freedom

Justice reporter Jairo Bolledo lays out the timeline of events surrounding Veloso’s case

https://justpaste.in/news/mary-jane-veloso-case-death-row-freedom/

#BureauofCorrections #humanrightsinthePhilippines #MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #Philippinejusticesystem

Mary Jane Veloso’s journey home is a story of grit

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mary-jane-veloso-journey-homecoming/

[Rappler’s Best] Mary Jane Veloso and Duterte’s snub

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/newsletters/best-mary-jane-veloso-free-rodrigo-duterte-snub/

Rappler Talk: Mary Jane Veloso, a free woman

EXCLUSIVE: Rappler speaks to former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso as she is finally granted freedom after 16 years

https://justpaste.in/news/interview-mary-jane-veloso-pardon-freedom-september-2026/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #PhilippineNews #veloso

Mary Jane Veloso walks free after pardon | The wRap

Today’s headlines: Mary Jane Veloso, West Ph Sea, Carlos Yulo

https://justpaste.in/news/september-25-2026/

#AsianGames #CarlosYulo #IsraelPalestineconflict #MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos

TIMELINE: Mary Jane Veloso’s case and road to freedom

The pardon granted to Mary Jane Veloso marks the end of a nearly two-decade ordeal that has spanned three presidents and years on death row

https://justpaste.in/news/timeline-mary-jane-veloso-case-freedom/

#MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #Newsbreak #PhilippineNews #RapplerIQ

#SaveMaryJane: A cause worth fighting for during the glorious days of social media 

(1st UPDATE) In 2015, citizens all over the world campaigned to stop the execution of Mary Jane Veloso — a time when social media was a force for social good

https://justpaste.in/news/save-mary-jane-veloso-successful-social-media-campaign/

#BenignoAquinoIII #BureauofCorrections #Drugtrafficking #MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos

Mary Jane Veloso’s case: From death row to freedom

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mary-jane-veloso-case-death-row-freedom/

Marcos pardons Mary Jane Veloso

(2nd UPDATE) ‘Pinirmahan ko na. Pinirmahan ko na ‘yong pardon niya kahapon,’ announces President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

https://justpaste.in/news/mary-jane-veloso-pardon-granted-september-2026/

#FerdinandMarcosJr #MaryJaneVeloso #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #NationalNews

At long last, Mary Jane Veloso back home in Nueva Ecija

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mary-jane-veloso-arrival-home-nueva-ecija/

The week in photos: September 19-25, 2026

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/the-week-in-photos-september-19-25-2026/

Rappler Talk: Mary Jane Veloso, a free woman

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/interview-mary-jane-veloso-pardon-freedom-september-2026/

Mary Jane Veloso walks free after pardon | The wRap

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/september-25-2026/

Mary Jane Veloso finally free after 16 years

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mary-jane-veloso-released-detention-september-25-2026/

Eat, shower, nap: NAIA T3 adds more perks for OFWs in its lounge

OFWs at NAIA T3 can already enjoy free meals and may soon get free beds, showers, and massage chairs at a soon-to-open transit lounge

https://justpaste.in/news/naia-terminal-3-ofw-transit-lounge/

#airportsinthePhilippines #NAIA #overseasFilipinos #OWWA #EditorsPick

[Mind The Gap] A Pinoy TNT’s survival mode: ‘Weather-weather lang ‘yan!’

Targeted in the State Department’s ‘largest mass visa revocation in history’ are those who tried to stay within legal channels by filing for political asylum

https://justpaste.in/news/mind-the-gap-filipinos-predicament-asylum-united-states/

#FilipinoAmericans #overseasFilipinos #UnitedStates #USimmigration #EditorsPick

Day jobs and dreams: Dubai OFWs chase indie film spotlight

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/actors/dubai-ofws-chase-indie-film-spotlight/

Saudi Arabia says Iran attacked vessel in Hormuz, killing 2 Filipino sailors

(1st UPDATE) The oil tanker Sidr, owned by Bahri, was one of two supertankers carrying Saudi oil reported to have been hit late on August 31 while transiting the Strait of Hormuz

https://justpaste.in/news/seafarers-killed-iran-attack-strait-hormuz-august-31-2026/

#iran #overseasFilipinos #SaudiArabia #USIsraelwaronIran #MiddleEast

Filipino among missing in Nepal after deadly flash floods

(1st UPDATE) Based on a list provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, one of those missing in the aftermath of the catastrophic flash floods is from the Philippines

https://justpaste.in/news/filipino-missing-nepal-flash-flood/

#disasters #flood #Nepal #overseasFilipinos #NationalNews

For 2027, DMW may get P11-B budget. Is it enough to help OFWs?

(1st UPDATE) The Department of Migrant Workers is urging lawmakers to help secure an additional P4 billion for its 2027 budget amid the ongoing Middle East crisis

https://justpaste.in/news/department-migrant-workers-proposed-2027-budget/

#BudgetWatch #DepartmentofMigrantWorkers #overseasFilipinos #OWWA #NationalNews

This maritime leader is the first woman to receive the RVR Nation Building award 

Doris Magsaysay Ho, the CEO and president of the Magsaysay Group of Companies, receives the award for her ‘people first’ style of leadership

https://justpaste.in/news/doris-magsaysay-ho-ramon-v-del-rosario-nation-building-award-2026/

#businessgroupsinPH #maritimeindustry #overseasFilipinos #womenleaders #Industries

Distance, but not escape: Filipinos in Berlin on migration, home, belonging

Annemarie reflects on growing up with a mother who worked long hours in Germany, noting the emotional toll of forced migration and her commitment to honoring her mother’s sacrifices through activism

https://justpaste.in/news/berlin-germany-migration-home-belonging/

#Germany #overseasFilipinos #EditorsPick #Europe #HumanInterest

Dozens of OFWs in Dubai seek help to track down Filipino ‘scammer’

After gaining people’s trust, the alleged scammer would supposedly present a proposal asking for money to fund airline tickets of nonexistent passengers, promising higher returns

https://justpaste.in/news/dubai-ofws-seek-help-track-down-scammer/

#ScamAlert #overseasFilipinos #UnitedArabEmirates #PhilippineNews #calderon

[OPINION] No good immigrants: Lessons from the win of far-right party in Germany

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-no-good-immigrants-lessons-afd-win-german-state-election/

[Mind The Gap] A Pinoy TNT’s survival mode: ‘Weather-weather lang ‘yan!’

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/mind-the-gap-filipinos-predicament-asylum-united-states/

Ombudsman: 35 flood control cases now in courts | The wRap

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/september-3-2026/

Family asks for help in searching for missing Filipino after Nepal flash flood

(1st UPDATE) The family of Juan Carlos Manalo, who is missing in Nepal after a massive flash flood, is trying to get as much reach as possible to expedite the search for the Filipino doctor

https://justpaste.in/news/juan-carlos-manalo-missing-filipino-nepal-flash-flood/

#China #disasters #Nepal #overseasFilipinos #NationalNews

Family asks for help in searching for missing Filipino after Nepal flash flood

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/juan-carlos-manalo-missing-filipino-nepal-flash-flood/

Romualdez’ district No. 1 recipient of DPWH funds | The wRap

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/august-27-2026/

Filipino among missing in Nepal after deadly flash floods

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/filipino-missing-nepal-flash-flood/

[Good Business] What Doris Magsaysay Ho’s recognition says about Filipino leadership

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/business/opinion-good-doris-magsaysay-ho-ramon-del-rosario-award-2026-filipino-women-leadership/

[Good Business] What Doris Magsaysay Ho’s recognition says about Filipino leadership

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/business/opinion-good-doris-magsaysay-ho-ramon-del-rosario-award-2026-filipino-women-leadership/

This maritime leader is the first woman to receive the RVR Nation Building award

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/newsmakers/doris-magsaysay-ho-ramon-v-del-rosario-nation-building-award-2026/

This maritime leader is the first woman to receive the RVR Nation Building award

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/newsmakers/doris-magsaysay-ho-ramon-v-del-rosario-nation-building-award-2026/

Dozens of OFWs in Dubai seek help to track down Filipino ‘scammer’

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/dubai-ofws-seek-help-track-down-scammer/

[Between Islands] Calloused hands and the 3-language exchange in PH-Japan relations

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/between-islands-calloused-hands-languages-exchange-philippine-japan-relations/

[Between Islands] Calloused hands and the 3-language exchange in PH-Japan relations

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/between-islands-calloused-hands-languages-exchange-philippine-japan-relations/

Impeachment court grants subpoena requests for Sara Duterte’s financial records | The wRap

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/july-20-2026/

2 Filipino seafarers killed in Black Sea drone attacks

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/seafarers-killed-black-sea-updates-july-20-2026/