My Job Transition: From Traditional Office Set-up to Work from Home

not just as a Solo Backpacker but as a Corporate Slave like most of the Filipino travelers (2006-Present)

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering. I have been in the Aviation Industry for over fourteen years focusing my experience on Aircraft Maintenance and Production Planning. Throughout my career, I have been fully exposed to Airline (Part-M) and MRO (Part-145) engineering planning processes. Furthermore, I have handled complex maintenance checks and completed work packaging from light to heavy maintenance to achieve the targeted TAT and Return to Service milestone. 

After my Bachelor's degree graduation, I ventured into the BPO IT industry where I took the PRC board exam review simultaneously. I took the PRC Licensure Examination (1st take) on a self-review basis while having my IT work on the graveyard shift. I review if I have a chance, i.e., in a jeepney while stuck in traffic and around 2 hours before going to sleep. Luckily I passed then resigned and jumped to leap of faith. 

My very first international flight and experience as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) lasted for 7 days due to homesickness. I went home despite the debts my family had made just to complete this Taiwan journey. My work has 12 hours of duty a day with 1 day off only a week. Jobless for how many months with zero savings. I saw a Manila Bulletin ad for Engineering graduates to become trainees in the Aviation Industry. The training with a small allowance lasted around 7 months (graded modules). 

My 1st Job in Aviation: Avionics Mechanic to Planning Engineer (Philippines Corporate Set-up)

From 2006 to 2009 I was an Avionics Mechanic which is part of hangar production, directly working inside commercial aircraft. Just weeks after my local vacation, I bid for a Planning Engineer inside the company which is a typical office of engineering setup (assigned PC and desk). Handled PAL fleet base maintenance planning as an initial project for newcomers then Virgin Atlantic, Vladivostok Air, Strategic Air, etc. I took my Master's degree course while working as a Planning Engineer. My classes were on weekends and weeknights for three years as a resident university scholar.

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder

Quest to visit all Schengen Member States in 2024 as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Highlight: I applied as Filipino Solo Traveller with Philippine passport only, with NO WORK (ex-OFW, retired Engineer) and with NO BUSINESS (Dec. 2022). I provided proofs of enough savings, investments and previous 4 Schengen visas per below link.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in France Embassy (2013)
How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Germany Embassy (2015)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Spain Embassy (2018)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Norway Embassy (2023)

Schengen visa is a special document that allows a Schengen visa holder to travel freely within the 26 Schengen zone (European Countries) member states. Apply for the Schengen visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you spend the most time. This visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit or tourism, but not for employment or family reunification purposes.

26 members of the Schengen Agreement are (1)Austria, (2)Belgium, (3)Czech Republic, (4)Denmark, (5)Estonia, (6)Finland, (7)France, (8)Germany, (9)Greece, (10)Hungary, (11)Iceland, (12)Italy, (13)Latvia, (14)Lithuania, (15)Liechtenstein, (16)Luxembourg, (17)Malta, (18)Netherlands, (19)Norway, (20)Poland, (21)Portugal, (22)Slovakia, (23)Slovenia, (24)Spain, (25)Sweden and (26)Switzerland.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder (Schengen Visa 2024)

Budget Travel Tips in Solo Backpacking Winter New Zealand

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023

Team Filipinas in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

New Zealand is my 138th country visited on my personal journey beyond #lakbay100 Countries.

From South Island (Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch) to North Island (Wellington, National Park, Hamilton, Auckland) with FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 as the highlight.

Thank you very much Winter New Zealand.  

#livealifeyouwillremember #newzealand #fifa #worldcup #pilipinas #filipino #filipinas #philippines #football #soccer #solobackpacker #winter #oceania #pinoytraveller 

Travel Dates: July 15 to August 03, 2023 (18 Days) 

My Objective: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 PHI games and Hunt the Southern Lights

Status: PHI passport only Solo Backpacker with flights from/to MNL

Total Expenses: PHP 231,236 (return flights took 75% of this budget)

Places Visited: From South Island (Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch) to North Island (Wellington, Tongariro, Hamilton, Auckland) - pattern based on the FIFA World Cup PHI games

2023 WINTER NEW ZEALAND SOLO TRIP DIY ITINERARY (South to North Island)

Day 00: Jul. 15 – Manila Departure

Day 01: Jul. 16 – Queenstown 

Day 02: Jul. 17 - Lake Tekapo 

Day 03: Jul. 18 – Lake Tekapo 

Day 04: Jul. 19 – Queenstown 

Day 05: Jul. 20 – Queenstown 

Day 06: Jul. 21 – DUNEDIN FIFA WORLD CUP

Day 07: Jul. 22 – Dunedin 

Day 08: Jul. 23 – Bus to Christchurch 

Day 08: Jul. 24 – Bus to Wellington 

Day 10: Jul. 25 – WELLINGTON FIFA WORLD CUP

Day 11: Jul. 26 – Wellington 

Day 12: Jul. 27 – Bus to National Park 

Day 13: Jul. 28 – Bus Auckland 

Day 14: Jul. 29 – Auckland 

Day 15: Jul. 30 – AUCKLAND FIFA WORLD CUP

Day 16: Jul. 31 – Auckland 

Day 17: Aug. 01 – Auckland 

Day 18: Aug. 02 – Auckland to Manila 

Day 00: Aug. 03 - Manila Arrival 

Budget Travel Tips in Solo Backpacking Winter New Zealand

Team Filipinas in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023

Short Visits to National Park and Hamilton

It was last year 2022 during my Southern Caribbean Cruise when my attention was grabbed by FIFA Men's World Cup, how does it feel to watch in world stage stadium cheering out for my homeland. Here it goes for FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, just months after, a dream come true. I brought my huge national flag to provide strong moral support. Beyond greatness, Laban Filipinas !!! 

#newzealand #solobackpacker #winter #oceania #fifa #worldcup #pilipinas #filipino #filipinas #philippines #football #soccer 

Philippines 1st appearance in FIFA World Cup. "Lupang Hinirang" debut in FIFA World Cup 2023 

Winter New Zealand Day 10 (Wellington): Noypi vs Kiwi July 25, 2023 Tue. Team Filipinas will now face the host country. New Zealand suffered the heartbreak of becoming the first Women's World Cup host to be eliminated at the group stage, and it's all because of a single goal from the Philippines.

1st Goal. 1st Victory. Defeated the Host Country. Beyond Greatness.

I've watched Team Filipinas also in AFF 2022 held in Manila last 2022 where they the Champions.

Team Filipinas in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

Short Visits to National Park and Hamilton

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023

5 Days Laidback Walks in Winter Auckland

National Park (Tongariro) - irregular one-time only bus departures. Good thing I stayed only 1 night because on my afternoon arrival it was raining and the next morning there's heavy snow. Also, no free wifi in my hostel.

Hamilton - just to maximize only the remaining 5 hours in my 45 hour intercity flexi-pass, not much to do also. 

Day 12: July 27, 2023 Thursday NATIONAL PARK 

0630H Hostel Check-out; breakfast

0730H ETD Wellington; intercity bus #6

1334H ETA National Park (6hr/$31); Rainy afternoon; Supermarket snacks 11

National Park Backpackers 1 night (₱1,119)

TOTAL: $11 (₱362)

Day 13: July 28, 2023 Friday AUCKLAND

Snowy morning; breakfast

1000H Hostel Check-out; random walks

1335H ETD National Park; intercity bus #7

1930H ETA Auckland (6hr/$53); Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers 5 nights (₱3,433)

TOTAL: $0

Day 17: August 01, 2023 Tuesday HAMILTON

E-travel Registration arrival flight 

0915H ETD Auckland; intercity bus #8

1110H ETA Hamilton (2hr/$40); Hamilton short day trip (3 hrs); snacks 8; Hamilton Lake, Hamilton Gardens

1430H ETD Hamilton; intercity bus #9

1635H ETA Auckland (2hr/$41); Souvenir 10; McDonald's meal 10

TOTAL: $28 (₱979)

Short Visits to National Park and Hamilton

5 Days Laidback Walks in Winter Auckland

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023

3 Days Laidback Walks in Winter Wellington

My longest stay in a 1st world country (previous record was in US at 14 days). I'm tired, lazy, out of mood, already on a tight budget spending due to that return flight ticket mishap and just want to have a random city walk. Even the signature landmark of Hobbiton I didn't visit due I'm hesitant as I'm not a fan of Lord of the Rings and the visit is a required guided tour which is expensive. The extreme adventures also during winter is a big No (bungee jump, sky jump). If ever I'm on the mood and enough budget, I'll do the following (initially included in my itinerary). 

(1) Waiheke Island - winery plantation, visit between 1300-1900H for off peak rate of $30 return ferry fare

(2) Rangitoto Island - hiking the volcano summit, ferry schedule during weekends only (Fri-Sun), return ferry fare has a discounted rate of $53 if booked online. 

(3) Hobbiton / Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Tour - the famous day trip from Auckland for a whooping $330 (cannot be done on DIY unfortunately). 

Day 13: July 28, 2023 Friday AUCKLAND

Snowy morning; breakfast

1000H Hostel Check-out; random walks

1335H ETD National Park; intercity bus #7

1930H ETA Auckland (6hr/$53); Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers 5 nights (₱3,433)

TOTAL: $0

Day 14: July 29, 2023 Saturday AUCKLAND 

0900H Morning walk; McDonald's meal 10; Auckland city walk trip; Art Gallery (free)

Domain Walk to War Museum (7th trek); Albert Park

1400H Supermarket snacks 19; FIFA Fan Festival in The Cloud (free) 

TOTAL: $29 (₱1,028)

Day 15: July 30, 2023 Sunday AUCKLAND

0930H Heritage walk to Harbor Bridge (8th trek); Snacks in Stadium 15

1900H Auckland Stadium PHI vs NOR (320FF Seat 28)

TOTAL: $15 (₱526)

Day 16: July 31, 2023 MONDAY AUCKLAND

0930H Walk to Mt. Eden (9th trek); Heritage walk to Harbour Bridge 

FIFA Fan Festival in The Cloud (free); McDonald's meal 10

TOTAL: $10 (₱357)

Day 17: August 01, 2023 Tuesday AUCKLAND

E-travel Registration arrival flight 

0915H ETD Auckland; intercity bus #8

1110H ETA Hamilton (2hr/$40); Hamilton short day trip (3 hrs); snacks 8; Hamilton Lake, Hamilton Gardens, 

1430H ETD Hamilton; intercity bus #9

1635H ETA Auckland (2hr/$41); Souvenir 10; McDonald's meal 10

TOTAL: $28 (₱979)

Day 18: August 02, 2023 Wednesday AUCKLAND

0800H Breakfast; supermarket snacks 8

1000H Hostel Check-out; walk to bus station

1100H ETD Auckland; intercity bus #10

1130H ETA Auckland Airport (0.5hr/$10); Airport duty free souvenir presents 165; McDonald's meal 11.5

1745H ETD Auckland AKL UTC +1200H; flight D7289

TOTAL: $184.5 (₱6,457)

5 Days Laidback Walks in Winter Auckland