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I was born in the year 1949 and spent my teen years during the 1960s. It was a glorious decade and for many from my generation, the Golden Age in Philippine history. The younger generation would forgive us geezers for reminiscing about the old times.

Things are looking up. Step by step, the Philippines is opening up to foreign travelers and inching closer to the normal.

The Philippines reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers beginning February 10 in what could be a shot in the arm to the ailing tourism industry. Tourists from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines can now visit our major destinations, as long as they are fully vaccinated.

In response to calls from the private sector, the government has announced that they are now crafting a pandemic exit plan. Presidential adviser for COVID-19 response Vince Dizon has been quoted by the press as saying that the National Task Force Against COVID-19 is supportive of the recommendation to remove the alert level system as the vaccination rate continues to go up.