If you're ready for an overseas vacation, you'll have one more option starting Thursday.
The Philippine government announced last week that the country is reopening its borders to tourists — which is welcome news for the Bay Area's hundreds of thousands of Filipino Americans.
The Philippine borders have been closed to visitors for two years and there were exceptions for returning Filipinos, with strict and expensive quarantine requirements.
However, those quarantine restrictions for vaccinated returning Filipinos were lifted on Tuesday, while vaccinated foreigners will be allowed inside starting Feb. 10 — important news for a country that relies heavily on its tourism sector.
Bay Area resident Elvie Delaplaza traveled to the Philippines last year when her mom was sick with kidney failure.
"My mom passed away," she told KCBS Radio while at a Jollibee restaurant in Daly City. "And I quarantined 10 days in Manila and I spent a lot for that. For 10 days in Manila in a hotel."
With the borders reopening, Delaplaza is hoping to make it back to see her dad for his birthday next month.
It's been more than three years since Bay Area resident Jaime Cayabyab went back and he's hoping the new newly opened borders will make it easier.
"I miss the Philippines, I think my boys do too… They are just really bothering me to go on vacation," he said.
Even if he can't get to the Philippines, at least he can get a little taste of home in Daly City, which he called "little Manila."
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