Dubai Filipino expat first to get new high-tech passport!

Dubai - What makes it special to be the first to have the freshly-minted Philippine travel ID?

Filipino expat Blessing Martinez lost her passport early this month; she then applied for a new one on August 8 and now, she can proudly claim that she's the first Filipino in the UAE to get the newly-designed Philippine e-passport.
What makes it special to be the first to have the freshly-minted Philippine travel ID?
"It's such a blessing," Martinez told Khaleej Times in a phone interview. "Aside from the bragging rights, simply put, the Philippine e-passport is really now one of the most visually-striking and highly-secured passports in the world."

"Flipping through the pages (of the passport), I was really amazed at how designers and researchers put great efforts to come up with a very likeable passport," added Martinez, 29, who works as a cabin crew for a Dubai-based airline.
Philippine consular officials unveiled last week the 44-page travel document which depicts Philippine artefacts, cultural icons, historic places, renowned tourist destinations, and even lyrics of the Philippine national anthem.
"There's also a strong sense of patriotism that is rekindled by looking at the passport," Martinez said.
"I just was impressed by the prominent display of our national bird, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which is one of rarest species in the world and endemic to our forests in south Philippines. Also, the Manunggul Jar which dates back to Neolithic era and the ancient script or 'baybayin' all bring a great sense of pride for us, Filipinos," explained Martinez
But more than the colourful features and pictures of world-class tourist destinations, Martinez is better impressed with the new security features. "The holographic photo and indigo ink used, plus the microchip, microprints and ultraviolet marks will surely make it hard to make a counterfeit copy of the passport."
And where will Martinez first use her new passport? "I'm travelling back home to get married in October and after the wedding I hope we can go the Maldives for our honeymoon," she said.
Angel@khaleejtimes.com