Just did my first remittance at iRemit today. The process was considerably fast since there was practically no queue. The transaction was done after lunch which can be the reason why it hasn’t been credited to my account yet. I’ll check again tomorrow.
The way I mapped out my remittance workflow is I just remit to my own account, then make use of the fund transfer and bill payment facility of BPI Express Online. This would make things a lot easier and cheaper since I’ll get to save on fees with less transactions. Probably just once or twice every couple of months.
Funds transfer of course is for my loved ones back home. I’ve already added their accounts to my fund transfer list so it’s just a matter of entering the amount and clicking a button.
I still have a need for the bill payment facility though since I’m maintaining some of my accounts back home:
- a credit card which is primarily for emergency purposes and for booking airline tickets (my salary level isn’t enough to get me one here, it’s a lot higher if you’re a foreigner)
- a postpaid mobile line (so I get to keep a permanent mobile number anywhere I go and when I come back)
- and the DSL back home
I still have to register at the embassy though to become a member of OWWA. Hehe 
Welcome to the club!
So what really makes one an official OFW?
Thanks! And I see there are a lot of Pinoy bloggers here.
I would think our government will consider anyone who works abroad and remits to the Philippines an offical “bagyong bayani.” Hehe. But that’s just me thinking