POV: 5 Years Before Retirement – From San Francisco to Baguio and the World Beyond Henley Passport Index – Mid‑2025 Edition.

It’s 2025, I’m five years away from retiring and leaving behind my career in San Francisco, California. Soon, my husband and I—along with our four fluffy dogs—will head back home to the cool, pine-scented hills of Baguio City.

But while we plan our return to the Philippines, my mind? It's already drifting beyond the fog of the Golden Gate and the familiar scent of Baguio strawberries. It's dreaming of travel, of cobblestone streets, open skies, new flavors, and old cities.

So I did what any future traveler does: I checked how far my Philippine passport can take me. Here’s what I found—and how it’s shaping my 2030 retirement bucket list. Follow more of my travel dreams, reflections, and lifestyle picks at www.richardvaldezre.com.

My Passport: Philippines - Rank 72

Philippines – Rank 72 Visa-free access: 67 countries


Let’s be honest: the Philippine passport isn’t the strongest. But it’s not weak either. It unlocks an exciting mix of tropical, cultural, spiritual, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Southeast Asia? Ours for the taking. Latin America? Surprisingly accessible. The Middle East? Possible with a bit of planning.

Here’s Where I Plan to Go First — With Just My Passport (or a Simple eVisa)

Bali, Indonesia – Rank 66 Visa-free for Filipinos. It’s close, warm, and spiritual. I see us in Ubud, sipping kopi while dogs nap at our feet, watching rice terraces sway with the breeze.

Vietnam – Rank 69 Also visa-free. I want to wake up in Hoi An, take a cooking class, and cruise Ha Long Bay. We’ll be living slow and eating phở by the bowl.

Brazil – Rank 17 Yes, we can go visa-free to Brazil! Maybe I’ll celebrate my 61st birthday in Rio, dancing with strangers at Carnival or just soaking in the sunset on Copacabana beach.

Peru – Rank 36 Filipinos can stay visa-free for 183 days. That's half a year! Enough time for Machu Picchu, Lima street food, and maybe even a Spanish refresher course.

Israel – Rank 56 Visa-free access. I want to see the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and feel history under my feet. Maybe it’ll be a spiritual trip, maybe just soul-refreshing.

My “Worth the Visa” Destinations

Because They’re That Magical Even if my passport doesn’t grant me instant access, some places are worth the extra paperwork. They’re the “big ones” on my list. The “one day soon” cities.

Japan – Rank 2 I'll happily apply for a tourist visa to walk beneath cherry blossoms in Kyoto or shop in Tokyo with my husband. Japan feels like a memory I haven’t made yet.

Amsterdam – Rank 4 The Dutch canals call to me. I want to wander with no schedule, rent a bike, and maybe write in a little café. It’ll take a Schengen visa, but it’s worth it.

Paris – Rank 4 There’s no travel list without Paris. Even if I need a Schengen visa, nothing will stop me from eating croissants by the Seine or getting lost in the Louvre.

Venice – Rank 4 Before it sinks too far, I want to float along its quiet canals at sunrise. Visa-required, sure. But imagine ringing in retirement on a gondola?

Honorable Mentions

Dubai (UAE) – Rank 50 We’ll need a visa, but it’s easy to get—and Dubai is pure contrast: desert and malls, modern and traditional. Maybe we’ll stop over on our way to Europe.

China – Rank 62 It’s not visa-free, but it’s high on my husband’s list. He wants to see the Great Wall. I want to try tea in a quiet teahouse in Chengdu. We’ll make it happen.

India – Rank 80 Lower passport ranking than ours, but they offer eVisas to Filipinos. Spiritual, colorful, chaotic—India might be the most intense travel experience we’ll have. 🐾

And Don’t Forget the Dogs Of course, not all trips will include our four-legged family. Some will stay behind in Baguio, safe and spoiled. But in the back of my mind, I’m also exploring dog-friendly countries and long-stay options. Because travel doesn’t have to be fast. Retirement gives us the gift of time.

Final Thoughts:

A Passport, a Partner, and a Plan Five years from now, we’ll be waking up to foggy mornings in Baguio, not the Bay. But my soul? Already checking in at immigration counters around the world. With my Philippine passport in hand, a few visas sorted, and hearts ready for adventure—we’re not just retiring. We’re finally living.

Here’s to 2030:

A year of first flights, not just goodbyes • A time to explore, not rush • And a reminder that home is where we start, but never where we stop.