Setting up your own paypal account and EON is easy in the Philippines!

Anyone can do it, even a student (like me). It should take from 2 to 3 weeks, from finding valid IDs to having your EON Cyber Account fully activated. Here's what you need to do:

1. Create a Paypal account. It's free! Once you have this set up, you'll be able to receive payments immediately. But to withdraw them, you'll need the EON Cyber Account first.

2. Apply for an EON Cyber Account on the UnionbankPH.com website.

3. Your card should be ready to claim after 5 banking days in the Unionbank branch you specified in registering for the EON account. Bring 2 valid IDs! For me, I used my own Student ID and an NSO Certified Birth Certificate. In addition, the bank will require a photocopy of them. You could use other valid ID's as well (SSS, Postal ID, etc), just make sure that they're currently active and not expired.

4. Deposit at least $1.95 worth in peso. So if you deposit P 100 that's fine, P 200 is better (just in case). You may do this on the day you got the card. You'll need this for step 5.

5. Activate your EON Cyber Account card online! It says two banking days for activation, however, the branch I applied to said it would take seven banking days. For some, it takes only five. It's worth the wait. :)

... after 5 to 7 days...

6. Go to your PayPal account and click the link that says "link and verify your card". You'll see it on the first page after logging in. Enter your card details EXACTLY the same as the details you used for your Unionbank EON account. So use EXACTLY the same address. Your card will be charged $1.95 worth, but it'll be returned once your card is verified.

...after 3 to 5 days...

7. Wait for 3 to 5 days, then call their toll free hotline and ask for your Expanded Use number. DO NOT ENTER YOUR EXPANDED USE NUMBER WRONG THRICE. I did! Because I kept checking my online account for the expanded number that never came. I was enterring the wrong number after all, LOL, and it resulted to my card being disabled in PayPal so I had to open another card. So CALL THEIR TOLL FREE CUSTOMER SERVICE. It's in Manila, but it's free. Ask for the number at the local Unionbank Branch as the one on their printout seems to be outdated. Maybe I'll look for the number tomorrow and post it here.




That's it! Now you're ready to receive payment from freelance writing jobs online!

(Did you find this helpful? If you find any problems with the instructions in this post, please don't hesitate to post a comment. Suggestions, feedback, and reactions are also welcome. )