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This is another overdue blog but I thought it necessary, especially to a friend, to know. Do you need a passport but you don’t have the required documents or IDs?

On the day I signed a contract with IT, my boss in the UK told me to get a passport for future travels to Hong Kong. I’ve heard about the new DFA system and the website so I when I got home, I immediately set an appointment. Lucky for me, the next available slot was only a month away. Today, the next available slot is on December.

At one point this post may not be necessary to you because what you need to know is in the DFA Passport Appointment Website www.passport.com.ph. This is entry is for the troubles you may encounter like, what would you do if you did not have all the requirements? Not all of us have an SSS ID or maybe a driver’s license. And what if your NSO-issued birth certificate (via www.census.com.ph) has marks obscuring your name? That’s a big no-no. Mabuti na ang prepared. I went through a difficult time convincing them to let me get my passport because I did not have enough required documents. Here’s what you should know:

• ALL details on your birth certificate should be clearly readable. Don’t fool yourself saying “baka pwede na yan.”
• Laminated Postal IDs and TIN IDs are not accepted. Only DIGITIZED IDs are accepted.

As an alternative, here’s what you can provide:

• If your birth certificate has printing issues, go to your Local Registry Office and check if their copy is much clearer. No use complaining to NSO because this is their digital copy reprinted. They may be able to fix it but will take you a long time. In my case, the Local Registry’s copy was much clearer and no obscuring marks and was released within a week. I paid around 150 Php for the copy. This is also NSO-certified and should be accepted by DFA.
• You don’t have SSS ID yet? Go to SSS head office and request for a microfilm of your SSS number. Your pink form is useless to DFA if it’s not clear or have been tampered with. Request for microfilm is free but you have to wait 5 business days before it is released. Quite a hassle if you’re in hurry. While you’re there, make the trip worthwhile and apply for a digitized SSS ID na din.
• Other digitized IDs that are accepted like company ID or school ID. If you’re already working, your college ID will still be accepted. Or your Alumni card.
• Other supporting documents that you may use (which I presented): NBI Clearance valid for travel abroad; transcript of records (with picture, of course); OLD Income Tax Record (around two years old) showing your name and address.

Other things you should know:

• Be there on time and have your reference number ready. The guard will ask you for it. When you get there, around 100 people will be on queue at Step 1. But, it’s okay. Around 20 windows are open at the same time so it’s a quick wait. Plus DFA has free Wi-Fi so waiting won’t be boring.
• No need to print the form because they have it ready for you. If in case you had your name misspelled when you set the appointment, you can have this corrected here. This is the original form and the only one that’ll be accepted. Photocopied forms will be disregarded.
• Prepare extra cash. They’ll ask you to photocopy your requirements upon approval. Photocopy is a ripoff but what can you do? It’s 3 Php per page.

Now this one is very important. If you’ve previously had your passport and you lost it, you have to prepare a notarized affidavit of loss. But if your parents have acquired a passport for you when you were a kid and you could not remember anything about it (just like my case), you must prepare a notarized affidavit of denial. They have a record of it even if it was several years ago. Mine was first applied for in 1992.

There. Step 1 (verification of required documents) was the most excruciating part for me because of my lack of acceptable documents to present. I had to come back the next day, in the summer heat, to prepare what they wanted. But once you’ve passed that, you’re okay. You pay for the paspport fee in Step 2. And you wait to get your picture taken in Step 3. Step 4 is optional but very convenient – I recommend it. This is where you apply for a courier service to deliver your passport to you. They’ll tell you the date of your passport’s release (20 working days for regular; 10 working days for rush) so try to figure out where you will be that day. If you have a day job, have it delivered to your office. It’s only 120 Php.

There. When I received my passport, I was VERY happy because I went through a tough time applying for it. It was in summer at 2PM so you have an idea of the heat. I hope this helps.

This is for those who pass by or wait for a ride at the intersection of Recto and Legarda – be careful. There’s a group of men who attack unsuspecting passengers waiting for a bus or FX and take their bags/belongings.

This is in front of Mini Stop near San Sebastian. It may seem a safe spot to stand and wait because of the store’s bright lights but these men don’t care. If they think you’re not aware, they will grab you from behind and force you to give your bag.

What you should do? Be vigilant. Always look around you for suspicious eyes and actions. If you notice anything weird, act fast and move away – cross the street or take the next ride wherever it is headed and just wait somewhere more crowded. Most importantly, do not lose focus. The moment you lose touch of reality may be their cue to attack. Do not listen to music while waiting cos you can’t hear if someone’s creeping up behind you. Do not look at your phone and do not just look at the incoming vehicles. Remember to watch your back.

If you get attacked, just give what they want. Do not prolong the confrontation cos they may hurt you if they get frustrated. These men want to do it as quickly as possible to avoid being identified. If you do anything that will make them feel threatened, they may hurt you. Whatever you own that they may take is still not worth risking your life.

Report this to the police as much as possible. Tell everyone you know so they’ll be careful as well. The best way to stop them is by letting them feel you are aware of what they may do next. These criminals don’t care of witnesses nowadays – they attack whenever and wherever. So always stay focused and cautious and you are one step ahead of them.

This morning, for some reason, email setup of my Blackberry worked! I was finally allowed to register my GMail account and use BB’s email client. Globe must have gone through the complaint I filed with their customer service rep and realized I’ve got a point. I hope this doesn’t happen to others in the future. They should just let their subscribers use their phone for the way it is made regardless of where they bought it. To give Globe its due, I’ve always been very satisfied with their mobile phone service, signal and promos and I never thought of switching until this problem happened. So thank you thank you Globe for fixing this. I love Globe na ulit.

Yesterday I was finally able to get the Blackberry phone I wanted. With Lhen, I went to Makati to meet up with an online seller. After the transaction, we moved around Ayala Center to eat and shop. Thanks girl! I originally wanted to purchase from Globe Business Center because I’m a loyal subscriber of theirs and I thought it was more convenient. But the first hassle from them came when they ran out of stock at their Megamall branch.

Hassle #1:
I really wanted to buy that day so I asked them where else it would be available. The guy went inside the office to check and he came out a minute later and told me it was available at Tower One branch in Ayala. He confirmed that I could buy it that day if I dropped by Ayala. He seemed sure and trustworthy so I left. The wrong thing was I forgot to ask him to call Tower One to inform them that I was coming and to have the unit reserved for me (will keep that in mind next time). And I’m sure you know what happened next. I went to Tower One only to find out they ran out of stock as well.

Hassle #2
After finally getting my Blackberry, I registered to avail of Globe’s Blackberry service for five days. That’s 220Php which includes access to email, social networking sites and instant messenger. Sounds cool! But here’s the catch. If you didn’t buy your unit from their store, you would not be able to register your email accounts in your Blackberry’s email client. I tried to do so by going to http://globe.blackberry.com and it told me that my account was either “suspended or deactivated”. Grabe! I called their customer service desk and a girl told me about this. I could not help expressing my disappointment over it. It’s true that in the Terms and Conditions that Globe sends during the SMS registration, they say that “Globe does not guarantee that service will work with non-Globe-provided BB units. No repair/support will be extended.” But I didn’t realize they would disable the primary function of a Blackberry because I did not buy from them! I mean… I’m still a Globe subscriber after all. And I paid the fee for the service, and I have the right to buy my phone from wherever I want. And this act sounds like “Buy from us or we’ll deem your Blackberry almost useless!” It may not be any help but I would’ve bought the unit from them if only it was fucking available!

Good thing I don’t intend to use my Blackberry for work emails. And GMail has a downloadable application that I can use to send/check emails without using the web browser. But it’s still different. It’s much more convenient to use the phone’s email client and its notifications!

This entry is not intended to defame Globe. I’m not some famous blogger whose words matter and create shockwaves that reach TV anyway. This is just a compassionate post/a warning directed to those who, like me, wants to get the convenient on-the-go emailing experience with Blackberry but uses the Globe network.

UPDATE Jan 17, 2010:
Blackberry service works okay with Smart. Piglet tested this today using his Smart SIM card and he was able to register at smart.blackberry.com. He added his email accounts without a problem. But MY problem was he had to wipe everything out again including my Contacts! And he didn’t create a backup.

I’m thinking of switching to Smart because of this. I’m only hesitant cos I’ve been using my Globe number for 5 years and I don’t like the idea of having to inform evryone about my new one. Maybe I’ll do it through Facebook na lang.

LATEST UPDATE Jan 18, 2010:
Read this entry for details.

Last February 22 was our despedida for Myles and Liezel. We ate dinner in Hai and I decided to pay for the bills using my credit card. It took around ten minutes before the guy returned with my card and receipt (note – there were only two tables occupied that night) but I didn’t think anything was wrong then except for exceptionally slow service. We left after that and settled in Pier One – that night went on getting us tipsy after a few bottles of alcohol. I enjoyed it.

Back home the following morning I checked my HSBC account and found out I got floating transactions worth 9000 pesos. I did not recall spending that much so I emailed HSBC to inquire about where and when those transactions happened. Grabe they replied after three days pa to think I used their Personal Banking facility’s contact form. I thought it would bring a sense of urgency. By the time they replied, the floating transactions have already been approved and posted to my account. They were from Hai Resto and Bar. A stupid staff swiped my card multiple times. Stupid me – I didn’t call Hai about it immediately. Why? I thought, since I did not sign any receipt worth more than what we consumed that night, those transactions would NOT be approved by HSBC. No signed receipt, the other transactions should be considered invalid. And therefore, anything that was not right would be automatically undone and things would be fine again. Anyway… I was wrong. Now I think they don’t really check those receipts unless a dispute is filed.

I’m now in correspondence with HSBC and Hai Resto and Bar. But since Hai operates mainly at night, I could not talk to anyone who knew what to say to me about the situation for the past two days. I’m usually out of the office by 6PM and I can’t use the phone in the academy. HSBC, on the other hand, is consistent in calling me about it. I’ve faxed them a dispute form with the necessary documents but their latest email said that it normally takes 45 calendar days to process a dispute. Tagal. And I hope they’ll do the rest for me and not ask me to call them again for reversal of whatever thing regarding my account. I hate waiting on the phone that’s why I had them deactivate my phone banking facility.

Raymond sent me this. You might have heard this by now and I’m wondering how it got out. She was annoyingly entertaining but she’s also majorly offending due to lots of putanginas and slur to Filipinos by a Filipina using the Filipino language while trying to withdraw money from an ATM in the Philippines.

I just have these questions:

1. How did this call recording get leaked-out? Phone banking conversations are supposed to be private and be kept protected due to confidential information being disclosed within the call.
2. Based on the call, she was using a phone inside the bank. Wasn’t there a security guard in there? Even if it was in the middle of the night, a security guard should still be present. Let’s say the guard fell asleep – all that yelling could awaken even a hibernating grizzly bear! Maybe the guard got scared of her? Yeah. Maybe. Hehe.
3. Was she arrested for creating public scandal?

It’s irritating to find Pinoys like her. Firstly because she’s stupid for freaking out – she didn’t even let the agent help her with her issue. For just 13,000PhP she had to act like a monster. Next, her attitude towards Filipinos is just bad. I believe she lived in the U.S. for quite some time and with that she thought she’s better than other Filipinos. She said it herself “Ako lang ang Pilipinang gusto ko!” Basta I loved the entertainment value of this but I can’t help but hate her for her stupidity. I believe in diplomacy. In Filipino nga eh, lahat nadadaan sa mabuting usapan. She didn’t have to freak out. And yeah, the Philippines has a lot of flaws but I still love it and I’m proud to be Pinoy.

Listen to her craziness after the jump. CLICK CLICK CLICK

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Being committed for more than three years, I consider it a personal achievement to stay in love, be productive and be progressive all at the same time. It’s the longest I’ve ever been in a relationship. And what’s remarkable is as time goes, both Piglet and I are growing happier as individuals with our private spaces and professional lives; and as partners with mutual plans and feelings for each other. How did we do it? Well, we’ve done a lot of things - both wrong and right – and I don’t know which one made it work.

The staying power of a relationship depends not on “love” alone, as how movies and teleseryes annoyingly put it. In this world of 6 billion people in the middle of global economic recession and climate change, you can’t just keep yourself and your partner in a box, be in love and live happily ever after. In establishing a happy relationship, love is vital but it should be supported by other factors like trust, respect, and good sex proper communication. To understand the importance of each, let’s imagine a relationship without them. Quote me on these but don’t take my words for it. Hahaha!

CLICK CLICK CLICK TO READ MORE

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One thing that I intend to do is to be part of an organization that helps spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. Here in the Philippines, I don’t think there’s enough accessible information about AIDS to reduce the stigma and vague perceptions of people about it. There may be confused individuals out there, especially the youth, who wish to get tested and are clueless on where to ask for help/counseling without getting judged or scrutinized. Starting today, I’ll do what I can to contribute to spread awareness and correct information about HIV/AIDS. And also to at least give those who are positive a feeling of peace and acceptance in our society.

As a start, to those who wish to get tested:

WHAT: FREE HIV Test using Rapid Test
(NOTE: reading of results take 10 minutes after actual blood sample extraction, procedure is the same as blood sugar monitoring for Diabetic clients)

WHO : Everyone is welcome for Testing, underage/minor must secure parental consent according to R.A. 8504 or must comply with the requirements of the law for testing

WHEN : July 22, 2008 and onwards until supply last
Total Targets: 15,000 Clients based on the 15,000 HIV Test KITS available

WHERE : Social Hygiene Clinic – Manila Health Department, 2nd Floor of 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila (green building across the main gate of San Lazaro Hospital, between LRT Bambang and LRT Tayuman Station)

GROUP TESTING: Group Testing is possible by making arrangements with Ms. Malou Tan for venue and date. However, venue should be within the City of Manila. Contact Details: For inquiries, call 711-6942 and look for Dra. Diana Mendoza or Ms. Malou Tan, Monday to Friday only from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This is why we should stop war and violence.

Pfc. Joseph Dwyer, a real-life sad story of an American soldier who fought in Iraq and came back home but was never able to get over the memories of the violent scenes. He suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction (just like Flippy in Happy Tree Friends – but this one’s real and serious) for years. He died last month feeling trapped in endless paranoia about war, pursuit and violence. Read the story here .