a matter of teys.t

We usually spend Christmas with the kids’ grandparents every year but this year, home for the holidays will be a little late. The recent typhoons have affected school holiday schedules so instead of being two weeks early for Christmas with them, we leave Manila on December 24 because the husband still has classes till December 23. We’ve never traveled one day before Christmas ever since I can remember, so I really don’t know what it’s like to be in the airport on Christmas Eve.

Because of our shortened holiday, I guess, I don’t really have to pack so much. I think the kids’ stuff will fit in their Sammie, the ladybug Samsonite luggage set we got on sale years ago. I’m also thinking if all our stuff (the husband’s and mine) will fit in our carry-on luggage as well so we can just use the express check-in. My siblings and I did that a few months ago when we traveled together to Cebu. Absolutely less hassle. It’s still approximately 7 weeks away. That gives me a little more time to fix things around our house before we leave. I’m sure the kids can’t wait to see the tree house and the little house in the woods.

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Speaking of L.A., I remember years ago when the husband and I drove from Arizona all the way to L.A. I remember the first time we did that… I was pregnant with our son and I don’t know what we were thinking back then but all we had for a map was an itty bitty map at the back of a slim pocket planner. OMG, talk about crazy. We didn’t really plan well - no cellphones, no emergency numbers, no first aid kit… NADA! It was just us and our rented Chevy Malibu with cruise control (although an rv would have been much better, I think) with a pack of grapes, some sandwiches, our Aquafino water bottles  and our trusty rest-area coupon clippings hahaha. And all along I thought the husband knew what he was doing!

Of course, we got lost, missed a few exits, arrived at around midnight after more than 8 hours of driving. Oh, we did stop by a gas station to get ourselves a real map but that was only afte we reached L.A. Prior to that we relied on the maps that were in the rest area coupon booklets.  Que horror! For me, driving through L.A. is like a horror movie especially if you are used to the grid-like streets of AZ - the L.A. freeway is a nightmare! But in the end, it makes for good memories. I hope someday we can do it again… but this time I know now what I need to bring. :)

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LP - Dito Lang.

Dito lang sa isla ng Pan-ay matatagpuan ang pinakamalaking kampana sa Asya. Sa sobrang laki nya at sa sobrang kitid din ng kampanaryo ay di ko ito makunan nang buo. Mga bahagi lamang nya at ang mga salitang nakasulat sa bukana ng kampanaryo na nagsasaad na siya nga ang pinakamalaking kampana sa Asya. Ito ay mga kuha ko ng kami ay umuwi sa Capiz (probinsya ng pamilya ng aking kabiyak) noong isang taon.

Simbahan ng Pan-ay

sa harap ng simbahan

sa bukana ng kampanaryo

sideview ng kampana

pansinin nyo ang kalembang kumpara sa kampana sa likod

eto ang  isa pang view.

Makisali na sa mga litratistang Pinoy dito:

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LP-Puso

Sa aming paglalayag noong kapaskuhan, binalak naming pumunta sana sa Geothermal Power Plant sa Mt. Apo para ipakita sa aming mga tsikiting ang pangalawang pinakamalaking planta ng alternatibong enerhiyang geothermal sa buong mundo subalit nasa kalahati pa lang kami ng aming biyahe ay di na nakayanan ng aming sasakyan ang biyahe at unti-unti na syang naghingalo at nawalan ng “power” kaya kami ay napilitang huminto sa tabing daan. Kami pala ay napadpad na sa boundary ng Kidapawan, Cotabato at sa aming pagkagulat, mayroon palang magandang pahingahan na pang-turista dito kaya ang aming pagka-unsyami at panghihinayang ay medyo parang nabuhusan na ng malamig na tubig.

Dito ko natagpuan ang kakaibang puno na ito na aking pinagdiskitahan. Labis akong naaliw kasi dahil ang hugis at pagbagsak ng mga dahon nya ay tila hugis puso kaya siya ay talagang aking piniktyuran. Ako ay napangiti sa aking sarili at tunay na namangha - may ’sense of humor’ din pala ang Dakilang Maylikha. Kahit saan, kahit kailan sa kahit anong paraan puede syang magsalita, magparamdam na lab naman nya kami - kunsuelo de amor kahit kami ay nasiraan ng sasakyan.  :) 

Makigulo sa mga kapusong ka-LP! Tara lets na (iklik ang kamera para makisali):
 

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LP-Tsokolate

Kung ikaw ay isa sa mga libo-libong(? pero di ako kasali dun) tao na nakabasa ng aklat na Twilight o dili kaya ay nakapanood ng pelikulang ito baka sakaling makahiligan mo ang lahok ko sa linggong ito. Ito ang mga paniking kulay tsokolate na matatagpuan sa kuweba sa Samal Island. Talaga namang kikiligin ka at hihimatayin sa kakaibang amoy nila - makapigil hininga talaga! Kailangan mong pigilang huminga kasi baka bumaliktad ang iyong sikmura sa sangsang ng amoy nila. Pero sa tutoo lang, ka-kyut naman sila sa malapitan, di ba? Baka isa sa kanila yung bida sa Twilight, no? Papa-kiss ka ba?

Sali na kayo!

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Yup, in a few hours! I can’t believe I’m done packing. Usually it’s always a no-sleep night for me whenever we have to go somewhere because I do ALL the packing for my brady bunch but this time it’s a wee bit more relaxed. My skin usually breaks out when I’m stressed with so much stuff to do.  Even the best acne treatments can’t compare to what a little R&R can do to your skin.  We are on the evening flight so I had the whole day yesterday to do all the prep work for the house and I got to pack for the kids as well. Today will just double check around to see any thing I might have overlooked. The kids are excited and can’t wait to leave. Davao here we come!

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My friend’s son will be competing in Hongkong early next year.  They are quite excited because it will also be part of their many Disney vacations in the future.  But prior to the Hong Kong competition are several local swim meets that will prepare them for the Big tournament.  I really wish we could tag along!  Unfortunately, the only swimming opportunity that will allow my kids to experience open water again is when we go home to Davao this Christmas.  I hope the weather will be cooperative.  Meanwhile, Mickey Mouse will have to congratulate my friend’s son.

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The family has been having a great time in Boracay! The kids would rather swim than eat.  They even forget to do bathroom stuff.  While we were eating at Sea Wind, the resort of DH’s aunt, DD said she needed to go.  How I wished I had diapers in those Ju Ju Be bags.  I had no choice but to clean her up and resume my meal.  DS had similar instances with respect to taking leaks.

I guess swimming in sea or playing in the cool sands for Boracay brings joy to kids of all ages.  Today, DS had the chance to snorkel in a reef off the island with his Dad.  He was reeling with joy for the rest of the day.  Early on, he kept on saying that he wanted to live here.  Who know’s, maybe God will answer his prayer someday.

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Days and month’s prior to our going to Boracay, DH would reminisce on his boyhood experiences in the island.  Upon reaching Boracay after 20 years he would say things about how it used to be.  He was sad when he saw the concrete road running in the middle of the island.  He kept looking for the Ati’s forest.  The sight of sprouting houses and buildings, much like Wilmington NC real estate,  intensified his longing for the Boracay of his youth.  Sewer residue under the sand, put grief in his heart. Is this development?  What will Boracay be after another 20 years?

In the 1970’s, Sicogon, Iloilo was the darling of the beach comber. It had a world class resort and was just like Boracay.  The developer, a Marcos crony, defaulted his loan leading to the closure of operations in the island.  DH remembers that people in Boracay were quite determined then to keep the island from being like Sicogon.  They wanted to keep their paradise pristine.  Today, Sicogon is the pristine paradise.     My! How the tables have turned! Where are the Boracaynon’s of old?

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Today was travel day.  We woke up at 6am ( even though we slept at 4am), dragged our luggage, flew off to Kalibo, Aklan.  We took a Southwest bus headed for Caticlan, Malay.  In Caticlan, we boarded a boat that took us to Boracay.  We finally reached the Boracay Peninsula, a place owned by DH’s aunts and uncle.   After some snacks, DH and I headed for the beach. Hurray!!!

I was captivated by three things.  First was that the horizon, the island and the mainland  forming a circle making the world look “flat”.  Second was an unusual pinkish halo surrounding the crescent moon.  Finally the dusk skyline dotted by sails. I’m finally in  what probably is the best “swim beach” in the world. Thank you Lord for bringing us to Boracay!

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IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM THE DFA AS OF 02.16.2010 (The DFA website has been revamped and the old links have been replaced. I have updated this post (in red) and the links as well as of 2/16/2010. Thanks for reading!)

Note: There are currently two types of passports being issued right now: the Machine-Readable Passport and the newly implemented Biometric Passport a.k.a EPass or Electronic Passport. The requirements  and procedures listed below mostly apply to those who are applying for a Machine Readable Passport. For those who prefer the EPass or Biometric passport the requirements are more or less the same but the procedures are different. To find out more about EPass or Biometric Passports check this out : FAQ on the Philippines EPassport (source: dfa.gov.ph)

Here are the Passport Requirements as of 02.16.2010 for:

A. FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS

Additional Requirements:

If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;

For Minors (below 18 years old)

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

If both parents are abroad:

For Muslim applicants

Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.

For those whose births were not registered:

• Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)
  
  

B. PASSPORT RENEWAL (for holders of Philippine Passports)

Brown Passport or issued prior to 01 May 1995

• Old passport and photocopy of passport pages 1,2,3 (amendment). The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
• Supporting document with complete middle name.

Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

• Present passport and photocopy of inside and back cover.
• The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
• For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse:

• Personal Appearance is required
• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or CTC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

For Minors (below 18 years old): Personal appearance of either parent is required.

• If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:
• Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
• Affidavit of Support and Consent
• If both parents are abroad:
• Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Philippine Consul).
• Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate if not executed before a Philippine Consul designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).
• Passport and photocopy of the passport of person travelling with the minor.

Other supporting documents you might want to bring with you: (courtesy of PinoyMoneyTalk)

• Marriage Contract
• PRC / IBP ID
• Land Title
• Driver’s License
• Government Service Record
• Old SSS-E1 form or digitized SSS-ID
• School Form 137 or Transcript of Records
• Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
• Voter’s Registration Record
• Baptismal Certificate
• Seaman’s Book
• Income Tax Return (Old)

UPDATED PASSPORT FEES as of 02.16.2010:

• MACHINE READABLE PASSPORT (MRP-regular process) 44-pages         P  500.00
• ELECTRONIC PASSPORT (EPASS-regular process) 44-pages                   P  950.00
• EXPEDITED PROCESSING - ADDITIONAL CHARGE  OF                             P  250.00
• REPLACEMENT OF LOST VALID PASSPORT                                              P  700.00

My original post: (links updated as of 02.16.2010)

Did you know that there are online companies that can assist you if you need to apply for or renew your passport? For my own passport, I opted to do it myself which was quite a hassle to do so I’m contemplating if I should do it differently for the passports of my kids. If you plan to do it yourself here are some of the things you need to prepare for to help you out.

But if you want somebody else to do all that for you and all you have to do is show your face at the DFA you can also try Pilipinas Teleserv. They can do your passport, NSO birth, marriage, death and other certificates as well. They also deliver it right to your doorstep. If you are an American seeking to renew your passport and want someone to assist you, you can try American Passport dot com. Both of these agencies are non-government agencies that process your documents for you and they can come in very useful for folks that are too busy to do all the legwork.

ETA: I’ve updated this post and added a few more info in response to the queries below. I’m glad that this post has helped you and hope that this additional information  like Regional Consulate Offices etc. will be even more helpful as you go through processing your passports.

Question from Billy:

just want to ask if i can renew my passport without my presence?and how long will it take to get it?

Answer:

If you are residing in the Philippines, then you are most likely to renew your passport at the DFA Main office, Roxas Blvd in Pasay City. However, if you are in the province and coming to Manila is not doable for you there are actually Regional Consular Offices located around the country where you can apply at. As for non-appearance options, even if some agencies offer to do all the initial legwork for you like processing and compiling the required documents for submission and scheduling an appointment for you , the DFA still requires you to “appear” unless you are under “8 years old” or “65 years old and above” because they take a picture of you at the very end of the process for their file purposes. Therefore, you still have to be present.

As to how long it will take to get your passport, it depends on how much you want to pay. Usually, the regular wait is 14 days which costs P500,  for expedited processing or 7-days wait it’s P750 and for replacement of lost valid passports it’s P700. (see update above)

DFA REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICES

But before you head out to Manila, you might like to check this out and see if there is a DFA office near you to save you all that travel.

Btw, there are also scheduled Mobile Passport Services in various Local Governments where DFA officials go to different public venues and process passport services right then and there. I know one was recently held at Festival Mall Alabang. For schedules on that you can check this link (updated):

http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/schedule-of-sobile-services

Now here’s a visual of the actual procedure at the DFA Manila Office (pics courtesy of the DFA website)

These pictures are no longer available as the DFA has since updated its website.

Hope this helps!

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