well, i got a reply from the dfa, and i have my appointment for my epassport renewal tomorrow. :) it means i won't have to have my picture taken anymore, since they will be taking my photo and biometrics information tomorrow.
wish me luck! i really hope everything is as smooth as everybody says it is.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
new link for passport renewal online appointment system
okay, so i've been using the old passport renewal online appointment link, and finally found the updated version:
http://dfa.gov.ph/form/make/make/make_a_selection.html
http://dfa.gov.ph/form/make/make/make_a_selection.htmlthat link will take you here:
i just called the DFA, and i was told that my appointment tomorrow was for a machine readable passport. i requested that my appointment be changed to the epassport, and rio, the lady i talked to on the phone, told me that it's possible to have it changed. :) as instructed, i was told to reply to the email that they sent, and i'm hoping to get a reply within the day.
here we go!
i just called the DFA, and i was told that my appointment tomorrow was for a machine readable passport. i requested that my appointment be changed to the epassport, and rio, the lady i talked to on the phone, told me that it's possible to have it changed. :) as instructed, i was told to reply to the email that they sent, and i'm hoping to get a reply within the day.
here we go!
the passport renewal experience: phase 1
my passport expires may 2010, but since most countries require that you should have a 6-month validity on your passport when you travel, my current, and most beloved, passport is as good as useless. so i quit putting it off and finally went to the dfa passport application online appointment system last night and get a move on in renewing my passport. the page looks like this:
but when you click on submit, you won't be taken to any confirmation page that indicates that your request has been submitted. instead, you will be taken to the passports information page of the dfa, which outlines the requirements that you need to bring with you on the day of your appointment. don't be alarmed if this happens, it doesn't mean they didn't receive it, it just means that the dfa needs to be more user-friendly and let us know that our form was indeed submitted, and not just floating around in cyberspace.
a few minutes later, i checked my email, and there i read the confirmation. this means you have to be careful in filling in your email address in the form above, since that's the only way they will contact you (i received no confirmation or information on my mobile phone, even though i put that in as my contact number as well). the email told me that i will have to wait about 7 days to receive my passport appointment, so i slept soundly last night, knowing my appointment will come in a week or less.
today, i got to work and checked my email. lo and behold! i got an email from the DFA saying that i have an appointment for my passport renewal tomorrow! that was quick, but a little short notice. still, i'll take it. it's probably one of the fastest government office appointments evar, and i'm not going to let that pass me by!
i'm just a bit confused, though. the email today addressed me as "machine readable passport applicant," but at the end of the email, it cited the epassport processing fees (P950 for regular processing, P1,200 for expedited processing) instead of the machine readable one. i'm really hoping to get the epassport and not the machine readable version, but just to be safe, i'll be taking the requirements needed for both. a bit of a hassle, but better than being turned away and wasting a day.
so tomorrow, i'll be taking with me the following requirements for passport renewal:
you can also read more about passport renewal at just wandering. :)
but when you click on submit, you won't be taken to any confirmation page that indicates that your request has been submitted. instead, you will be taken to the passports information page of the dfa, which outlines the requirements that you need to bring with you on the day of your appointment. don't be alarmed if this happens, it doesn't mean they didn't receive it, it just means that the dfa needs to be more user-friendly and let us know that our form was indeed submitted, and not just floating around in cyberspace.
a few minutes later, i checked my email, and there i read the confirmation. this means you have to be careful in filling in your email address in the form above, since that's the only way they will contact you (i received no confirmation or information on my mobile phone, even though i put that in as my contact number as well). the email told me that i will have to wait about 7 days to receive my passport appointment, so i slept soundly last night, knowing my appointment will come in a week or less.
today, i got to work and checked my email. lo and behold! i got an email from the DFA saying that i have an appointment for my passport renewal tomorrow! that was quick, but a little short notice. still, i'll take it. it's probably one of the fastest government office appointments evar, and i'm not going to let that pass me by!
i'm just a bit confused, though. the email today addressed me as "machine readable passport applicant," but at the end of the email, it cited the epassport processing fees (P950 for regular processing, P1,200 for expedited processing) instead of the machine readable one. i'm really hoping to get the epassport and not the machine readable version, but just to be safe, i'll be taking the requirements needed for both. a bit of a hassle, but better than being turned away and wasting a day.
so tomorrow, i'll be taking with me the following requirements for passport renewal:
- my present passport, and photocopy of data page, and pages 1, 2, and 3, and the inside back cover
- photocopy of the pages showing latest bureau of immigration departure and arrival stamps
- three (3) colored photos taken against a royal blue background and no shadow. (must remember to wear a dark top with sleeves and collar)
- a duly accomplished passport renewal application form
- print-out of my appointment
- valid ID
- P950 epassport fee, or P1,200 for expedited processing, in case i decide to fast-track the process
you can also read more about passport renewal at just wandering. :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
typhoon ondoy: how you can help
my family and i are fortunate that we got through typhoon ondoy unscathed. sure, water reached our house, and slightly damaged our car, but it's nothing compared to what others are going through at the moment. and i'm thankful for coming out of this tragedy unscathed, and to show my gratitude, i'm doing whatever i can to help.
so far, i've rummaged through my closet for clothes i want to donate, urged my sisters to do the same, and we've dropped them off at designated relief centers near us. to me, it doesn't matter where you choose to give them, as long as it's a group that means to help, then i'm good with that.
i also did some grocery shopping for instant noodles and drinks to help feed the growing number of victims. i dipped into my travel funds to add to my donations. at the moment, traveling is but a mere luxury, completely irrelevant during these trying times.
but i still feel like i haven't done enough. i'm starting to feel a little helpless. there are still so many people who need to be rescued, who need to be fed and clothed, and if you want to help out, too, here are different ways you can reach out:
help for missionaries of charity tondo
they need food, water, and baby food and milk for the children.
you can get in touch with rea at 0917 850 5766 or landline 215 6976.
myayala ondoy online donation facility
this is a very convenient way of donating money for the victims of ondoy.
no need to get out of the house, or go to the grocery.
database of drop-off centers for donations
if you have clothes, food, and other relief goods to donate, find out where the nearest drop-off points are.
help for typhoon ondoy victims
a google page of consolidated information, from rescue hotlines, to bank donations, to volunteer centers.
so far, i've rummaged through my closet for clothes i want to donate, urged my sisters to do the same, and we've dropped them off at designated relief centers near us. to me, it doesn't matter where you choose to give them, as long as it's a group that means to help, then i'm good with that.
i also did some grocery shopping for instant noodles and drinks to help feed the growing number of victims. i dipped into my travel funds to add to my donations. at the moment, traveling is but a mere luxury, completely irrelevant during these trying times.
but i still feel like i haven't done enough. i'm starting to feel a little helpless. there are still so many people who need to be rescued, who need to be fed and clothed, and if you want to help out, too, here are different ways you can reach out:
help for missionaries of charity tondo
they need food, water, and baby food and milk for the children.
you can get in touch with rea at 0917 850 5766 or landline 215 6976.
myayala ondoy online donation facility
this is a very convenient way of donating money for the victims of ondoy.
no need to get out of the house, or go to the grocery.
database of drop-off centers for donations
if you have clothes, food, and other relief goods to donate, find out where the nearest drop-off points are.
help for typhoon ondoy victims
a google page of consolidated information, from rescue hotlines, to bank donations, to volunteer centers.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
película: the 8th spanish film festival
more films are set to come your way next week, as instituto cervantes unveils the biggest película spanish film festival yet.
this year, película pelikula will show films in three different venues:
greenbelt 3 cinemas play host to 21 recent and awarded spanish and latin american films. admission is P65. check the película screening schedule for greenbelt 3.
the CCP, meanwhile, will be showing 12 spanish and filipino documentaries. check the película screening schedules for CCP.
finally, the college of saint benilde-school of design and arts will have two different sets of screenings, the first being "cine en construccion," where viewers can watch 5 different indie films from latin american countries. the other set of films are dubbed "spanish cinema in 8 films," and features 8 classic films, perfect for students who want to see the progression of spanish cinema. admission is also free. check the película screening schedules for CSB school of design and arts.
there will also be exhibits, workshops, and performances, so just check the película website, which also features trailers of the films and event schedules.
Friday, September 18, 2009
taking a walk in makati
i've always liked walking, even in the streets of manila. somehow, the perils of such thin and unwalkable sidewalks and the dirt and grime that threaten to cover my feet haven't succeeded in dissuading me from using my feet to get around.
during the august 21 long weekend, i found myself without plans to go out of town, so i thought, "why not just explore and try something new?" so from work, i took the MRT and got off at the buendia station, which is just a few meters away from jupiter. from there, i let my feet take me places.
my first stop was o'sonho, this new portuguese restaurant along jupiter, makati that i've always wanted to try. service wasn't all that great, though. i walked into the restaurant, and no one was there to greet me or to tell me if there was still a table available. i still had to walk up to the counter and ask for the menu before i was offered a seat.
i decided to try out their salmon (that's all it was called--no fancy names for this resto, i guess):
salmon in o'sonho
during the august 21 long weekend, i found myself without plans to go out of town, so i thought, "why not just explore and try something new?" so from work, i took the MRT and got off at the buendia station, which is just a few meters away from jupiter. from there, i let my feet take me places.
my first stop was o'sonho, this new portuguese restaurant along jupiter, makati that i've always wanted to try. service wasn't all that great, though. i walked into the restaurant, and no one was there to greet me or to tell me if there was still a table available. i still had to walk up to the counter and ask for the menu before i was offered a seat.
i decided to try out their salmon (that's all it was called--no fancy names for this resto, i guess):
salmon in o'sonhoit was just okay. the sauce was sweet and made it taste different, but the rice was meh. i don't think i'll be going back here any time soon. there just wasn't anything about the dish that was spectacular.
after dinner, i kept on walking, and decided to stop off at off-price, a large clothing store, still on jupiter street in makati:
off-price in jupiter
this weekend is another long one, but the weather's not being cooperative enough for a walk. but when i do get a chance, i'll walk again, and share my discoveries with you once more.
after dinner, i kept on walking, and decided to stop off at off-price, a large clothing store, still on jupiter street in makati:
off-price in jupiterthey had a lot of clothes, and they were pretty cheap, too. unfortunately, nothing specific caught my fancy, but i'll check it out again.
i get out of the store, and keep walking. soon, i end up at max's, and decide to confirm one thing. i go up to the facade and true enough, there was a small plaque that confirmed that the irish consulate was indeed, holding office above max's restaurant:
after that, i walked to makati avenue, then took a right at h.v. dela costa street, turned left at tordesillas, then passed through the park, and eventually ended up on l.p. leviste street.
one lafayette square, the building that houses the restaurant apartment1b, is also home to a new terry's deli and bistro, which looks pretty fancy. susie and i went there last week, and i went home happy after having my tortilla de pamplona.
also along l. p. leviste street is gonzo's, which replaced oliver's. the friendly waiter was handing out menus that night, and the offerings are pretty tempting, and well-priced, too!
my last stop for the night was tonton massage, which was actually the whole point of my "journey." i decided to treat myself to a one-hour full body massage. while i have always enjoyed my tonton massages, that night, it didn't go so well. i had a feeling the masseuse was already tired, from what i gathered of the quality of massage that i got. next time, i should just opt for the foot massage. that always hits the spot.
i get out of the store, and keep walking. soon, i end up at max's, and decide to confirm one thing. i go up to the facade and true enough, there was a small plaque that confirmed that the irish consulate was indeed, holding office above max's restaurant:
after that, i walked to makati avenue, then took a right at h.v. dela costa street, turned left at tordesillas, then passed through the park, and eventually ended up on l.p. leviste street.
one lafayette square, the building that houses the restaurant apartment1b, is also home to a new terry's deli and bistro, which looks pretty fancy. susie and i went there last week, and i went home happy after having my tortilla de pamplona.
also along l. p. leviste street is gonzo's, which replaced oliver's. the friendly waiter was handing out menus that night, and the offerings are pretty tempting, and well-priced, too!
my last stop for the night was tonton massage, which was actually the whole point of my "journey." i decided to treat myself to a one-hour full body massage. while i have always enjoyed my tonton massages, that night, it didn't go so well. i had a feeling the masseuse was already tired, from what i gathered of the quality of massage that i got. next time, i should just opt for the foot massage. that always hits the spot.
this weekend is another long one, but the weather's not being cooperative enough for a walk. but when i do get a chance, i'll walk again, and share my discoveries with you once more.
Friday, September 11, 2009
cine europa '09 at shang cineplex
i can't believe it's time for cine europa again. :) i missed last year's screenings, but i'm hoping i can catch at least one film in this year's line-up, specifically the demons of st. petersburg.
this year's batch of films are an assortment of genres, running the gamut of family entertainment, horror/thriller, drama, romantic comedy, and war/action. it's a pretty promising line-up.
if you have nothing to do this weekend, troop over to shangri-la mall cineplex, queue up for your free ticket, and watch a film at cine europa. just click on the link below to access the schedules and synopsis:
cine europa '09 line-up and schedule.
this year's batch of films are an assortment of genres, running the gamut of family entertainment, horror/thriller, drama, romantic comedy, and war/action. it's a pretty promising line-up.
if you have nothing to do this weekend, troop over to shangri-la mall cineplex, queue up for your free ticket, and watch a film at cine europa. just click on the link below to access the schedules and synopsis:
cine europa '09 line-up and schedule.
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