True Love

I bought this book few years back online because I can’t find it in any bookstore here.  I was informed that it is no longer being produced commercially (at least that’s what they said). But with some research, I found an online seller in eBay who has this book, and so I bought it.

I waited but after a week or two and after the delivery due date, nothing arrived. I thought it was lost in transit and so I sent a message to the seller. He was so apologetic for what happened and reimbursed me the cost of the book.

I have forgotten about the book but after a few more weeks I received a mailing advice from the local post office that there is a package I needed to pick up. To my surprise, it was this book.

- True Love by Robert Fulghum Unleash the weirdness and be loved.

A post shared by Alvin Dane Valencia (@alvin_dane) on May 24, 2015 at 6:55am PDT

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we joined up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”

I was being weird and feeling a little bit weird. Hence, this book.

I met you few years back; just like this book, I thought there’s nothing more. But just like this book, you came as a surprise (and on my birthday 😊). And just like this book, it is True Love.

Happy 11th! Cheers to more weirdness!

I LOVE YOU! ❤️

Always,

Alvin

How to Renew Your Passport

With all the recent clamors to set an appointment for application/renewal of passport in DFA Appointment System, here I am writing about my recent experience in renewing mine.

For most countries, you may not be allowed to travel if your passport is nearing its expiry (usually 6 months, depending on the country). Mine is expiring in July which calls for its renewal.

Scheduling an Appointment 

I have been monitoring the passport appointment site of DFA as soon as I remembered that I needed to renew mine (who knows, maybe we get to book a promo fare! Yay!). Lucky I am, I was able to book a January 22 slot last January 12. It was not easy, though. The site lags and freezes many times which will expire your current progress (what else do you expect from our government system?). Take note that you only have 15 minutes to reserve the slot or else you have to repeat the process. To reserve a slot, first you have to choose an available slot (just pray and hope that there are still available slot) and then encode your personal details on several screens. Each screen will take you a while to load depending on the website traffic. So, good luck if you need to book multiple appointments (group appointment).

Congrats if you have successfully booked an appointment! You just have to check your email for a confirmation from DFA, verify your appointment as indicated on the email, print your pre-filled-out application form, gather your requirements, and wait for the day of your appointment.

The Appointment

I booked my appointment at DFA-NCR East, SM Megamall at 2:00PM. The instruction on the application form is to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment but we were not allowed to enter the premise until exactly 2:00PM.

There are five (5) steps for the passport processing:

Step 1: Verification

Present your application form at the Verification Counter. There’s a barcode on your form and (apparently) it is there for a purpose.

Step 2: Processing Area

Present your requirements at Processing Window. Requirements may vary depending on your passport needs. If it is an application for a new passport, you need to submit an original copy of PSA (NSO) Birth Certificate. For renewal of an ePassport, you just have to present your old passport, and a photocopy of it and a valid ID.

Step 3: Passport Payment

You may choose whether to process your passport at a rush (if you wish to have your passport in 7 working days) or at regular processing (if you can wait 15 working days and doesn’t have the immediate need for a passport). Fees, of course, will differ. You have to pay Php1,200.00 for rush processing while Php950.00 for regular processing.

Step 4: Encoding

Patience is a virtue; always remember. The longest queue is in this area. Hundreds of people are waiting for their turn to capture their biometrics and ID picture.

Again, the barcode on your application form will serve its purpose here. When it is your turn, you will have to give your application form and the Official Receipt you got from Step 3. With just a few clicks, picture taking and finger print scanning, you are done!

I was advised that my passport will be released between Feb. 13 and 16.

Step 5: Delivery (Optional) / Pick-Up

Since I don’t want to go back here anymore, I preferred my passport be delivered to my office address. A separate counter is designated for the courier services. You just have to pay Php150.00 per passport. Additional 1 to 2 days will be added for the delivery of passport. For those who prefer to pick-up their passport themselves, you may visit again on the schedule of your passport release and proceed to the designated window for releasing.

The appointment you set with DFA is supposedly for just an hour but it took me more than two (2) hours to finish the whole process. But good news! New issued passports are now valid for 10 years!

Some Tips/Advice:

• Be patient in booking your appointment. You should know your are dealing with a Government System.
• Arrive on time because it pays-off being on time.
• Prepare all your requirements prior to your appointment. Don't be like me who forgot to prepare a copy of a valid ID.
• There's a copier inside the premise, anyway. But you don't want to leave your current progress, so, again, you should not forget to produce copy of your documents. Okay?
• DFA-NCR East in SM Megamall is located at 5th floor just around the corner of Bruno's Barbershop. (Although it's address is at 7th floor Building C, it is accessible on the 5th floor of the mall.)

For more details on how to apply or renew your passport, you may visit: 

https://www.passport.gov.ph/requirements/new-application

https://www.passport.gov.ph/requirements/passport-renewal

How to Renew Your Driver’s License

Time will come that your valid ID will not be valid anymore.  Thanks to that date when you were born.

So, I decided to renew my Driver’s License the other day (1/9/2017), several days prior to my birthday.

I arrived as early as 7:15 AM at LTO MRT Ayala Station just to discover that the office will be opened at 9:00 AM.  I thought all government offices are open at 8:00 AM, but it isn’t.  I still waited though after getting advised that soon there will be a long line waiting outside. Anyway, 1 hour and 45 minutes of waiting is not that long (or is it?) and I have a TV series I can watch on my phone to kill time.

At around 8:30 AM, an LTO personnel handed us a form (Information Sheet) that we have to fill-out. He advised us that we will start early at least with the medical requirement.

The Medical Check-Up

I paid Php350.00 for the medical check-up that was performed which includes eyesight check-up, color blind test and taking your weight (is that even a medical check-up?).  Apparently, that's the medical check-up that allowed me to renew my license.  I just don’t know if they would accept your most recent (let’s say, within the last 6 months) Annual Physical Examination you have taken [if you have, because most (or at least, some)] companies require this as an annual requirement to their regular employees.  I think they should, knowing that it was conducted by a more abled institution.  But I don’t know if they will.

Renewal Process

Step 1: Submit Requirements

The next process is to submit the Information Sheet and the Medical Certificate, together with your old Driver’s License at Window 1.  I was asked if I will be changing my address.  I said, I won’t, and was advised to be seated and wait for my name to be called.  If you will, then you will be handed with a form for you to fill out. 

Step 2: Encoding

After a few minutes, I was called again at Window 1 to capture my ID picture and signature, then was seated again for the next process.

Step 3: Payment

I paid Php650.00 for the renewal of my license at the Cashier.  Charges may differ if you renew your license after its expiry date. An equivalent penalty will be paid by those with expired ID of more than a month.

Step 4: Biometrics

After just a while, I was called at Window 4 where biometrics, and another ID picture and signature was taken. 

Step 5: Releasing

Not long after, I was called at the Releasing Counter for the release of my ID.  I just logged down the details of my ID on a sheet of paper. And voila! I got my Driver’s License renewed!

It took me (just) less than an hour to finish the whole process of renewal. 

The license is now valid for 5 years.  So, I'll see you LTO after 5 years!!! :)

Tips / Advice:

• Arrive at your nearest LTO ID Renewal Center early to skip the long queues, but at least know what time does your office of choice opens.
• Bring your old Driver’s License.  JUST BRING IT.  You'll need to present it and they will need it the whole processing time.
• If you're a senior citizen, present your Senior Citizen’s ID so you may skip the long queues and for discount on fees.  You earned it, so, use it!
• Always check the details when the LTO personnel encodes your details in their system.  A screen is flashed outside the window so you can check your details.  You don’t want your name or address misspelled on your ID, right?

For more information on how to renew your Driver's License, you may visit:
http://www.lto.gov.ph/license-permit-issuance/284-non-professional-driver-s-license.html

Good luck!

How to Renew Your Most Precious Professional Identification (PRC ID)

This is my first time to renew my PRC ID at the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) Central Office because I previously renewed by ID at the SM Business Center three (3) years ago when it was still allowed. I was looking online for any experience, reminders or any procedures the day before before going to PRC and claiming my renewed PRC ID, but to no avail. So, here are my experiences and some reminders I can share to you after renewing mine:

1/27/2017. I woke up by 6:00AM and have myself prepared to leave Makati by 7:00AM.

I arrived at the PRC Central Office at P. Paredes St., Sampaloc, Manila by 8:10AM.

A line entering the compound has already begun when I arrived. Before entering the compound the guard at the entrance will ask you the purpose of your visit and will ask you to present your Claiming Stub if you have applied your renewal online. I really didn’t know where exactly to go even when the Claiming Stub says to proceed at the “Renewal Area”. There is no sign (or at least I didn’t see it) on where to proceed when you have accomplished your renewal application via www.prc-online.com. But, of course, you can always ask the friendly guards inside. A guard directed me to proceed at the 4^th floor of the “old building”. There’s just one elevator at the area so I assumed that’s the way to the 4^th floor. A few mates holding the same Claiming Stub I am holding confirmed that I am on the right way.

Arriving at the 4^th floor, there are already a number of people on queue waiting for their turn to process their ID renewal. The flow of the queue is smooth and it actually moves fast. There are three Processing Table (of which I believe, one is intended for walk-in applicants, or not. Haha!) and two ID Printing and Releasing Table. When it was my turn, the lady at the Processing Table asked for my Claiming Stub and my expired PRC ID for identification. After a minute or 2 of typing on her computer, she instructed me to take my seat and just wait for my name to be called at the next table. In just a while, my name was called at the ID Printing and Releasing Table which means my renewed ID has just been printed and ready for release. The lady at the table asked me to sign and handed me my renewed PRC ID and expired ID.

That’s it! I had my PRC ID renewed by 9:10AM. In just an hour, I’m done renewing my ID. Not bad for quite a number of people on queue when I arrived at the Renewal Area and of course for a government office like the PRC. I didn’t know a government office can be this efficient.

Just a few tips:

• Have your PRC ID renewal processed online. Although walk-in application is still accepted, I recommend that you go to www.prc-online.com and follow the necessary steps and procedures for more convenience.
• Though you may pay for your ID renewal fee at the cashier inside the PRC compound, pay online if you have access to BPI or BDO online banking. It will save you much time! By the way, Renewal Fee is Php450.00 plus an additional Php45.00 when you pay online.
• Print your Claiming Stub.
• Bring your expired PRC ID. You will be asked to present it before processing your renewal.
• Wear decent clothes before entering the PRC compound. Shorts and slippers are definitely not allowed inside.
• If you come earlier than I did, I think you may be done renewing in just 15 minutes or faster!

By the way, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units are not yet required before renewing your PRC ID until the implementation of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 10912 which will be in March 2017. Except, however, for certain professionals whose Professional Regulatory Laws require CPD units prior to the renewal, compliance with CPD remains mandatory.

PRC Bulletin

Visit http://www.prc.gov.ph/ for more details.

God bless you and good luck on your PRC ID renewal! J

Untitled

Let me tell you a story I have not told anyone (at least not as detailed as this)...

It was CPA Board Exam review days. I lived together with seven (7) of my classmates – we were four (4) boys and four (4) girls living in the same rented roof. Getting close is not hard. Getting extra closed is not impossible. I gained this unfortunate closeness with this girl but I never planned to tell her what extra feelings I had. I avoided the feelings and so as her. We were supposed to review and those feelings are just distractions. But, one day, to some extent she cornered me. I had the choice to lie but I didn’t. I utter those little words – “I like you“. That same day she held my hand. I have never held a hand before and I don’t know exactly what to feel. What I knew then was I am happy.

We became “us”, “more than friends”, and “bf and gf” if that’s what you call it. It was never a secret.

I loved her the way I know how.

It was fun (at first). I was happy. And I thought she was too. At an instant, I had an inspiration while doing the review. But it never last. It was not such a long story. It was but a short 3 months.

I didn’t know what happened to me. I guess I fell out of love. After the review and passing the board exams, we didn’t have much time as much as we got during the review days. It was a factor, I think. But much more to that, I just thought there were more out of the four-cornered walls of our roof then that I haven’t explored yet. There were more things I haven’t given myself a chance at, that for me to give, I had to have first. I just thought, I haven’t loved myself enough for me to be able to love others.

We broke up. The stupid and immature me chose to break her heart over the phone (because I didn’t have the guts to break it in front of her). I chose to break her heart. I was broken too. But I have to stand by my choices. Life goes on.

That wasn’t the last time we talked.

We both had our separate ways. I passed the board exam and she failed (I actually blamed myself for that because I thought I was just a distraction to her). I had my first job. I heard she also did. I heard she got herself to a review school again. At some point of our lives, our road crossed again. We got in touch. We tried. I tried. But I grew myself apart from her. It was never the same.

I decided to focus myself on my career, instead. With all the demands of work, I indeed forgot about us.

End of our story.

And then I met you. You were blond-haired then. I don’t know how to approach you then because I had this first impression that you are “masungit”. But life has its own way of introducing people. With the work we got from the firm we had no way but to get closer. I don’t know how did I get the feelings but among our batchmates, you are the most I favored of. Although sometimes I am being peevish, believe it or not, you always got me.

Until one day I decided to leave the firm – a decision out of my quarter-life crisis. You were right. I did regret the decision to leave the firm at a very early stage. I could have reach higher. We could have been promoted together. I could have known you better. We could have been closer. But, as they say, you can’t dwell on something that might have been (remember the line from the movie, “Flipped“?).

Leaving the firm got me thinking about so many things, including you. I guess, that is why I didn’t stop getting in touch. Remember the flowers back in February 2014? I knew you are special to me then. But there was this part of me that was holding me back. Did you know that you were the first person that I have given flowers? (Not even my “ex”.) That’s because I consider you one of the most special person in my life.

Days and months passed... I was getting to know me. I was too busy. Forgive me if I was toooooooo slow, too slow of getting to know me. I didn’t realized that what I have are times wasted.

Then you decided to leave for an opportunity abroad. I was too shy to admit. Perhaps, I was too scared of getting hurt. I was still a kid inside, so scared of getting out of my closet. I didn’t know what to do. I just thought you don’t deserve someone immature, someone who has bigger fears than himself, someone who can just let you go easily. I just thought I don’t deserve someone like you.

And so I wrote this for you... http://neybiblue.blogspot.com/search/label/Things%20I%20Should%20Have%20Told%20You%20but%20I%20Never%20Had because there are so much that I wanted you to know, to let go of everything and to get things out of my chest. Selfish, isn’t it? But I needed to get a life. And by that, I mean, I needed to move-on.

Days and months passed... and I was doing fine. I have not heard of you except from my Facebook Newsfeed from once in a while. I was happy for you because you are able to provide for your family. I know it is one of your dreams to pay for your siblings’ matriculations.

One day, I got a message from you. I can no longer remember what was it but I thought it was a start of something new. You were just the same. You are never that hard to talk to except that, sometimes it took you longer to reply.

You were my “good mornings” and my “good nights”. You just didn’t know but I always wish that you are always safe and fine. You just didn't know how much I miss you. You just didn’t know that I would always love to do favors for you. You don’t even have to ask because you're doing me a favor instead.

All that who left, surely will comeback. And so you did. Just what I thought. We planned a 3-day trip on somewhere you wished. You just didn’t know, but we don’t have to go somewhere else because anywhere with you are just beautiful.

I didn’t get the chance, but God knows how much I wanted to hold your hands, to let you know how special you are to me, to let you know how I like you more than anybody else and to let you know how I learned to love you. But insecurities always kick-in. I am always scared of the great unknown. I don’t know, but when it is about you I am most vulnerable.

Someone told me not to focus on something which might happen; just do what the present (you) deserves. And so I invited you for me to redeem some favor you have offered me a not quite long ago. I decided to tell you but all I can utter is “I’ve got you a flower”. I was out of words. I wish I have told you that I was glad that you came, that you look wonderful that night, that I have longed for that night to happen, that all along it wasn’t just “friends” I was looking for us together, that I have feelings for you more than you could ever know, that I like you and that I love you. All these words I have composed on my mind but for the last time I have failed you. I’m sorry.

You were in a hurry that night. Who am I to hold you longer?

That was the last time we saw and spoke together. You really haven’t talked to me after that, have you? (Or was it me holding and expecting too much from nothing?) All I’ve got are excuses. You have given me an option to be at least a “friend” but you can’t even treat me as a stranger by letting me know the real reason “WHY”. Why have you been so nice? Why all this time you have given me the signs? Why make me feel there was something else?

I may be very demanding for this but can you please be not like me when I broke up with my “ex”? Dump me with all your reasons not by your excuses. Dump me with the hardest words, mas masakit mas maganda para mas madali makalimutan ang lahat. Please, yung walang halong paasa, because I was like that when I broke up with her and I think I already know the feeling. Nobody deserves it.

Please.

Getting NBI Clearance at its Finest!

Madali lang naman ang kumuha ng NBI Clearance dahil apat na proseso lang naman ang dapat mong pagdaanan lalo na kung wala namang komplikasyon sa'yo. First is to get a form and fill-out the required information. Secondly, pay for the amount due (based on your clearance requirement). Thirdly, have your biometrics taken. And lastly, get your clearance at the releasing window. That’s it! You’re done!

But no!!! Hindi gan’on kadali!

It was April 10, 2015, Friday. It was 8:05 AM when I arrived at NBI clearance office at Lipa City, Batangas. Expected ko na, na mahaba na ang pila. By the way, this is my third time to get this kind of clearance.

FIRST STEP: NBI Clearance Application Form

There are two kinds of lines here, the ones that are standing and the ones that are seated. Yung mga nakatayo na naabutan ko, siguro may habang 20 to 30 meters na (rough estimate) and the ones seated are arranged in (about) 12 sits by 7 rows. So roughly, mga 150 na ang tao ang nadatnan ko sa pila.

Time check, 9:30 AM. Yes! Malapit na akong makaupo. Muntik ko nang malimutan na para sa Application Form pa lang pala ako pumipila. It was around 10:00 AM when it was about my turn to get the form.

“Yung mga nasa unahan po ng pila, pakilabas na ng valid ID saka Fifty Pesos para sa form,” sabi ng NBI personnel.

Ha, Fifty Pesos?! Para sa form na kasing liit lang ng kalahating Short Bond paper. Okay, fine! Pumila ako ng napakatagal tapos aangal ako. Magkano lang ba ang Fifty Pesos. But, was it really necessary for a form as little as half of an 8 x 11 bond paper to amount as such??? BTW, the form is only photocopied.

Bumunot kaagad ako ng Fifty Pesos at hinanda ang PRC License Card ko. Inabot sa NBI personnel ang pera at ID, inabutan ng resibo, at kinuha ang form. I hurriedly finished the form, at least to take over some who were still filling-up. Pinasa ko ang form at sinabihan na, “paki hintay na lang pong tawagin ang pangalan”, ng NBI personnel.

It was around 10:30 AM. Mainit na! There is no shade for the ones standing for a line for the NBI Clearance Form, except for the shade of the trees. Swerte ka kung may dala kang payong. May bubong para sa mga nakaupo pero tagusan ang init dahil sa yero lang ito gawa. There are no ventilation system or whatsoever in the whole facility. Kanya-kanyang paypay, kumbaga.

SECOND AND THIRD STEP: Payment and Biometrics

I moved-on to the next step. A waiting area is designated for payment and biometrics. May bubong naman ang waiting area pero gawa lang sa tarpaulin. Halos wala ring kwenta kapag tirik na ang araw. Sitting capacity is around 50 people. So, saan uupo kapag wala ng space? Dun ka sa ugat ng puno (at least hindi mainit dun) o kaya ay sa tabi-tabi na lang na may silong o kaya tumayo ka (tulad ng ginawa ko) sa tabi ng mga nakaupo para makaupo pagkatapos ng mga natawag.

I was able to sit at around 11:00 am (at last)! Patience, patience, patience and a lot more patience in waiting is what you need.

“NO LUNCH BREAK” sign is obvious inside the biometrics area. With all fairness, turn 12:00 PM, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang tawag ng pangalan for payment and biometrics. And in fairness, ang bagal din ng tawag ng pangalan. Three windows service the payment and biometrics but most of the time only two windows call names for their turn. Based on my observation, turn-over of applicants averages by 2 minutes to 3 minutes. So what do you expect?

Around 1:20 PM, turn-over of applicants noticeably discontinued not until after for around 15 minutes. It is highly understandable (at least for me) if they will pause for a short break.  Turn 1:30 PM, a voice over the speaker sounded like pissed-off... “Yung mga tinatawag makikipunta na lang po kaagad sa window. 130 pa lang po ang tinatawag, mahigit 500 po kayo!” WOW LANG! Kasalanan pala namin mabagal sila dahilan para magutom, mauhaw o maihi para makarating kung saan saan.

2:30 PM - naubos na ang music sa playlist ko, halos eksakto sa pag tawag ng pangalan ko. I mentioned to the window personnel that the purpose of the clearance is for business requirement and so I was charged with Php165.00. My picture and finger prints were taken. And poof! “WITH HIT!” a message in the screen popped-out which means I will not be able to get my clearance right away kasi may kapangalan daw ako. Sa April 17 ko pa daw makukuha.

LAST STEP: (Uwi na ang next step para sa ‘kin) Releasing (sana)

It was Friday and I have taken the day as a vacation leave from my work. Gusto ko sanang maging productive yung araw ko (kasi minsan lang naman ako makaalis ng office ng weekdays) first by going to NBI for clearance and next to another government office—LTO for my Driver’s License. But then, because we all know how INEFFICIENT our government offices are, I did not attempt for the next office.

Again, this is the third time I have visited this office. First was in 2011, for my board exam requirement (buti na lang valid ang NBI Clearance for 6 months kaya nagamit ko pa para sa first employment ko). Next was in 2014, for my next employment requirement. Ever since, the process was the same (except for the Fifty Pesos for the form o hindi ko lang talaga maalala na nagbayad ako ng Fifty Pesos dati para sa form). And ever since, mabagal ang proseso.

Given na yung mabagal na proseso para sa mga government offices dito sa atin eh. Ang punto ko lang naman, TAX PAYER AKO, IKAW at TAYONG LAHAT. We deserve better. Higit sa lahat, TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN PESOS (P50 + P165 = Php215.00) and binayad ko para sa kapirasong papel! Magkano ba ang nakokolekta ng office na to araw-araw para sa daang-daan na bumibisita sa kanila para sa kapirasong papel na inaabot nila?  Ano ba naman na maglagay sila ng maayos na bubong para sa mga pumipila at naghihintay at KAHIT elektrik fan lang; samantalang sila nilalamig (yata) sa opisina nila.