DFA Passport Renewal

Thank you for checking out my post. Please visit my new blog https://letsgoady.com/travel/. I am posting there every week about my recent travels and lifestyle. Thank you. XOXO -ady

Acquiring and renewing passport nowadays is a bit easy. The process somehow improved as compared before.

First step is to have an online appointment. Login thru DFA Appointment and fill up the information details. The online appointment was a good way to control applications per day. No need to fall in line or go walk in.

Take note of the requirements since it may vary depending on your marital or legitimacy status. Incomplete requirement may lead you to inconvenience

Choose a schedule date and time depending on your nearest consular office. For mutilated and lost passport, you can only have renewal at the DFA Aseana branch.

IMPORTANT:

Make sure to submit only one appointment as the previous appointment will be voided and you will not be entertained.

DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

On the day of your appointment, make sure to arrive as early as possible. My appointment schedule was at 7:30am, been at the DFA office by 6:30 and they already allow us to go inside the building though we still lined up outside Gate 5 of DFA Aseana. Make sure to have a printed copy of your appointment and bring original and photocopy of your requirements.

Step 1A: Appointment Verification

First Step is to have your online appointment validated. It is important to just submit 1 appointment or rather if by chance you got a new date (may be earlier or later than your original application) then you may have so. But remember that the latest online application will be the valid one.

Step 1: Requirement Checking

Once you have a valid appointment, proceed to requirements checking. Check the list of valid documents at DFA Passport Requirements. You can also see this at your online appointment form.

Make sure that you bring the original copy and photocopied of your requirements. Though there’s a photocopy center available on a reasonable price but being ready is a plus. And the line may get long too - so avoiding long lines means faster queue for each steps.

Step 2.a Extra Step: Director’s Office

My passport was mutilated as per my post here HELP! My Passport got mutilated!. So after requirement checking, they endorse me for an interview at the director’s office. Basically, they will assist you and re-validate if your passport was indeed damaged and will advise you on what to do next. Mutilated and lost passport will only be processed at DFA Aseana Branch. The office opens at 8:00am.

After the consul approved my early renewal, I came back to Step 2 - requirements checking. No need to fall in line again, just proceed to the same personnel who validated your requirements. This is also the part where your old passport will be punched. I specifically asked if she can spare mine. She allowed but I can’t have it delivered and will have it punched once I got the new one.

Step 2: Cashier

The personnel from requirement checking will give you a receipt, proceed to the Cashier counter (in DFA Aseana it’s on Second floor), and pay the passport fees. You can also see the releasing date at the end of the receipt.

Passport Fees:

Regular Processing: 950 pesos

Rush Processing: 950 + 250 pesos = 1200 pesos

Step 3: Encoding

After paying the passport fees, get a queue number for the encoding and wait until your number will be called. This is the part where you’re picture and digital signature will be taken. And that is basically the last step.

Step 4: OPTIONAL - Passport Delivery

You have the option to have it delivered or picked up on the of releasing. To avoid hassle you can have it delivered to your address for a certain amount.

Passport Delivery Fee: 120 pesos

Courier are: 2GO, Air21, DHL and LBC

I’ll keep you posted once I got my passport and if it’s indeed 7 days rush processing!

Update: Yes I've got my passport after 7 days rush processing. Though mind that you need to wait (in my case 30mins) and fall in line again. But its better than getting it next days right?

Itinerary for Passport Renewal:

6:30am  Reached DFA Aseana

6:36am  Fall in line for Appointment Verification at Gate 5

6:38am  Yey, my appointment was approved

6:44am  Fall in line for Requirement Checking at Gate 1

7:30am  Requirements Checking window Opens

7:42am  Requirements - checked! But I was endorse to Director’s office

8:30am  Interview at Director’s office

8:48am  Pay Passport fee at the Cashier

8:49am  Got my queue number for Encoding or Enrollment

9:30am  Encoding, Photo and Digital Signature capture

9:40am  Application ends here. You can have your passport delivery at this point.

HELP! My Passport got mutilated!

Thank you for checking out my post. Please visit my new blog https://letsgoady.com/travel/. I am posting there every week about my recent travels and lifestyle. Thank you. XOXO -ady

I have an upcoming overseas travel this November and I was so excited. Everything was already planned including hotel and park tickets. Then, upon checking of the most important thing - passport, I've just found out that it's damaged! And the title was literally what I said that time.

The first page of my passport (information page, the one that is laminated and has your photo) was folded. I have tried straightening it up but the paper has lamination and can't be just fixed in simple ways.

Yellow lanes shows visual illustration of where my passport got folded

Mutilated or damaged passports are those that are in not good condition such as pages are torn(punit), bend/folded (tupi), has water damaged (nabasa), eaten by their dog, vandalized (may sulat), missing or tampered pages or the worst - hard cover was detached from the pages and especially if the chips embedded are no more readable by the machine (this we can’t physically check though)

Panic runs down me. First thing I did was to secure a passport appointment. Luckily, I got a schedule with an allowance of 19 working days before my trip. Regular processing will take 15 working days and 7 working days for rush. Of course, rush processing has additional charge.

PASSPORT PAYMENT AMOUNTS

Regular passport: 950 pesos

Express Processing: +250 pesos

Total for rush = 1200 pesos

As anxiety adds up on the next days, I read forums and news about the releasing dates and renewal since it's my last Alas. My hope of travelling on the next month was slowly deteriorating as I read "hate tweets" about their passport, despite of processing rush, are still delayed leading to their work and travel plans postponed.

I thought on several plans and ideas such as validating my passport in DFA and immigration hoping for some assurance that I can still use it.

So here are the things I did:

• I called the DFA support. They said that any form of damaged is considered as mutilated and suggests to have it renewed.
• On the following day, I called again. The agent suggests to have it checked by immigration as they have the last say about it. Though DFA will consider the passport, the immigration will still be the one to decide if they will allow you or not.
• Next day, I went to NAIA 3 hoping that I can talk with someone from the immigration. From the airport, I went directly to the information counter and the personnel happily assisted me. She called the immigration office via phone and had someone talked to me regarding my issue. Unfortunately, the immigration officer endorse me to the main branch in Intramuros cause I'm not allowed to go inside the immigration office in the airport since they only allowed someone with flight ticket. I also went to the check-in counter of the plane operator of my flight hoping that they have a reader to validate my passport. Unfortunately, they didn’t entertain me.
• I also went to DFA Aseana office hoping that I can get some sort of certification proving that my passport is still ok. But the information personnel said that it's already mutilated.
• So my last option is to have it renewed.

Requirements for mutilated passport are as follow:

• Printed application form from the online schedule
• Affidavit of Mutilation. You can get this at any notary public. I got mine for 200 pesos - 2 copies.
• Original and photocopy of any Government ID. If you have no government id you can check the complete list of valid ID from DFA site.
• Original and photocopy of your passport. Photocopy the front and back page (passport owner information page and the 'in case of accident' info page)
• Mutilated passport can only be renewed at DFA Aseana Branch. Satellite offices only process New Application and expired passport renewal.

Renewal of mutilated passport is as easy as getting a new one. But an interview will be done as an extra step.

During the interview the consul said that mine is not mutilated because the machine can still read. I have options to still use it but I need to go to immigration Intramuros main branch to validate since - again - they are the last say. The second option is to have it renewed but they will tag it as early renewal. If for instance I apply again for early renewal, they may refuse to process it for the second time. I have it renewed and process it rush for 7 days.

For process on how to get a Passport Renewal, please visit my other post: DFA Passport Renewal

I'll keep you posted once I got my passport and if it's indeed 7 days processing!

Update: Yes I've got my passport after 7 days rush processing. Though mind that you need to wait (in my case 30mins) and fall in line again. But its better than getting it next days right?

My First UBER Experience

Thank you for checking out my post. Please visit my new blog https://letsgoady.com/travel/. I am posting there every week about my recent travels and lifestyle. Thank you. XOXO -ady

Okay, I believe I’m not the only one who commutes here. Whether you ride taxi / MRT / Jeepney / UV Express towards your destination – you can’t deny that it’s one hell of a hassle.

Well, one convenient and fast transportation available are the private taxis. But they are a bit pricey and most of the time - in my experience - was always been rejected by the drivers.

Happily, there are new arising mobile taxi apps such as GrabTaxi and Easy Taxi that somehow solves these issue. They are very simple to use as you’ll just specify your pickup location and destination. If the driver is in favor of your trip, they will accept you with no hesitation.

However, in my situation especially during rush hours those apps didn’t work well. I have no grudge against the app or the driver here, all I say is that instead of having this applications works on most people – it seems to be more beneficial to those who are in good location.

So when an officemate introduce this new App - Uber, I gave it a try. Uber is a known-international mobile transportation service app where private cars owners can “carpool” or “car share” their own cars to other commuters. It’s pretty easy and accurate as well.

Steps:

1. Download the app on your Mobile’s Marketplace (Google Play, App Store)
2. Sign up using Facebook or your email address. I would suggest using your own email account as this will send receipt after your trip. Fill up your credit card details as payment method.
3. Once signed up, you just need to input or search your pickup location or click the pin (you’re required to enable your google location services)
4. Choose if you want to use UberX or Uber Black. Uber Black are the high end car models but they have higher flat rate compared to UberX.
5. Specify the destination and wait until Uber assigns you a driver
6. Wait for your driver and you’re ready to go!

Advantages:

• The driver will only see your destination once they started the trip. Which means they have no choice but to give you a ride.
• Cash out are not needed as your payment will automatically deducted to your credit card
• If you’ve decided to use toll such as Skyway and Expressway, the driver will be the one to pay it during the trip, Uber will add it to your bill later.
• You’ll be able to locate their direction on the app and the estimated time of their arrival.
• You’ll be able to see the driver’s profile, performance ranked by other passengers, type of vehicle and the car's plate number.

Disadvantage:

• If you’re alone, you’ll be a bit hesitant to ride or use as for security purposes.
• You can only use this if you only have credit card
• There are cars that are small enough to accommodate your needs such as big luggage that needs ample space of compartment.

There are times where Uber apply surcharge depending on the road situation (instances where it rains or if there are high demand of riders and there are only less drivers). But this will not take long, just wait for a few minutes and the surcharge will surely end.

If for instance, you’ve already booked a driver but for some reasons you wanted to cancel it. Do it 5 minutes after you place your booking - It will be free of charge, but after 5 minutes Uber will bill you 100 pesos.

At the end of each ride, the rider will rank the driver depending on the satisfaction of their service. In return, the driver will also rank the riders based on their behavior as well. If the driver has a lower ranking, Uber might not give them passengers at all. It applies as well to the passengers.

Receipt and ride summary details will be emailed to your account. How cool is that!

I got 0 peso on my first ride because of the promo by BPI. But if you don’t have BPI, you can get free rides as well! Use my promo code on your first ride and you will get 200 pesos off. Once you use my code, i’ll be getting 200 pesos off too!

BPI Promo Code: BPIRIDE

My code: uberpotpot

A day in Cat Paradise - Miao Cat Cafe!

Thank you for checking out my post. Please visit my new blog https://letsgoady.com/travel/. I am posting there every week about my recent travels and lifestyle. Thank you. XOXO -ady

Way back, I'm not really fond of pets. Maybe because during my early childhood I was hit by bunch of dogs. Yeah I know that's funny, but that left me with big time fear.

This is eventually gone when my father adopted a baby half-lab by which we named "Potchie". Potchie was gone now after more than 10 years with us.

Eventually a stray cat was also adopted, fed, and as expected created her feline family at home. Extended family - more fun in the Philippines!

After that, I was more used to having pets at home. Sometimes, they are being stepped on because they love roaming around. But most of the times they are the one who made mess especially destroying the household furniture. Ohh yes! They are cute and evil.

So when I heard from a friend that a cat cafe opens its door to feline lovers here in Manila, I became ecstatic. And yes we went there on the next day which happens a weekend. Hooray for the weekend!

Upon reaching the building from the address, I was a bit hesitant. The building shows no sign of the cafe (UPDATE: I've saw from their Facebook page that they've already installed a signage - Good job!). We went to the 2nd floor and voila!, cat designs are all around the place. Before you can come in, the owner will ask you to sign to their guestbook and to sanitize too! You need to use their indoor footwear as well - for free.

During our visit, the cafe can only accommodate limited number of guests. That's why reservations are needed. But as far as I know they already expanded the cafe, which means more people to accommodate.

We met the 2 owners and told us that the resident cats are their own pets. Well it is evident that these cats are home cared because they are not snob and are used to having a lot of visitors. Well, as a matter of fact they are lovely and cuddly. 

The cafe ambiance is homey, you may just sit down and relax or go lively and play with the cats roving around. Just don't disturb and wake up the cats - they deserve privacy and rest as well!

We ordered Yogurt Milkshake, Mac and Cheese and slice of cake. The foods are OK but not exceptional. They are enough of food variants to choose from and cupcakes are too cute to be consumed. 

There are instances where those cuties will have their nap time on your lap, on top your table or just walk around. Well, this one decides on having our table as her bed, so, because of that she deserves a professional tummy massage! :D

Overall in terms of food, ambiance, cleanliness, price and satisfaction - i'll totally recommend this cafe!

HOW TO RESERVE

Reservations are needed but luckily during our visit, the shop is still on their soft opening and the owner happily accepts us. But for reservations, you may contact the cafe's mobile or inquire to their facebook account.

HOW TO GET TO MIAO CAT CAFE

Coming from south, you may opt to ride MRT or bus to north. Alight from North Avenue MRT station and walk towards SM City North jeepney terminal station. From MRT, you'll pass by the bus station and cross footbridge towards the SM terminal. Ride a jeepney with signage to Luzon and tell driver to drop you at crossing of Mindanao Avenue and Congressional Avenue. The landmark is when you saw BDO Bank and KFC facing each other. From the side of BDO, walk towards the street of Congressional. Look for Cake2Go shop. Miao Cat cafe is on the second floor of that building.

ADDRESS

Miao Cat Cafe

2F Cake to Go, no 7 Congressional Avenue, Quezon City

ENTRANCE FEE

300 pesos each (1 food and 1 drink)

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Sunday

11am to 10pm

(11am-1pm; 2pm-4pm; 5pm-7pm; 8pm-10pm)

They highly recommend reservations but they still welcome walk in guests, maybe depending on the visitors inside the cafe.

P.S.

As you may have noticed they are open for 2 hours straight and with 1 hour break interval. The break is allocated for cleaning time to ensure the cleanliness of the cafe. Don't worry they will still allow you to stay during the break but you can see staff's cleaning the area.

Visited February 2015