Pictures from yesterday's shoot for Fit and Fab.

I went first. The lights were horribly hot! Goodbye makeup.

Then it was Gary's turn. The umbrella's there not to protect his rosy white complexion but to ensure that the outdoor light will remain constant. The cameraman was initially hesitant to do an outdoor shoot because outdoor light fluctuates (i.e. sunny, cloudy) and that could be a problem when it comes to editing. But they needed to show different rooms in the house (para kunwari different venues), so no choice but to use the lanai (the ballroom and infinity pool are both under repair kasi.... :)

Krissy the Uzi(zera).

All that hanging around paid off and she also got her share of camera time:p

Anyway, I'm not sure if somebody will eventually upload this episode on Youtube but the writer said that we can request for a copy by writing a letter. And a letter it shall be then!

On more lawyerly matters, oath taking is this afternoon so yey :) I wonder where we'll eat afterwards? Here's hoping that my parents give in and agree to go to French Connection in Alabang. I really want to try French cuisine! Sniff.

Last Friday, my mom asked if I wanted to join her and her friends in a Manila Bay cruise the following day. I said sure because I didn't really have anything planned for Saturday night. She also said that I could bring G along. Groovy.

The following day, I met my mom's Centering friends for the first time and they kept on congratulating me. As it turned out, that cruise was a party for me! Nyark. Talk about being left in the dark:p

Anyway, here are some pix from last Saturday.

Admiring the trash in Manila Bay

Doing who knows what with MOA in the background

Yummy kinilaw.

We hung around the MOA area until the fireworks began. I was kinda disappointed with the puny fireworks though, because I thought we were going to watch the fireworks olympics:p

My mom's berks were very happy and couldn't stop gushing over the afternoon cruise. They can't wait until another sib passes a board exam or the Bar. Hmmm....looks like they'll be waiting for quite a while pa:)

******

Krissy, Gary and I are going to be on tv soon!

A production crew from QTV's Fit and Fab was at the house this morning to interview Gary and I. I talked about Kikay Exchange while Gary talked about the Kikay Shop. Krissy just hung around and immediately agreed when she was asked to do a cameo (they needed to shoot someone looking at an online shop).

Prod. girl: Gusto mo umextra?
Krissy: Ako?! Sandali lang ha (rushes upstairs to put on makeup, then rushes back downstairs) I'm ready!

The entire shoot took almost 3 hours but the segment will probably last less than 5 minutes. That's showbusiness for you!

But still, we're all excited to see how it will come out. It's supposed to be shown two Wednesdays from now :)

My days as a single child are numbered, the sibs and the Joey are arriving back from their week-long vacation this Sunday.

While it was fun being an only child for almost a week (walang kaagaw sa car! Yey!), it was also disconcerting to come home to an empty and quiet house.

So the madness resumes on Sunday and it's all good.

***

Some pix from my Biliran mini-break and by mini, I really mean miniscule, as in leave Manila for Tacloban early Saturday morning then go back to Manila on Monday afternoon. I really wanted to go with them to Cebu, but this week was full of marathon hearings so tough luck with that idea. Oh well, at least the marathon hearings are over and now we'll just have regular hearings (and by regular, I mean up to 6pm).

Posing outside the plane after Joey's first plane ride.

Ambisyosa. Feeling ni Joey marunong na siya maglakad.

Weirdly enough, Joey likes wearing caps. Will this be the start of a lifelong fetish?

Posing with my banner (mine!) in the middle of Naval. There were a lot of people staring at us, hence the weird and uncomfortable look (bilis!)

Lolo and Lola with their two (out of nine?) great grandchildren.

Joey and Bruno, the only two "local" great grandkids. The rest are "stateside" hehehehe

Santi with the monster crab claw (a.k.a. Dinner)

My turn to drive the jetski. Notice na mukhang kilig na kilig ako pero sobrang bagal namin niyan. Manang driver on the road and on the sea as well.

This is probably the skinniest I'll ever get. Thank you work related stress!

Joey with her Papa Drago and Mama Margot in Higatangan Island

One final picture with Lolo, Lola, Tita Letty and Bruno before going back to Tacloban to catch the flight to Manila :(

I may be jinxing it, but I think things will go back to normal by next week. And by normal I mean no more marathon 6-7 hour hearing sessions (fervently crossing fingers!).

I haven't been able to go to the gym after work last week, so this week, I tried something new, I went to the gym BEFORE going to work. Surprisingly, there was still a good number of people at the gym even at 6:45am.

I usually just use the treadmill and some free weights, but this morning, I tried to use some of the machines. Apparently, looking at the illustration and reading the instructions is not a sure fire way of knowing how a particular machine operates. Thank goodness there was a kindly daddy who helped me out with the bicep torture device. Note to self, stick with leg machines and just use dumbells for arms.

G said that going to the gym first thing in the morning is a great way to get an all day energy boost. I'm still waiting for said energy boost. Right now, I'm just really hungry.

P.S.

Char,

Will post the Biliran pix this evening! Promise :)

These pictures from last Tuesday's block dinner for Kei are primarily dedicated to JP because when he saw G's camera (aka Laszlo), Mr. Colet said: Yey! I'll be on Sabitski Point!


Para sa yo to Pope. Enjoy.

Block picture with Ayee, who's two months pregnant! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Dizon!

Cake ba kamo Toni?

The Red and Black Team

The Shiny Blouse Team

The Ladies

Kei and the boys, err, men?

Bon voyage Kei! Best of luck to you and David :)

I'm going on a mini-break to Biliran!

My lola is celebrating her birthday this April 21, so we're having a double celebration for her birthday and my recent success (ahem!).

Sabi nga ng lolo ko, nanginginig na raw ang mga baboy at mga baka sa pagdating ko (peace to all the vegetarians!).

This will also be Joey and Margot's first time to visit Biliran and Cebu so that ought to be fun, although I won't be joining them in Cebu because work has been crazy these days.

Maybe I'll leave my phone behind to escape any work related issues.

I'll also bring my book ("Wicked") which I've been reading on and off (mostly "off") for the past two months now.

And I'll sleep a lot :) Yey!

Bakasyon!!!

There's a reason why they're called seasoned litigators, and it's not because they were marinated in salt and pepper.

Never send babies to war.

Me=Baby

(Pwede rin babe)

The longest day ever just ended.

Here's hoping that I won't have to go through another Cavite tour and a 6 hour marathon hearing session in QC on the SAME day ever again.

Amen.

Warning: Super long post ahead.

Don't say you weren't warned!

I lost my expired passport a few months back and so when the time came to renew it, I looked at the DFA website for further information.

Under the category, Requirements for replacement of lost passport it says:

1. Personal appearance is required.


2. If the lost passport is still valid, please submit Police Report.


3. Submit same documents required for first time passport applicants.

*Please take note that there will be a 15-day clearing period prior to the processing of application for replacement of a lost valid passport.

I then looked at the requirement for first time passport applicants. The requirements according to the DFA website are:

1. Personal appearance is required.


2. Duly accomplished application form.


3. Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.


4. Three (3) colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background. Applicant should be in decent attire with collar. Photo must be of good quality, and must have been taken within the last six (6) months. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Facial image size: Not less than 3 cm. DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards.


5. Proof of identity / Supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship.


6. Other Supporting documents.

There were also additional requirements for specific groups of people (married women, widows, minors and Muslim applicants).

And so, guided by the list of requirements from the DFA website (which was also the same list of requirements printed at the back of the application form), I prepared my documents, took a leave from work and was at the DFA as early as 7am.

I should have known something was up when the moment I started walking down Libertad Street with my long envelope in hand, some guy started chasing after me shouting “Passport?! Renewal?!” I waved off the guy since I loathe fixers (may their souls rot in hell).

By the time I reached the entrance of the passport processing area, there were around 4 middle aged men around me each one trying to catch my attention. I waved them all off but this guy in yellow claimed to be from the DFA (while pointing to an ID) and pointed me towards this stall where he said the pre-assessment will be made.

Upon learning that I was renewing a lost passport, he insisted that I have an affidavit of loss executed. I told him that there was a box on the application form which says “This serves as Affidavit of Loss” but he proclaimed that it was not sufficient, that a notarized affidavit was needed and then he practically dragged me to this lady behind a typewriter. Since the affidavit of loss cost only Php250 (the usual rate for an affidavit) so I had one executed, just in case.

I was ready to leave the stall and go inside but the guy in yellow would not let me through saying that I needed an appointment and that the DFA has a 500 person limit per day. He said that I would not be able to make the 500 person quota because some people have been lining up since 3am that morning. If I availed of his services, I would be able to get my appointment date and he would facilitate the processing of my passport. All of this for a measly Php2,200. Right, guy in yellow with a Good Morning Towel around your neck whom I do not know from Adam, for sure I am going to hand you that money and then cross my fingers that you suddenly come back with my appointment slip. Incidentally, he also said that he needed to bring my documents along with him. Screw that and screw him.

So after a tearful farewell with the guy in yellow, I started walking to the entrance. In the middle was this guy in a barong who demanded that every person show him their forms. I was about to slip past him when he grabbed my arm and demanded to see my application form, when he saw my picture, he said that it would be rejected because I was wearing a turban. Duh! It’s a headband you idiot!

Yes, I told him that while grabbing my arm and documents away from his sweaty grasp.

He insisted that my “turban” was illegal and that I should go to the police, who incidentally was posted inside a photo shop, to verify his claims.

So, again, I was pushed inside a stall to talk to this man behind a desk, who of course proclaimed that my picture would not cut it because I was wearing something on my head.

I argued that the DFA requirements only mentioned a decent dress attire with collar, nowhere was a turban or headband or earrings or necklaces or other whathaveyou prohibited. And I don’t think a headband has ever been considered indecent.

To that he smugly said: Bahala ka, anim na taon na kami nandito at mukhang mas marunong ka pa sa amin. Bakit, nagseminar ka na ba sa DFA?

By this time, I was so fed up that I just upped and left. I was determined to find a legitimate travel agency because it appeared as if I was wrong to even think that I could have my passport processed by myself.

When I got home, I called the DFA hotline and found out that:

1. An Affidavit of Loss is needed for the renewal of a lost passport (so what was that box in the application form for then?!).


2. A headband is not allowed in the passport picture (so why wasn’t it stated in the list of requirements?! Don’t tell me that the phrase: ”DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards” gives the DFA blanket authority to reject pictures outright, because it presupposes that the specifications and standards were made known in the first place! I want to reiterate that when it came to the picture requirement, only the dimensions, background color and attire were mentioned. And no, a headband is not an indecent attire)


3. The guy in the barong who molested my arm was probably not from the DFA because the DFA people do not position themselves outside of the processing area.


4. The DFA is powerless to do anything about these fixers because they have valid business permits from the local government.


5. An applicant has to set an appointment first with the DFA, this has to be done personally. But if you avail of the services of a travel agency then it can schedule your appointment for you.


6. There is no quota for the distribution of appointment dates. Appointment dates are scheduled from 8am to 4pm at the DFA Basketball Court.


7. On the appointed date, usually a few days after, the applicant will be made to imprint his/her thumbmark on some machine and sign something.


8. And that the DFA is sorry that I had to go through all of that with those vile fixers.

I don’t blame the fixers for what happened this morning (although I still wish them ill and a slow death), I blame the DFA. They allowed all this to happen with their negligence.

Here are some practical tips for the DFA from yours truly:

1. Put ALL the requirements in the website and the application form. So you don’t like headbands, fine, whatever rocks your boat, just tell us in advance. I got dressed up, put on a collared shirt, fixed my hair (with a headband), put makeup on and went to the photo shop to get a 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. sized photo with royal blue background with facial image size: Not less than 3 cm. You know, exactly as was indicated in your website and application form.


2. So that box in the application form which is supposed to serve as the Affidavit of Loss is a worthless piece of shit. Fine. Then tell us it’s merely there for décoration and that a notarized affidavit of loss is actually necessary after all.


3. Is it absolutely necessary to make a personal appearance just to get an appointment? And how come those who have their passports processed via a travel agency can have their appointment set by the travel agency? Why is there undue discrimination? What if appointments can be set online? Gasp! That’s such a brilliant idea! Paging the Nobel Prize people great idea right here!!
   
   If the DFA allowed appointments to be set via the internet, that means that the applicants will only have to make one personal appearance. Just one. Now isn’t that dandy and convenient and easier for everyone concerned?


4. Why not have more branches across the country (or even just across the Metro)? I read that a passport processing center will be established in the POEA by next week, so hopefully, that will ease the human traffic in the Manila office. But let’s not stop there! Let’s open more branches like what the LTO, SSS, GSIS, Pag-ibig, Family First, SM, Ayala Malls, Robinsons Malls, Zagu, Julie’s Bakeshop, Mercury Drugstore etc. etc. etc. have done. If they can do it, surely the DFA can to.


5. Burn all the fixers. They are arrogant, opportunistic vultures who swoop on innocent yet at the same time, alluring prey (ahem). Shame on you for making their cottage industry thrive with your vague rules, hidden requirements and general ineptitude.

I have already gotten in touch with a reputable travel agency and I have been informed that upon receipt of my documents, their liaison officer will set up my appointment and when that day arrives, guide me through the process. It will cost me Php1500 (a far cry from the normal price of Php500 to have a passport renewed) but if it means that I won’t have to stay in line for hours on end and won’t have to deal with fixers then I’m all for it.

Technically, the travel agencies can also be considered as fixers because they expedite the process for you. But at least they have fixed prices and they don’t try to mislead you with all sorts of falsehoods. However, in a perfect world, you wouldn’t need either a travel agency or an abominable fixer just to get your passport renewed.

I mean how difficult should it be to have a passport renewed right? You fill up an application form, slap on a picture on the upper right corner and staple a little pouch with two more pictures on the lower left corner (being careful not to perforate the pictures), submit it to the authorized person, pay to the cashier, have your thumbprint scanned and then sign the goddamn blank.

I don’t believe that the DFA cannot streamline their operations. That’s just bull. It’s obviously just the usual lack of consideration for the comfort and convenience for the end users that’s why they can’t (or won’t) do anything about the system.

Once again, I would like to point out that the LTO has done wonders with their license renewal services so I don’t see why the DFA cannot follow suit with passport renewal. Hey, the DFA doesn’t even have to deal with urine! They have it way easier.

Okay, super long rant over. Mitchie is in Biliran right now and she says there’s a banner there with my name on it from the IBP! And just like that, my mood changes:p I can’t wait to see my banner! I’m also having my picture taken with it (ala Kaka).

So the moral of this story is not to lose your passport because the renewal process for an expired not lost passport is so much easier (involving pick up of documents from your house and a 10 minute waiting period for finger print scanning).

Bow.

The heat is really getting to me. And to think I have to drive to far off places (like Imus and Quezon City) for appointments at the time when the sun is at its nastiest :(

But I guess I'm still lucky that I can now bring a car and no longer have to commute and all this moving around has given me some sort of a tan (according to G). A tan in spite of my SPF 50 sunblock and the fact that my sun exposure is from getting out of the car and walking fast to somewhere shaded. Oh yes, it's a hot hot summer.

Moving on to nicer things, I had my license renewed at the LTO office near Alabang Town Center and I was super impressed with how efficient the people and the system were.

I arrived there a little before 8am, just in time to catch the office open and to get in line for a copy of the renewal form. I immediately got in line for the drug testing and filled out my form while waiting in line. Urine collection also wasn't a problem (just that puny bottle?! give me a tabo!), while the medical exam took all of 5 minutes. The standard procedure was really to wait for the drug result first before having the medical exam but being the practical people they were, they made you take your medical exam while waiting for the drug result (see? there are actually smart people in the government!). That shaved off around 30 minutes from the total waiting time.

Afterwards, my picture was taken, then I paid at the cashier and in a few minutes, my new driver's license was released.

I was in LTO at 7:55am and by 9:30am I was back in the office. How's that for fast service?

Kudos to LTO! May your tribe increase exponentially :)

Now who says all our government services are worthless?

Not surprisingly, I am not at all excited to go out in the middle of this very hot day and drive to Greenhills to meet up with a client.

Things I would rather do than go to Greenhills today:

1) Deal with my hand wash only clothes.
2) Clean my makeup brushes.
3) Go to a coffeeshop and read my book inside a freezing room.
4) Take a nap.
5) Play with Joey (after my nap).
6) Go to a tailor to have my measurements taken for an upcoming wedding and have my new pants altered.
7) Go to Kaka's celebration dinner (am still going though, hopefully the meeting takes all of 30 minutes lang:p).
8) Work on Kikay Ex posts.
9) Play Zuma (and hopefully finish it na! Damn you stupid frog!!)

Hay naku. Must put on my happy and professional face na :(

Grrr....have to attend a meeting this afternoon in Greenhills!!

Hassle!

So much for enjoying the holiday :(

sniff.

RIP Mrs. Corpus

Thanks to everyone who sent a greeting!

His secretary in Manila said that he holds office in Las Pinas every Friday.

But his secretary in Las Pinas said that he never goes to Las Pinas every Friday, instead, he goes there every Wednesday. Hmmmm.....

Someone has a secret!!!!!!!!

Maddie's first school portrait

Isn't she just too adorable?!

I wanted to try things differently for once and ride PAL (after millions of times of riding Cebu Pacific).

But the first time I tried to book a ticket online, I encountered an error message right after I sent my credit card details, so I called PAL customer service and after listening to Jose Marie Chan and all sorts of voice-overs for 15 minutes I was finally assisted by a human voice. I was then told that the payment didn't go through and to just book another ticket.

So I did. And the same thing happened again!

So I called customer service again (deja vu) and waited for 45 minutes (during that time I came to realize that I hate Jose Marie Chan and his attempts at singing) while the same song ("We welcome you inside at high altitudes....") kept on repeating ad nauseam and the same travel infomercials kept blasting away (actually, it would have been alright because I like hearing about travel deals but there's this one commercial that had bells in it! As in loud, church steeple type bells that could very well destroy your eardrums). Finally, I was told that the computer had not yet registered whether or not the payment went through and that I should just call again in a few hours.

This morning, I called up and waited for a measly 10 minutes na lang. I then asked if there was something wrong with the online booking because it screwed up twice in a row. The operator then said that their online booking has been experiencing some problems for a few days now.

Anak ng?! Methinks I should have been informed of this little situation the FIRST time I called. And to think they didn't even volunteer the information, I had to ask them flat out if there was something wrong with the system. And they even suggested that I book another ticket knowing that the system has been faulty for the past few days.

No wonder every other airline and it's mother is outselling PAL.

Budget airlines or not, at least Cebu Pacific's online booking service actually works.

Sure, Jen placed second in the latest Bar exam (yawn!) and Shei placed seventh (ho-hum), while Viv landed in the tenth slot (zzzz...). But all that is old and stale news, because can they honestly say that they were featured in ABANTE? I didn't think so.

Congrats to our hot daddies Jovian and Paul for their unprecedented Abante exposure!



For everyone who saw their names on that list last Saturday, congrats!