Saturday, September 29, 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

DFA Megamall - LIKE!

Last Saturday, my youngest son had an appointment to get his passport for the first time. Since he is an infant, he was eligible to use the courtesy lane. Although we had an appointment, I can't help rave about this courtesy lane. In a nutshell, we were done in less than 20 minutes. I am not doing justice to this post. I mean, I forgot to bring my passport. So, I had to photocopy other IDs. This took some time so the 20 minutes should have been much less. I did not even use those chairs to wait for anything! My son and I went from window to window. Let me just list the series of events:
  • Lined up outside the main entrance
  • Approached the guard to ask if there is a special lane for infants.
  • Guard said we could just enter as soon as the office starts to accept applicants.
  • Opening time
  • While others go to the VERIFICATION area, senior citizens and infants go to INFORMATION
  • After this, I was instructed by the guard to go to WINDOW 3. This is where they looked for my passport, which I forgot!
  • So I had to photocopy the other government IDs I have with me. Photocopying cost Php3.00 per page
  • When I presented the photocopies, the personnel wrote something and we moved on to the cashier
  • Afterwhich, we were escorted to a cubicle for the picture taking and encoding.
  • After some signatures, I got the claim stub and we were free to go!
The wait time is before the DFA opened and for the photocopying. Otherwise, wow! My advice, if you have children less than a year old, get them their passports. Try the malls, there is another one in Robinson's Galleria but I think where the Megamall office is situated is more convenient for those with vehicles.

Really amazed that it was that fast but still think it could be quicker if they will not re-encode what was encoded online for the application form. The data should just be verified. It would take another 3 minutes off their processing time. It would be significant especially towards the end of the day since these 3 minutes would accumulate and build the queue. Still, kudos to DFA Megamall.

Some useful information:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

•Personal appearance
•Confirmed appointment
•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 (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (Report of Birth duly authenticated by NSO if born abroad)
•No need to submit a passport size photo
•Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)

NSO Birth Certificate

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 depending on the NSO signatory.
http://megamall.passport.com.ph/requirements
Passport Fees

•Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00
•Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

Please be advised that appointments from 5:00PM onwards and during Saturdays will be considered rush processing.
http://megamall.passport.com.ph/passport-fees
You may call (+632)570.3230 to make sure your passport is ready for pick-up. Please don't call before the date specified to help reduce the call volume.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Our Lucas is much loved and remembered

When we got to the crypt, we were greeted by this...



Luc's godparents, passed by early Saturday morning to bring some flowers for his birthday in heaven.

Later that day, we had a mass celebrated in the crypt for him.

Another mass in St. Joseph the Worker chapel was offered the same night.

When I got home that night I found out that his other godfather visited the day before and his Lola Margie brought a priest same Saturday morning to have his and Lolo Boy's crypts blessed.

Oh Lukie! You are such a star! People just can't forget you! We love you baby! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

For all those who remembered, offered prayers, sent flowers and greetings, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Homework - Family Helping Each Other

Rafa came home wtih a homework to show the family helping each other. Here is the result.
After Tatay printed this, Rafa asked,"Where is Lucas?" To which his Tatay replied, "He is in heaven, looking after us and praying for us."

Hi Luc, we still miss you but we are always comforted knowing that you are in the best place and are happy praying and watching over us. We love you, baby!

We had to print to copies of this, one for the homework and another for the album. In this digital age, it is still nice to have hardcopies :)