Gifts to the Philippines

April 3, 2014 by feyma

US Passport processing!

Early February Aaron and I went to Manila to process his US passport. A US embassy policy, after 16 years of age just one time, the person has to apply the passport at the Embassy in person. Before going there, we set an appointment on line at the US embassy for the best day for us to go there and give Aaron’s papers for the passport application. You need to get the online confirmation before going inside the embassy so that your time will not be wasted. The guard will not let you in inside the Embassy without the confirmation papers that you made an appointment on the day you go there to the Embassy. It makes sense so that both the person and the Embassy personnel will not be wasting time. Have the appointment confirmation paper printed and bring it along with your application papers.

US Embasy Compound Manila

When going inside the Embassy, if you are a US citizen you don’t have to go through the long lines to go inside. They have another door to go in when you’re a US citizen. Just tell the guard outside that you’re a US citizen, then they will direct you where to enter. Before entering the main building, you have to go through a thorough security check. They will have the x-ray for your belongings and just like at the airport that the person has to go through x-ray and a body pat from the guard. If you have electronic gadgets you have to leave that with the guard. They will have there trays to put your things together with your ID. Then they will give you a claim card when time for you to get your stuff. They really are strict on that. Like Aaron, he had with him on his backpack a small thumb drive. Aaron even forgot that it’s there inside of one of the backpack pocket. The lady told us to get the thumb drive out and put it on the tray. So we had to search the pockets of the backpack and hand the thumb drive to the lady to be put on the tray. No food allowed inside too. They had a snack area at the waiting area just before entering the door at the Embassy.

You can really see how thorough they are. An old lady ahead of us, she had a pretty good size carry on bag, with some clothing inside it looks like from our view. All of a sudden the x-ray lady told the old lady “Ma’am you had bullet on your bag please take it out and put on the tray together with your cellphone and other stuff”. Aaron looked at me and whispered what on earth that old lady do with the bullet? I just smiled at him and told him that the old lady might just came from a firing range and forgot to take out the bullet. I was just being funny to Aaron because he could not fathom an old lady with a bullet. We were giggling after that. Really I think that bullet was used for something else. In an old days some people will put something on an empty bullet. They called that here (habak). Its like to drive away bad spirit or sickness. It’s been along time since I’ve heard of it. That’s another post for me to make here.

Anyway, after passing the thorough check, the guard told us you where to go. He directed us to the entrance of the main building. They have there a waiting area designated for what type of processing you’re in there. Since we are for the US passport application we went to the area for the passport application and waited there until the door for the US passport applicant opened. While waiting for our 7:45 appointment, we bought some drinks just right across our seats. As soon as the 7:30 applicant got inside it didn’t take long for the 7:45 to get in too. It is just a matter of minutes. We went in like around 8 am or just minutes before that. Going inside you go through another check in line again just like in the airport. You showed the lady first your appointment confirmation. Without that you can’t get in. Then she will give you back the appointment paper with the stapled window number to where you will give the passport application, located at the second floor. Have to wait awhile for us since theirs 8 people ahead of us. It will take awhile each person because they will have to be checking the application thoroughly to make sure the application was properly filled.

When it’s our time, it supposed to be quick. But the picture of Aaron that we brought was the incorrect size. It’s not close up enough. The passport personnel thoroughly checked the rest of the papers and told us to get another set of pictures. He told us to go downstairs near the entrance. Luckily there is a Kodak place there and we don’t have to go outside the building. I didn’t even notice of the Kodak being there before when were sitting while waiting for us to get in. Just a few people were there waiting to have their picture taken. Really it just took us like 15 or 20 minutes at the most for us to get the new passport photo. We gave it to the passport personnel, we don’t have to get a number again, just hand the picture to that same personnel as long as he doesn’t have any client with him. If everything is good, he will direct you to pay at the cashier for the passport. He will also give some papers for the courier (Air 21) for you to coordinate and you pay there, it’s just a few feet away, near the cashier. Pay the Air 21 and just save your receipt.

Then, you go back to the sit near the window where you gave your application papers. He will give you another number for another window that you will go to. When your number will be called, the personnel there will ask a few questions, then its oath taking time. Then you’re done. The personnel will then tell you to wait approximately 3 weeks to get your passport. Really, Aaron just waited 13 days and the passport was delivered in our house.

So needed for US PASSPORT RENEWAL APPLICATION:

US embassy confirmation appointment
Old passport
US birth certificate
Passport photo (2 pcs, make sure its close up)
Valid Id
Money to pay the passport $135 in cash (U.S. dollars or in Philippine pesos equivalent of $135)

More info: Click the link below:

http://manila.usembassy.gov/service/passports/adultapplication.html

Good luck!

March 29, 2014 by feyma

Been off here for awhile!

You guys probably figured out why I was off here for awhile now. In the beginning of February Aaron and I went to Manila for a few days to renew his passport at the US Embassy. It really went well there and I was so happy for Aaron to finally got the passport done and renewed. When we got home, just a days or so after, Bob got ill. We noticed one of his arm had a sign of bug bite. Man, with just a bug bite it almost cost him his life. We thought he will not make it. Just watching him going through the pain it really broke my heart and made me cry. I would not want anyone going through what he went through. It’s not a fun scene to see.

Firstly we thought Bob had a stroke again. So we made an appointment to our doctor in GenSan. Why GenSan, well we really liked his doctor there a lot. But after my sister went to the doctor’s office there to see if she can squeeze in an appointment for Bob, my sister informed me that the doctor right now was busy and it will take a few days for her to see Bob. So we decided then for Bob to see local doctor here in the city. So we went to the doctor here. I’m glad we did. He really is a nice doctor. As soon as he saw Bob he immediately told Bob you don’t have a stroke, instead you had an infection. As he keeps looking and inspecting Bob’s arm, the doctor said to him that “if you want the infection to go away immediately it would be better for you to be admitted to the hospital so that you can have the medicines through iv that will kill the infections immediately”. Bob thought he can handle the infection by taking oral medications. Bob was taking the oral medications for a few weeks and still he was experiencing severe pains. The oral medication just helps a little.

Davao Adventist Hospital

I just basically stayed with him the whole time almost 24/7. He has to have somebody with him day and night. He can’t even lift his arms. If he tries to lift his arms, he will be in pain. Just moving from the chair to the bed is a big struggle for him. Luckily my kids are here with me. To help him get up I get Aaron and Chris. To help him with the eating and the drinking I had help from Jean and Chris. During weekends Jared and Nicole would help out too. It’s really a rotation for us. I’m just so happy that during daytime I had so many to help.

He had to have somebody with him, his arms and hands can’t really do much. If ever he tried to use his hands for lifting his glass to drink he will be in so much pain. If he will use his arms to get up, he will be in pain. So I told him to just let us feed him and when getting up I will have the kids help him. Finally he realized that he really needed us to help him. So its been weeks that Bob is in bed.

By week 4, Bob was still in so much pain. So he then decided to be admitted to the hospital. He stayed there for 4 days. The doctor really gave him the medicine that will kill the infection and also it will not hurt him being he is diabetic. As I’m writing this post, Bob just got out from the hospital. Finally he had the good medication that totally knocked out the infection. Right now he is resting and I’m still reminding him to take it easy. He is still not totally 100% healed.

To all of you here that continue praying for his recovery, a big “Thank You” to all of you. I really appreciate you guys prayers and thoughts. Thank you also for those friends that visit here in the house and in the hospital. Thank you also for calling and checking on him. I can’t even tell you how grateful I am to you guys. A big thank you too to the hospital staff at Davao Adventist Hospital especially to Sean Dignadice. Thank you again to all of guys and God bless!

MABUHAY!

February 6, 2014 by feyma

It’s almost Valentines Day!

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Some of our readers here might be single and writing/chatting to a Filipina here in the Philippines. You might want to give an impression to the lady here (they called it pogi points). It might be a good idea for you to give something to the lady you are getting serious with online.

To get started, remember showing that you care by giving her gifts. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It will make her happy that you really take the time in planning it.

Valentine’s Day is approaching!

If you need good advice on what to give to your loved one here in the Philippines. Here are some simple and affordable gifts that you will show to your lady that you care enough for her:

Sweet surprise: selected baked good cookies and put in the box or in the basket.
Chocolate: Different kinds of chocolates (imported or local brands) it can be in the baskets or in a beautiful box that she can use for decorations or storage after munching the chocolate.
Jewelry: Fashion jewelry, pearl jewelry or the real one that will cost more, some are very expensive.
Stuffed animals like teddy bear, puppy, dolphin, monkey and others, or a stuff heart shape pillow and other nice stuffed products.
Photo Album: A pictures of you and your lady inside together, or if you didn’t meet up your lady yet in person maybe a collage of her pictures and yours in the album.
Flowers: Different kind of flower arrangements to chose from either simple arrangements and affordable, in a vase or a bouquet. If you want fancier arrangement then it will cost you more.
Nice printed shirt with hers and your face, or a mug or a plate.
Maybe a puppy or a kitty.
Camera: Lots of good and affordable cameras nowadays.
Cellphone or Tablet: Same as above, you can buy cheaper and affordable cell phone and tablets. Take note: electronics gadgets are way expensive here in the Philippines than the West.

Hope that some of the ideas that I mentioned above help a lot to those still thinking of what to give to their loved one here in the Philippines. Sometimes it’s hard to give when you don’t have any idea in mind.

We have a company that will deliver to your love one here in the Philippines. If there is anything that you want and it’s not on our site feel free to email us what you want and we will send you an invoice for it. I don’t usually mention our other site here, but I was asked from our reader here privately for a good gift for his/her loved one. That’s one of the reason why I wrote this article.

To some of you here that uses our company “Thank You” so much for the patronage. We really appreciate you guys’ business. Again feel free to let us know if there is anything you want that it’s not on our site.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

January 23, 2014 by feyma

Having business here in the Philippines while living abroad!

I was asked by a reader here with questions “If is is good for her to put up business here in the Philippines while she’s still living abroad?”. I answered her back that I will not recommend that. You know why? If the owner is not around the workers will not do what the owner want them to do with the business. I know of some friends who owned businesses here and letting the family members run the business while they are still living abroad. Really lots of them end up closing in no time.

The lady wants a small eatery place with karaoke and they want to serve beer. In short it’s like karenderia with karoake bar. She wants to start to have business here before her retiring time abroad. She works as a nurse if I remember. She earned pretty descent money. She already had some other properties here and she wants to add more income. She told me that she will have her family manage the place before her retiring time. So she’s asking my opinion about it.

Karenderia

I don’t recommend to people to have business here but you know what I don’t know the people that she entrusted her money with. It’s really up to her. She should study hard and read a lot online about people here putting up business if it succeed or if it fails. She should study the pros and cons to it. I’ve know people that put up business for the family and fails.

We had a friend, before he and his wife put up a pretty nice business for the family. They also want the money (income from the business) to be saved for their future retirement here in the Philippines. They put up a nice internet cafe business with 15 seat cafe complete with printer, scanners and all those stuff that’s good for the cafe. It was good at first. Then later it was mismanaged by the family members. Later on almost all the customers that’s occupying the seats in the internet were family members. So no revenue was generating with the business. Year or so later the business folded. So it’s really sad.

My really close friend bought like 3 jeepneys and farms for her family and to save some money when time for her to come back here for good. Well, her contract abroad was not over yet and her jeepneys were already starting to deteriorate. It cost her a big amount of money at the end. The farm starts to make money but family’s relationship starts to fail. Comes with the fighting and not talking.

A family member of mine sent money for her family to start a small business. Instead the family bought a billiard table and because it’s not their hard earned money they just left the pool table outside without cover in just a few months after buying it, it was nothing but trash. The big investment just rotted out in-front of them.

So if thinking of investing while not here to manage it? I hardly recommend putting up businesses here.

January 16, 2014 by feyma

Just a reminder folks!

A few days ago me and Aaron went to the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA to file for our Philippines passports. First time for Aaron to get a Philippine passport and a renewal Philippine passport for me. We’ve been wanting to go there since middle of last year, but didn’t get around to it until end of the year. We know we had to be there early, I mean really early even before the mall opened. Luckily now the DFA office here in Davao City located at the third floor of SM City Mall Matina, not too far from our house. Good thing that the office is inside the mall, so it’s not so hot inside the office anymore while waiting. So Aaron and I went there like around 9:30am just right before the mall opened.

Aaron & Feyma

We already went there last year to get the applications. We just want to get the application paper from the security guards. They were just handing out outside the door of the DFA office there. We didn’t even have to fall in line for that. Our purpose of going there to renew my passport since its already expired a long time ago ever since I was still living in the States. When it’s expired (around mid 1990′s) I just didn’t bother to get a renewal since I already had my US passport anyway. At that time the Philippines would not recognize the dual citizenship yet. They just passed the law on august of 2003.

So after we (me and the kids) got our dual citizenship here early last year, we then decided to get our Philippine passports. Since Aaron is going to the States this year, its good for us to get his Philippine passport for the first time. When the person at the DFA office explained the requirements to me for Aaron to do, he could tell I am cringing every time he’s explaining. Duh in short too many requirements to fulfill. Big Sigh. One of the requirements you have to fill the same papers (7 times) and have it notarized by the lawyer. Wow unbelievable… One of the requirements that will takes us long to get is the NSO birth certificate for Aaron. They will not bend down there, the applicant had to submit the NSO birth certificate. So any Filipina giving birth in the USA should report the birth of the kid to the nearest Philippine consulate office in your area. So that the kid will have records in the Philippines too. Easier to get any Philippine documents then especially passport after dual citizenship. Unfortunately none of my kids were reported of their birth to the Philippine Consulate Office after giving birth. I never knew and never had friends that reported the birth of their kids too as far as I know. I really wish to God we did. It will be all easier for us by now then.

The personnel at the DFA office told me that the processing for the reporting of the birth (NSO) since we are in the Philippines will take around 4-6 months. Wow, really long, but we don’t have a choice but to report it. My understanding when the personnel explain, they will send the papers again to the USA (at the consulate office there) for their records that the child was born there. Send it back to the NSO office here in the Philippines for verification and approval. At least the kid already has records both countries. Oh well just have to do what they requires us to do.

So reminder again Fil-Am friends: To please report your kids after giving birth in the USA to the nearest Philippine Consulate Office in your area. Some of you might want to get a dual citizenship of your kid. It will be easier to get the Philippine passport then.

Cheers!