I NEED TO RENEW MY PASSPORT

 I need to renew my passport. It’s in preparation for my plans to visit Hongkong next year.

(Dec. 26) Day one – I went to NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) Baguio office to get my clearance.  I was told to come back after fifteen days for the release of my clearance. Then I proceeded to DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Baguio to check what I will need to prepare before filing my passport application. Since they require an NSO (National Statistics Office) issued birth certificate,

I filed an application for the issuance of my birth certificate at its office in Baguio City and I was told to pay One Hundred and Forty Philippine pesos. I waited for about 30 minutes and then the office gave me a certificate that says, “We certify that we do not have any record of birth of:”…. That’s me.

Norma remembered that she had kept my old birth certificate that she saved from hungry cockroaches. She gave it to me.

(Dec. 27) Day two – 9AM- We left our home and proceeded to Regional Consulate Affairs.  I asked them if my old birth certificate would suffice. The answer is "NO". And I also need an affidavit of loss of passport. So we went to NSO and asked advice from the CARE section. I was told to get an endorsement certificate from where I was born. We then went to PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) Baguio area. I got an affidavit of loss of passport free of charge - Though I did pay sixty and two Pesos for my residence certificate at City Hall. Our next step is the "endorsement letter" from Manaoag, Pangasinan. We decided to do it after New Year’s celebration. After all, we’re not in a rush.

(Jan. 2, 2012) Day three – 11AM – As soon as I was parking my bike in front of the Municipal building, Norma is already asking an old man nearby who is good enough to usher her into the local registrar office of Manaoag, Pangasinan. She applied for my “endorsement certificate” and after one hour, I was looking at her coming out from the municipal building with a sealed envelope in hand. She said that she paid fifty pesos for it and the local registrar advised her to send it by mail. We decided to bring it personally to NSO Baguio, since we’re already going home. At 2PM, Norma submits the sealed envelope at NSO office Baguio and we’re on our way home. Hopefully, by January 16, I can get my birth certificate that I can use to get my passport.

(Jan. 16, 2012) Day four – 9:30AM – I got my NBI Travel Clearance. “I’m CLEAN”. 

And at 11AM, I’m already holding my NSO issued birth certificate. “No additional charges”. Tomorrow morning will be the last leg for my quest.

(Jan. 17, 2012) Day five – 6:30AM – We left our home and rode a jeepney going to town. There was an ongoing Highway repair at a stretch of four kilometers, maybe more, that causes annoying and time consuming traffic. 8:30AM – We arrived at DFA regional office and I was given a small piece of paper with number 109 written on it which means, I’m the 109^th person to be serve. They’re only serving 200 people each day. At 11:40AM – I was told to phone the office for follow-up, Feb, 8, 2012. They’ll have to check my records. If I’m lucky, I’ll have my “BIOMETRIC” the same day.

Norma already went home around 10AM because she’s not allowed inside the office. Only applicants are allowed. So I went home alone.

(Feb. 8, 2012) Day six – It’s already few minutes passed 8AM when we arrived at RCO Baguio. There were too many applicants lined-up in a zigzag fashion to fit the space in front of the building. I secured my position at the end of the line and ask Norma to make a phone call just to make sure my name is already on the list. (Feb. 1, I already received a text message from RCO informing me to continue processing). I got my number 229. Thirty more applicants are added to the usual 200 and I’m second to the last. (God is watching me, I think). I was advised to come back at 1:30PM. I came back at the office at 1PM and as I expected, I was the last man to leave the office..

The date of release of my passport was set on March 21, 2012.

March 21 - Finally... I feel free.

THANK YOU

Finally there’s relief from my anguish. The feeling of not being in control about uninstalling a program in my own computer is really spooky. The experience has left its mark.

A big question remains: Would I continue to write the contents of my book in my computer?

It’s easier for me to write using MS Word. I found that using pen and paper is not really easy, for me, except of course when travelling and carrying a laptop is not convenient and the traditional way of writing is a better alternative.

When something wrong begins to unfold, my first recourse is to put my faith in God and believe that good things would come out of it eventually. And it always does. God’s power is really amazing.

Anyway, thanks mem turbo 4 for giving me the control.

 I’m simply praying and hope for a much better world.

Deception

When I opened my laptop a week ago, a window appeared telling me something like this: “You’re using a trial version of Mem turbo 4 for 8 days; this is the 7^th day…

It gave me two choices:

One choice is; “Buy now”.

The other choice is; “Continue”

Since I don’t want to buy it, I click on my only choice left, and that is “Continue”. I’m hoping of course that it will be gone by the 9^th day.

More than a week gone by and it’s still here.

Again, I repeated the usual process of uninstall and the same thing happened the last time.  Pls. read “I can’t trust my lap top anymore”.

This is clearly a great deception. I didn’t want it to continue and obviously, I don’t want to buy it.

I really don’t know the purpose of this deception. It could be…

CROSSROADS

This wonderful place is the end of Kennon road going down. It is called Saitan. It is actually a crossroad. If you take the road to the right, you will eventually bump into Rosario, La Union Province which is more than a kilometer away. The road to the left will lead to Bued bridge and after passing it, will enter the beautiful Province of Pangasinan where many great personalities like FVR, Manny Villar, and many more came from.

Bued bridge is a historical bridge that has stand the test of time. Raging waters from the mountains of Benguet pass in the wide river below.

Reunion

Together again

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

     Last week my younger sister Emily and her two daughters came to live with us. Norma gladly welcomed them. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy.

God's amazing gift

God’s amazing gift

Monday, March 07, 2011

Norma lost her cell phone when she went to the city market on a very busy day. She wasn’t sure how she lost it. She said it was inside the side pocket of her jacket and when she thought of making a call, she couldn’t find it anymore.

I let her borrow my cell phone. She needs it more than I am because her two sisters who are working abroad occasionally call her to talk to her and I can always do without it. The reason that I’m keeping one with me is for her to be able to call me when we’re apart. Well, she told them her story.

One day her good elder sister living in London, England called and told her that she is sending her a new cell phone and a wrist watch. It’s unexpected! Norma laughs and was happy.

She’s wearing her watch on her wrist now and doesn’t want to take it off. I just hope she would care to take it off her wrist when she does the laundry.

Thinking about it, I know that it’s a gift from God. Her good nature, positive attitude, and unwavering faith in Jesus make her deserving of such blessing.

She thanked her sister on the phone and commented, “There is no built-in camera in it.” Her elder sister promised to send her one with a built-in camera someday. She’s really blessed! It’s really amazing how God works.

A small garden of flowers

Norma’s flowers

Thursday, March 03, 2011

    

     She has regained most of her strength and this morning we went to her doctor and now after taking her medicines she’s resting on the sofa while watching her favorite programs on Television. I thanked God and all those who prayed for her. Occasionally she asks me to massage her head and back. She likes me massaging her back. It makes her feel better.

     I took my time to take pictures of the flowers in her little garden. Tomorrow she will start to tend to it again as she always does in the past. It’s not as spectacular as the other gardens in the neighborhood but she’s happy when a flower blooms.

Brush with death

Another brush with death

Very early this morning, my wife has a seizure. It happened many times before, and as soon as she felt it, she took her medicine. But she felt very weak and hollered at me to bring her a glass of water. I ran for a glass of water and gave it to her. She was murmuring something when she got hold of the glass of water and drank it. I learned that she was reciting a prayer asking God not to take her yet. I guess she don’t want to leave me alone. She was there sitting on the floor and I asked her if she want to go to bed. No answer. I massage her head and her back and arms until she felt a little better. There was a moment of silence. I looked at her sitting on the floor and praying with her eyes close and felt pity. I can’t avoid feeling guilty too. I know that I should have left her for good long ago. I was awakened from my deep thoughts when she asked me to bring her to the living room, and I sat her on the sofa. After a few minutes we heard somebody calling her name and my granddaughter opened the door. It was my wife’s best friend. What a coincidence? Did the good Lord lead her here? As they were chatting there, I felt good knowing that she has recovered.

Back to School

Back to school

    My chance to learn computer operation came when I heard from a Christian radio an ad about a scholarship offer for beginners. Their target was high school students. I went to gather information. The school is on the third floor of a building and as I am going up the stairs, I saw an ad written on a medium size blackboard, ‘Wanted 2 Auto CAD operators’. It gave me an idea that influences my decision later on.

      Well, I was accepted. There were a few courses to choose from and I opt for Basic Auto CAD. At the time, with my little knowledge, I thought it is a good choice. I was hoping to graduate and get the job as an operator plus they hinted on something like on the job training. A win-win situation pops in my mind.  

I prayed, “Lord, guide my way pls.”

     I was excited on my first day. I was an early bird because when I got there the lady receptionist was still cleaning and I have to wait outside the office. And later on I still have to wait for quite a time inside the office to wait for my classmates. Eventually, our school manager arrive and we went with her to our classroom which is in a rented house located a mile away from the main office.

      I didn’t miss a single day in class and in fact, I attend another class upon the invitation of an old instructor who told me that I can start teaching what I learned to beginners. It happened only once because when I got there the next day, I had the feeling that I’m not welcomed by other instructors who happened to be there. Besides the fact that I’m not really qualified. Actually, I’m only on for the experience.

      Graduation came after two months. It was simple and was finished on just over two hours. We were waiting for our diploma but were told that we can go back after three days to get it. After three days, as I was going up the stairs, I saw the same sign and it read, ‘Wanted Auto CAD operator. Must be an engineering or architectural student with at least two years in college.’ It annoyed me at the least. They handed me my diploma and I’m happy. The School President told me, “Come back here when you’re ready.” I don’t know what it means but I took it positively. And then another officer told me, “You’re voted as a model student of the year.” I was hoping that they will give me a certificate for it but there was none. I took everything in a positive kind of way. I was even hoping for something good to come out of this. But I didn’t stop. I enrolled in another school and at that time I believe, I’m on the right target.

The Shortcut

     There were a few schools who offers scholarship grant to attract students. It means low tuition fees.  I’m living on a tight budget and I am always attracted by anything that’s cheap. But it actually means they will teach you what your money’s worth. Its business and they have ingenious ways to bring education to the underprivileged.

      What I had in mind when I visit the school is a six months computer technician course. They are offering tuition cuts on a two year course. My wife tried to stop me. I perfectly understand why, but I promise her that I only want to see what I can learn in one semester.

       As we are near the end of the semester, I already got what I need. There is something more that I want before quitting. I needed a shortcut. I took up, in another school, a short course in PC Troubleshooting then quit. I don’t need a diploma. I just need to understand how to use my computer and be able to do some troubleshooting.

      Long ago, it was forced on me to play a dangerous game that only God can stop. Some gave it a name and called it, ‘staging a setback in life’ and others titled it ‘burn notice’ or simply ‘a burn game’. As for me it’s a repeat of the life of the Bible Prophet Job. But unlike Job, I’m doing what I can to parry the blows and blocked the flaming arrows thrown at me. Anyone who takes my side will automatically be in the game. It’s a deadly game. My wife who sticks it with me through thick or thin is already sick for life. Her heart can’t take the pressure. The only way to survive is to be free. I kept on moving on. My years spent on the sea made me tough. I know that if I stay close to the Lord God Almighty, I will not lose and I’m not aiming to win either. I just want to be alive and serve God any which way I can. I don’t hate anyone, it’s bad for health and I have a forgiving spirit. I always pray to God. May Jesus send His angels? If God is with me, who can be against me?