Hope In Our Midst

Let's admit it.

We are at a point in our history where graft, corruption and deceit are prevailant in our midst. We see, hear, and listen about it in the news- people pointing fingers, accusing each other with this and that, all going towards irregularities on governance.


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Jonel Dignadisi, an Overseas Filipino Worker has been given appreciation by the Philippine Embassy in Dubai when he returned 470,000 dirhams (P6.2 million) left by a tourist passenger on a public bus that Dignadisi was driving.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Jonel Dignadisi personally returned the money to the owner. Dignadisi discovered the money inside a bag, together with the owner's passport.

source: Philstar.com

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The story might sound like an old tune, considering that we have already heard similar stories before, however, I believe there is a need to give emphasis on this act of heroism especially in these times of dishonesty and distrust in our country.

As we wait for change to happen in our government, may we also, as Filipinos, bear in mind that we can also be agents of change.

There is hope. And hope is found in each and everyone of us.

DFA & My Passport Adventure

DFA & My Passport Adventure


For those of you who are planning to get their Philippine Passports, you might want to read my story first so at least you are (slightly) guided.

Anyway, I have been asked to urgently have my passport because there's this immediate company training in Hong Kong.


I initially visited the Department of Foreign Affairs site so I can get a view of the requirements needed during the application. You may view the requirements >>here.


So off I went to the DFA on one Monday morning bringing with me a filled up application form which I have downloaded from the site (front and back). Along with the application form is my birth certificate (authenticated by the NSO), 2 valid IDs (Company and School ID) and Passport Pictures (required: Royal Blue Background).

Even before I am able to enter the DFA premises, there are these fixers near the entrance who'll try to take advantage of you. Some were acting as if they are also applying for passports and persuades you to go to his "kakilala" who can help you get your passport easier.

Very Important: Do not, at any time, entertain people OUTSIDE the DFA Premises. Proceed directly to the DFA gate and ask the guards on the proper procedures.

Now some people have already advised me to bring candies, bottled water, sandwich or biscuit because there's this "unbelievable" queue of applicants.

1st Line would be the line where you may enter the Basketball Court (this is where the documents are being assesed and verified).- so bale, entrance pa lang pala ito sa pagpasok, hindi pa ito yung pinaka pila ng mga applicants. parang sa MRT wherein, pipila ka muna sa mga guwardiya bago ka makapasok ng MRT station.

Once you have entered the Basketball Court, there will, again be a line before you can enter the "assesment premise".

And so I thought, " Siguro, about 75% of these people are applying for their passports so they can work abroad. Parang kung iisipin mo, ganoon na ba talaga karami ang gustong lumabas nang Pilipinas? Can't we have enough work here for all these people?"

The third line would be the queue for assesing your papers. Now this has caused me into a "desperate" mood, really. Imagine, waking up early in the morning so you can come early to the DFA, then taking three queue of lines, only to find out that the requirement list in the DFA portal is actually incomplete.

Anyway, I lack my NBI clearance. If you have only relied on the list in the DFA website, then you will notice that the NBI clearance is not a requisite. Rather, it might be used as an additional supporting document to prove your identity.

Can't the people in-charge of maintaining the DFA website just update the records?

Dito naman, naisip ko, "Gaano ba talaga kahirap i-prove ang identity mo kung ikaw na mismo ang nandoon at sinasabi sa buong mundo na 'AKO 'TO."

And so, I left DFA without actually having to accomplish my application. My next step from here would be to go to the National Bureau of Investigation to get my NBI clearance.

But that's another story......