I renewed my passport

Although I was able to extend the validity of my passport by another year ( up to 2017), I decided to renew it just the same. I will be needing a visa for our 3rd quarter travel and there are no more blank pages to stamp the visa on. And since embassies now require at least six months validity AFTER the scheduled departure, better to just get a new passport  so I have peace of mind and flexibility.

My appointment was done online by dear daughter. She also ordered new sets of birth certificates and marriage contract for Edmund and I.

My appointment was at 10 am. The instruction said I must be there at least half hour before the appointed time. I left the house at 8am kasi I forgot to photo copy the requirements. I forgot my cellphone so I had to go back to the house. Buti na lang we were still inside the subdivision.

I thought I would not make it at 10 am because EDSA was clogged but after the Magallanes interchange, it became a breeze.

Macapagal Blvd.

It only took a couple of minutes and we’re here.

Unbelievable, we arrived at exactly 9 am. One full hour ahead of my 10 a.m. call time.  At least relax ako,  hindi ako na-te-tense.

The renewal process is fairly easy and organized.

There was a family who didn’t want to wait in line. The parents told the DFA staff, senior citizens daw sila. Ang lakas lakas pa. Okay na lang din pero ang problema, they were with their adult children. Hindi naman sila lahat senior citizens. Unfair to those who are patiently waiting for their turn.

I was given a number, 1,342. I sat at the farthest row to avoid coughing on people’s faces.

I forgot the name of this pretty DFA staff. In the application form, there are only two genders indicated, Male or Female. When I asked the DFA guy what happens if the applicant is a transgender, she was the one who answered. Dapat daw ilagay ay yung original na gender, nung ipinanganak.

I asked because there was a transgender also waiting in line. I mistook her nga for a woman kasi she has long brown hair and fair skin. Only when I heard her voice while she was speaking to someone on her cellphone that I discovered she was a he. I was curious about how they would approach this gender issue. The forms are still limited between male or female.

A few more minutes na lang, konting hintay na lang.

Colored contact lenses are not allowed. Of course.

My photo in my old passport is super ugly. I look embalmed. This is now my chance to improve my photo. I hope I look better this time. Makapag retouch nga ng lipstick and makapagpabango. Pag mabango, parang feeling beautiful.

Guy—–“Mam, kumabig ka sa kaliwa, konti pa, konti pa”.
My God ang pangit nung picture ko. Parang na-exaggerate lalo yung wrinkles ko. Kung dati mukha akong inembalsamo, dito sa bago, mukha akong, inembalsamo pa rin. Ang sama. Wala ganun na talaga mukha ko. Tanggapin ang katotohanan. Hayaan ko na lang. I have no choice, they don’t do retouch.

This security guard multi-tasks. He finds himself at the center of everything. He should be given a desk that says INFORMATION OFFICER.
“Guard, saan ang hagdan pababa?”  “Manong, san ang xeroxan?” ”

Brod, kailangan ba itong ID?”

“Mama, saan ang pila sa passport?” “Guard, san toilet nyo, yung ladies?”
“Guard, meron bang sakayan dito papuntang Malolos?”

I was done by 10 am. I paid 1,200 for the express passport, plus 150 delivery fee.

This is still valid till 2017  but they  punched holes in it, now I am stuck in the Philippines till March 18, the expected delivery date of the new one.