How to find the Robinsons Galleria Satellite Branch

The Robinsons Galleria NBI Satellite Office is located at East lane Basement 1.  I took the entrance at Ortigas Avenue (Gold’s Gym) and went down one floor using the escalator.  After that, I went straight further and asked for directions from the lady  in that small stall nearby Digital Hub.  She told me to turn right and then go down using an escalator.  If you do not want to get lost like me, follow the lady’s directions. Otherwise, you would end up at the basement parking lot.

1. Turn right when you see the escalators, don’t use the first escalators you see, as it will lead you to the parking lot.  You should pass by Marks and Spencers.
2. Right before the end of this hallway you would find a narrow escalator, take this one.
3. When you reach the end of the escalator, get off and turn left.

NBI Requirements I brought with Me

Based on the information I found from other blogs (the NBI site is practically useless for getting information) I brought the following:

• 2 forms of ID (my drivers license and Philippine passport).
• my original foreign marriage license with authentication from the Philippine embassy with accompanying photocopies
• my birth certificate (just in case)
• passport photos (just in case)
• a pen (for filling out forms)
• 115 pesos cash (the fee)

1. I came in at around 10:30AM which was already too late.
2. The maximum applications they process is only 500 per day.  Your chances are higher to get a slot if you are there between 6AM to 8AM .

I am considering going to Quezon City Hall Satellite office but I heard lines are quite long over there and process is slower.  I could also try the Main Office, although it’s kind of out of the way.  They said it’s not that busy there, but who knows really?  So maybe, just maybe I will wake up at 5:00 AM on a Monday and go back to Robinsons Galleria to get my NBI Clearance.  It’s much faster, however, the question is, can I wake up that early?

I have bad news for European visitors and Filipinos who travel to and from Europe and the Philippines.  We have lost our last direct flight service to Europe: the  Manila Amsterdam KLM direct flight will end by April, 2012.

The main reason for KLM’s decision is the high taxes and exorbitant fees imposed on them to operate in the Philippines.  Among these are the 2.5 percent common carriers tax (CCT) and 3 percent gross Philippine billings (GBP), which is being charged on all foreign airlines.

This is definitely not going to help boost our tourism.  Our kababayans from Europe who go back to the Philippines for a vacation certainly need to find a new airline.  I am pretty sure this would mean paying higher prices for tickets.

So what would be our options now? The top 3 choices in my quick search revealed the following carriers: Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines with option of using our local carriers PAL and Cebu Pacific to go to the hub cities such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

There have been some  unpleasant experiences I’ve had with flying KLM but still we continue using it all the time because of their unbeatable prices and a 12 hour flight is still better than having a stop over, inspite of the bad food, dirty toilets and brusque flight attendants we occasionally have to endure with KLM.  I just hope KLM will reconsider their decision. Nothing beats the convenience of a direct flight of only 12 hours to Europe.

Government registration for my new company which is a software development / real estate company is almost completed.  It is registered at SEC, and has a Barangay and Mayor’s Permit.  I recently hired a law firm on retainer and a small accounting firm.  My accountant just called this morning to tell me that the  BIR registration is close to being completed.   I  also recently opened a new bank account.    So where am I working now?  The truth is, I am still working at MrC’s office ( along with his 12+ people on board), even though I have stopped working for them as a consultant.  MrC is moving to a bigger office in a few weeks.  Meanwhile, I have started a new website project — a real estate website.  Right now, the mockups of the website have been done and luckily I have been allowed to borrow MrC’s talented graphics designer.  With regards to actually coding the site.  I will probably hire one directly.  As of now, all the details are still unclear.  I hope to share how things develop on my new project.

Another new thing on my list now is to attend a real estate broker review seminar and eventually pass the board exam to become a licensed real estate broker.  This would actually coincide with the real estate website project that I am venturing into the next few months.  Wish me luck!

Just a few days ago the latest uproar in Philippine cyberspace was the Anti-Planking Law being proposed by a lawmaker.  I only recently knew about this “Planking” thing about a few months ago, thanks to Facebook and all.  I’m really so behind with the times.

What’s even funnier than this Planking mania are these photos circulating the web about the Floating DPWH Officials and these kids playing amidst the huge Manila Bay wave.  It’s definitely both an OMG and a LOL at the same time, at least inside my head.

The following are the photos and links to the sites… It’s definitely an “upper” for me after such a disastrous start of the week, power failures and all.

This photo courtesy of Mr. Paul Payumo (of Facebook fame)

Floating DPWH Officials

The Photoshop fiasco started when a certain Civil Engineer named Pierre Albert San Diego who claimed that those photos released in the DPWH Facebook site was a poorly done Photoshop fabrication.  What a shame, indeed.   Then after this, several more funny Photoshopped versions of the 3 officials was circulating from the web, like for example: 3 officials with Lord Voldemort, 3 officials with Shamcey Supsup. 3 officials inside a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao.  You can find it all here and here (DPWhere Facebook Page).

Here is DPWH’s response on this Photoshop fiasco.

DPWH Official Statement

And lastly, here’s another bonus:

I hope her iPad is still dry and intact

1. Decide beforehand exactly what you are looking for (must-haves): Price, Size of house, location, furnished/unfurnished, with garden, high rise or house and lot, townhouse, number of bedrooms or toilets, presence of maids room, age of property etc. Communicate this clearly with the broker if you are working with one and let them know you are not willing to view properties that do not match your criteria. Also, provide them with your target move-in date.
2. Utilities:  Strong Water? Is Broadband Internet available? How long is installation of phone or dsl or cable TV?
3. When was the last time it was flooded? Check for signs of water damage.
4. Investigate noise-level around your block:  of industrial or business activity, pets, farm animals (may include fighting cocks), churches and other places of worship, informal settlers, slums, videoke clubs, find out if your neighbors are using the property for residence or for business.
5. Security: Is it a gated community with security guards?  Is public access limited in your street/village?  Are there any roving security guards?  High walls/fences/gates and window grills are things to look out for.
6. Investigate the house structure– for termite infestation or damage, roof damage, possible leaks, dripping faucets, look for signs of wear and tear and lack of maintenance, bugs.  Any signs of bugs, lack of cleanliness or signs of neglect is a bad sign that owners is not capable or willing to handle any issues or problems you report about the house.
7. If it’s a house and lot, check for dead trees that has the possibility of falling in the event of a big storm, or trees that are infested by ants or termites.
8. If it’s a high-rise condominium, check the trash bin for cleanliness.  Check if there are any bugs running around the hallway or any traces of food smell.  Make sure all elevators are working properly and that the number of elevators match the population density of the building.
9. Appliances: Check for washer/dryer hookup if you plan to buy a washing machine. Check if you are able to install the type of  Airconditioner that you prefer, if you choose to have one.  Check also if gas stoves are allowed and if there is a vent.
10. Toilets: Check for  Hot water heater, bigger tank is of course better.