Applying for an NBI clearance using the newly e-Clearance of the NBI is not that difficult and so much faster than the traditional way. Here are the steps I took:

1.  I visited the NBI Online Application page and followed the steps given.
2.  I visited a Globe Business Center to pay for the fee using the mobile number provided in the above mentioned web page.  After payment, I received a reference number.
3. I went back to the NBI Online Application page and filled out all the information including the reference code I received from Globe.
4. I printed out the receipt that includes the QR Code.
5. I booked an appointment by sending an SMS.  I then immediately received a confirmation from NBI.
6. On my appointment date, I brought the Printed OR and  visited the NBI Main Office located at UN Avenue.     I used LRT and got off at the UN Station.  After about 5 minutes walk I found a big gate with several vendors.  I figured this was the NBI Main Office even though there were no signs in front of the office.  After asking around I ended up finding that small room on the 5th floor (or 3rd floor) of NBI and was entertained immediately by a staff member.  After about 15 minutes, I was able to get my NBI Clearance printed on the spot.

Not bad at all.  I highly recommend that you use the e-Clearance facility if you have a Globe payment outlet accessible, otherwise there are no other ways to pay online at this time.  Please check the NBI website regularly for updates.

After almost 6 months I am back! What have I been up to? I just completed my real estate review seminars at Urban Institute of Real Estate and passed the exam last March 18. Yesterday, I registered at PRC and I am now thrilled to announce that I am now a licensed real estate broker! I would like to acknowledge my teachers and mentors there, especially our Real Estate guru Engr. Enrico Cruz for a job well done.

It was one hell of a ride and I had so much fun learning. All the things I learned, I was able to put to use immediately. First, I learned how to get a certified copy of the title of my parents’ house at the Registry of Deeds (yes, baby steps first). I also learned how to read and understand titles and found out that there was a mortgage that was never cancelled, although it has been paid off since early 90′s. I was able to clean out our title all by myself. Secondly, I found out that we needed to settle my father’s estate before we sell the property  (duh!) and found out the correct steps on how to do it. I am still working on this now and even traveled to the province to investigate this. These are just the few things I have learned among so many things we discussed. There’s also so many things about Philippine taxation, VAT, condos, etc.

Yesterday, I also found out about the beautiful world of Tax Mapping. I am looking forward to discovering more things about Real Estate. In the meantime, I am going to post some listings on my Real Estate page pretty soon. This is coming from a network of 300+ brokers from my class at Urban.

Lastly, if you need help in selling, renting, or even finding the right property for you or someone you know please email real-estate@backtothephilippines.com.

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 .

Will I come back here again? Maybe.

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!