philippines – Shainne Hostalero

DFA Passport Renewal | 2022 December

Need help? Here is a guide on how you can renew your passport in the Philippines.

I haven’t gotten to travel abroad since 2019 (?) I didn’t want to take my chances, too, because I have a toddler then and do not want to risk getting COVID-19 (the onset was early 2020, and the vaccine roll-out happened later). With that said, I didn’t bother to renew my passport then and which expired in 2021 (I did local travels with strict protocol. Better be safe than sorry).

I took advantage of the year-end break at work to do errands, relax, and renew my passport. In early 2022, there was no available schedule for passport renewal — borders opened, businesses are too, and so is tourism.

Mid of December 2022, I was already booking the schedule before the holiday festivities, but appointment schedule slots are quick to be taken. I tried booking for a later date and I made it to the cut-off! No pictures on this post because it was not allowed to take photos on the renewal site (remember!). Here are some of the things you need to do and bring:

1. Set an appointment

You may check at www.passport.gov.ph and book an available date on your preferred Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) site (mostly SM Malls) for your passport renewal. Please be aware of the time and come in 30 minutes earlier your chosen schedule (so you are not stressed and can finish at an earlier time).

2. Enter your details accurately

Enter all your details on the Passport Application Form, and please make sure they are all accurate (but do not worry if you have chosen a different option on your address or have a minimal typo accidentally as there will also be an information validation at the site). Your primary details should also match the ones on your current passport.

3. Choose how you want to receive your renewed passport: through courier service or via pick-up

For my two previous renewals, I always choose the courier service option so it can be delivered to my home since I get too busy in the day to be somewhere else than work. You just have to also fill out the Letter of Authority or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) that will also be provided to you via email once you have confirmed your schedule. If you opt for a pick-up, DFA staff on site will tell you when the release date of your passport be and where you can pick it up. Ensure that you all have supporting documents with you for validation purposes.

4. Pay online

When I get on site at SM City North Edsa (near Pet Express – Interior Zone ), I did not see any cashier for application payment, hence all transactions are done online when you confirm your renewal schedule. It is more convenient I must say and you may use your debit/credit card, GCash, and PayMaya.

5. Check your email

During the application, you’d be asked to provide your email address so please make sure that the one you will input is active. After filling out the passport application form and paying online, all details and necessary forms will be sent to you via email. You will be asked to print the files sent to you as those will be the ones you will submit during your schedule for processing.

What to bring:

The duly filled-out Passport Application Form (sent to you via email)
Printed Electronic Receipt No. for reference
Old/current passport
Valid ID (government-issued IDs) or Birth Certificate (Original and Photocopy)

Few Reminders:

Do not wear heavy make-up that will make you unrecognizable
No sleeveless or any revealing tops allowed
Make sure your hair is neat and photos shall showcase your ears
Better to remove all accessories (earrings, necklaces, facial piercings if any)
No companion is allowed except for minors (a waiting area is also available for your companions)
Come 30 minutes before your appointment or better, an hour before

Overall, the whole process will take you no more than 30 minutes, depending on the volume of applicants but, usually, if this is already an appointment system, it will be 30 minutes tops. It took me only 10 to 15 minutes for the passport renewal, then you have to wait for its release, to be delivered or be ready for pick-up.

SPE 2020: Ecological vulnerability discussion

Part 1 of 2 of the State of the Philippine Environment Forum 2020 coverage
Featured Image from The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in commemoration of the 50^th Year of Earth Day, The Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines (CEC) held a webinar about the State of the Philippine Environment in time of COVID-19 discussing the ecological challenges to the pandemic.

Together with the Kalikasan Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines and Earth Day Network Philippines, the webinar series aimed to discuss the environmental challenges and provide ecological solutions for the community.

During this time, the Philippines experiences environmental consequences that are aggravated by COVID-19 pandemic and the country is now facing the worst ecological crisis.

Neo-Liberalism and PH Vulnerability

Neo-liberalism is a policy model that accentuates and associated the laissez-faire economic liberalism and promotion of free-market competition.

“Neoliberalism allows the unbridled utilization of our natural resources. It devastated our environment and impoverished our people,” said Rosario Bella “RosB” Guzman, IBON’s Research Head and Executive Editor and the first speaker on the Earth Day webinar.

Guzman also reiterated that while the Philippines is first in Green Revolution, the country has still become more vulnerable to different calamities and natural disasters.

Wealth inequality has been an existing challenge in the economy and thus, various industries have contributed to the environmental destruction that resulted in deforestation and land-use change.

“In a healthy environment, forest cover must be at least 50 to 54 percent. Currently, the country has 23 percent forest cover, 10.5 percent severe, 16.6 percent moderate, and 3.2 percent very severe,” Guzman added.

Guzman furthers that the reason behind the declining forest cover and land-use change was the government’s prioritization to real estate, industrial plantation, agri-business venture, use of hybrid genetically modified crops, and large-scale mining.

Dirty Energy

In the discussion regarding Dirty Energy, Guzman explained that coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel and a major source of air pollution.

And, while there are some renewable sources of energy that the Philippines plans to utilize like the 21 hydroelectric power projects, they are not considered as renewable energy as they utilize large dams that cause changes in the ecosystem and displacement of communities.

Social Distancing and Handwashing to combat COVID-19

Social distancing and handwashing are the most effective ways to fight COVID-19 contamination. It has been prioritized by the Philippines government, LGUs, and WHO. Hence, the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The ECQ aims to limit physical interaction in the community and the suspension of public transport, public and private work, and classes, as well as the aggressive promotion of good and proper hygiene and suspension of rotational water interruption.

While social distancing and handwashing are deemed essential and promoted, it is still considered a privilege to many, especially those who are in highly populated areas and stricken by poverty.

According to Guzman, 1 out of 4 Metro Manila residents are informal settlers and 51 percent of them are in danger areas and only a little over half of the number of families have water piped into their dwelling.

Urbanization has resulted in various community challenges that must be prioritized. The community is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic due to poverty.

Estancia Resort Hotel, Tagaytay City

“Your work is your art and your art is your craft.” As Tina Fey rolled it. I couldn’t agree more. When I finished my Bachelor’s Degree, of course, I have to identify what will come right after and I have to say that planning all of these wasn’t easy. We always wonder what we need to do next and next and next. You just have to keep going and getting stuck wouldn’t be your option. *deep breath*

Blessed enough, I could say, well… maybe, I’m one of those people who can practice their craft having way too fun and loving every detail of it. It was a choice to pursue Marketing and Communication, and somehow between that, the universe luckily threw that option to me, shove it in my face and I went for it. Of course, there are so many things going on for me aside from that – additional academic units, writing, journalism, and many other things.

The perks of work are fascinating and working with intelligent people is one of those, traveling comes next and the list goes on and on. Well, depending on how you can see ‘what’ the perks are. We all have our own conversion when it comes to these things. Stressing it enough, what works for you might not for me and vice versa.

Confident and disciplined as I am (naks!), I always try to look at things in a positive light which I think we must do. If you’re having a hard time converting some of the negatives to positive ones, try to indulge yourself into sports! It can be football, triathlon or simply running. Sports can discipline and affect you in all unexpected aspects. You will be surprised that sports can really serve you well, more than just being fit and healthy.

Going to places for work is fun because you can explore and learn more about your colleagues. You will discover a lot of things about them, too.

Veranda View

Imagine waking up to this view everyday? In addition, the Tagaytay weather is perfect; too far from the hotness of Manila.

Veranda view

Morning view. Priceless.

One of the most beautiful Starbucks branches I’ve visited

The coffee run. Very rare to have survived the day without it.

Estancia Resort Hotel reception area

Estancia Resort Hotel view

The morning after

Truth be told, I don’t usually comb my hair but the view needed some capturing so I opted to have the shot in lieu with the beautiful scenery.

Estancia Resort Hotel
Zone II Brgy. San Jose
Tagaytay City, Cavite
Philippines
estanciatagaytay.com.ph

Puerto Galera 2014

May 31 – June 1, 2014; Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

June 7 – 8, 2013; White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

I am somehow a Puerto Galera kind of girl, even those time that it wasn’t that too mainstream yet. Exploring the beach life, getting sunkissed tan skin and salty hair are the things I love whenever I set foot on the beach.

Puerto Galera, is by far, the nearest white beach and accessible beach I can go to whenever I feel like it or whenever I feel like I needed some place to cool my mind.

This 2014 (and 2012 and 2013), I went to a series of heartbreaks. Every year it seems to have something achy though I am still thankful. Not everytime is a heartbreak to endure, there are still times that I feel I’m on a cloud 9, happiness that are bound to last forever or something to that effect if there’s really none.

I am not afraid to travel alone. I love it, actually. It makes me know myself more. My mistakes, weaknesses, and strengths made me explore places alone and meet a lot of new people who sometimes shares the same vision as I am or the total opposite.

White Beach, Puerto Galera

“Travel and meet yourself.”

White Beach Party at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Seaside lunch

Mindoro, Philippines

Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera

Yey! EK!

2011 is about to end, so I think this is the right time to upload some Enchanted Kingdom photos. I really want to go back to EK – I will pursue it this coming 2012.. I hope I could find time! 😀
Alrighty, photos! Happy New Year, everyone!
All photos (c) Shainne Lim (That’s me. Teehee!)

Midway Boardwalk

Play the game and win some awesome stuff! 😉

Rialto

Awesome EK Performers

Flying Fiesta

Harry Houdini’s Magic Shop

Wheel of Fate

Harry Houdini’s Magic Shop

EKStreme

Toys! 🙂

Carousel

Enchanted Kingdom

MMDA: To ease the traffic

Photo from Google Images

This is my first blog post for 2011 and I just want to hit a good news to start the year right. We (Filipinos) know that the traffic here in Metro Manila is not a joke, we can be stranded or stuck up on the road for long hours because of the severe traffic. I sometimes blame the government or the MMDA about these incidents in the road that I’m getting stuck into a traffic and will not be able to make it on time for whatever appointment i have. But as I was browsing some good news about the government today, this MMDA thing amused me.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is planning to construct roundabouts or rotondas, in those strategic locations all over the metro. They are proposing and implementing long-term and short-term solutions to address the traffic congestion, more specifically on the areas where there are too many road obstructions. It also said that they will increase the travel time and they will also decongest the major roads.

MMDA will definitely start or put this newly proposed plan and they are planning also to construct nine roundabouts to the six pilot cities namely Julia Vargas-Meralco Avenue and Redemptorist-Quirino Avenue-Taft Avenue intersections.

It’s going to be so good especially for the commuters, I really do hope for a great ease on the road about this plan and I hope that constructing this roundabouts will not totally add up to the severe traffic that we are facing now. I’m looking forward to a traffic-free Metro Manila. Superb! It’s nice to hear some good news this new year.