The unknown scares me. It was what triggered an injury on my toe back when I tried to snorkel in Samal Island. I was wearing a life vest but still felt nervous in the water… not only because I didn’t know how to swim back then, and I did not know what aquatic creatures I may encounter while snorkeling. What if there were sharks or snakes that may attack me? I have no clue (and still do not) what I should do when I encounter such creatures, and so when the life guard began shouting unintelligibly at us just as I was trying to make myself comfortable in the water, I had a panic attack and tried to swim back very nervously to the stairs back to the land. My foot hit some stone underwater in the process and only realized that I was injured when I saw the pool of blood under my big toe.
I may still be afraid of unknown marine creatures that I may encounter underwater up to now, but I believe that I have made significant progress in building confidence in sea water. Though always anxious when I do it, I’ve recently been enjoying swimming on the surface of the sea water while enjoying the sight of life on the coral reefs below me… also known as snorkeling. 😆 I even actually saw a sea snake, or eel (not sure which one it is) during my first successful injury-free snorkeling at Anilao, Batangas. Good thing it was only lazying on the sand when I passed it. Otherwise, I might have panicked again. Lucky I saw it when I was just about to go back to the shore. If I had seen it at the start of my snorkeling session, I might have backed out right away. Yeah, yeah. I’m such a scaredy cat!
The comfort I now have in the water all started with swimming practice in a swimming pool near my home, and the snorkeling experiences that I’ve been gradually piling up over time. 🙂 I’m actually recently interested in naming the marine creatures that I see when I snorkel. I’ll try to name some in this blog entry!
You will love the view of the sky, mountains and ocean
My most recent snorkeling session was in Subic, specifically at Camayan Beach Resort, where fishes could be seen easily in the clear waters near the shore.
fishes in Subic, (Zambales Philippines)
These were the sergeant fishes in Camayan Beach Resort, which I think are one of the most common types of fishes in Philippine reefs. They have black stripes that start from the top of their bodies, and ending just above their bellies. Many of them have a yellowish color on their top too.
This is the closest I’ve swam with fishes!Diamond scale mullet (banak)
I noticed that there were these larger than usual fishes that liked swimming by pair near the surface of the water. Of course I got a bit anxious about them 😆 They’re a bit big and swim right where we snorklers do!
A parrot fish swam right in front of me! Lucky I was shooting pictures/videos at that moment.
These look like parrot fishes too
I’m not sure if the purple fish and its company are parrot fishes too. Help, anyone?
Speaking of parrot fishes, I’ve read somewhere that we should discourage consumption of parrot fishes. They help maintain coral reefs by feeding on the reefs’ algae.
What’s this dark fish called, anyone?
I think snorkeling can be fun when you get to swim so close to fishes and are able to identify some of them. I should read more about common reef fishes in the Philippies for my next snorkeling adventures!
What else besides the unknown makes me panic while snorkeling? It’s when sea water gets into my snorkel, and usually into my throat! My snorkeling partner tells me I should just blow it out, but seawater gets in my throat and that makes me cough uncontrollably. I usually go back to the shore right away to calm down when that happens. 😆
On April 14, we had an appointment at DFA SM Manila for Philippine passport renewal. The process took 2 hours in total, which wasn’t so bad. We were holders of the older type of e-passport, which were only valid for 5 years. We received our renewed passports via LBC about 10 business days (rush) after our visit to DFA SM Manila. Our new passports are now valid for 10 years! We noticed that the valid IDs required for passport application are more difficult to acquire, compared the ones required for the older e-passport that was only valid for 5 years. This may be because there’s a spurt in the number of people applying for passport for ID purposes. Who doesn’t want an ID that is valid for 10 years? 😆
As I write this, I think DFA still hasn’t opened slots for July 2018 onwards because of a change in the passport application/renewal procedures. Their plan is to require payment before securing an appointment for passport application/renewal. In my opinion, this is a good move from DFA because this will ensure that people who reserve an appointment slot are those who really need it. Right now, I know a lot of people who need to renew their passports for travel purposes, but cannot do so because the slots are taken by people who make money out of the schedules, or wasted by people who don’t show up on their appointment date.
Using of phones is strictly prohibited inside DFA SM Manila. The guards called out anyone caught using their phone. There’s TV inside without audio, but kept us entertained nonetheless because the show was about pranking strangers in public ala Wow Mali!
What was our Philippine Passport Renewal like in April 2018?
We went through the following steps at DFA SM Manila:
Verification
There’s a reception counter where the DFA staff will verify your appointment date and time. The line here is short. When verified, they’ll let you proceed to the processing area.
Processing
Completion and validity of requirements is verified during processing. We’re e-passport holders so our only requirement was our old e-passport. FYI: to married women who would like to change from maiden name to married name, make sure to bring an original and photocopy of your PSA marriage contract and declare to the staff in the counter that you’d like to change your surname. In the application form, you should write your married name instead of maiden name.
Cashier
The line was not long at the cashier. Pay for your passport application or renewal in cash here. We paid 1200 pesos for each passport. By the way, in DFA SM Manila, you’ll be forced to pay expedite/rush fee if you go on a Saturday. Don’t worry, the early release date for expedite/rush transactions will apply. 🙂 We received the new passports in our doorstep 10 business days after visiting DFA. Otherwise, you only pay P950 for regular processing time of 15-20 business days.
Encoding
Ahh, this is the hardest part! The line was very long here. Try to bring something that will entertain you aside from a phone, since it’s strictly prohibited inside DFA SM Manila 😆 At the encoding area for Philippine passport application and renewal, they take your digital thumb marks, digital signature, and photo. Make sure you look nice in your passport photo — that will be your photo for the next 10 years! 😆 Do not wear contact lens especially colored ones. About 5 years ago I was wearing clear prescription contact lenses and the photographer said it was okay, but this days I’m not sure. Better be safe than be asked to remove them with hands you cannot wash immediately.
Delivery (Optional)
You may choose to pickup your new passport from DFA, or have it delivered to your address via LBC. That would be 150 pesos for each passport.
How about your Philippine Passport Renewal in 2018?
Have you just renewed your passport too? Let us know in the comments how it went! 🙂
DFA SM Manila is also known as (NCR West SM Manila Site)
If you prefer to apply for a postal ID at one of the PHILPOST branches in malls, then I think you’ll get valuable information from this page. We chose to get our postal ID from SM North EDSA; it wasn’t an easy process for us because of things we didn’t know beforehand. And now, I’d like to provide you guys information that will help you avoid the inconvenience that we had gone through. 🙂 We think the PHILPOST website may not be updated with the list of requirements for application.
Following is the list of documents you need to bring to the SM North EDSA capturing station, applicable to both application and renewal of postal ID:
Photo of Postal ID requirements at SM North EDSA
2 accomplished postal ID application forms
Birth certificate, 2 valid IDs, or passport
Barangay clearance, proof of billing, NBI clearance, or police clearance
Marriage contract if you are a married woman
Photocopy of all documents except the postal ID application forms
Cost of Postal ID at SM North EDSA
At PHLPOST in SM North EDSA we were charged P504.00 for each postal ID, which is the same cost listed in the PHLPOST website FAQ.
During application for Postal ID at SM North EDSA
Once your documents are verified as valid and complete, the PHLPOST staff will take your photo, digital signature, and digital fingerprints. Such a waste that they have digital signature and fingerprint scanners but don’t have photocopy machines. It must be the lack of space in their spot.
Delivery of your postal ID
At SM North EDSA PHLPOST, there’s no rush processing and you need to wait 10-15 working days. On the postal ID application form you should be able to choose whether you’d like it to be delivered to your home address or work address.
Update: One of us received her postal ID early. We applied together for postal ID at SM North EDSA on January 27. Expected delivery date was within February 8 to 14 but she received it on February 6, 2 days earlier than expected.
…
Applying for postal ID at SM North EDSA was very inconvenient for us because the requirements listed in their website did not match the ones that PHLPOST SM North EDSA was asking from us. Read on to find out what happened.
Inconvenience #1 at PHLPOST SM North EDSA:
Inconsistent list of requirements versus what’s listed on their website
In the Philippine Postal ID website it is said that you only need 1 ID if you are presenting your birth certificate, UMID card, driver’s license, or passport… but it’s NOT TRUE. Fake news po yaan, at least at the PHLPOST SM North EDSA branch. I presented my SSS UMID to the PHLPOST staff but she said they need a total of 2 valid IDs if the ID I’m presenting is not my birth certificate or passport. We told the staff that their website says we need no other valid ID if presenting a UMID. She insisted that they are only following the memorandum passed on to them, which states that applicants are required to present 2 valid IDs if not able to present bring birth certificate or passport.
Inconvenience #2 at PHLPOST SM North EDSA:
Website doesn’t say you need to photocopy your documents; PHLPOST SM North EDSA will require you to photocopy somewhere out there because they don’t have photocopy machine
We tired ourselves out walking from building to building at SM North EDSA to look for photocopy service. National Bookstore’s was closed at that time. If you need to photocopy something in that mall, go straight to either Western Union at the Hypermarket or FAX PARCEL PRINT. FAX PARCEL PRINT also provides lamination service.
Inconvenience #3 from PHLPOST in general
PHLPOST provides inconsistent information to people, an example being the previously mentioned issue with my SSS UMID card for identification. Another example is that I messaged the Postal ID Facebook page to ask if I would be allowed to use a utility bill that’s under my husband’s name as proof of my current address. Unfortunately, they said that the utility bill needs to bear my name. I wasted time preparing other docs that would prove my residency at my current address, only to find out at PHLPOST SM North EDSA that I am allowed to use a utility bill bearing my husband’s name! Geez.
What the postal ID looked like:
Anyway, here’s what my postal ID is like. Of course I pixelated private information including my face 🙂 Most people and establishments who require valid ID honor this.
Not that I remember exactly what the NBI Clearance renewal/application was like when I last tried to get one (4 years ago) but I can say that the current process is not so bad because Step 1 (filling out the application form) and Step 2 (payment) can already be done online.
After completing the online processes, you may then visit any NBI Clearance branch to go through Step 3 (biometrics scanning) and Step 4 (release). Of course, you may also do Step 1 and 2 right there in the NBI Clearance branch too, but I highly recommend that you do it online to avoid an even longer waiting time. Those who do not have Internet access at home may use computers at the main branch in United Nations, Manila for free.
By the way, NBI Clearance is one of the requirements to get a Postal ID so you might as well look into applying for it. We applied for our Postal ID at SM North EDSA.
If you plan to apply for NBI Clearance at Robinson’s Place Ermita branch in Manila too, scroll down and check out my Step 3, because I’m going to show a few photos of what that NBI branch looks like. 🙂
First thing you need to get a new or renewed NBI Clearance online is to get an account at nbi-clearance.com. Login if you already have one, or register if you don’t have any yet.
Fill out all necessary details then when you see the screen below, click on “APPLY FOR CLEARANCE”:
“Application” page of NBI Clearance online registration
Enter the name of the ID that you will show the NBI staff when you go to their branch, for example “SSS UMID” or “PSA copy of birth certificate”. I was surprised that the NBI staffs did not ask for any ID when we renewed our NBI Clearance. Could it be because they’re not strict about renewals?
Then you will reach a page with a calendar – it’s the NBI Clearance appointment system.
Appointment schedule calendar at nbi-clearance.com
If you choose AM, you may go to the NBI branch of your choice any time before noon. And if you choose PM schedule, you may arrive anytime after noon before the closing time of your NBI branch, which in my case at Robinson’s Place Ermita was 5PM. The NBI Clearance branch at Robinson’s Place Ermita is located at Basement 1 or “Basement Parking”, which is reachable via a stairway beside National Bookstore (Enter via Sta. Monica Street or Padre Faura entrance.
You’ll notice that there are less remaining slots for AM schedules than PM, but the difference is not significant.
Step 2: Pay online for you NBI Clearance
My mom and I renewed our NBI Clearance for “local employment” and “ID purposes” and each costed us P140. The base price is P115 for the NBI Clearance only, and added to this is additional P25 fee for online payment.
Instructions for online payment:
A payment page will open. Select preferred ONLINE BANKING OPTION then follow instruction.
You will be provided a REFERENCE NUMBER.
Pay your fee to the selected Payment Channel using your REFERENCE NUMBER.
Go to TRANSACTION PAGE and print Application Form.
Initially, I was trying to pay for my NBI Clearance application via online banking at 11:31PM. But I couldn’t proceed with payment because according to the NBI Clearance online system, online banking payment is only available until 11:30PM daily! It was frustrating because it was only a minute past the cutoff. I was able to pay the next day without any problem anyway.
By the way, you should enter your “reference number” as “remark” on your online money transfer. Enter nothing else aside from the reference number.
Step 3: Fall in line at your NBI Clearance branch for biometrics, Robinson’s Place Ermita in my case
The branch that we chose for our NBI Clearance application is Robinson’s Place Ermita in Manila City. If Robinson’s Ermita is the same branch you’d like to go, then I can show you a few photos.
This is the entrance to the Basement Parking. Find it beside National Bookstore near Padre Faura or Sta. Monica entrance:
Entrance to the basement of Robinson’s Ermita, Manila. Downstairs is where you will find a NBI Clearance branch
If unsure, don’t hesitate to ask someone at the information booth about the location of NBI at Robinson’s Ermita.
Feb. 6, 2017 (Monday) at 2:20PM – Long queue at Robinson’s Ermita for NBI Clearance application
Once you are downstairs at Robinson’s basement, you’ll see that this area is “Lingkod Pinoy Center”. Some of the other government services you’ll find there are for SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG.
Ask a guard where you should fall in line after registering and paying online. The guard should ask you to enter the parking area and find the queue (there are seats!) for NBI Clearance. What you are actually going to fall in line for in that area is the NBI Clearance Center’s biometrics scanning.
A guard will call 2-3 rows at a time for another queue, closer to the biometrics scanning counter. At first, the progress was quick. Each batch of about 30 people were done in 10 minutes. But when it was nearly our turn, instead of 10 minutes waiting after the previous batch was called, we were called 40 minutes after! 🙁
When our batch was called to fall in another line, it was in this place:
Queue in NBI – Robinson’s Ermita branch for biometrics
There were no seats here, but the queue should be processed quickly because the NBI staffs at the counter — though a bit mean when dealing with some applicants, move very quickly. Maybe there was technical problem earlier, that’s why our batch took 40 minutes to be called instead of 10 minutes. There are 2 biometrics capture counter, but you fall in only 1 line. Whichever counter finishes with an applicant first will call on to the next one in line.
And oh, I hope you don’t get discouraged in choosing Robinson’s Ermita as your branch just because I said that the staffs were kind of mean. In my experience in getting an NBI Clearance (this was my 3rd time), the NBI staffs who attend to biometrics are always intimidating no matter which branch it is. I understand that it might be due to stress though. We can only imagine how many applicants they handle everyday.
Observe the people before you – do they present any ID to the staffs with their application forms? In our case, none of the people who went before us presented any ID — only application forms. If you see the same thing then hand over your application form to the NBI staff and simply prepare your valid ID for easy access, just in case the NBI staffs as for it.
The NBI staffs capture biometrics data such as finger prints (all fingers), signature, and photo — all in digital form! Hurray for using technology. 🙂
Step 4: Release of NBI Clearance
To the left of the 2 NBI biometrics counters is the “RELEASE” counter. Go straight there UNLESS the person who assisted you at biometrics counter said you need to come back at a later date to claim your NBI Clearance — this means you got a “hit”. A hit means your name matched another person with the same name and NBI needs more time to verify if you have a clear record with them.
“Hit” me baby one more time! Story of my adult life: I can never get my NBI Clearance in one visit to an NBI branch.
I applied for NBI Clearance on Feb. 6 (Monday) and can only claim it on Feb. 17 (Friday) — that’s a total of 11 days! The heck?
You see, I know someone with a very unique foreign-sounding name and yet he got a “hit” with NBI! We were thinking, what if getting a hit doesn’t really mean you have the same name as someone else, but the NBI staffs just don’t feel like releasing your NBI Clearance right away? Or what if it’s NBI’s way of reducing printout loads during busy days?
The things I liked about the current NBI Clearance process are these:
NBI Clearance application/renewal can be partially done online, reducing the time we need to spend falling in long lines in NBI branches
Availability of NBI Clearance payment via online banking such as BPI Express Online, BPI Mobile Banking, BDO Online Banking and more.
And of course, because I like complaining: Things I hate about the current NBI Clearance process as of February 2017:
NBI staffs that capture biometrics data are mean and intimidating, at least in the NBI branch at Robinson’s Place Ermita. I think that if they smiled more, it will be a win-win situation: applicants will feel more “at ease”, and the NBI staffs themselves will somehow feel good to because I think that smiling — even when a bit forced, can help one feel relaxed.
Unexpected long waiting time before biometrics data capture
Being employed in the Philippines requires that we contribute to Home Development and Mutual Fund (HDMF) / Pag-IBIG Fund. If you are about to be employed and had been previously employed with another company, your new employer might require you to submit Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout as one of their pre-employment requirements.
As of this time, you won’t be able to check your Pag-IBIG contributions online (unless you’re an OFW who is contributing to Pag-IBIG Fund) but what you should to for your Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout is go to the Pag-IBIG branch where your records and contributions are being kept. Now, the next question is how do we know which Pag-IBIG branch is keeping our contributions? Follow my steps.
How to get Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout
Verify the branch location where your current employer is sending your contributions. You have 2 options:
Ask your HR for the Pag-IBIG branch location, or
Ask a Pag-IBIG Member Relations Officer via online chat for your “contributions details” which should include your branch location How to inquire about basic contribution details via Pag-IBIG Fund Chat:
Once inside the actual chat page, type CONTRI and press Enter key. The chat page should look like this:
The Pag-IBIG chat system will automatically ask for the a few details. Simply type your response and press Enter key for each question, just like when you’re chatting with a person 🙂 These are the required Pag-IBIG details from you: Full Name (including Middle Name), birth date, previous employer, current employer, and Pag-IBIG Number.
Once you provided the necessary details, a member relations officer will be there. He/she will provide to you the basic details of your Pag-IBIG Fund contributions, like this:
Member Relations Officer (10:21 AM): Thank you for patiently waiting. Kindly refer below for the details of your contributions:
YOUR CURRENT COMPANY
22 Monthly Savings from 201504 – 201613
MAKATI II Branch
YOUR PREVIOUS COMPANY
21 Monthly Savings from 201307 – 201503
MAKATI II Branch
Member Relations Officer (10:24 AM): Do you have further questions or concerns Ma’am?
Now you know the Pag-IBIG branch where you need to get your Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout, which is “MAKATI II Branch” in our example above. If you’re not sure about its exact address, simply ask the Pag-IBIG member relations officer for it.
Don’t forget to thank the Pag-IBIG member relations officer for assisting you! 🙂
Go to your branch to request a Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout
Now that you are sure of which Pag-IBIG branch is receiving your contributions, go ahead and visit that branch to request a Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout. If like mine, your Pag-IBIG Fund remittance is in Makati II branch, go to Justine Bldg. along Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue. Go to the Information Center at the ground floor to get a printed queue number. Wait for your number’s turn on the screen. You will be served at one of the following counter numbers: 4, 5, 6, or 7.
Other notes
Pag-IBIG Contribution Printout is also known as “Employee Statement of Accumulated Value” or ESAV. This printout shows the member name, Pag-IBIG ID number, TIN, employer ID, employer name, employer address, membership type, number of contributions, currency, employee contribution, employer contribution, “dividends”, and of course, the total accumulated value.
Cedula is a requirement for a place that I’d like to rent. To me, it’s not easy to get because the barangay hall near my address (Santa Cruz, Manila) doesn’t issue Cedula, and the city hall is not close enough to my house for me to avoid being absent from work. I’m assuming city halls only operate on weekdays. I might update this post when (or “if”) I am able to go to Manila City Hall to get Cedula. If I don’t update it, either I submitted a different tax-related document for the place I’m renting, or I totally forgot. Hehe!
Our barangay hall does not issue Cedula
For a couple of days I planned to ask someone at the barangay hall on my address’ street if they issue Cedula, but always failed to stop by because I was too shy to approach the men standing by the entrance to the barangay hall. I have no idea whether they’re barangay officials who are dressed very casually, or just bystanders (tambay). 😆
Maybe you think it’s weird that I’m wondering if the barangay hall is issuing Cedula. Well, that’s because that barangay hall on our street looks a bit shady. Its entrance is placed along a dark, narrow street (eskinita) with numerous men standing by the entrance. And that barangay hall is very tiny… it could be just around 15 square meters, or even smaller! And all around that barangay hall, there are many catcallers (mga nambabastos ng babae sa kalsada).
Today I knew I had to muster up some courage to go there and ask someone no matter what. And I did stop by our barangay hall. Aha! There was only one guy sitting by the entrance. I asked him if he knows if that barangay hall issues Cedula. Lucky, it looked like he is an official, or at least affiliated with the barangay so he knew the answer. Sadly, the answer is NO, the barangay hall on our street does not issue Cedula, just like I thought. He told me I should go to the Manila City Hall to get my Cedula, and said sorry. I thanked him as I left the narrow street… with my anxiety kicking in. Ugh! Now I have to be absent from work for at least half a day to get my Cedula. 🙁
Getting a Cedula at Manila City Hall
For now, I’m refering to this blog post getting my cedula @ manila city hall. Thanks to the author for sharing her experience, at least I have an idea what to do should I go to Manila City Hall to get my Cedula.
Update, November 20, 2016: I went to Manila City Hall 2 days ago (Friday) to get Cedula. There are 2 types of Cedula: class A and class B. Class A is for employed, while class B is for unemployed. The staff asked me to fill out only the following fields: full name, birth date, birth place, address and my signature. He didn’t ask for my income, and charged me 68 pesos total. But he printed my name in wrong spelling, even my street address is in wrong spelling. I’m pretty sure I spelled those out correctly when I filled out the form. Manila City Hall should instruct their staff to properly copy words exactly as filled out by citizens! Ugh. The thing is, I only noticed the incorrectly spelled name when I was already home. Now don’t go blaming me, I woke up extra early that day and was feeling sick and groggy, so left Manila City Hall right after I took a glance at my Cedula. What a waste of time. I hope my Cedula still gets accepted by the company who requested it. There’s only one missing letter in my name anyway. 🙁
Next time we visit Baguio, I’d like to eat a meal and dessert at Patch Cafe again! And possibly stay at Bloomfield Hotel, since that’s where Patch Cafe is. 😆
Our third day in Baguio last long weekend was our last day. We weren’t sad to be going soon because we were already satisfied in our adventures.
Burnham Park strolling in the morning before lunch at Patch Cafe
Before heading to Patch Cafe for lunch, we visited Burnham Park first.
I was so happy to see flowers blooming all around Burnham Park on that Baguio visit. Both my companion and I were happy to watch a samoyed and a golden retriever pass by too. We were too shy to approach the owner to ask if we could pet them though. 😆 A few years ago, we visited in August and Burnham Park barely had any flower. Actually, we wouldn’t have planned to visit Burnham Park if I hadn’t seen a friend’s Instagram post of the park with lots of flowers! 😆
Our satisfying lunch and dessert at Patch Cafe in Baguio
Patch Cafe’s ambience
Look at Patch Cafe’s interior:
I liked this kind of ambience. To me, this kind of interior arrangement made me feel like I’m in a cozy house with lots of comfort food waiting for me. 😀 Two other tables were occupied near ours, and I noticed that they’re tables full of Asian foreigners. One table seated several Koreans and 2 locals, the other seated another group of foreigners who I’m not sure if Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese — definitely not Japanese or Koreans. 🙂
Food at Patch Cafe, Baguio
We had chili tuyo pasta and buffalo wings plus banana cookie shake. Then later, for dessert we had chocolate praline and tiramisu cupcake. Also iced latte and brewed coffee.
Our lunch at Patch Cafe
Buffalo wings with blue cheese dip and battered fries, chili tuyo pasta, and banana cookie milkshake at Patch Cafe, Baguio.
I had been craving for some creamy banana dessert for days, and at first sight of “Banana Cookie Milkshake” I ordered it right away (like dessert round 1, lol). No regrets! It’s very creamy with that delicious flavor from the banana. The cookie on top was so yummy — crunchy with tasty chocolate chunks. <3 I know the caramel sauce that’s dripping all over the glass is supposed to make the milkshake more yummy, but it made my hand so sticky when I held the glass. I guess one should use napkin when holding such that. xD
We loved the chili tuyo pasta! Very flavorful, according to my companion. The shredded tuyo is where most of its flavor came from. This tuyo pasta is oil-based, with just a hint of sourness, probably from calamansi. There’s a slice of half a calamansi on the chili tuyo pasta’s plate, in case you want your pasta more sour.
Buffalo wings from Patch Cafe in Baguio was only slightly spicy and not sour. The flavor was on spot on for what we’re looking for in buffalo wings. 😀 Blue cheese was easy to take out of the blue cheese dip, which was good cos we don’t like blue cheese but like the white dip itself. The fries were battered and crispy which we also liked. These thinly battered fries reminded me of similar fries that I tried at Baguio Craft Brewery. So is thinly battered fries a thing in Baguio or something? 😆 I like it.
Our dessert at Patch Cafe
Patch Cafe’s desserts are of good quality and they are very affordable.
Hehe. I think the cupcake matches my shirt! And you know what, looking at the colorful plates and cups of somehow Patch Cafe puts me in a better mood. 😀
Let me start with the drinks we ordered for dessert time:
This is iced latte, which my companion called “perfect”. The blend of flavors was perfect that we didn’t add sweetener to it.
And this is brewed coffee and it’s really good. The taste reminded us of Dunkin’ Donuts’ brewed coffee, which is our favorite brewed coffee in Manila.
This dessert called “chocolate praline” was very interesting.
The texture is weird on first bite, but that’s because it’s an uncommon item in dessert stores. The coating was like chocolate ganache that is a bit gelatiney in texture. Inside it is like dark chocolate mousse and hazelnut praline. I’m not sure, but there could also be some sort of wafer layer inside. I loved it too! If I had the chance I would buy a chocolate praline again at Patch Cafe in Baguio. 🙂
Tiramisu cupcake was nice.
Its cake part is basic vanilla cupcake. My companion didn’t like it because to him, it’s not moist. To me it’s not a problem. I know it’s not easy to make moist vanilla cupcakes. 😆 The center and bottom is soaked in coffee syrup. The tiramisu cupcake is topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting.
This is the kind of cupcake that is good quality to me. Larcy’s Cupcakery also makes good quality cupcakes. On a side note, I really don’t know why some people go crazy over Cupcakes by Sonja — their cupcakes are too expensive for the quality (frosting is either too greasy or too gritty with powdered sugar).
I loved everything I tried at Patch Cafe in Baguio! <3
So yeah, like I said, I definitely want to try other items at Patch Cafe when I go back to Baguio someday. From ambience to food quality, Patch Cafe is a comforting place to go in Baguio.
I even ordered some of those chocolate chip cookies for take-out. Hihi
These cookies were crunchy, but still a bit moist inside. And I really liked the choco chips they used. OMNOMNOMNOM~
On our second evening at Baguio City last long weekend, my companion wanted to taste some beer at Baguio Craft Brewery. It’s in Marcos Highway, and we took a taxi to get there from Microtel. I’m not good at handling alcoholic drinks, so food was main motive at Baguio Craft Brewery. hehehe. I only sipped on my companion’s beer glasses just to taste, and yes I was able to enjoy them too because they go well with the food. We were put off to order more though, because a female staff sighed with a displeased expression on her face when we asked for free taste of beer before ordering our 3rd glass.
I liked the ambience at Baguio Craft Brewery. It’s a cozy place that’s dark, but with enough lighting to be able to see things around you. 😆 The music has too much bass for my liking but my ears were able to adapt. xD I was able to totally ignore the bass when our food arrived. Told ya it’s my motive.
The view from the 2nd floor of Baguio Craft Brewery. Beautiful, isn’t it?
The second floor only has a few table with seats. You can try the third floor where there are more seats for groups.
Strawberry beer (Lagud) and India Pale Ale (Hop Attack) at Baguio Craft Brewery
We ordered Lagud (strawberry) and Hop Attack (India pale ale). Lagud was good because it was not too sweet but still had a hint of strawberry. Hop Attack had a complex flavor and was our favorite.
Then our food was served!
Fish and chips: The fish was crunchy on the outside, and nicely tender and moist on the inside. The chips seemed to be sliced potatoes dipped in thin batter before frying. I loved it! I actually liked the chips better than the fish, but that’s only because I generally like fries more than fish. hehe. This item is served with tartar dip, ketchup and some sort of vinegar dip (dunno what it’s called).
Beef nachos: This was so tasty and I loved it too! Aside from the cheese sauce you usually see in cheese nachos, they put this cheese that I think is mozzarella. It’s so yummy. 😀 The salsa dip served on the side makes it even better.
Baguio Craft Brewery’s fish & chips and beef nachos really go well with beer.
And so we ordered more.
Rolling Fog (wheat beer)
Rolling Fog is “weak compared to hoegaarden” according to my companion, but we think that this characteristic makes it go well with almost any food. My tastebuds are not that good but this beer reminded me of San Miguel Pale Pilsen. Twin Peaks beer
“This has a strong punch” was my companion’s comment on Baguio Craft Brewery’s Twin Peaks beer. I thought that Red Horse is the beer I’m familiar with that is close to the taste of Twin Peaks. 😆 Dark and mildly sweet, but too bitter for my liking.
On our second day in Baguio last long weekend, we went sight-seeing at Mines View and Wright Park. After enjoying the views, our feet brought us [with growling stomachs] to Ketchup Food Community. We wanted to try Canto but were not willing to fall in the looong line of people waiting to be seated. We took a peek at the menu of the other restaurants there, and decided to eat at Green Pepper because we were interested in trying their Kiniing Chicken.
I know I said in my previous post about Microtel by Wyndham – Baguio that I prefer other cuisines while traveling because I already eat Filipino food everyday at home, but we were really interested in the “kiniing” dishes at Green Pepper. I also wanted warm soup like sinigang that time because my throat felt sore, and my lungs had an uncomfortable feeling. (My nasal allergy was triggered while strolling near the body of water surrounded by flowers near The Mansion in/near Wright Park).
Mines View sight-seeing before dining at “Green Pepper”
At Mines View, we just took a quick stroll around the area with lots of tourists with a nice view. Then we had a picture taken with a beautiful St. Bernard dog named “Sky”. We also had some sweet, warm strawberry taho before leaving the Mines View area.
Pasalubong shopping at Good Shepherd–Mountain Maid Training Center
We don’t have a car so we don’t buy boxes of Mountain Maid products. xD
There, I posted a receipt with some item and prices just for reference 🙂
Strolling at Wright Park and The Mansion before having lunch at “Green Pepper”
Wright Park is the place to go if you want to do horse-riding in Baguio. We also climbed that high stairway. I hated it! 😆 Not because of my low stamina, but because I was scared of making a wrong step on the narrow and uneven steps. I’m a klutz. 🙁
We took another way to go down. hehe. I’m lucky that that stairway wasn’t the only way down. :3
All the strolling made us hungry and we headed to Ketchup Food Community. The menu at Canto seemed interesting but there’s a long line of people waiting to be seated. We were starved and tired, and were not willing to fall in line there.
We chose to eat at Green Pepper instead, since we wanted to try the kiniing meats.
Lunch time at “Green Pepper” at Ketchup food community
The view beside our table at “Green Pepper”, overlooking other establishments in Ketchup Food Community
This was our lunch:
Kiniing pork sinigang, kiniing chicken, rice, and lemon-cucumber drink
Green Pepper’s Kiniing Pork Sinigang is sinigang with the usual vegetables in it, plus grilled kiniing (preserved) pork. We really enjoyed this dish, because it’s like delicious pork sinigang but even better, having that extra smokey flavor from the kiniing.
And here’s the interesting chicken dish:
“Smoked chicken simmered in ginger broth and served with peppered strawberry glaze”
We ordered this kiniing chicken dish because it was not something we’d easily find in Metro Manila. Kakaiba e. Besides, it has strawberry glaze. I like strawberries, and I tend to crave many strawberry-flavored things when in Baguio.
So, was the kiniing chicken with strawberry glaze very good? Mmmm I’ll be honest. I didn’t like it that much. The chicken meat was dry and tough — okay, it may be because it’s all breast part, but I often get moist breast part of grilled chicken from Andoks!
The strawberry glaze didn’t taste that good, until I actually get some of those few small strawberry bits and mix it into my spoonfool of chicken, glaze and rice.
I also wish they could brown the chicken skin by grilling it. Look how pale it is.
So yeah, sorry but I didn’t like the kiniing chicken that much. It’s not a horrible dish, it was alright. It’s just that I expected it to be better than that. But hey, remember that we all have different preferences in food. 🙂
The lemon-cucumber drink was not that enjoyable until we added ice in it. Why? Because it’s not cold enough, and the flavors are too concentrated (too sweet!). A Green Pepper staff gave us a pitcher of ice. We put a good amount into the drink and once chilled and watered down, we really did enjoy the refreshing combination of citrus and cucumber flavors.
Dessert at “Green Pepper” in Ketchup Food Community
The nasal allergy attack earlier that day drained a lot of energy in me and so I told my companion I want to have coffee and sweets. We ordered chocolate cake and brewed coffee. If I remember correctly, we really wanted apple pie but it wasn’t available. 🙁
“Chocolate Indulgence: A slice of moist chocolate cake, salty caramel and rich fudge frosting”
Green Pepper’s chocolate cake was made of dense but nicely moist chocolate cake layers, with caramel filling, and coated in choco fudge/ganache. I could not taste the caramel, but it’s no big deal. It still was a nice chocolatey dessert.
The brewed coffee had a faint flavor of hazelnut. This reminded me of the hazelnut-flavored coffee that I bought from Bag of Beans, Tagaytay a few years ago.
Conclusion
Next time we’ll definitely try Canto at Ketchup Food Community! ^_^;
The need for a checking account came in my life. 😆 It’s for a monthly bill that requires “checks”.
BPI was my first option because I would be able to easily transfer funds online from my savings account into my newly created checking account. I dislike going to banks to fall in line and deposit, so online funds transfer is very convenient to me.
Click here to jump to the directions on how to open a checking account at BPI.
Some info on BPI checking accounts…
Types of BPI checking accounts
Let me tell you about the 2 types of BPI checking accounts first, based on what the BPI staff told me:
Current Account: maintaining balance is P10,000 without interest
Maxi-One Account: maintaining balance is P25,000 (eek!) with interest
Both Current [checking] account and Maxi-One checking account come with a checkbook (P175).
Can you convert an individual BPI checking account into a joint checking account?
I asked the bank staff this question and she said yes. Your co-depositor will be required to visit the same branch where you opened your checking account and present the same requirements, after which he/she will be able to issue checks from your account too.
ATM Card with BPI checking account?
Whether you get a Current/checking account or a Maxi-One checking account, you may request an ATM card with it. You may request an ATM card upon opening of the account, then you’ll have to wait a few days before visiting the BPI branch again to claim it.
Warning(s) on using any checking account
Never issue a check with insufficient funds in your account! BPI-to-BPI check encashment is realtime and has no clearing period, which means that once the recipient of your check goes to a BPI branch to encash the check, your checking account must have sufficient amount of money as written in the check.
This is how you can open a checking account at BPI:
Prepare BPI checking account requirements
Prepare the following before you visit a BPI branch:
2 Valid IDs with photo and signature: For example, SSS ID and passport
1×1 ID picture:
Initial deposit: P10,000 for a regular current/checking account, or P25,000 for a Maxi-One checking account
Payment for checkbook: P175
Utility Bill reflecting address: For example, Meralco billing statement. This is to prove that you are providing BPI your correct address.
Your SSS number, TIN number, and employer’s phone number (if applicable)
Visit a BPI branch
Go to the area for opening new BPI accounts and approach the bank staff. Ask a manong guard where to go for opening accounts, just to be sure.
Tell the bank staff you want to open a BPI checking account. Tell him/her whether you’d like a regular current/checking account or the Maxi-One checking account. The staff might ask you the purpose of opening this account.
Present the required documents to the bank staff, as listed in my requirements section.
Fill up the forms given to you by the bank staff. He/she will tell you which parts of the form should be filled, then will later verify and might ask you to fill up some fields you missed.
The bank staff should orient you about using BPI checking accounts… feel free to ask him/her about anything you are unsure of.
Hand over your initial deposit + payment for checkbook when the bank staff asks you for it. He/she will deposit it for you and give you a stub/receipt for the deposit. Also, according to the bank staff who assisted me, if you have an existing savings account with BPI, you may request that they just transfer funds from that account into the new checking account that you’re opening. I think that’s more convenient if you want to deposit a large amount of money on your newly created checking account.
Wait for the checkbook. You should get it on the same day.
You’re done. Use your checks wisely and carefully! 🙂
What actually happened when I tried to open a BPI checking account:
Requirements that I had to present at BPI
I prepared all the requirements as listed above, but I did not have to present a utility bill. Maybe that’s because she has seen that I already have an existing BPI account that reflects the address I provided.
The bank staff asked me for 2 valid IDs (I used SSS ID and passport), one recent 1×1 photo, and P10,175 for initial deposit plus the checkbook.
How long does it take to open a BPI checking account?
Your BPI checking account opening should be done within 1 hour. I was at BPI – Legaspi Gamboa around 9:15AM (Eek! Daming nakapila sa mga BEA, buti hindi yun ang sadya ko) and got my checkbook around 9:50AM. 🙂
