# 119 , 104

 

Port Finds!

Port Finds!

After a couple of years, I was able to go back to the port for our sea food needs since the pandemic started. Oh how I missed the feeling of experiencing this moment again!

There is a fish vendor that goes in the village that we're residing in. Her prices for what she is selling is almost doubled (the price you have to pay for convenience) but in fairness to her, the fish were always fresh. Yesterday I had an idea why not go to the source as we can definitely save a lot of money without compromising the quantity. Since the COVID-19 cases is now lower, we can finally go the port and I invited my mother to tag along. The port was just 3 rides from the village. However, you have to be there at least before the sun rises. Going there at 5 am is very late, take it from me.

Anyway, there was no tricycle so we walked outside the village and then rode a jeepney. Afterwards, we rode a padyak which was 20 pesos each person. But if you opt to walk, you can. Do not forget to wear your boots as the place has lots of mud puddles. Be prepared, be agile and be alert specially with your belongings as there will be a huge number of people expected to be here. There is also a huge possibility that there will be pickpockets. And so again, mind your belongings and bring only what is necessary. We didn't bring our phones and dressed casually. In the port, you can see that some people are pulling their batya here and there. Some are using pails or balde while others are using ice chest coolers. This place is not for the people with perfectionistic tendencies. Be forewarned, some people do not properly wear their face masks while I saw some people that are smoking too. That's why it took us a long time to go back here. The discount that you might save is not worth it for the hefty price you'd pay once you have been infected and hospitalized.

The place had improved since I last saw it. One tip that I could give you is have your budget set before going there. Because there are a huge number of options that is very festive to the eyes, you might be tempted to buy more or out of your list (if you happen to have one). I was aiming to spend only 1000 pesos and had additional 500 in my pocket just in case, but lo and behold, I spent 1500 php or more. But in fairness, the 1500 php is also inclusive of 1 tray of eggs (200 pesos/tray), 2 pieces of tofu worth 90 pesos, slice of kalabasa for 20 pesos, 2 tangkay of alugbati for 20 pesos, 1 tangkay of pechay for 10 pesos. 2 tangkay of kangkong for 20 pesos. Liver with balunbalunan worth 44 pesos. We also had purchased 2 servings of palabok for 50 pesos and 1 small pack (5 pieces) of puto calasiao with gata for 25 pesos. 10 pesos for two small already peeled carrots.

In you're curious, I'll show you pictures of some of the things that we bought this morning:

• Suso - 1/2 of a big can for 50 pesos: 100/can. My mom went to another stall outside the port and asked how much for the tahong: 100 pesos for 1 big can. We didn't buy as it is pricier.

• Sorry but I can't distinguish the fish in the upper part; the fish we bought is 3 pieces for 130 pesos/1 kilogram. Are these two tambakol?
• The sliced one is 270 pesos and it was 1 whole medium sized fish. It was more that 1 kilogram. 240 pesos per kilogram The fish in the lower part of the picture was yellow fin, I think. Hehe.

• The shrimps are 200 pesos for a kilogram. we plan to use these for stir fry. If you're aiming for a small to medium sized shrimps intended for tempura like: I saw signages and they sell it around 480 pesos and up for a kilogram. 

• My co-worker and I were just talking recently about the type of seaweeds and she had mentioned Guso in Bisaya. I happened to see one today so I asked my mother if we could buy them. She mentioned to pour hot water in it so it would soften. The sea grapes that I've had before was soft already so you will only thoroughly wash it with water and then you're good to go with the vinegar. Good thing, the vendor agreed that we could have these halved. This is 50 pesos. This costs 100pesos/kilogram.

• Alamang is 90 pesos/kilogram but the vendor agreed to less if we are going to take all in the tray that he pointed out. We agreed and we were able to get this for 80 pesos. This is almost 1 kilogram.

• Tilapia is 90 pesos per kilogram. Not bad for 3 medium sized fish.

• These two medium size Bangus costs around 160 pesos - 1 kilogram. You can choose for a small size for 140 pesos or a bigger one for 180 pesos per kilo.

The Total

Choice, Chance, Change

There are 3 Cs in life: 

Choice, Chance, Change. 

You must make the choice, to take the chance, if you want anything in life to change. 

- Unknown

Sanegeal Farmhear eureka moment

Being in two entities what one acquire is wisdom; in being alone, is freedom. - Sanegeal Farmhear

My renewed passport is here!

My renewed passport is here!

I received a call from the courier service during work and was surprised that my passport is being delivered to our apartment. However, since my mother has no authorization letter, they can't release it. I kind of argued that I didn't gave my authorization letter yet since I was expecting my passport to be delivered some time within the 3rd week of February. Good thing that the delivery man made a way and gave my mother my passport. Yahoo!!

Food Finds: Pares Sa NAIA Updated Menu List and Prices

Food Finds: Pares Sa NAIA Updated Menu List and Prices

I was craving for pares beef of Pares Sa NAIA and thought of  having my food delivered. However, when I tried to browse the menu list and prices in the internet, it is not updated. No updates even on their facebook account. Good thing that after some errands I was able drop by and purchase take home. I asked the personnel taking my order if I could take a picture of their menu and inquired if they do delivery. She nodded and said that as of now, their delivery service is not available.

Here is their menu list and their prices as of Feb 2022:

Renewing your Philippine passport this 2022? DFA Philippine passport renewal experience 2022

Renewing your Philippine passport this 2022? DFA Philippine passport renewal experience 2022

Okay, I don't know if there is already posted here online regarding how to renew your Philippine passport but here is my recent experience.

First thing you need to do is to secure your appointment slot at the DFA website. I got mine and my mom here at https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment. I was lucky enough to get ours last December 2021 for this February slot. Actually, I was surprised to see available slots as I've been getting a lot of feedbacks that securing a slot even takes 2-3 months. Good thing that I followed the tip that I got from my brother which is to check the website from time to time as they are sometimes opening up slots. As you are filling up the details in the website, you'll see that 950 pesos is the regular processing fee and if you want it to be delivered to you, you have the option to pay for the courier which is 150 pesos via Air21. And because I decided to do my payment through online so that there will be no hassle in having to line to the cashier, there is a processing fee. The total amount that I paid for my passport renewal is 1150 pesos through Gcash and this is from regular processing only.

Before your scheduled appointment, be sure to print the document that will be sent to your e-mail bearing your appointment and application details in an A4 paper. One indication that you have successfully secured an appointment slot in DFA is to get a confirmation e-mail. You can check the validity of your slot through View Appointment  - https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment/view where you have to input your Appointment Code and e-mail address.

The things you needed to bring on the day of your appointment will depend on the DFA website https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/passport/requirements/passport-adult/adult-renewal-epassport  so be sure check. Here is what we brought:

1. Application details sent to your email from DFA printed in A4 paper (we printed 2 copies each just to be sure)
2. Valid Identification card - Previous passport will suffice
3. Photocopy of the valid identification card

You have to be 15-30 minutes earlier than your appointment time but even though you're earlier than that, fret not as they will still accommodate you. I got there at DFA Aseana at 09:30 am and went to Gate 3, presented to the guard the application form and then upon entry done a temperature check. I was directed to the left side entrance where upon entry presented my valid Id and form and put my bag in a X-ray baggage machine . Next is that on the left upon entry, you line in the area where they will confirm your appointment details. They scan the barcode in the paper and then I was asked to take of my mask for a brief time (I asked my mom if she experienced it but she wasn't asked) probably just to check if you are really the person in the previous passport that I presented. Next step is to go to the exit door past the releasing section then turn left where you'll pass through the comfort rooms and snack bar.  Go through the door entrance in front of the snack bar. 

Step 1 is on the ground floor where there will be personal interview and validation. If there are changes that are needed to be corrected, be sure to tell the interviewer. I told that my place of birth was incorrect on the application form so she corrected it. After that, I was then directed to go to the 2nd floor for picture taking/data capturing. I went to the 2nd floor and lined up in the booth for the queue number. I presented the application form and was given a number that will show in the tv screen. I think that the turn around was okay (10-15 minutes) as I was number 70 and when I sat down I saw that the recent number they were catering was at number 59. After I'm done, I went outside the door to inquire regarding the delivery services. I went in line because I do not know where I could ask regarding delivery. When I was the 18th person to be catered, a personnel announced suddenly "Yung mga nagbayad na online, hindi na po kayo pipila dito sa delivery service". And so I verified with him and he said that Air21 will deliver it to the address. I double checked with my mom and she said that the personnel in the data capturing already told her that everything is done and the passport will be delivered to the address.

Without taking the time that I lost because I lined up in the delivery/courier area, it took me less than 30 minutes to finish the whole process. Overall, my renewal experience was a breeze. There will be available personnel who'll assist you so if you are in doubt, don't be shy to ask around.

Hope this helps!