NBI Clearance New Biometric System » How to get it without losing your patience

Most probably you already know what is happening at NBI right now and how slow it is to get an NBI clearance. Let’s review the facts: 

1. Mega Data Corporation has been servicing the computerization requirements of the NBI since the early 70’s. It started opening NBI Clearance Renewal Centers in malls, and had been providing the NBI various computers, data capture, image capture and card production equipment and supplies, to serve the bureau’s data processing needs for almost 30 years.
2. Mega Data’s contract with the NBI expired last June 30.
3. Mega Data had pulled out its equipment and software a day after its contract with the NBI expired last June 30. The pullout resulted in a breakdown in the processing and issuance of NBI clearances. Long queues formed at the bureau’s main office in Manila as a backlog in document processing ensued.

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Batac City, Ilocos Norte » Understanding the Final Argument of a Dictator's Town

My Ilocondia getaway seems rather uneventful in the retelling. I know. And it surprises me a little to say that my travel experiences in Ilocos has become a meaningful part of my summer which was rather really short and scorching, maybe because of climate change or maybe because it is naturally hot in Ilocos. I review my Ilocos tour blog posts and realized that they are sprinkled with subtleties – an unconscious way of looking at things and at life. The reason maybe has as much, or more, to do with life context as with the Province of Ilocos. Ilocandia makes me feel old and think old, and I like it.

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[Mt. Pinatubo] Walking on Ashes » Why trek towards the crater of destruction

With the realization that a lot of what I do lately are mostly stressful and that a lot of my priorities are slowly dying in spite of – or perhaps because of – having been too cautious and afraid to make sudden decisions, I registered for the Mt. Pinatubo bloggers’ trek without a second thought. Also, I guess I badly need to remove myself from the mad rush of my daily routine.

However, the night before the trek I got this second thought and asked myself what the hell do I want out there in the endlessness of ashes and volcanic rocks? I’m silly and mad sometimes, I know that, and maybe this is one of those find-yourself-on-spiritual-walk kind of thing I used to do before.

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Banchetto » Street Food Fiesta for the Hungry Insomniacs

''Humans are inherently nocturnal eaters'' - Ori Hofmekler, Author of The Warrior Diet.

After long weekdays of working like ants, we usually meet up with friends and officemates on Friday nights to chill out, have a bottle of beer or simply satisfy our cravings to reward ourselves for surviving a toxic week. On a TGIF night out, my officemates and me normally go to a nearby pub, usually at Cuba Libre in Starmall or Central BBQ Boy Grill in Madison Square. 

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Hong Kong Hustle » Three Days In The Shadow of the World's Most Vertical City

It ends like a 10-minute dream carried by a greased lightning. Yet all was vivid – the zooming train, high rise buildings, cable cars, Disney Land, giant buddha, crazy shopping and the smell. Yes, I’ve been to Hong Kong. All the pre-departure excitement was now replaced with thrilled nerves, sore feet, and a nice dose of Hong Kong aristocracy and sarcasm.

Though we stayed there in just three days, I have lots of things to tell you. It was a whole new set of exciting travel experience but it’s not all fun. All of it deserves separate posts.

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Mt. Romelo (Famy) Laguna Hiking » How to Torture Yourself to a Trek and Be Happy About It

July seems to be not a good time to experience the magic of mountains. Late July brings bitter weather and wetter days, however Mt. Romelo surprised me, even at this time of the year. Ignoring a forecast for overcast skies and crazy rains, we conquered Mt. Romelo in Siniloan Laguna. Call me crazy, but I don’t see how anyone can tolerate a sit-on-your-ass all day cubicled job staring at the computer, so yes, even if it’s raining (and a possible typhoon coming) I decided to go trekking at Mt. Romelo, a lovely mountain range which is part of the legendary Sierra Madre, known to mountaineers simply as Famy.

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