NBI Clearance Punishment

I have always hated going to any government offices because of the lazy/indifferent employees and terribly long lines. With my upcoming transfer to another company though, there wasn't getting away in obtaining an NBI clearance. Hell I knew the new freaking process in getting one, I would've gotten myself a clearance right after I signed my job offer back in June 22. But  NBI kept it a tiny secret until this new process exploded right in front of face when I tried to get one. Here's my incredible journey to the latest Philippine government torture that is the NBI clearance.


July 5 - I went to Marikina Riverbanks since I found out from friends and the NBI website that there is a satellite office there that can process new applications and renewals. Just as I was entering the parking lot, I was told that the office was already closed and it was transferred to Robinsons Metro East. I thought, hey, that's better since it was nearer my place and it was air-conditioned. I drove straight there but got the dismay of my life when I saw the freaking long line. So I decided to come back at an earlier time the next day.


July 6 - I was at the mall at 930 am and I couldn't see any people lined up in a queue so I thought maybe I was pretty early and it made me excited. As soon as the mall opened, I was literally running from escalator to escalator so I can be in line earlier than the others. You could just imagine my horror when I got to the 4th level and the line snaked up all the way down the spiral parking lot. I couldn't believe it, people were there as early as 4am!!! I was given a number, 364th in line and I heard the NBI people saying they could only accommodate 400 people per day. I decided to go home first to wait it out and come back in the late afternoon.


At 3pm, I decided to get a haircut first before going back to Rob Metro East. I got there at 430pm, and they were just up to 200+. I should've had my hair rebonded already if I only knew. In short, it took me such a long time only to find out that I got an effin' HIT on my name. I was surprised since it never happened before. There is seriously another Vanessa Manila-Dy in this country? I couldn't believe it and I was soooo mad! I was asked to go to NBI Taft on July 13.


July 13 - Dan and I went to NBI Taft and stood on line by 6am. There was literally thousands of people outside which people compared to the lines outside Willie Revillame's show (eeww). It was hot, it smelled bad, and I was in an extremely bad mood since I was also worried about missing Santino's funeral. I got inside NBI building at 10am and the ill-tempered NBI employees and the disastrous chaotic process were just all too much. Still I managed to hold my ground until my name was called. I thought it was the end of my suffering but I was shocked when I was told that my name couldnt be found and that I had to go through another stage. They couldnt tell me what was wrong and that was what irked me the most. I went to the gym where there was another fucking line but my patience reached its end when I asked the NBI employee what was wrong with my clearance. I asked him why they marked my paper as No File Found and what I needed to do but all he answered me was 'Hinde ko po masasagot muna yan, basta makakakuha po kayo ng clearance.' And he kept on repeating that line on every question that I freaking asked him! So I got pissed and I said 'eh mga bobo pala kayo dito eh!' and I stormed off the building.


July 20 - I decided to come back for the last time. I was there at 530am and was one of the earliest in the releasing line. At 7am, the office opened and they let the people in the releasing line in first. I went up to an NBI employee for assistance and he was cordial enough to answer my questions. I was asked to go to the Quality Control office but when the employee saw my papers, she asked why I wasnt able to get my clearance on the 13th. She asked another employee to do a search and he was able to pull up my file in less than a minute and print it out. I found out that the employee who handled my application on July 13th just didn't search for my name correctly. I was prepared to give them a lashing but it was then that my clearance was handed out to me. The feeling was tantamount to winning the lottery or receiving an award! Finally after weeks of suffering, I got my freaking NBI clearance.


To those who are planning to get one, I suggest you arm yourselves with a luggage full of patience. The process is very chaotic since all the other satellite offices were closed and I'm sure you've seen that on the news. If you get a hit on your name, you would have to go to NBI Taft which will set you back on time. I honestly have never hated being a Filipino until I experienced this disaster. No wonder other countries look down on us because our government is just so incompetent. And this is where my thousands of taxes go to every payroll? There's just no justice to my hard earned money going to this lot of corrupt and incompetent imbeciles.

Goodnight Daniel Paul Santino Dy

Yesterday, July 10, we were shocked and devastated with the loss of a new family member. My sister in law's baby passed away while still inside her tummy, few hours before she delivered him out. His name is Daniel Paul Santino Dy, and no words could describe how I felt when I saw him. We were all very excited to welcome him to the family  but God has had better plans for him. 

Goodnight Santino. We are all struck with grief with your passing. Know that we will love you just the same and we will always have you in our hearts. Sleep tight baby boy.

I wonder what color my balloons will be,

but as an Aunt it doesn't matter to me.

It can be many colors red, blue, yellow,

I think I will pick a color for a fellow.

I will let that yellow one go to the sky

and it will fly very high.

Until it reaches heaven for a boy

and he will be filled with so much joy.

Santino didn't live very long and so

his mother and father had to let him go.

He will always be in our hearts,

He will be forever our special sweetheart.

So anytime you see a balloon float by,

think of that someone you love in the sky.

The Manila-Dys (First family photo shoot)

Here are the pics from our first family photo shoot at Mrs. Pixels

Happy Father's Day Babykins =)

‘Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a DAD.’

Dan and I have been together for 6 years and 2 months to be exact and I have seen every facet of his personality – son, brother, friend, and husband. People thought of him as distant and mysterious (as I did) when we started dating because he would choose people he would smile and respond to, and even so when he did, he would give one liner statements or answers. As I got to know him better, I saw how loving and generous he is with his family which made me consider the fact that this will be the same way he will be towards me and our future child.

In all our years together, Dan has given me the greatest love that he can. He is always patient with my erratic moods, he indulges me in my shopping habits, he hugs me tight when we talk about our future, and he laughs with me like no one else can. Clearly, I could never ask for a much better husband.

Now that the two of us became three, I admire every bit of the Dad that he is to Zoe. I love how he embraces Zoe at night, how he reads stories to her complete with elaboration, the way he plays with her and makes her laugh, and how he just looks at her with so much love. He may forget some things like the milk dispenser when we go out but he doesn’t forget to say I love you to Zoe. He sometimes spills Zoe’s powdered formula on the floor but he cleans her up and changes her nappy at night. He may spend a lot of time in front of the PC when he gets home but he carries Zoe at night when she cries even if he’s really groggy from sleep. He may raise his eyebrows when I shop a little bit too much for Zoe’s clothes but he beams like the stage father that he is when he sees her in those cute little outfits. He may not be the perfect father but he gets my (and Zoe’s) vote as the BEST DADDY in the world.

Thank you Baby Daddy for being the best person for us. God couldn’t have given me a better husband and Zoe a better Daddy. We love you so very much. Happy Father’s Day!

Father's Day 2011

It's the first time our little family has celebrated Father's Day and so we decided to make a big deal out of it. 

Saturday - We had a family photo shoot session at Mrs. Pixels, thanks to the Deal Grocer voucher I bought. We ended up shelling out 1800 though cus we decided to get extra prints since there were just too many to choose from. The pictures will be given next Saturday and we can't wait to get them.

- We also booked Shakey's El Pueblo for Zoe's 1st birthday in September. There were initial disagreements on the contract but we managed to iron out everything and put them in black and white.

Sunday - Happy Father's Day Danilo Dy II! We had lunch at Bonchon Libis (which wasnt really an ideal lunch venue for me but since Daddy's the king that day, I indulged on his craving) and went to Eastwood Mall after for some coffee.

- The highlight of this day was when Dan bought me a car. It's a green automatic 94 Mitsubishi Lancer GLXI and while it's not the most modern of all cars, I love it to bits! It's the perfect gift, runs well, has nice interiors, plus, it saves me forevermore from daily commute to work! Thank you so much Dan, I love you sooooo much :)

Meet Pickle

- Last stop for the day was at my BIL's house in Cainta where Dan's family were. We didn't get to join them for dinner anymore cus they took too long to plan, plus, we had to get *ahem* my car :) So we just joined them for drinks after.

Zoe's first 2 teeth

First 2 teeth appeared on her lower gums. She was 8 months and 2 weeks then:

Zoe's recent milestones

Zoe's turning 8 months this Sunday but there are no visible signs of teeth yet. She recently achieved the following milestones though which made us really feel that she's growing up so fast in front of our eyes:

Sitting up unassisted - She's been trying to sit up on her own for a long time but it was when she turned 7 months that she can sit on her own without any support from us. She has yet to learn how to sit from a lying down position.

Waving hi and bye-bye, close open - The first time Zoe waved her hand 'hi' was when we were checked in at Crowne Plaza for my birthday and I was so amazed, I literally teared up (hello stage mom!). We've also been teaching her to close and open her little fists and it's so cute when she just goes at it whenever she wants to.

Stranger anxiety - Yes, this is a milestone. Gone were the days when people can just snatch her off me without her bawling loudly. Even our relatives can't just carry/cuddle/kiss/hold her if she's not familiar with them, otherwise, she'd cry loudly as if she feels really violated. Normally, Zoe will give strangers a long, head to foot, curious look. If they touch her hand, she will pull it away while looking at them. On a really bad day, just a simple cooing at her will be enough to upset her.  This is one thing we are trying to work on now since my husband feels bad that she reacts this way to his family so I thought of showing Zoe pictures of my in laws regularly so they would look familiar to her.

Recognizing Mommy and Daddy - Zoe has already mentioned 'mama' a couple of times and it was such an overwhelming feeling I cant describe. Recently, she has been showing her prefence for us over my mom or any other people in our house. Whenever Dan and I are around and we don't pick her up, she would crawl towards our direction or would fuss and look at us.