HOWTO: Renew your Philippine Passport in Kuala Lumpur Year 2015 Edition

This work by estelito.iii is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

It's that time of the decade again

Normal Philippine passports last for about 5 years. For OFWs or people living outside the motherland, that's technically 4.5 years since you need to renew your passport way before it expires to transfer the visas or to tailor fit the whole renewal process to accommodate your planned trips.

So I'm going to try and outline the steps I took from deciding if it's time to renew my passport to actually going to the embassy and applying for a renewal.

A common question one would ask is, "How early do I need to renew my passport?"

I had to renew my passport 1 year early. Talk about wasting that 1 year validity (considering the renewal cost is not cheap like if we renew passport from the Philippines -- I blame the courier costs)

Skip to the process by clapping three times and then clicking this link.

Why I had to renew ~1 year early 

Here are some of the reasons why I chose to renew early:

Some random dates I had to consider

1. Passport Expiry: August 2016
2. Employment Pass Expiry: June 2016
3. Confirmed Travel: December 2015, January 2016
4. Possible Travels: February 2016

Advised Turnaround Times

1. Passport Renewal: 2-3 Months 
2. Transfer of Employment Pass to new passport: 3-5 working days
3. Employment Pass Renewal: 6-8 weeks

Additional Stuff to factor in:

1. Earliest you can renew your employment pass: 90 days before expiry (March 2016)
2. Employment Pass validity if you want to apply for tourist visas: 3 months (Japan)
3. Passport validity if applying for tourist visas: 6 months 
4. If you (for any reason one can think of) have not yet properly processed your POEA/OWWA, add some time for that process (that's a whole other banana that I won't dare touch, best of luck na lang!)
5. THERE ARE NO LEGAL EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR ALL THE ABOVE.

So from all the random dates and periods I outlined above, my travel plans are whacked.

Before the February 2016 plans got sidetracked, there was only 1 window for me to renew my passport, which is ASAP, to avoid the max period 3 months falling to December. (*knocks on wood*)

But now that February 2016 is no longer in the pipeline, there are now actually 2 possible windows:

1. ASAP (September 2015)

2. January 2016, after the confirmed trip I have in January.

In my case, the process will be like this:

Passport Renewal (Sept to December 2015) -->  Transfer of EP to new passport (3-5 working days) -->

Followed by EP renewal on March 2016.

If you are still in the decision phase, I advise you to list down all the dates as I did above, and see if you can find the appropriate time windows for the processes.

LET'S RENEW OUR PASSPORTS!

the new and updated requirements!

Before we start, head to the Philippine Embassy web site to take a look at the requirements

The following list is taken from the embassy web site, with updated comments in orange by me!

1. e-passport form, download it here
2. e-passport fee: 240255 MYR (source) Double check the correct fee as they just increased recently (Sept. 21, 2015)
3. Present passport and photocopy of inside and back cover; Don't forget to photocopy page 2! Don't be like me who obeyed the above instruction to the letter, and just photocopied the inside and back cover (so smart!). 
4. The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps; I photocopied the pages with the last arrival/departure from the Philippines and the last arrival/departure from Malaysia (since they were not the same -- came from a Singapore trip)
5. For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required;
6. Photocopy of the Work Permit in Malaysia (Proof of Residency); and,
7. Photocopy of Employment Contract. Bring your contract (may or may not be POLO verified, seems they are not strict with it being POLO verified contract)

Embassy hours: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. (source)

Attire: No slippers, sandos or shorts. Doesn't seem to be strict on the attire now.

If you missed any of the requirements to be photocopied, the nearest shop is EXPrint @ Wisma Cosway, walking directions here.

the new and updated process!

1. Make your way to the Philippine Embassy. If it's your first time, use this link to search for directions to the embassy.
2. Register at the guard house. Don't use your passport if they are asking for an ID. #duh
3. Go to the Consular Section window (on your left side, once you enter the air conditioned waiting area)
4. Get a number from the Queue Management System machine. Press A for "Processing (Passport, Visa, Notarials, Authentications)"
5. Wait for your number to be called to the appropriate window (Window 3, middle window)
6. Submit all your requirements to the embassy personnel. If you're missing something, this is the time you'll be informed about it. You can either address whatever's missing and then return directly to window 3 (no need to get a new queue number)
7. You'll be asked to pay at the cashier, which is at window 5. This is the only time you're going to queue manually (if there are others waiting in line)
8. After payment, take a seat and wait for your number to be called to window 1 (not exactly window, but door). You have to knock and wait for the door to be opened from the inside -- be patient.
9. Submit all your requirements and the receipt to the encoder
10. Encoder will input your data into the system. Make sure you double check all the information.
11. Biometrics (thumbs) will be taken, followed by your picture and lastly your signature.
12. You'll be given 3 sheets of paper: (1) Official Receipt from cashier (2) Passport Application Receipt (3) Passport Finder sheet
13. If you want your passport to be couriered to you, proceed to the LBC booth and fill up the form and give the receipts (so they can photocopy it) along with 30 MYR as courier fee. Best to see which is more economical for you (transportation, leaves, incidentals if you're claiming the passport personally in 2-3 months vs 30 MYR courier fee)

some tips!

• Do you regret not taking the courier option? You can bring your receipts to the LBC office at Kota Raya and tell them you would like them to claim your passport on your behalf, fill up the form and pay the fee.
• If you are personally claiming your passport after 2-3 months, the queue letter you should press in the QMS is letter B for "Assistance to Nationals / Releasing of Passports and Documents"
• Take note of the people who went for passport renewal (went to window 3, then window 5) after you. If they were called earlier than you from after cashier payment, go back to the cashier and ask if your queue number was transferred to the encoder. They sometimes forget to transfer the numbers and make you wait longer than usual.
• You can contact the embassy though Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhlembassyKL. They reply to your messages, and if you have specific cases that I personally have not encountered before I would advise you to contact the embassy directly.

HOWTO: Apply for Japan Tourist Visa for Philippine Nationals in Malaysia

Updated July 19, 2018 after my third trip to Japan.

Change Log:

1. Image size has changed, in application form it says 4.5x4.5cm or 2x2in but in website it says 4.5x4.5cm only so best go with 4.5x4.5cm (which I did for the third visa application). Still needs to be pasted on the form.

This is a recollection of all the tips I can recall from my past experience applying for a Japan tourist visa while being an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) living in Malaysia.

Some mandatory disclaimers: 

DISCLAIMER 1: I do not work for the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia.
DISCLAIMER 2: Information here should be used as a guide, you have your free will, use it.
DISCLAIMER 3: This guide does not apply to the case where you're "Visiting Family/Acquaintances" that's one whole other world I dare not touch.
DISCLAIMER 4: This guide would be most apt for those living in Kuala Lumpur. If you are living elsewhere (like Penang, Ipoh, etc) you need to apply to the consulate nearest you. (Penang, Johor, Kota Kinabalu)
DISCLAIMER 5: This guide is only for Philippine Nationals, you can probably use this as a guide but some of the stuff might not apply to you.

My first trip to Japan was in April 2012, in time for the cherry blossoms with my good friends Ruiza and Yel. The next time I was in Japan was just a few weeks back for the Tokyo Marathon 2014.

The official websites you should be looking at:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit/visa_apprequirement.htm
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/philippine.html 

The Requirements

1. Visa application form - this is a pretty straightforward form, it is written in English and you can fill it up before printing the form [link]
2. Schedule of stay - a document where you list down all the planned activities for your duration of stay [link]
3. Passport - your passport of course, with a valid visa (Malaysia Visa with validity > 3 months)
4. List of Visa Applicants (optional, for the first trip I submitted this since I was with a group) - a list of visa applicants [link]
5. Proof of Income - certified copy of bank statement (if you're with Maybank, print 3 months transaction history from Maybank2u and have it stamped in a branch), income tax return (from Hasil), salary slip, certificate of employment with salary details. It would be best to bring all possible proof of income you are ready to give them during the time you submit your application.
6. 1pc 2x2 4.5cm x 4.5cm Photo - Should be recently taken, 2in4.5cm x 2in4.5cm with white background. You need to paste it onto the application form.
7. (OPTIONAL - might be asked from you) Proof of Residence in Kuala Lumpur - any government correspondence with your name and your current address would be good (I used a letter from Hasil and a copy of my tenancy agreement) [more details below]
8. Just in case you haven't noticed, there is no fee to be paid at any point when you apply for a Japan Tourist Visa. (NOTE: Might change, don't shoot me if they start charging)

The Process

STEP 1. Gather all your documents
STEP 2. Pick a date when you are to submit the application forms with the documents. The embassy is open Monday - Friday, 0830H to 1200H and 1400H to 1600H.
STEP 3. Make sure you know where the embassy is. If you're going by taxi, and the taxi driver doesn't know how to get there, get out of that taxi (just kidding). One of the better ways to make the taxi driver know the place is to tell him, Jalan Tun Razak corner Persiaran Stonor, near the Bombay Palace Restaurant or in between Prince Court and Singapore High Commission.Or you can just show the guy this google map: [link]
STEP 4. Once at the embassy, inform the guard you're applying for a visa. The guard will give you a form to fill up, give the form and your passport to the guard. You'll be issued a visitor badge and don't forget your passport.
STEP 5. Turn off your mobile phone and go through a security check where your things will be x-rayed. You must surrender your phone (and tablets, I think) to the security personnel, and you'll be given another tag for you to claim the phone later.
STEP 6. You're inside the embassy, yay! Make sure to pick a number from the queue machine and then wait for your turn.
STEP 7. Once your number is called, go and submit all your documents, pray all are enough, and you'll be given a claim slip.
STEP 8. Were you given a claim slip? If yes, you can go out of the embassy, claim your mobile phone and wait for 2 days to get your passport back.

STEP 9. No claim slip? Or claim slip with additional documents required? Don't worry, gather all the required documents and return the next day to submit the additional stuff.

Some tips!

Tip #1 If you're going on a holiday (not visiting relatives or anything), you don't need a letter from someone living in Japan.

Tip #2 You can submit the application form without taking a leave from work, for this to work you should be at the Embassy before 0830H and you can still make it to work (if you are like me who have a bit later work day start).

Tip #3 In the claim slip, there will be a date with a time attached to it. Normally it is +2 days from your application date and with time set from 1400H . You don't need to be at the embassy at 1400H at that day, you can claim your passport the next day at any time of your convenience (I claimed mine 0830H the day after the indicated date in the slip)

Tip #4 Bring all documents with you. Better to lug around a large folder with all your documents than returning the next day.

Tip #5 Check your visa, the address indicated in the "Employer" section should be an address in KL. If it is not, be prepared with proof of residency in KL. This hit me on my second time to apply for a Japan tourist visa because the company in my visa was my employer's branch in Ipoh. The embassy personnel wanted me to apply to the consulate in Penang, and I was forced to return with proof that I am living in KL.


That's it. Congratulations on your tourist visa and enjoy your trip to Japan!

Touch 'n Go fiasco at KTM Komuter

Sometimes my being too nice and not wanting to break rules gives me a headache. 

If you were anywhere near the KL Sentral KTM station gate tonight at around 8PM,  you could have heard the guy who was shouting,  arguing with the staff of the station about a Touch 'n Go(TnG) card.

Because today, I was told I cannot use my Touch 'n Go card (see picture below)  at the KTM Komuter.

The problem: I' ve been using it while riding the KTM for months now. SURPRISE!!!

I started my daily journey from Kampong Datu Harun station,  there was nothing out of the ordinary except for the fact that I might not have tapped my TnG card in my hurry to catch the train arriving at the station. I did not reach the train in time, thus I was forced to wait at the mosquito infested station (some fans would be great, they say the moving air repels the mosquitos).

I even took a picture, too bad the mosquitoes cannot be seen here :(

Realizing the possibility that I had not tapped my card at Kg Dato Harun, upon reaching KL Sentral station,  I inquired with the guys manning the gate at KL Sentral if they can check for me before I tap out.

You see,  being a KTM rider a couple of years now,  I know the hassle of being charged the penalty for not tapping in your TnG card and tapping out.  It sets you back 17RM, which then you would have to request for a refund at the Touch 'N Go office and wait weeks for the check to arrive. Been there,  done that.

Back to my story,  so the guy points me to the touch' n go counter in the KTM ticket booth which was across the KL Sentral hall. I could have just walked away with a free ride if I pretended to go to the booth and bolt out of that place.  But that is not how I do things. Not my way of the ninja,  thus says the Naruto inside of me.

So I went to the ticket counter where the TnG machine for KTM was and found out it was offline.  Went to the gate (the other side now) and asked if they got those handheld thingamajigs which can read the card and see the data and do stuff accordingly,  nada. The guys at the gate ask me to go back to the TnG counter.

So I went to the counter to see if maybe she can check for me (since I wasn't doing a reload)  and showed her my card and she saw the design:

Touch 'n Go with Rapidpass Design

The exchange went something like (paraphrased):

Me: (showing my TnG card) Can you check if I was tapped in the system at Kampong Datu Harun? 

She: Oh, you cannot use this RapidKL card in KTM Komuter.

Me: It's touch 'n go (points at the touch 'n go logo)

She: Yes sir, but it's RapidKL card. See you got Bus, LRT, Monorail but no KTM in the picture.

Me: Uhmm, I just used it this morning from KL Sentral to Batu Tiga

She: Where did you use it?

Me: *points to the opposite entrance* That touch 'n go unit over there.

She: But I cannot check that in our system, that's a RapidKL card.

Me: I've been using this card in KTM for months, maybe a year now. I just need to check if it was tapped in at Kg Dato Harun or not, I don't want to be charged the fine.

She: The system is offline now, we cannot check it as well. But still it's a RapidKL card, I cannot access it on my system *points to offline system*

Me: Don't you have those tiny units that can check the cards?

She: Go ask the person in the gate.

I went to the guys manning the gate, she proceeds to tell them about how this is a Rapidkl card. Everyone now agrees and are telling me the same BS. I again explain in futility that I've been using this for months now and used it at the same station this morning on my way to work.

Still, they cannot seem to understand that.

I wished I brought my MyRapid card, which is another card which certainly is the card they are referring to which won't work.

This won't work at KTM Komuter

It went on like for a few minutes, me interrupting her, them and trying to let them understand that I've been using the card for months, and they're telling me it can't be used? It's like, I don't freaking get it.

Finally, I snapped -- unable to take it anymore, that all of them cannot seem to understand what I was  trying to tell them, and they're saying some BS and tapped the card in the terminal and showed them it works.

And there goes my credit. Less 7RM (I don't know why it was 7 only though) from the normal 1.20RM fare from Kg. Dato Harun to KL Sentral.

I told the lady what happened, she still doesn't want to believe it can be used and won't believe it I suppose.

She told me I have to file a refund request at the TnG office during office hours to get my money back, and she went back to her counter.

I decided to complain at the KTM Komuter hotline, funny thing was the lady at the hotline also told me the same thing, although during the end of our conversation she was pretty unsure herself and would ask her supervisor about the TnG cards. At least she somehow listened. For now, I wait for the callback on my complaint, and I will ask if the refund can be done by KTM since I am so far from KL Sentral during office hours and won't be able to go to the Touch 'n Go office.

Why am I writing this?  As my previous post about KTM Komuter, I am rooting for this service to improve. They've done some improvement on the logistical side (6 car trains, etc) but on the customer service side they got a long way to go -- want proof? Go see how ridiculous the exit gates are during rush hour at KL Sentral station, wanting to squeeze all those people into 1 exit point isn't the wisest of all ideas, KTM Komuter.

Blog n.0

Just wanted to shamelessly plug the new look of my blog this afternoon,  after a very, very long time.

Even the helpdesk for passport renewals post hasn't been replied to for the past couple of weeks mainly because the commenting system in the old template sucked. Hopefully this will be a better experience for both me and you.

May you have a good day whichever part of the world you are from.

blogger's new app rocks (first impression)

trying out the updated mobile blogger app for the first time and it is waaaaay cooler than what i remember before.  good job blogger team!

sharing a picture from waaaaay back when everyone was playing drawsomething

HOWTO: Track your third party transfers better in Maybank2u

UPDATE: Maybank rolled out a few changes ever since this blog post was written. One notable change is that transfers into your account now get the sender name information. Hurray for this change, Maybank.

For the transfer out of the account, they still haven't added information in the Transaction History, but I'm guessing Maybank deemed it unnecessary since you're the one doing the transfer and you're supposed to take note of the transfers you are doing.

Description column now lists the Sender Name * Description 

Original Blog Post:

A couple of months ago, I was trying to count how many months I have been sending money to my wife and kids another Maybank Savings Account. The problem was it wasn't nearly as easy if you haven't been taking note of it from the get-go, which I wasn't at all. My problem was compounded by the severe lack of information on transfer history from Maybank2U (Maybank's online banking service).

I wasn't sure which of the transfers were for the specific bank account I wanted to count. And with the volume of transactions for my account, it wasn't pretty as well.

Maybank2u's Online/PDF Statements
I tried the first obvious choice which is to check my bank statements. Lo and behold the bank statement is as  plain and simple as a white piece of paper (exaggeration alert). All the information I was able to get there was the amount of money transferred, date and transaction description.

Online view of the statement in Maybank2u

Bank statement view mirrors what we already find lacking in the online  version

Maybank2u's M2U History
Not wanting to give up, I checked the M2U History in Maybank2u. Partial success though, we can find the information I was needing (to/from which bank account I sent money).

The only hiccup: the M2U history doesn't go past 60 (just deduced since the button says load past 30 days but the screen shows up to June 26, 2012 -- if I access it now)

M2U History only shows up to a certain date, cannot go past 60 days (methinks)

So the only thing I can do was to contact the owner of the account and ask him to count how many times I have sent to his account for the past year.


Another problem is, if someone sends me money via Maybank2u, there was no indication from whom that money was from. It will only show as "FUND TRANSFER TO A/C" in the statements and won't appear in the M2U History at all (since it wasn't you who did the transaction).

Unless whoever was kind enough to send you money puts in your email address and SMS while making the transfer, you'd have no way of knowing.


Compared to another online banking service I am using (which has improved a lot by putting in the to/from account for both transfers out of your account and into your account -- they didn't have it before), it seems pretty backward for Maybank2u which if compared with the said online banking service would beat it to a pulp (but not in this specific department though).

BPI's Expressonline: Details column contain the (1) Name of the sender and (2) Account number for transfers out of your account.

So here comes the fun part: How to keep track of third party transfers in Maybank2u.


In an ideal world, Maybank would have changed their system to include the information that I found lacking in Maybank2u.

But that won't be easy enough, and who knows when and if they will heed the suggestion.

This advice comes in 2 steps:

Step 1. Get another email account where you will be sending all the confirmation emails from Maybank2u with regards to transfers.

• For Gmail accounts, there's no need to get a new email address, use the '+' operator. If your email is: hikingfan@gmail.com you can try setting the email addresses to hikingfan+maybank@gmail.com. More information can be read here.
• Sign up for a new email account (i.e., mynewmaybankmailbox@gmail.com, maybankemailsgohere@gmail.com, etc.)

Step 2. Edit all your favorite third party transfers and change all the "Recipient email" to the email account in the previous step. This is how mine looks like:

NOTE: Each edit of a third party favorite account will require 1 TAC SMS from Maybank2u. 

Third party favorites all pointing to 1 email address.

Whenever you initiate a transfer, the confirmation email will then be sent to your email address (not the recipient's true email address) -- it will then be up to you if you want to forward the confirmation email to the recipient.

And when the time comes you need to audit all your transactions, it will all be in one place: the email account (or alias you created in gmail) that you specifically created for this purpose.

Hope this helps.

fast forward...

...  8 months.

Standard Chartered Singapore Half Marathon (sux)
Christmas
Arn and Wenna's wedding
Astro project (bye bye Yellow Man)
Brooks Half Marathon
Energizer Half Marathon
Winning the Airasia X tickets to Sydney
Moved to Titiwangsa
Tokyo trip
Pazza :(
Trip to Sydney
Standard Chartered KL Marathon (hihi dnf)
Men's Health and Shape Night Run

Listing a few of the stuff that happened during the 8 month hiatus.

So what happens now?

I blog again. I realized this past few weeks that I need to dump some of the craziness stirring inside my head to survive in this world.

Live long and prosper.

we get additional 500Mb from U Mobile... Yay?... Yay!

WARNING: LARGE WALL OF TEXT, be sure to read last paragraph.


A few days ago, U Mobile suffered that very serious network outage which left users without phone signal or internet for a few hours (during working hours, on a monday). As an apology U Mobile sent each user either free SMS to all networks for 1 day for a  three months and/or additional 500Mb quota every month until January 2012. (see here for more details)


On 11/11/2011, I received an SMS saying they are going to gradually add the 500Mb to all users in the next few moments (google translated only, sorry). This calls for celebration, of course -- who wouldn't welcome additional 500Mb -- right?


But this afternoon I regretted ever being given that 500Mb. As I am now left with 5GB remaining quota and a very slow internet connection.


As I am lazy to type somemore I am copy pasting my email I sent to U Mobile below (along with my observations)
==================
Hi U,



This is for report number 457994.


I already called this in this afternoon but the one from the hotline told me my quota still got ~5GB left in my account and I wasn't throttled. 


I called again a few minutes past 10 PM and the guy created a report. I wanted to add into the report number as I do not feel the phone support captured everything I wanted to say. (Ryan -- the guy was good but I wanted to add my analysis of this slowdown I am encountering)




This afternoon I received 2 SMS on my MB128 account. The first one (by time in the timestamp of the SMS):


Name/Number: Umobile
Time: 2011-11-12 15:37:13
Content: RM0. You have used up data allowance for MB128 activated at //. Your speed will now be reduced. Thank you




Followed by the other 1, a second after (which is weird+)


Name/Number: Umobile
Time: 2011-11-12 15:37:14
Content: RM0.You have 30MB balance in your data allowance for MB128 and speed will be reduced soon. Thank you




And immediately after this SMS my internet slowed down to turtle speed. (Please see attached speedtests done starting with the 0.13/0.30 Mb/s (DL/UL)

Here are my observations:
1. First message did not contain my activation date of Oct. 26 2011 (probably the date is at the part with the '//') 
2. 500Mb additional quota was given to all broadband users for the network outage recently (which forms most part of my theory)
3. The additional quota given to all users do not show up through the 118 service command (only the original quota is seen)
4. I have just downloaded a large file which is more than 500Mb (Apple iPad 5.0.1 update ~ 700Mb) just before (and even while) the SMS came to my number.




Theory:
The 500Mb additional quota was not added to the user's original quota but rather was added as a separate quota and when the 500Mb was finished, it didn't consider the remaining quota in the original 20GB. The primary reason being there was no activation date in the first SMS. Had there been a date of Oct 26, 2011 there, then the problem would probably be something else.




I do hope you reply to my email. Or reinstate my speed back to normal. And I do hope I help you with these information I have given you.


All the best (and will be anxiously waiting for the resolution of my case.. which is 3 to 5 working days -- damnit).




EDIT: OR... maybe by tomorrow my connection will be OK because some batch job running tonight will reset my quota to the original one. /crossfingers,toes,everything


UPDATE: 
Received 3 missed calls at 11pm yesterday. Didn't know the numbers. So decided to switch back to U (was using Digi Prepaid Internet while U was not so fast) and test...


http://www.speedtest.net/result/1588320280.png

happy again :)

HOWTO: Change U Mobile Broadband DNS

UPDATE NOVEMBER 23: No longer a U Mobile subscriber so this one is probably outdated info. It won't hurt to try though.

How to change U Mobile DNS (if you're using the dialer that comes with the modem)

1. Go to the U Mobile installation directory (i.e. C:\Program Files (x86)\Umobile Connect Manager)
2. Look for the file NetworkCfg.xml
3. Edit that file to look like this (i'm using Google DNS)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<AllNetworkConfigs>
<NetworkConfig isNDIS="0" canbeDelete="0" isPreferred="1">
 <ConfigFileName>Umobile Internet(SYSTEM)</ConfigFileName>
 <UserName/>
 <Password/>
 <LoginNumber>*99#</LoginNumber>
 <AutoGetAPN>0</AutoGetAPN>
 <APN>my3g</APN>
 <AutoGetDNS>0</AutoGetDNS>
 <MainDNS>8.8.8.8</MainDNS>
 <StandbyDNS>8.8.4.4</StandbyDNS>
 <AutoGetPDP>1</AutoGetPDP>
 <PDPAddress/>
 <PDPType>IP</PDPType>
 <AuthType>PAP</AuthType>
 <AskUserAndPwd>0</AskUserAndPwd>
 <SaveUserAndPwd>0</SaveUserAndPwd>
 <GlobeFlag>1</GlobeFlag>
</NetworkConfig>

<NetworkConfig canbeDelete="0" isPreferred="0">
 <ConfigFileName>Umobile Internet</ConfigFileName>
 <UserName></UserName>
 <Password></Password>
 <LoginNumber>*99#</LoginNumber>
 <AutoGetAPN>0</AutoGetAPN>
 <APN>my3g</APN>
 <AutoGetDNS>1</AutoGetDNS>
 <MainDNS>
 </MainDNS>
 <StandbyDNS>
 </StandbyDNS>
 <AutoGetPDP>1</AutoGetPDP>
 <PDPAddress>
 </PDPAddress>
 <PDPType>IP</PDPType>
 <AuthType>PAP</AuthType>
 <AskUserAndPwd>0</AskUserAndPwd>
 <SaveUserAndPwd>0</SaveUserAndPwd>
</NetworkConfig>
</AllNetworkConfigs>

Basically you edit the following:
AutoGetDNS = 0
MainDNS = 8.8.8.8 or your favorite DNS service
StandbyDNS = 8.8.4.4 or your favorite DNS service

nice to see, nice to hold, once broken considered sold

A few weeks back while canvassing for a coin bank, I accidentally broke one and had to buy it.

Meet my PvZ Gargantuan coin bank.

kept it inside the plastic bag for a day or two

ooohhh the box

hullo! there i iz eat ur brainz (the electric pole was the one that broke)

with the imp. too bad the 50 sen coin doesn't fit.

reminds me of someone LOL.

taped!

the small hole. LOL.

Gadget Freak

I am a gadget freak. Look at the pictures below. These are some of the normal configurations of gadgets in my room.

Unsi (left), with Ipad2 connected to the family back at Los Baños

Current config: Office laptop (doing work hahaha as-if), Ipad2, Laundry, Unsi

The point of this post?

No point really.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

win a pc game (habis)

As I announced a few hours ago at another post: http://journal.estelito.com/2011/09/pc-game-give-awaycontest-announcement.html, here are the details on how to win a free pc game (the one I won from Maybank's game).

HOW TO WIN A FREE PC GAME:

It's very simple, beg. look at the Facebook comments section on this blog post and put in a comment with the following format:

EDIT: For some reason the facebook comment section does not appear unless you click this link: http://journal.estelito.com/2011/09/win-pc-game.html

1. Which game from Big Fish games are you excited to own and play?
2. If I win, I will "Pay it Forward" by doing __________________

HOW WILL I PICK WHO WINS?

I will write down all the names of the people who leave a comment in the Facebook comment box and then draw lots. (Oh, the simplicity)


Winner will be announced in a new blog post by September 10, 2011 00:00H GMT+8 and will be contacted via a message in Facebook.

UPDATE: If nobody leaves a message, then the game code will sit in my email for eternity. Tee hee hee hee


UPDATE: Anyone want? Anyone? *crickets* If anyone wants the PC Game, just leave a message  anywhere in this blog post or send and email to contact at estelito dat com or tweet me @baliwesti


UPDATE: Free PC Game is no more. hahahaha

pc game give-away/contest announcement

Our names are forever etched in the Trophy Room.

UPDATE: Mechanics are here: http://journal.estelito.com/2011/09/win-pc-game.html

Yesterday, I won something from the Hatch The Egg application of Maybank in Facebook. It's a fun and simple game for the Save & Win campaign of the bank. It's a game of pure luck (and making events in your calendar to remind you of the egg hatching times - LOL)

Technically my friend won since I cannot win the prize without sending it to another Facebook friend but my friend sent it back to me this morning (says she's busy with The Sims Social).

It's a PC Game coupon from Big Fish Games.

However, when I scanned the whole list of games from Big Fish but couldn't find any games to my liking -- so instead I would like to give it to other people who may want one from the list.

The coupon is valid for a Standard version of any game in Big Fish, so while I think of how to proceed with this give-away, go look for any of the games which you may like to play.

Do check back tonight at 12:00 Midnight for the details. (I hope I don't eat this deadline for midnight snack -- lol)

Oh and btw, Maybank recommends the game Supercow.

to our dear pocca

last night, i passed by carrefour after watching a movie at midvalley megamall.

i wanted to  buy some dentastix for all of you because i know you guys wanted it.

but alas, i didn't find any.

that meant i won't be bringing home dentastix next week friday, when i go back home.

next friday i will be going home, you won't be there anymore.

you won't be by the door, crawling your way to try and open it.

only poopoo, kulit, pazza and tuldok will be there.

how i wish i could have done the same thing as previous years and go home during my birthday week itself.

then maybe, just maybe i could have said one last goodbye to you.

HOWTO: Renew Your Philippine Passport (Kuala Lumpur)

NEW, UPDATED PROCESS ON HOW TO RENEW YOUR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HERE.

my passport with the receipts and oec

Yesterday was a Public Holiday in Selangor, and to make the most of the holiday I made a couple of trips the whole day around KL to prepare for my trip back home in a couple of weeks.

First agenda and subject of this post is the renewal of my passport which expires sometime in February 2012.

It is my fervent wish that this guide makes your life a little easier if you're in the same situation as me. 

- NOTE For those who just got married here in KL -

A reader sent in this tip for those who just got married here in KL and wish to do passport renewal, you'd need to do a couple of prerequisites before you can renew your passport. (sucks, but this is how the Philippine Government works for now)

If you have just married and plan to apply for a new passport at the Philippine embassy for your Philippine spouse, beware that you must first "register" your marriage with the embassy.  You are supposed to do that anyway within 30 days of your marriage. To do this you will need:

The original plus 4 copies of the Malaysian marriage certificate. This must be "authenticated" by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign affairs (after the marriage.)  So bring your marriage certificate to the Ministry and expect to spend 40 RM and waste a morning to get it done. If you just got married then you already know where this place is.

4 copies of you and your spouses passport (or IC card if you are a Malaysian.)  I think just the first page is okay and a copy of any work permit, multiple entry visas, or residence permit pages within the passport.  Also, your last departure and re entry pages in the passport.

4 passport photos EACH, color with blue background.

4 copies of "legal capacity to contract marriage" if you had to get that form in order to get married. Example - you are under 25 years old.

96.25 RM Payment.

You will then have to fill out a form, "Report of marriage."  Perhaps you can find one on the internet so you can do it before you arrive. Here is a link we found as of this date.

http://philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/rom_form_oslo_pe.pdf

Fill it out, make three copies and do original signatures on all four copies.

After you have submitted all this paperwork and paid the fee, you can then file for the passport renewal.  Good Luck and be patient!

-- Thanks for the tip(which took too long for me to add), you know who you are.

- The Requirements - 

Prior to making the trip to the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur make sure you have the following with you:

1. ePassport Form, download it here.
2. Your Passport.
3. Cash for ePassport fee (231 MYR)
4. Photocopy of the first page of your passport
5. Photocopy of the page where the visa / working permit is stamped
6. (OPTIONAL) Photocopy of your employment contract, if employed
   (OPTIONAL+ to have the employment contract notarized by a Malaysian Notary Public)

Now that you have all the requirements, you can allot half a day for the whole process and do take note of the following:

Embassy hours: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Attire: No slippers, sandos or shorts.

Also, it would be wise to look your best (no eyebags, no zits, hair spray, hair net) on the day you decide to have your passport renewed, as you will be photographed once you're done with payment. Don't wear any earrings or jewelry though as the operator asked me to remove them if I had them on me.

-The Process-

Make your way to the embassy. Directions are here.

NOV 9, 2012 UPDATE: The embassy layout might be different than when I wrote this guide, there is now air conditioning in the waiting area and I think the counter now reads ePassport or something. And I think the passport room is in Counter 6 (where they get your picture taken, etc.)

JANUARY 8, 2013 UPDATE: Kindly don't forget to read up on the official website of the Philippine Embassy in KL with regards to passport renewal here.

Also, the embassy's official Facebook page is PhlEmbassyKL.

Once at the gate of the embassy, wait a few minutes for other people who haven't memorized their passport numbers or their phone numbers fumble.

It's your turn to fill up the logbook -- Hurray! Start with your (1) Name (2) Full Address (3) Phone Number (4) Passport Number (5) What's your purpose in life going to the embassy (6) Time In

And please note the last column is not a signature column, but rather a "time out" column which you are not expected to fill up after you leave.

Open the steel gate, take out your wallet and bring out any photo id you can find inside your wallet -- give this to the security guard, he will give you a "Visitor" Id.

If you were looking at one of the signs while waiting for  slowpokes who were filling up the logbook, you'll see that they want you to pin the "Visitor" Id on your chest area -- not on the sleeves nor the lower part of your shirt. For me, I pinned it on my collar.

Go down into the driveway into the place where there are lots of chairs and people waiting, then look for the counter for "Passport". For those who are lazy to read, if you are facing the chairs, it's the group of windows on your left -- 3rd from the left. ( Receiving/Releasing | Visa, etc. | Passport, etc. | Empty window with no sign)

Give all the required documents to the person by the window (ang babae/lalake sa bintana) or wait for the person to appear.

If there is no problem with your documents, they'll point you to the cashier window which is a few steps to the right. 

Say goodbye to your 231 RM and give it to the cashier, who will staple all your documents and give you a small piece of paper that you must not lose no matter what. 

Then make your way to the ePassport room, wait for your turn/number (it's scribbled on top of your documents, something like AM/PM 999,999,999). If there's no queue  by the door, don't be so happy as there may be a couple of people before you sitting by the chairs waiting for their turn.

There will be nobody calling out numbers, but best to look for the number after you then make friends with him/her and tell him/her that you are number 999,999,999 and he/she is 1,000,000,000 so you are in front of him/her.

Once inside the room, there's another chair where you can put your belongings. Give the documents to the operator of the computer. While He/She types a few things, make sure your hair and face is all pweetty and nice because in a few minutes he/she will then take a photo of you using a Canon digital camera .

After the photo session, right thumb into the biometric scanner followed by left thumb then signature on the small rectangular thingie with some pen attached to it (NOTE: do not use the ball-pen that's near you to write on the rectangular thingie)

He/She then prints a sheet of paper, containing all your info with your picture and signature -- verify everything is correct then sign again at the lower right corner (NOTE: pretend you read the thing that is usually printed before the signature field).

He/She returns your passport with the 2 receipts stapled to it and instructs you to call the embassy in 2 months. Get your things from the other chair and leave after saying "Thank You" to the embassy personnel.

Hope this very long "HOWTO" helps you. :)

lazy sunday

The term lazy suddenly crept up to me again (blogging, getting out of bed, etc). The culprit: P1's (my ISP) awesome speed of 128kbps dl after exceeding your fair usage cap.

So here's a couple of links to entertain all of us feeling lazy this Sunday.

1. MCMC starts blocking File Sharing Sites - started last may 30, but workarounds are out there. Google it! Nothing us foreigners here in Malaysia can do but to silently wish someone with enough sense knock 'em to those guys at MCMC (yeah reported a couple of spammers to MCMC, yet they seem to not stop spamming still)

2. What Did The Government Personal Do In Their Office? Watching Porn? - probably the author meant "personnel". Here's what kept me up last night, googling the hacking group lulzsec and reading about their exploits and stuff. Also kept me looking at the long list of email addresses from the member database of pron.com (a porn site). Best catch of the night? Finding a (Philippine Independent Church) parish priest's email address in the list. Nope, he's not from Laoag. And his email doesn't start with the usual acronym for "Father" nor is his email from a .ph domain.

Anyone know of any unsecured wifi I can leech? This speed sucks. I betcha the head honcho of P1 probably hasn't tried the throttled speed they're offering out there. Sucks. Big Time.

In other news, I subscribed to Yes 4G as a replacement for my Digi Smart Plan Lite. Hope it doesn't disappoint. If Yes was able to match P1's price, I'd transfer 100% of my broadband to them.

pepsi pinas

Before I get to the one question I've been having after seeing this advertisement (as I am not in the Philippines to experience it) -- I just wanna say whoever created this one deserves a very nice pat on the back.

Earlier, while viewing this vid on my phone while riding the Star LRT to Masjid Jamek this video had me snorting a bit while laughing during the "ugly" part. Oh and cricket sounds on the "rice" part. Epic.


I smell a viral video coming up.


Now, what does this Pepsi Pinas taste like? Seeing the blue color of the drink I cannot help compare it with the Ice Cream flavor soda of F&N here in Malaysia. Someone buy me one and keep it in the fridge until I return on August, please!!!

gaya street

This is a photograph I took while we were roaming the city of Kota Kinabalu last February 2011. It was a Sunday but the Gaya Street Fair had gone and left. I particularly liked how the picture turned out, with my two models in the center and the composition of the photograph.

good morning, kuala lumpur



Early morning view in Kuala Lumpur, February 22, 2011



One of my favorite pastimes is looking out my window, observing the city from my vantage point. On this particular morning, the combination of the street lights below, the peeking sun, the twin towers and the clouds was just perfect.

I was debating with myself whether to put a watermark on the picture or just leave it be -- and the latter won. As for those who want to reuse the above image, kindly do so as you wish just don't claim it as your own and link to this blog post is all I ask. If you need a higher resolution picture, you may send an email to contact@estelito.com.

*Oh, and I can't seem to fix that weird issue with the margins of the picture in this post at all.

me and the stop sign

This is another test post. I should be fixing my maven repo instead of doing this. LOL.