Tips On Getting An NBI Clearance

This is a blog I posted in my other account-which I will no longer use. I will transfer in this site some blogs I prefer to keep from that other site.

Written last July 24, 2011.

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After 9 hours of waiting, sitting and yawning, I finally got my NBI clearance yesterday. HOORAY for that!

After going through such tiresome and agonizing experience, there’s this drive in me that wants to share what I learned from it so that others won’t experience what I had experienced.

Since the system encountered a problem, everyone has to apply for a new NBI clearance. Getting a renewal is no longer entertained by the office. So everyone is back to square one.

Though it’s quite comforting and ideal to think that malls can be a good place to get the clearance (since some Robinsons malls are now availabe for service), these malls have cut offs. The one in Galleria gives only 500 slots a day. When I got to the mall at around 8am, the slots have been all taken. According to the guard, people start lining up as early as the mall closes at night. Yes, seriously. What I did was to get to the nearest office I can go to. A friend told me that the one in UN Ave doesn’t have limited slots. And that they really finish all the applicants even until 11 in the evening.

So here are some added tips:

1. Be early at the office. Wherever you choose to get your NBI clearance, it pays to be early. Early birds do reap their rewards of getting home early.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It’s advisable to wear a tshirt because you might sweat a lot. And wear flats because you will be standing for most of the time just waiting.
3. Beware. Don’t believe the ladies outside of the office who are selling sedula (worth of 20 pesos). They will convince you that you will need it but you won’t. It’s not required and they’re selling the sedula for a high mark up price!
4. Be friendly to your seatmate. You will most likely be with him or her for the next few hours. You got nothing to lose if you give her a smile and a warm hello. I got to know three new friends that day. Happiness!
5. No room for mistakes. Make sure that you write legibly on the form that will be given to you. It is important that the information written is encoded correctly. If wrong infos will be found in your printed clearance, you’ll have to repeat the process and line up again the next day. Also, site the reason why you need the NBI clearance correctly. It’s either for travel abroad or for job employment.
6. Show ‘em the money. Prepare an amount of 115 pesos to be paid for getting the clearance.
7. Juan dela cruz? When your name is common, it will take time to be released (two working days at most). But when your name is unique like mine, you can immediately get it for printing.
8. Bring the following:
   • Two valid IDs (passport, school ID, etc)
   • Pen – You will need this because you will fill up a form.
   • Water – I was able to finish my 1 liter water.
   • Food- Eat heavy breakfast so that you will just need to bring snacks to keep you going all throughout the day. Bring biscuits or energy food. You will most likely spend lunch time there. (P.S. Someone gave me a skyflakes while lining up. Did I look hungry? Haha)
   • Fan – It will be crowded and you will need ventilation.
   • Something to read (a book or magazine) or you can use your phone or iphone/ipod/ipad to help you ease the waiting.
   • Umbrella – You will be asked to line up most of the time. Some places are not covered. To protect your from both heat of the sun and the rain, secure an umbrella.

The process takes 8 or more hours not because it’s tedious. Actually, I want to salute the people at the NBI office because they were very helpful, quick and systematic. I’m not saying that the whole thing is perfect. But the main reason why it’s taking that long is because of the number of people who are applying.

When the line gets shorter and when my line was asked to go down for the encoding, my energy came back. I was excited to finally finish the process. Talk about learning to be patient again and again.

The waiting seemed worth it when I finally got my NBI clearance.

For other questions, you can check out the official site of NBI. http://www.nbi.gov.ph/

The Search Is Over

This is a blog I posted in my other account-which I will no longer use. I will transfer in this site some blogs I prefer to keep from that other site.

Written last July 21, 2011.

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A month ago, I formally started to look for a job here in Manila. I started going to interviews, sent resumes to companies and asked some friends for referrals. I wasn’t really sure what I really wanted then. But still, I made my standards with regards to the location of the workplace, attire requirement, salary and the like . I wrote them down and asked some friends to pray with me as I believe God for those I’ve enumerated. And I told myself that before June ends, I will get a job.

Upon entering this new season of my life, I claimed David’s prayer in Psalm 16. Especially the part where it says, “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

Some weeks I got interviews, some weeks I didn’t. Some companies called me back, some never did (which made me a little bit sad). At first, the waiting part was quite bearable. It was easy to shrug off the pressure upon hearing my friends getting hired by the companies I also applied for, to smile while saying “Wala pa eh” whenever people ask me if already have a job, and to cheer myself up and to hope for another tomorrow.

Whenever I see the clock ticking and whenever I turn another page from my journal, I realize the time I have spent waiting. Questions started popping out, like “taga UP naman ako ah”, “Di ba sabi Mo God secular work muna?”, “Di ko naman pinabayaan ministry ko, okay naman tayo God, di ba?”. At some point, I entertained those petty lies. But then, God reminded me of His promise – thatHe has assigned me my portion and my cup; He has made my lot secure. Either I dwell on self pity and sob like a cry baby or believe His awesome promise for my life. I made the better choice of putting my faith upon His truth amidst the situation I face. I have made His word as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. And it made all the difference.

There was more than enough joy in my heart each day. He has assured me of the days up ahead. Time was no longer an issue. I stopped complaining and started claiming His promises. And I never ceased in praying. ” Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

My plans of getting a job before June ends didn’t happen. I could have lowered my range whenever companies ask me of my expected salary. I could have lied and said yes to some interviews whenever they ask if I like Finance. But I didn’t. I can’t afford to compromise and to settle for something that’s not from God knowing that He will fulfill what He had promised.

Last week, I got a phone call from one of my top three choice of companies. At first, I didn’t know what to do. I had butterflies in my stomach. I called my mom and my sister and asked for prayers. When I stepped into the room where I’m supposed to sign the contract, there was so much peace and joy in my heart. The job offer was similar to the standards that I have written and prayed for. It was the offer that I have been praying for. I can’t help but be in tears for too much joy. God again took me by surprise.

My whole family and friends were rejoicing with me that day. I HAVE AN AWESOME GOD!

He who promised is indeed faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

Who Are We?

This is a blog I posted in my other account-which I will no longer use. I will transfer in this site some blogs I prefer to keep from that other site.

Written last February 8, 2011.

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During class today, we discussed about the solar system. Our professor said that the distance of the earth from the sun is very exact- that anytime the planet earth will move closer towards the sun, it might explode.

I thought, if indeed earth isn’t placed exactly where it is, all of us might as well be inexistent. I can’t help but pause and thank the One who created me and the universe. Though we are only a speck of dust compared to the vast universe, the Maker of it extremely loves us. When He decided to make the universe, it was so well-thought of that even the tiniest details like the distance of earth from the sun is determined as so we can live and enjoy His gift of life.

My professor showed a video with a quote from Carl Sagan,

“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.”

David asked God in the same premise,

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5

Who are we to lavish on all the blessings that He had given us? Who are we that the Author of all creation is mindful of us? Who are we that He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for our lives?

The Creator of all things, small and big, values you and me.

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. ” Isaiah 43:4