Going to Manila, beneath the warm and tropical Philippine sky! First I hired a van and driver, the reason for that is, my last trip to the “City” my car was damaged by a group of nefarious street kids, for reasons only they would know. With a hired van and driver I don’t care if they steal the seats out of it, I’ll take a Victory Liner home.
You would think that would be an easy straight forth endeavor, but neigh no so. 1130 in the morning before the trip, I went to the rental office to pick up the Van. The lady I’d spoke with last week was not there and a young man stepped in, and the very first thing out of his mouth was “Please Wait!” He then got on the phone and started questioning me with a third party on the other end of the line. First it was about identification, I showed my passports, I-card, Philippine Drivers License, and my Retired Military ID. Then I was hit with those dreaded words “Please Wait” again and I asked what am I waiting for?
The lady I had spoke to last week, was using the young man as a delaying tactic as she was still at home, and one hour away. Oh and also they didn’t have a Van that satisfied Manila’s Color Code of that day. Which by the way was, the last number on the tag could not be a 5 or a 6, and it’s called a color code vice the number code which it really is. Hey Paul, how’s your trip going so far? Oh and BTW; we found a van and driver at the forth place we visited after I walked out of the first place. I’ll bet you think I make this stuff up?
The van will come to the house at 0400 in the twilight hours just before dawn. Why so early I asked, we’re only going to Manila? Now they were forced to tell me the real reason and the blinders are removed at last. This was to be a multitasking trip, as it seems that my daughter and her new husband Cecil have an appointment at the U.S. Embassy at 0830 that same morning. My I-Card renewal is not the real reason for this trip. I was not surprised!
0700 I enter the Immigration Building in Mega Manila and the confusion begins. Remember I first need to get all the stamps moved from my expired passport to my brand new slick one. I was then told; “Please wait!”
At Window 2, I receive a list of the six hurtles I must accomplish before my task is complete. Number one being depart the building and procure a notarized letter for RE-STAMPING OF PASSPORTS, that’s a simple walk to the lawyer sitting and working out of the trunk of his car under the shade of a tree, and for the paltry sum of P 300 he’ll type it up on his certified “Circa1925 Royal Typewriter” he sits clacking away at seven words a minute my request and produces a stained with dabs of whiteout and duly notarized letter.
Next task is to find the guy with the Xerox machine and get copious copies of everything you have with you, plus most pages of my old and new passport just for luck.
Next proceeded with my vast pile of photocopies to window 12 to request a Derogatory Stamp on the letter that was typed under that tree outside and begin the waiting. It is now 08300 and someone has slowed down the clock to where you can feel your life oozing out of each pore on your body, and then I’m told; “Please Wait!” Many tick tocks on the clock later I’m sent to room 312 which also has a window, as they never want you to be able to put your hands on their people.
Here I must get a copy of my Last Visa stamp which they store in this vast room full of file boxes. Please Wait! I am now so close to my goal, for you see if I can get this done and back to window 2, by NOON, then, for the small sum of P 1,500.00 I can purchase the Double Express Premium Package and there will only be 2 to 4 hours left and my quest will be over. (Plan on the 4 hour side of the plan)
I have it all or so I think, and have but one place left to go and I can make that noon deadline, and it’s only 1030 in the morning now. I go swiftly to room 308 to receive my Summary of Arrival jobber do and the man there informed me, “Please Wait!” And that I must go back to window 12 (The land where time forgot) and request a Derogatory Stamp from my last arrival in the Philippines. Again; “Please Wait!”
Why this was not on my checklist “PAUL, Get VISA And Arrival stamp at the same time” I’ll never know, but the word derogatory was dancing around my brain, but I bit my tongue and did not utter a sound. I received what I needed from the dreaded Window 12 and ran back to room 308 with what I thought was all I needed and being that it was now 1130 I could make that noon deadline. I felt like Don Quixote tilting my lance at windmills, yet completing my quest and all before NOON.
I did, and was back to Window 2 with all my paperworks in my hot little hand. Gadzookes, I’d made it, I could now purchase the Double Express Premium Package and be out of there by COB (Close of Business) The young lady whom I handed my package to, looked it over quickly and said; “You’re done sir, you may go to the I-card section and apply!”
Off I went, the birds were singing and all was in place in God’s heaven! The cloud of doubt descended the needle was drug across the record with a loud scratching sound, and then it occurred to me that “I’d paid no money yet!” There is no way on the Lords Green Earth I could be through, without the Philippine’s having received its pound of flesh.
I was right, the next guy at Window 2 (Avoid the girl) sent me to window 9 to un-ass the cash. Back like a rocket to window 2 with 7 minutes to spare on that NOON deadline. “Holy Crap1” I shouted; then the young man smiled and told me to go to lunch and be back at 1230.
So with cockiness’ in my heart and a swagger in my walk I went to lunch. Upon my return I was informed that the “High Person” who had to review and sign my package was out of the building and not expected to return, as he was at an emergency meeting. (Read, lunch and cocktails with hot chicks)
Did I lose it? Hell no! I just scratched my head and asked the guy (Randy BTW) if I could come back next week and finish it up? His classic answer, “Yes Mr. Thompson, after all you did avail of the Double Express Premium Package!” (There are no refunds I found out)
If I couldn’t find the humor in that, then it was time to head to the Airport, I went home and had a SMB instead, and laughed while telling my friends about my trip to Mega Manila Oh the lunch was great!
So now I go back next Wednesday for phase two, if you really, really want to hear about it, please let me know in the comment section.
Addendum:
While I was walking from the Immigration building with my wife to our rented van, a taxi pulled up. When this European Gnome, who was with his granddaughter (Or I hope she was) jumped in front of me and put his arm across my chest to block me from the cab that we didn’t even want.
I reached out and grabbed his collar and pulled him back towards me, and told him, “Pal, I’ve been inside that building for over seven hours, do you really want to plays with me?” In the meantime a Pinoy took the cab. As I walked away he looked at his paramour and mumbled; “That’s why I don’t like Americans” My heart was broken!
Hi Paul,
I do feel for you! That is some funny stuff if one really thinks about it. What an eventful day in the Philippines for you.
I’m glad to read that you didn’t dislocate that “Euro Gnomes” elbow when he put it across your chest! You must have very good high blood pressure medicine.
Yes Paul, I would certainly like to hear about the follow up next Wednesday…..but I think it may be boring as it will go very smoothly for you the 2nd time around. One could only hope! Good Luck!
Dan;
Go smoothly? Do you remember where I’m going, aside from the fact that I still must renew my ACR I-Card. But you never know as I am the proud owner of “The Double Express Premium Package”
Oh ye of little faith!
Yes, Paul I really want to hear part two. I thought I was actually in the Philippines this morning. I will share. My daughter and I were out doing some errands (food shopping) and she had a desire for a Sonic Grape Slurpee. So there it is and since it is early Sunday morning I am always ready for a coffee. I pull up to the drive through and order the small slurpee and a SMALL coffee. There is silence on the end of the speaker. I wait for what feels like an eternity and I again say can I have a Small Grape Slurpee and a small coffee. The young lady says do you want a small coffee and I reply yes-a small coffee. So again I am waiting. I am waiting to be told my bill amount and again I hear this voice which says SIR do you want a small coffee? I reply yes. Again silence and then she come back on and says SIR I am sorry we don’t have a small coffee. We only have regular and large. Smiling to myself I tell her then I want a regular coffee and she gets happy and says ok sir your total is 2.17. I drive to the window and there she is-all of about 21 and as Pinoy as you can find. Sorry sir that we don’t have small coffee but the regular comes in our small cup. Paul I thought of you right away. Ron
Ron;
And the sad part is, it now makes sense to me, and I no longer question it. In Singapore it was explained to me that they don’t sell Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers na lang! (guess who/)
So, order hamburger with cheese instead. 🙂
Roy;
That you can have, it’s without the cheese that they won’t sell.
I think I confuse the counter people at Jollibee when I place an order. My ” standard ” order at most fast food hamburger places ( Jollibee in PH and McDonalds in the USA ) is ” 3 Burgers and a small ( beverage varies ). One of my Filipino friends told me the Jolli workers get confused when I order like that because they are so used to having people order the value meal packages. I don’t order like I do to create confusion, it’s just habit I guess. I do get what I order though and at Jollibee it is always with a smile.
Bob;
I see nothing wrong with the way you order, if you keep smiling you’re doing it right!
Ron,
Bob needs a like button on here! That was great!
Hi Steve – I used to have “like” buttons, but decided to get rid of them because nobody ever used them!
Bob;
Whoa there Mr. Martin!!! I pushed the like button on LiP all the time, but then I like to push buttons, never ride an elevator with me.
Yeah, a few people used the like buttons, but mostly just LiP writers! Also, Paul… you only “liked” your own comments! ha ha… just kidding…
Bob;
Yup that’s true, but I do write some funny comments sometimes!
I thought there’s something wrong with my browser but then I read this post Bob, you removed it! I liked that like button but I didn’t know I have to push it…oh well maybe next time…lol
Jonathan;
I miss it too!
Love your sense of humor Paul! That “Double Express Premium Package” seems to be your ticket too success! I’m sure you’ll be in & out in no time flat. I am talking about Filipino time that is…..so I guess you may have the rest of the night off on Wednesday. Enjoy!
Dan;
“The Double Express Premium Package” is how it’s listed on the wall. In my case it will be exactly 7 days since I availed of that great deal. And I recommend it, as if I’d not bought it I might still be in Manila. This week I’m bringing a cooler of iced down San Mig beer to enjoy on the way home, hell I’m not driving!
Paul
I may have missed something here but is this visit a self inflicted wound because you somehow screwed up and forgot to renew your passport/documents properly or is this just the “normal” process every few years
Neal;
Normal as hell, my US Passport expired, and I got a new one (EASY as pie, didn’t even have to set foot in the embassy. But when my ACR I-Card has to be renewed that’s where the Philippines comes into play, “Hey Paul; where are all your stampes?”
Got it.
Neal;
Now if only I could!!!
Paul. In all the years in the RP, have you not yet realized yet what makes SMB’s taste so good? It’s in the day-to-day ingredients. Any by the way, I would sincerely question the character of any Filipino named Randy!
Randy;
The guy is about 23, when was the first time you were here? SMB’s do only taste good here, I’ve never figured that one out.
I landed there in 1983 and lived there until 1987. Any beer brewed specifically for export has more ingredients and “preservatives” added, by law I guess. I’ve tried drinking Kano beer in RP but it tastes like crap to me. Same here in the states, Mexican beer stateside tastes nothing like it does when in Mexico. Same with Japanese beers, etc.
Randy;
You’re right you gotta’ be where the beer is brewed for it to taste great!
Thank you Paul, it is your stories like this one that make me so glad. Glad that I live in Mindanao and not Luzon. 😀
Gary;
So every thing in Mindanao runs like a fine Swiss Clock? Why can’t I quite believe that. (LOL)
Which part in Mindanao do you think is the best place to stay longer?
There really is no answer for that, it is a personal choice.
Ethel;
Go with Bob’s advice I’ve never lived there.
Ha ha ha, Please wait sir, BTW Paul, how was lunch?
Mars;
Waiting? I have that down to a science, being on ships will teach you about waiting.
Somewhere , someplace in the Philippines, there must be a building the size of Texas where all the receipts, records, documents are stored .
Brian;
I know you’re right about that, just the one room at Immigration took up half of one floor. Years ago the Navy put all the service records on Micro Fitch, (Just try and find a reader for that, here in the Philippines) Then spent another fortune moving it to computer, but they still kept the paper copies.
Sorry sir, that building and all the records were destroyed by a building fire.
Randy;
Thank the stars I kept the Micro Fitch.
Hi Paul. The story made me smile. Friday I had to extend my visa in Laos before I get my business visa. I prepared myself with multiple passport photos, copies of passports, letters from the government officials that I was originally supplied and a preparedness for long, long wait. (Philippines conditioning). I strode into the office, straight to the counter, greeted pleasantly, asked for the required fee and bang! Passport stamped and I was on my way…..took all of 60 seconds.
I am still scratching my head!
Cheers
David
David;
Now if your purpose for telling me that was to “Jack My Jaws”, you did it! (LOL)I’m joking, But it goes to show you that sometimes it can put a smile on your face when it goes as smooth as that. It could never happen here as you well know!
Paul, maybe people that hang out at Texas Joe’s should avoid Manila. My last trip to the fair city was one I won’t look forward to repeating.
Filipino time is not as bad as daylight savings time. Conger up an imagine of me springing forward this morning at 100 hr to adjust the clocks. Should have stayed in Olongapo.
Loren;
I’m heading up in the morning to Manila to try it again. It’s like hitting yourself with a hammer, it will only feel good when you stop! I will have a cooler of beer with me.
Paul,
In 2009 while on our honeymoon… We were in Puerto Princessa, Palawan. Went to the passport office for vise extension; was told to come back a little later; after our second breakfast we did…and the passport lady had arrived after probably finishing her first breakfast.
We were the only customers; I was processed in less than 15 minutes. DONE!
Maybe a relaxing trip to one of the provinces would be in order…
I will never do Manila again… if I can avoid it…
Jade
Jade;
Here in lies the rub. Passport Stamping can only be done in Manila if you live on Luzon. We also have a local office that can do limited things. Like collect Head Tax and extend tourist visas, oh, and refer you to Manila!
Hey Paul,
Sounds like you had a wonderful day in MM. Just kidding. but it kind of reminds me of the military…Hurry up and wait!
Hudson;
The waiting in the Military I never really minded, as I knew I was being paid! Please Wait!
I do not remember hearing ” Please Wait ” on any of my visits but the next time I hear that I am going to have to restrain myself from bursting out in laughter becuase it will remind me of reading your article Paul LOL .
Even though I started getting a headache just reading half way through this article as it began sounding so confusing in trying to visualize your ordeal, I look forward to reading the conclusion.
Most definetly your idea of bringing a cooler with some San Mig to enjoy on the way home sounds like a good idea !
Bob;
How you made it here without hearing “Please Wait” is a mystery to me. But alas your time is coming, this I promise. The headache was because you were “Feeling My Pain” I found that there is nowhere within a reasonable distance where one could go and enjoy a cool adult beverage anywhere near the building.
It is quite possible that I may have heard ” Please Wait ” but it might have gone in one ear and out the other. I usually remember a lot of what I read here on ” LIP ” , when I am there something has to prompt it to come up in my memory.
It was visit number 3 when I finally got the Yes = No treatment. I was in CDO , I was under the impression the Jollibee in Divisoria was open 24 hours. My hotel was within walking distance so about 11 PM a few of my friends and I take a walk over there. It was a Sunday night, and that is when I found out all of the Company Owned ( non-franchised ) Jollibees in CDO close down for weekly maintenance at 11 PM. Couldn’t get any burgers, couldn’t get a Jolli-Swirl Ice Cream Sundae ( I like those late at night ). The security guard would not let me enter and I did not make any attempt to press the issue, but he did call one of the counter girls over to the door when I asked if I may at least get a cup of Jolli-Coffee. The girl replies
” Yes Sir, we Don’t have any coffee ” !
I said thank you and we left. As soon as we got a few steps away from the place I break into hysterical laughter, my Filipino friends at first did not understand why until I explained to them, ” This is something right out of the LIP Website ” . I had read about this so many times now I actually got to experience it myself !
On visit number 5, I finally got to see the Filipino point with the lips while enjoying a nice meal at a Chow King and it was by one of my dinner guests who just did it naturally, not for my benefit either. I couldn’t help but crack a smile as I thought to myself, ” Thats another one straight out of Bob Martins LIP website ”
So the next time I hear ” Please Wait ” instead of biting my toung or otherwise try to control impatience, I’ll have to control bursting out into laughter because I will remember your article about getting a days worth of ” Please Wait ” LOL.
” LIP ” is one of the most educational websites about the Philippines I know of.
Bob;
I first wondered if I was doing it right with my articles here on LiP. I mean I wasn’t talking about places to see or go, or things to do. I leave the law and rules out as much as I can, so what is left to write about?
How about what it is really like, Living in the Philippines, and the strange and funny things that will happen to you in your day to day life. It’s all I know!
I use humor because it is something most people understand and I hope I can convey the message that; “Dorothy, You’re not in Kansas anymore.” I say bring your ability to laugh at situations and sometimes at yourself. If one can’t do that, well; your old home might be a good place to live.
Bob, I see that you see, the funny side of life, enjoy it!
My wife calls the government workers “Perpetual Lunch Breakers” for obvious reasons. 9 out of 10 windows were closed while you saw the workers in the back just talking and fooling around. She had her fair share of those when she needed to get immigration paperwork, NBI clearance, and other things. I told her it sounds like the DMV!
Opus;
It sounds like your Lady is indeed a wise woman! If one was to ban cell phones from the workplace, production would double! No I’m wrong, nothing would change, that was proven by the change from carbon-paper to computers it still takes the same amount of time.
Yep, that’s my Manila, still my Manila, I’m glad it’s still the same….lol. Can’t wait for Chapter 2 Paul….
Jonathan;
My dislike is not towards Manila in particular I don’t like any cities. Chap. II starts at zero dark thirty hours, bukas!
Paul,
It’s already 17 March, where’s the sequel??? lol
Paul always has his articles no Monday.
Senior,
Somethings just never change and had to ride that same merry go round when I was their in the 80’s as you did last Wednesday.
Here’s the funny thing two weeks ago 26 Febuary 2012 I had to drive to Pensacola Fl. There at the Fil-Am building were the Phillippine embassy made a special trip
to swear in Filipinos as duel citizens and process them for their passports. But of course they did not start on time and many of the applicants didn’t have correct paperwork or coppies So Time Dragged. I was smart (remembering my days in Manila had extra copies plus originals.) The trip started at 0600 from J-ville The (organized choas) process with the Philippine Embassy took from 1300-2000 and about 6hrs of that was waiting. Somethings never change!! 🙂 I just call this my preconditioning for the real thing.
Hey but I have to give them credit the worked all the way through to 2000 with only a 30 min break. And we got everthing done I politly told them Tank You for the alternative would have been a trip to Washington DC. So they saved me 1000.00 dollars and a major headache.
So Paul I can feel your pain.
Bruce;
As a wise person once said; “The more things change, they remain the same!” I went to a Philippine Consulate Office on Guam, and thought I was in Manila. We’ll sit with a cold one and I’ll tell you about it later this year.
Bruce
The NY Philippine consulate has a outreach program that goes out to several Ne England locations throughout the summer and takes care of various embassy type transactions. I will say they run a very tight ship and there is no Philippine time schedule/mentality involved at all, no waiting around they just bust their hump and get it done.
Wow. Private van and private driver?
BoI is located in Intramuros, Manila. Where is Mega Manila. I’ve never hear of that.
You should be careful not to assault people right in front of the immigration office! Or at all for that matter.
Don’t forget drinking in a moving vehicle is illegal here!
Yeah Paul, wait till it stops moving…then drink! In Manila traffic you should be able to consume at least a six pack!
Randy;
You nailed my plan right on the head!
Considering the traffic in Mega Manila, you might just be right Randy that Paul might consume the 6-pack in no time.
Jonathan;
By the time we hit the expressway north, I was making head calls at every rest stop. Remember you can only rent beer.
Chuck;
P3,500.00 is the cost of Van and driver, and money well spent.
Mega is one of the most overused words here in the Philippines, Mega-sale mega-movie ECT. The NEWS channels are the ones whom refer to Manila as “MEGA” more often as not.
As for assaulting that gnome, I was defending myself from his assault on me.
For 30 years my friends and I have consumed adult beverages in vans and buses as long as we were not driving. As a matter of fact we used to buy beer on Victory Liners, albeit they were never that cold. But thank you for your concern.
Wow. Private van and private driver?
BoI is located in Intramuros, Manila. Where is Mega Manila. I’ve never hear of that.
You should be careful not to assault people right in front of the immigration office! Or at all for that matter.
Don’t forget drinking in a moving vehicle is illegal here!
Chuck; (Since you asked twice)
P3,500.00 is the cost of Van and driver, and money well spent.
Mega is one of the most overused words here in the Philippines, Mega-sale mega-movie ECT. The NEWS channels are the ones whom refer to Manila as “MEGA” more often as not.
As for assaulting that gnome, I was defending myself from his assault on me.
For 30 years my friends and I have consumed adult beverages in vans and buses as long as we were not driving. As a matter of fact we used to buy beer on Victory Liners, albeit they were never that cold. But thank you for your concern.
Paul.
I am waiting for your next part to this story. I can never understand how writers just seem to think we as readers like to wait around. Heck, I have to wait every week for Monday to roll around just to read the funny things you have to write! Maybe you could ask Bob to let you write more often! I am still waiting!
Just kidding there Paul! I will be back next Monday for the follow up!
Steve;
“PLEASE WAIT” If I must wait then I’ll share! (lol) I’m pretty sure Bob would let anyone of us submit more to LiP, but cranking one article every week is enough for one person, or at least me. But Bob and I have never missed a week in the couple of years I’ve been on LiP. It’s fun!
Maybe I’ll just stick to that balikbayan visa when I retire there. Besides it sounds like a good excuse to take a yearly trip.
Mark;
That is a plan that has merit, I know a few people that do that as well. What works for you can never be a bad thing. But I strongly recommend those trips to Manila every five years, if for no other reason than to see if it’s improved since that last time you were there. (Again the hammer theory) (LOL)
We go to Manila pretty often when we are ‘in country’. Despite it being dirty and crowded there are so many things to do and see there that it would be a shame to miss it. It’s such a vibrant atmosphere. The Missus has quite a few friends and relatives there as well.
Mark;
I just read John’s article and I’m going to take his advice and see what I can in the few hours I have there.
Neal,
Like I said they busted their but once they got started. It was just getting everyone to cooperate and have the correct paperwork. I believe they spent most of their time correcting paperwork or getting copies for the applicant that took the most time. Oh yea so many people trying to cut in line or arguing why they should be first. Even though they did not have an appointment.
Bruce;
I let no person front the line on me, it’s the one thing I won’t give into. Last week an agent with 10 US Passports tried to slide in front, when I smiled and simply said; “Line”. the kid behind the window enjoyed seeing me do that.
I thought that the stamp on the old passport would suffice as long as you carry with u your new passport as well. We asked one official at BI few years ago about that after they showed me the list of things i have to go thru to get the passport stamped again.
When I went for my check-in in January, I asked about this, because my stamps are in my old passport. I was told that all I needed to do was show my old passport when renewing my I-card, and everything would be OK. She said I didn’t even need to bring a new passport.
Bob;
And the check is in the mail, did she explain how that would work if you’re at the airport waiting for a flight, and your passport has no stamps in it?
Ha ha.. no, she didn’t. But, we were just talking about I-Card renewal, though. 😉
Bob;
Now I fully understand! Wink-wink nod-nod!
Jiji;
The trouble is one person tells you one thing, and the next tells you something compleatly different. I’ll just get the stamps and Cover my butt!
Paul,
Got a good chuckle as usual from your posts. I guess it is something i will have to look forward to in the future. My g/f say’s she know’s a couple of higher ups at the BOI, so maybe that could make the process easier lol. SMB and a smile will make your next trip to Manila tolerable. Take care and be safe and looking forward to the return trip.
Papa Duck;
It would be like looking forward to a root canal! If you know someone who works there tell them what I think of there operation will ya! But the beer will flow that’s for sure!
i know :/ but i’m glad u got your passport stamping done in one day! that’s already an accomplishment! I think your next trip will be easier and u may even have time to go to MOA like u said u would. 😀
Jiji;
I’m sorry if I was unclear, not only did I not complete the stamping, but I must go back this week to finish. And I’ve still not applied for my new ACR I-Card, Oh whoa is me! But I will visit those sights close by as I know I will have the time.
We’re excited to hear part two of your story 🙂
Jiji;
It’s written, Monday it will be posted. I only have two more trips to Manila to finish it all up. Oh luvky me!
Hi Paul,
Sounds like fun to me. My I-card doesn’t expire until 2016. I can hardly “wait”. But by then I’ll have forgotten your story (one of the aging benefits) and all the rules will most likely have changed anyhow. Just for more fun ask a few people about changing your address on your I-Card if you move and see how many different answers you’ll get.
Oh “waiter”, we’d like another SMB please. I’ll be right there sir please “wait”.
Charlie;
I tried the address change 12 years ago with my license at the LTO; I waited 6 years until they got it right, so for that reason I’ll never move. By the time you need to renew they will have gone from quill pens to ball points at the BIO, they just received a new shipment of carbon paper last week.
Mr. Paul, your story made me laughed so hard that hubby took noticed and asked me what i was reading. I’m one of those impatient Filipina that even before i came here in the US i had plenty of bad experiences when it comes to getting things done be it government/private offices. I cannot wait for that time to come when things eases up a bit. I don’t know if i can hold my temper like you did though lol, i might need a truck load of SMB or perhaps a sleeping pill to shut me off. Anyway, nice laugh(for me). Good luck on Wednesday, hopefully less on the “please wait”.
Vanessa;
If my story made you laugh then my work here is done! That is my point, if it seems so dumb and ridiculous when we see it, then we should laugh and not lose our temper. I know the laughing will make me feel better than the anger ever will.
It (The government office) will not change anytime soon. Dealing with a government offices works (or doesn’t work) the same way,all over the world, not just here. Smile and have a refreshing ice cold SMB!
Very funny. This is how I remember Pinas — whenever I dealt with pinoy officialdom, that’s hell, the absence of reason. I’m a Filipino who left over 25 years ago and now has become part of the US rat race. We have everything materially, but when the kids are grown up and on their own, I’ll find a place in Visayas or Mindanao near the beach and that will be my Zihuatanejo (from the Shawshank Redemption). Every time I swim at my local pool, I always think of the waters of sarangani bay. Its tough to be born pinoy because the place is poor, thats why a lot of us are in the US, but once you made your money, the Phils is an awesome place to be if you like the beaches.
Felipe;
The rat race you spoke of, is a prime reason I’m living here, I might joke about the things that happen here but there is no way I’d ever leave. I can remember plenty of dumb things I’ve encountered dealing with the US Government, so it’s never changes only the location does.
Speaking of stupid things our government does: Today I heard that the Govm’t approved hunting permits for the Navajo nation in Wyoming to KILL BALD EAGLES!!! Now, I understand we took the land from the Indians, but killing our national symbol?….and just after it comes off the endangered species list???? No word from PETA yet. This is one of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen our government make.
Randy;
Never try to insert logic in anything done by any government, it will drive you crazy.