BLOGGED PHILIPPINES

All the passport appointment slots on all 27 branches of DFA is already filled up (or blocked?). Yes, you can check it out at  https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment/individual/site . The only time I saw it opened up was the first week of December 2017. Then after a few weeks, all slots were already taken. So earlier this month, I had a chance to visit Cebu DFA and I asked if there's a way to get my passport processed even though the slots were already taken. Like, walk-in in the afternoon after all the passport appointments have already been accommodated. After all, DFA Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano mentioned that there's about 40% no-show on the appointments , so I was thinking that there must be some extra time the DFA can accommodate walk-ins. Turns out.. no...you really need an appointment . But wait, here's something you would like to know. So, when I arrived at Cebu DFA, I asked the guard. What I discovered made me feel confused (and suspicious). Here's wha...

Bad news for those who needs to have a passport or have their passport renewed. All branches of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), yes all 27, have already filled up all the slots in their appointment system until the end of March. If for some reason you were not able to set an appointment last month December, you will need to wait until April to be able to process a passport. The Problem with the Current Appointment System The online appointment system implemented by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is surely a big help in convenience. Prior to this, passport applicants line up in DFA offices as early as in the wee hours of 12 midnight. By six in the morning, a DFA personnel, usually a security guard, will distribute priority numbers. The process will go smoothly from then on. Once you started the first step and as long as you have all the requirements complete, you'll finish in about 15 minutes. A few weeks later, you'll have your passport. The same is true ...

I was opening the Unionbank website today to pay my bills when I was greeted by an announcement saying that they are introducing the Unionbank Online , their new online and mobile banking tool. And yes this is different from their eBanking and uMobile services. The two are still existing though to serve you, at least for now. My hunch is that sooner or later, those two services will be shutdown to make way for this all-new service. So let me pass on the news about this new tool. Here's 3 things you need to know. 1. Available in Mobile and Web The new service is available to three platforms: Android, iOS, and Web The apps can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store and the web version can be accessed via  https://online.unionbankph.com/ 2. You need to register again.  Yes you do. The uMobile and eBanking username and password will not work. But don't worry, the sign up process is extremely easy and user friendly. Just follow the intuitive procedure. 3. ...

I'm not sure but this may have been in existence way earlier than this year. But yes, I just discovered it today and it's awesome. But first, let me say that probably, this article will be most useful for those in the prepaid "realm" of mobile users in the country , I mean, here in the Philippines. Post paid "richies" can read on of course. An old phone with physical keypad. Photo by amagnawa. Today, after being under the rock for centuries, I discovered that I can load my cellular phone online through the incredible Lazada Mobile Charge . I say it's incredible because it solved my problem today. It may solve your problem as well today or in the future so I encourage you to read on and learn. I'm one of those oldies who loads his or her prepaid phone by going to a retailer, typing my number on an old phone with physical keypad, giving the phone back to the seller and answering the question of how much to load and then paying with extra c...

The horror in my face is indescribable. My friend told me he can't find his wallet. Since our wallets are of the same looks, I jokingly told him that I may have unintentionally kept it in my bag. So I began looking at my bag. I didn't find his wallet...and mine. I searched the entire house and asked people I've been with but to no avail. I conceded...I lost my wallet. My friend found his wallet. My lost wallet. Update: Someone Returned My Wallet After 2 Days! What's in my wallet? Not much cash. I think I have around 700 Pesos cash. Then I have 2 active Credit Cards and 3 ATM/Debit Carts. I also have 2 Health Cards, and one government ID card. So what did I do upon realizing I lost it. 1. Blocked my credit cards. This is probably the first thing you should do once you are convinced that you really lost your wallet with credit cards inside. Credit cards can easily be swiped by anyone. While some merchants would ask for an ID or check the signature, m...

This tutorial will teach you how to enroll another Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) account to your existing BPI Express Online Account to be able to transfer money. But before that, please see the following requirements: 1. Your account should be enrolled to BPI Express Online 2. You have stable* internet connection (just to be safe). *The second requirement is just for convenience. BPI Express Online doesn't require huge internet bandwidth, but at least your connection should not be intermittent. Steps in Enrolling Other BPI Accounts (1) On your web browser, go to www.bpiexpressonline.com BPI Express Online is BPI's online banking facility that operates 24/7. (2) Click the menu "Fund Transfer", and then click on the "Enroll Third Party Accounts". - Normally, you are only allowed one BPI Express Online account, even though you also have accounts in BPI Direct and BPI Family Savings Bank. So, the "third party accounts" here r...

Almost all the major banks in the Philippines offer online banking facility to their clients. Unionbank is among the pioneers. Through it, you can do many things including balance inquiry, fund transfer, and pay bills. Here's brief tutorial on how you can pay your bills using Unionbank's online facility. Before we begin, please make sure you have the following: (1) An active Unionbank Account that is enrolled online (2) Internet connection (3) You have to know your ATM PIN and Your Unionbank online username and password Step 1 Log-in to your Unionbank online account On your web browser, key-in www.unionbankph.com , then click Unionbank Account link. A window should pop-out wherein you would have to enter your username and ATM PIN. It should look like this: Step 2 Search for the Biller Go to the Bills link at the top and left of the page. Select Pay Bills , and then Search Biller This page has other options such as " My Billers " o...

Early this morning, my office mate approached me and asked the contact number of Unionbank. The reason is that he apparently lost some 75% of his money! That's troubling indeed. He found it out after he checked his balance using Unionbank's online facility. I referred him to the domestic toll free hotline of Unionbank Philppines. It can be seen at the back of the ATM card. Unionbank  Philippines Online Facility Hacked Unionbank Account? I also checked my account and to my surprise, it was also reduced by almost the same percentage. I was troubled and began to wonder if the company's network has been compromised. I tried to contact UnionBank hotline but the call was denied due to heavy traffic (as shown in my phone). Gladly though, after a minute or two, my office mate was able to contact them. Unionbank Online Facility Under Maintenance The online teller told us of the possible root-cause of the apparent loss of money. At that time, there's a system m...