Hong Kong Travel Preparation List

The anticipation and long wait is now really going to happen this coming weekend. The tickets were swiped some months back and the payments were taken care of, albeit in installments. Then last week, we booked the accommodation in Kowloon and tickets for Disneyland. We've also checked Google maps for the distance and time it will take to reach the hotel from the airport and then to Disneyland.

A lot could go wrong when traveling so putting aside my excitement, I plan to make this long awaited HK trip as mishap-proof as possible.We've agreed to be minimalist in packing and a list was drawn to discard unnecessary stuff and bring only the essentials for a 3 day-2 night trip. 

Here's what we came up so far:

1. Passports

2. Valid IDs

3. Printed Tickets (Airline, Hotel, Disney)

4. HK Dollars

5. PH Peso

6. Credit Card/s

7. 1 digicam (but I left it in Bogo so maybe we'll make do with mobile phones- to save space as well)

8. Downloaded Google Maps of HK

 

I want to bring only the most basic so here's my list of necessities:

1. 2 shirts

2. 1 pair of jeans

3. 1 jacket or long sleeves

4. 1 toothbrush

5. 1 cap

6. 1 pair of shades

7. 1 pair of socks and 3 undies

8. 1 pair of shoes

All of these will be put inside a black sling bag similar to that used by high school boys. More update on this trip will be posted soon. Have a happy trip to us, and to everyone!

Awesome Cars in 360 Degrees

Erlend's Porsche Aston Martin Ford Escape

Where to Get Pro RH Bill Stickers?

As I typed the question above, I got the following links from Google:

https://twitter.com/misterbaks/status/75502157083844608

http://tinyurl.com/8baells

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=690573

http://www.likhaan.org/content/pass-rh-bill-graphic-designs-and-posters

But still, I can't find one source that provides Pro RH Bill Stickers. If you or somebody you know have access to these, please do send me a message. The purple RH Bill stickers are too cool to miss. Thanks!

Civil Service Commision Exam Requirements

Being jobless does not necessarily mean unproductive. Although not having regular income worries me, I still look for ways that can increase my value in the future. After all, improving one's self is still a good investment that can reap good harvest later. So now, I'm planning to take the Civil Service Exam and I came across the requirements:

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1.Fully accomplished Application Form (CS Form No. 100,
Revised 2012). The spaces for “Signature of Applicant” and “Right Thumbmark” on the form should be left blank. These shall be
accomplished in the presence of the CSC processor.

*** Can be downloaded right here: http://excell.csc.gov.ph/FORMS/CSForm100rev2012.pdf

2.Four (4) copies of identical I.D. pictures with specifications, as follows:

a. Philippine Passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm or 1.8 inches x
1.4 inches)
b. Colored, with white background
c. Taken within three (3) months prior to filing of application
d. Printed on good quality photo paper
e. In standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up with the head
and face occupying at least 80% of the picture and with the name
tag positioned at approximately 1 inch or 2.54 cm below the chin)
f. In bare face (with no eyeglasses or any accessories that may
cover the facial features)
g. Showing left and right ears
h. Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
i. With neutral facial expression, and both eyes open
j. With full and handwritten (not computer-generated) name tag in
the format: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and
Extension Name (if any), and signature over printed name

*** I'm assuming that there's a photo studio near their office who knows how to get this photo specs right.

3. Original and photocopy of any valid ID containing applicant’s clear
picture, date of birth, signature, and signature of the authorized
head of the issuing agency such as Driver’s License, SSS ID,
GSIS ID, Philhealth ID, current Company/Office ID, current
School ID, Postal ID, BIR ID, Barangay ID, Voter’s ID, Valid
Passport, or Police Clearance (Note: Any other ID not included in
the list shall NOT be accepted)

4. Examination fee of Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00).

For those wondering about the general qualifications to take the exam:

* Career Service Professional and Sub-professional examinations are open to applicants regardless of educational attainment.
•	Applicants for both levels must:
	–	Be Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old, and of good moral character;
	–	Have no criminal record or have not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
	–	Have not been dishonorably discharged from military service or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government; and
	–	Have not taken the same level of career service examination within  three (3) months from last examination taken.

References to guide you more before applying and taking the Civil Service Exam, please visit these official pages:

http://excell.csc.gov.ph/cscweb/geninfo_cse.html

http://tinyurl.com/dyhx8se

***I will provide more updates on my progress as I deem necessary to guide all others who are going to take the exam.

Cebuana Lhullier Rant: Rotten Tomato Award #2&3

I went to a Guadalupe branch this afternoon to claim my first ever pay for my new homebased job. Unfortunately, the sender forgot to include my *other first name so they told me that they can't release the money because of that. I showed them two IDs and explained that I already had the control number and that the sender was from Manila. They suggested that I should tell the sender to go back to the branch she wired the money from and add my other first name. Now, we are working individuals and we surely have more important things to attend to than going back and forth for a Cebuana transaction. Plus, she represents my employer so do I really have to take so much of her time just because my other name was not included as the receiver? A second name is still me! 

If this is because of BSP regulations, then won't Cebuana think of a better process not to inconvenience their customers? After all, you are supposedly great in customer service as what your TV commercials are roaring. Maybe you can set a limit to the amount that you will be very strict on identification. You have to understand our circumstances too, and there's no need to be high and mighty of the rules. How about you POST a GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT detailing all your requirements before anybody can claim their hard earned money? This is to show that you are serious in helping the public and not project an image of oppressors to your customers, instead. Or better yet, create a TV commercial that includes this very important detail so that adverts will be very useful to us, for once.

And this is not the start of my frustration for Cebuana Lhullier's money transfer service. An Aunt sent money through Xoom last week and I was used to using only one ID to claim it. But lo and behold, another rule has taken effect: 2 IDs should be presented before you can get hold of your money. How do you think should we know in the first place that this is now the requirement? Is Xoom to blame for this? But you are supposedly partners in providing good service to your clients, I'd say Cebuana should also do its part in informing the public about this.

As it turned out, I have to go back and get another ID. Imagine the extra time and effort that this caused just because we were not informed beforehand! But I gave them due consideration at that time. But now, I will do everything in my power not to transact with Cebuana Lhullier ever again. And this post will hopefully convince my friends, family and colleagues to do the same.

*pics fr photobucket