PART 1 : NBI CLEARANCEI went to NBI Carriedo last November 2007 for my new application for an NBI Clearance needed as part of the requirements for my employment. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go back after 7 days to claim my NBI clearance. It was only until last Saturday, when I remembered that my NBI application is valid only for 6 mos. if unclaimed. I immediately scheduled today to get my NBI clearance from Carriedo.
It was a very very hot day. I parked my car in SM City Sta. Mesa and then rode the train (MRT-2). From V. Mapa station to Recto Station, cost me Php 12.00. Cheaper than to drive all the way there. Gas right now is a whooping Php 46.47/liter already and also parking will be such a problem. So riding the MRT-2 is a way better plan.
Upon reaching Recto Station, I managed to still walk a few meters, a short stretch of C.M. Recto to reach NBI. It was so hot and the sun is pricking my skin. I don't know the temperature today but I'm pretty sure today is one of the hottest.
Upon reaching NBI, I noticed that there are so many people queuing for a new application or renewal of their NBI Clearances. Fortunately, I will only claim mine, THANK GOD!!! since I applied way back Nov 07. I've never seen so many people queuing. I pity them because it was so humid and crowded. Sometimes, it really pays to be early rather than wait for the last minute to prepare. My opinion why there are so many people is that the newly graduate would want to apply for NBI clearance in preparation for their upcoming requirements with whatever company that will hire them. NEVER APPLY FOR AN NBI CLEARANCE DURING THIS MONTH!!! SWEAR!!! I went straight to the 5th floor and queue and wait for the release of my clearance. After a few mins, I got hold of my NBI Clearance. YAHOOOOOO!!!!!
PART 2: FAKE DIPLOMAS / TRANSCRIPTS / OTHER DOCUMENTS FOR SALE!!!On my way back to the MRT-2 Station, again, I passed by Recto. I was walking slower now since I am not rushing. As a result, I had time to actually wander my eyes around Recto what's for sale. Its the usual, belts, sandals, cellphones, shoes and etc. BUT one thing really caught my attention. I mean, I know the selling of diplomas and transcripts and other documents is already famous and rampant in the stretch of Recto. But this is the first time that I actually saw people selling and marketing their fraudulent acts. I know there had been so many actions that the local police and local government did to eradicate these vendors.
(If the local government of the City of Manila is doing a great job, then why are they still there??)
Education - Diplomas and Transcripts are the things that we invest heavily on both monetary, emotionally, physically, basically all aspects already. I myself am a Bachelor's Degree holder and I felt that it 's really unfair to the people who invested time and money and effort to be able to get the Diploma of their school and hang it in their walls with pride and dignity. I understand, life is hard living in a third-world country and you have to be a fighter to be able to survive. But that doesn't mean that we should do bad things in order to survive right? Be honest and be true to yourself and what you had achieved and what you still want to achieve.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: IF THERE ARE NO BUYERS THEN THERE WILL BE NO SELLERS
There's already a lot of hotpot restaurants that came to life here in the Philippines but the most delicious hotpot, also known as "Shabu-Shabu" here is in Manila. You are seated in a table with an electric stove in the middle wherein they will put a pot of soup of your choice wait til' it boils. While waiting, you will order the soup ingredients and they will serve it to you raw, yes raw! You will be the one to cook it by placing the ordered ingredients in the soup. Different hotpot restaurants have their own gimmicks that can distinctively make them unique.
