Attention Filipinos who want to get NBI clearance in Metro Manila

NOTE:  This blog has been updated. Please CLICK HERE to see the updated steps and instruction regarding NBI clearance online application.

It pays to be web savvy, big time.

Me and my wife needed to secure NBI clearance so we went to the NBI satellite office located at the Robinson's Mall. The problem was that the NBI application process has been changed. It used to be that you just have to present your previous NBI clearance, pay the fee and if upon verifying that you have no record on file, they will issue the new clearance right away. Recently, however, due to some changes with the processing of the NBI clearance applications, previous NBI clearance are no longer accepted. Applicants were required to fill out new application form and undergo biometric and photo processing. These new changes coupled with the quota of 500 applicants per satellite office and 5000 applicants at the main office on a given business day made the application process slow and cumbersome. The applicants were required to get their number and get in line as early as 10:00 pm the night before if they ever want to obtain their NBI clearance the following day. 

We did not want to sacrifice sleep over NBI clearance so we surfed the NBI website to see if they have an online application and, indeed, there was. Applicants who want to avail of their online application service should be forewarned that the only mode of payment available, as of the writing of this blog, is through Gcash offered by Globe telecom. We did not have Gcash service so we went to pay the required fee at the Globe payment center after which we filled out the online application. 

These are basically the steps in NBI clearance online application: (always check the NBI website here to make sure you are up-to-date with the online application requirements)

1.  Pay the required fee through Gcash. If you do not have Gcash service pay the fee on any accredited Globe payment centers.

2.  After the Gcash transaction, you will receive a Payment Reference Number via a text message. If payments are made through Globe payment center, you will get the Payment Reference Number from the Globe payment outlet via the receipt.

3.  Fill out the online application form then print the OR Code which the NBI office will forward to the email address you provided on your online application.

4.  Text NBI via number provided to book an appointment at their main office along UN Ave. in Manila. You will receive reply indicating the date and time you needed to be at their main office.

The online application is not hassle-free but it beats by a long stretch the difficulties of queuing at any of their offices. We were required to be at their main office the following day at 11:00 am for photo and biometric capture. When we arrived at the NBI main office, I just can not believe the very long queue of thousands of applicants the tail end of which spilled out on to the sidewalk outside the building following a winding direction of three layers deep going into the main office ground maintaining the same pattern until the processing area inside the office. 

We did not have to fall in line. We presented the printed OR code at the gate and we were told to go straight to the fourth floor. I felt sorry for the lined up applicants as we were passing by them. I knew that they came as early as the night before just to make the cut and I can feel their envy, even some feeling of contempt toward us when the guards directed us to go pass the line and straight to the office. Most of them might have thought that we have some inside connection that allowed us to jump the line. 

When we got to the online application center, the situation there was a complete opposite of what was unfolding outside. There were only 3 applicants comfortably seated waiting for their names to be called.  After about 30 minutes, I was already holding my NBI clearance. 

As we were passing the lined up applicants on our way out, I noticed that most of them were from the younger generations, the one's I usually see crowding the internet cafes and who are expected to be more internet savvy and well informed about the advantages of proper internet usage. How could they not have thought of the online application? I cannot wholly blame them for their lack of knowledge about the NBI online application service because I myself did not see even just one advertisement coming from the NBI office or any government information agency about this online application service. However, in this golden age of information and technology, online application is already the norm. We did not have previous information about the NBI online application service either, but we went to their website, nonetheless, to check just in case they have one, which they actually have.

We Filipinos, especially the younger generations, should be riding the wave and be at the forefront of the fast evolving world of information and technology if we desire not be be left behind by the technologically advanced nations. It is no doubt that we have access to the latest gadgets available in the market today, but the most important thing is the knowledge and information we acquire through the use of these gadgets and how we improve our quality of life through the proper use of these knowledge and information.  Of course, we expect our government to be the one spearheading our progress by using all channels available to bring these information to the public knowledge. In cases, however, when government service is lacking, it really pays big time to be self-reliant. 

   

My Expectations for the Year 2012

Year 2012 brings forth events that will contribute to the betterment of what is to become the perfection of me.

Every past desires fulfilled, failed attempts, prayers answered, goals achieved and everything that my mind considered as success or failure, good or bad, have, in one way or another, contributed in peeling off layers upon layers of confusion, indecision, doubt, fear, hopelessness and anxiety that have covered my clear vision of my goals in this life.

This year I expect continued great physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. 

I.  Great Physical Health

I am an omnivorous person and during my growing up years in the province my diet consisted of 80% fruits,vegetables and whole grains  and only 20% meat and processed foods. When I went to college in the city my diet was changed to about 50% fruits, vegetables and whole grains and 50% meat and processed or junk foods. I had the 50-50 diet from my mid-twenties until my mid-thirties.

Though my body was exposed to different kinds of chemically laden foods and polluted environment, my immune system proved to be heavily fortified and was able to withstand onslaught of bacterial, viral and chemical attacks. I have never really been inflicted with any serious physical ailment. As healthy as I am, however, I am not about to be lax in taking care of my physical health specially now that I have been given the knowledge of healthy eating habits. I have already started drinking a glass of water an hour before and after every meal and as much as I can in between. I am also practicing semi-vegetarian diet and minimizing intake of meat and processed or junk food partaking of them only at times when no healthy food alternatives are available.

I am practicing healthy living because there is a big possibility that I will live up to more than a hundred years and I want to still be physically active and able even at that age with all my faculties perfectly intact.

II.  Great emotional health

I am blessed with a very loving and understanding wife. Add to that are my 5 beautiful kids equals happy and wonderful family. My happy and blessed marriage and family life did not happen by accident.My wife and I chose, wanted, intended and decided to have wonderful marriage and happy family. We understand that we are not perfect so we accepted each others limitations and we give extra margin for errors. We are open to each other's opinions and always maintain an open mindset to new principles that come within our consciousness.

We are sometimes confronted with challenging situations but we always maintain a positive outlook and attitude. We have 7 unique individuals in our family with unique wants and preferences specially now that our kids are starting to form their own opinions on many things that cause some misunderstanding, bickering and disagreement among themselves. But at the end of the day, we all come together during bedtime to say our family prayer and do our traditional family hugs and kisses. Despite all our differences, we made sure that we are continuously bound by love and made Jesus Christ the center of our family.

I made it a habit to say "I love you" to my wife and kids at least once a day. It really feels good.

III. Great mental health

I understand and firmly believe that the mind is powerful and and its capabilities are limitless. As Napoleon Hill emphatically said, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." But powerful and sharp as it is, it will become dull and unproductive when not properly and regularly used. This is the reason why I read books, listen to talks, write journals and blogs. I want to keep my mind active and alert. I imagine things, I plan for events and give it as much information and ideas to digest. I want to master and take control of my thoughts. I want to have control on how and what things my ideas will become in the world and materialize into my experience.

I want my mind to keep on creating the things I intended to create.

IV. Great spiritual health

I know that I am a creature of the Divine mind brought into this world for the purpose of experiencing His love and grace and to become a channel of blessings to others as well. Through prayers, meditations and stillness I desire to always be connected to my Creator. This year I want to raise the level of my desire a notch higher and be more consistent with my prayer time and meditation. Attending the Holy Eucharist at least every Sunday is a must. That way, I will always maintain my great connection with my Creator. In addition, I resolve to be more generous, more patient, more understanding, more loving, and to listen more.  I will be a better husband, better father, better person to every one.

Why do I want to be healthy? Because I want to serve longer.

Thank you God for your presence in me.


I expect my ability to manifest financial abundance to be greater this year. 

But even as I write this blog, I'm still in doubt as to when and how my desire of financial abundance will start materializing into my experience. My mind see the material lack and it automatically concludes that sources of financial abundance are really difficult either to create or to come by. But I realized that my past failures were due to my lack of definite plan and purpose. Events, however, that transpired in my life have proven that things happen for a good reason specially those that were not within the my control.

This year my wife and I already have a plan on what financial sources to open. We will reconstruct our present house and build a three-level building with the ground floor consisting of 3 separate units for rent. In addition to our rentals, we will continue to do gigs in oDesk and find businesses that our talents, skills and abilities are well suited for.

We will increase our stock purchases at the same time increase our knowledge on investments by attending conferences and by reading books and materials concerning investments.

Indeed, this year is full of wonderful events. We are ready, eager, able and joyful to welcome them all into our experience.

Why do I want to become financially abundant? Because I want to give more.

"Something good is going to happen to me, this very day, this very week, this very month, this very year. Jesus is blessing my way."

For everything, Lord, we praise, thank and glorify you.

Thank you 2011

We welcomed the year 2011 in Eastwood, Libis where we attended the New Year celebration and bade it farewell in Antipolo, Rizal. 

Many wonderful things happened in my life during the year 2011 that made my heart overflow with gratitude. God's blessings were in abundance filling up and nurturing every aspect of my life to the fullest. It is a fact that I am wallowing in the sea of God's blessings at every moment that my consciousness just take them for granted. For instance, I always have great sleep at night and wake up refreshed every morning for as long as I can remember that my consciousness considers it as given and expected. Or the fact that I always have a healthy mind and body. While it is good to always expect positive things to happen in life, continued occurrence of an event on a daily basis will eventually become inconspicuous to the mind resulting to one's inability to recognize its value and importance, hence, the lack of feeling of gratitude for its occurrence.

In addition to my continued existence which I have always been thankful for, I have also received blessings that were unique and remarkable. Memorable blessings of 2011 started on a high note when I got hired by Bro. Bo Sanchez as one of his contractors. It has opened a source of great financial support for my family at the time when we needed it the most. But the most exciting part of my job are the opportunities to learn lessons of great value from the spiritual and financial mentors, advisers and gurus who give talks during meetings, webinars and conferences of The Truly Rich Club and the Wealth Circle Martermind group of Bro. Bo. The experience gave me the inspiration, desire and expectation that one of these coming days, I, too, will be able to manifest financial abundance and eventually become one of the mentors imparting wisdom, inspiration and solutions to other people who share the desire of expansion. I also had the chance of going to Cebu City on business trip for the purpose of documenting the Natural Healing Method used by Dr. Romy Paredes in effectively curing the illnesses of his patients who were afflicted with life-threatening diseases. The Cebu trip was a wonderful learning experience that inspired me to change some of my eating habits and that of the members of my family in order to obtain and maintain optimum healthy living.

The year 2011 also presented some challenging situations like the hospitalization of our eldest child JJ due to asthma attack. There were also times when we missed due dates for payment of our bills because financial sources seemed limited and constricted. I entertained some doubt as to whether we are teaching our kids enough information commensurate with their capacity to learn in our present set up of unschooling them. But these challenging situation came with it the blessings of far greater magnitude that has transformed the heartbreaking situation to that of feeling of awe, gratitude and appreciation.

All the events that transpired during the past years proved that our lives are moving toward the right direction pursuant to our desires and aspirations. Some difficulties arose from time to time but along with them came the solutions with positive effect far greater than the hurt and anxiety they have caused us. I believe that the situations we considered as problems were actually blessings-in-disguise meant to reorient us to the right path every time we somehow get sidetracked. We are still alive and well, a testament that we are covered by His Grace and insured by His love as He continues to complete the work He began in us. God's love never failed us an It never will.

We received the greatest gift of year 2011 with the birth of our 5th child, Jyl Marjana Jaime. We are now finally complete as a family as we continue to grow, advance and expand in all areas of our lives. 

Thank you very much God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit for all your blessings and everything You are making of us. May your works be done in us, for us and through us.

Unschooling Our Kids

Our two older kids, JJ and JM, attended private schools. Their learning pace was alright but we noticed that their homeworks per subject that they brought home everyday were equivalent to a day's learning and we were the one's who were assisting them in doing the same. Furthermore, we noticed that the topics they were being taught in school were matters within our knowledge and ability to teach them.

Ever since we got married, my wife and I decided to shun 8 to 5 jobs and consider them only in extreme circumstances. This is in line with our desire to be around our kids as much as possible. As a matter of fact, we were able to do this by having home-based work or night shift schedules where we leave our kids at night after they fell asleep and return home before they wake up in the morning, giving them a sense that we never left them.

This sense of togetherness has grown and rooted deeply in us that even our kids are enjoying and craving for it every time. This circumstance, in addition to other considerations, has convinced us to home school our kids. We enrolled them with the Catholic Filipino Academy (CFA), a home school provider founded by Bro. Bo Sanchez. We homeschooled JJ and JM for 1 year. It was a wonderful, challenging and adventurous experience of how home schooling is all about. It was really a challenge in the sense that we needed to find balance between enjoyment of learning and the pressure of accomplishing the lesson plan within the given time frame. There were many times when tensions erupted because we tried to enforce learning on them at times when they were not open to it. We have since made adjustments as we continually learn from our experience.

Home schooling is not always rosy as had been depicted in several advertisements from some home school providers. I saw several ads showing the kids and parents happily reading a book with all those wide smiles and such. I am not saying that home schooling is altogether difficult. While the satisfaction and joy parents and kids derive from home schooling is great, I am not discounting the times when tensions and flare ups sometimes occur that cause discouragement to kids and disappointment to parents. A lot of parents quit home schooling right after the first try because they were only told about the advantages of homeschooling but not properly informed about the challenges and how to surmount such events every time they occur.

Before our kids were accepted for enrollment by the CFA, they mandated us to attend a seminar during which they discussed the advantages and challenges of home schooling. In addition to the seminar, the CFA provided continuous support to parents in resolving issues related to home schooling. This support helped us survive the first year of home schooling.

Homeschooling our kids with the CFA was an adventure. Overall, it was a great learning experience for us as with our kids. But then certain turn of events challenged us to move our kids from home schooling to unschooling. 

The difference between home schooling and unschooling is that in home schooling, the kids are enrolled with a home school provider that provides curriculum, books, examinations and report card to the students, whereas in unschooling, the kids are not enrolled in any home school provider and it is the responsibility of the parents to create their own curriculum with the liberty to use any books on any subject matter they want to teach their kids. Furthermore, students who were enrolled with a DepEd accredited home school provider can enroll with the regular schools at anytime while unschooled kids need to undergo DepEd validation exam if they want to go back to a regular school.

Harold R. McAlindon said: "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

By unschooling our kids, we are making our own path as we move forward. It is a great challenge for me and my wife to ensure that our kids are learning great things that are beneficial to their physical, spiritual and emotional maturity. We made this decision knowing through faith that God will always bless us and His Holy Spirit is always with us to give us the knowledge, wisdom and intelligence we need to properly mentor our kids.

God Bless Our Family!

Self-Healing Naturally

I just came back from Cebu City where we interviewed people who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses like cancer and cardio-vascular disorders but have all been healed through natural healing method.

Dr. Romy B. Paredes, though a Physician by profession, chose the road less traveled in the field of Medicine and Health Care by promoting natural healing methods through the practice of Integrative Medicine. His aim is to make people more responsible of their health as championed by his slogan, "Empowering people to take control of their health."

Remaining healthy is actually a personal choice. Of course, it is not easy as it sounds. It is a decision that starts first with the mind if one expects to be successful in implementing a healthy lifestyle. I am the product of my own habits and releasing myself out of these deep entrenched patterns of thoughts and actions needs more than just resolution. People who have some form of addiction whether physical like addiction to drugs and alcohol, or psychological like gluttony and pornography, need a teacher, guidance counselor or any person who can give them concrete, practical advice, guidance and inspiration to effectively pull them away from their addiction and change their mindset in order to steer them clear from going back to the same habit.

On the field of health and well being, I highly recommend the 52 Healing Habits by Bro. Bo Sanchez. This program is well rounded that touches not only on the physical aspect of human health but includes the psychological and spiritual dimension that completes the holistic approach to a person's perfect health and well-being. What makes 52 Healing Habits a wonderful program is that it does not only talk about concepts of making one's self healthy, rather it provides specific do's and don'ts, lists of right  foods and practices including the right mindset to obtaining optimum result.

In the present world that is dependent on drugs being churned out by pharmaceutical companies, I was quite surprised to know that serious diseases can be cured using natural healing method. By natural healing method I mean eating fruits and vegetables and by using medicinal plants. And talking to people who have gone through the experience made it all the more compelling. We were made to believe that ingesting drug is the best or only way to cure an illness or disease. I have read books and talked to some doctors about the effectiveness of drugs and I agree with their conclusion that pharmaceutical drugs were merely intended to suppress the symptoms of the diseases but do not cure the causes. 

Human advances in Science and Technology have been enormous. In the field of health care, we are already at a point where any condition of human mind and body diagnosed as illness or disease has at least two corresponding drugs manufactured for its cure. It is unfortunate, however, that, despite the attempt, sincere or not, by the pharmaceutical companies to provide cure for the diseases or illnesses, they actually created a"kill-the-messenger" approach to health. In other words, the drugs do not eliminate the root cause but merely suppress the disease by treating the symptoms. Worst, pharmaceutical drugs, while treating the symptoms of a diseases, cause several negative side effects that are diagnosed as separate illnesses and therefore need another different kinds of drugs to allegedly cure them, and so on and on eventually making the person take several pills every day that started with just one.

It is dreadful how humans have become so detached with their natural, inner self. Human experience written  in history has taught us that we are more than the physical body we see and touch. Our physical body has intelligence that proceeds from the mind that created it. We are part of a whole Eco-system being nurtured by mother nature. Our attempt at supplanting this natural nurturing proved rather ineffective with devastating effects on our well being. Of course there is no single way of eliminating diseases and illnesses but going back to nature is a big step towards the right direction.

The True Millionaire's Prayer

Today, I ask You to bless me so that I may become a blessing.
Lord, I commit myself to enrich others.
But because I cannot give what I do not have, I commit myself to become rich.
I commit myself to serve You and to serve the poor with my wealth.

Today, I open myself to the abundance of Your universe.
Use me as Your channel of love.
Give me the ability to create wealth that will bless the world.
Increase my financial wisdom and expand my territories.

I place my life in Your hands, amen.

by Bro. Bo Sanchez

The Approachable Rich and Famous Person

Do you know of a rich and famous person in our society? Have you tried conversing with them right then and there where you found them?  

Chances are, you have been shunned, ignored or advised to talk to their secretaries to schedule an appointment.

The fact is that, the rich and famous people live a busy life. Every second that is left of their existence has already been alloted to some specific activity that was scheduled months or years prior which oftentimes cannot  be changed easily.

Of course my observation is just a sweeping generalization based on my experience and that of the other people I spoke with regarding this matter. I do believe, however, that there are many rich and famous people who do not fall within this category. Nonetheless, the general consensus is that rich and famous people are too busy to notice the person next to them whom they were not obligated beforehand to meet.

Bro. Bo Sanchez is a Rich and Famous person. He is a very successful entrepreneur, author of best selling books, inspirational spiritual preacher and speaker, wealth and finance coach and mentor, founder of various institutions, among others. His specific bio and list of achievements can be read here and here.

I have been on a look out for a chance to talk to him for quite a while but with many people lining up for a piece of his time, I was not able to find one. I thought my chance came during the signing of his latest book, "My Maids Invest in the Stock Market", but the queue was so long I barely had less than half a minute talking with him.

On October 28, my family attended the United Nation celebration of the Catholic Family Academy (CFA) where two of my kids were enrolled. Bro. Bo Sanchez and his family were in attendance, too, he being the founder of the Academy and his children were enrolled as well. During a break in the program when the students were to design their collage, Bro. Bo fired up his laptop computer and started typing his ideas that must have come to him during the students' presentation. My youngest son, Jake, needed to go to the washroom and we have to pass near the place where Bro. Bo was seated. He was deeply absorbed in thought. We were about to pass by him, when he suddenly raised his gaze toward us. He smiled. I smiled back. He extended his hand. We shook hands. I was a bit caught off guard but I managed to introduce myself. I asked if it would be alright to approach him after the program so I could solicit his advise about my personal concern. The most generous answer I was expecting of him was to grant my request. But his  response to my request was unbelievable. He immediately closed the lid of his laptop computer and told me, "now, right now, you can talk to me right now." I was stunned. Wow. A rich and famous person who was busy writing something that needed his fullest attention, immediately put everything aside so he can listen to what I'm gonna say. He doesn't know me personally. He doesn't even have an idea if my concern is that important or not. Nonetheless, he made himself available at once to listen to me. Outstanding. I was speechless for a moment.

We have been attending the Feast for years now. It was my Sweetiepie who introduced me to the Feast when we moved down to Manila from Baguio City. I was impressed the very first time I heard Bro. Bo talked. It was like a breath of fresh air from the traditional ways of preaching the Gospel and doing worship. And the more we attended the Feast, the deeper I admired his spiritual connection with God. I read about his love for the poor and his charitable works proceeding from his benevolence and generosity. By listening to him talk, observing his actions and hearing a lot of people speak highly of him, one can confidently conclude that Bro. Bo is a kind, accommodating and generous person in addition, of course, to his other good traits. I admire him. But to personally experience his kindness, friendliness and 'good-naturedness', it is quite an experience. I was humbled, empowered and inspired. Now I know why he is so blessed and why the people around him are blessed as well. 

It was a wonderful encounter. He is abound with positive energy. And I felt that there was a transfer of that positive energy to me when I shook his hands. As a matter of fact, the transfer of positive energy is the very reason why I want to somehow touch or in close proximity with the wealthy, abundant, enlightened and forward-thinking people. I am eagerly anticipating the moments when it will be my turn to do to others what he did to me. Pay it forward.

I remember the time when we attended a talk of Bro.Bo in Oakville, Ontario. There was a part of me that wanted to go ahead and shake his hands but my never-mind attitude prevailed. My understanding of the nature of positive energy was low at that time. The positive energy in me was not strong enough to pull myself toward the stronger source. Like attracts like. I figured that had I possessed a bit higher level of understanding and enough puling power of positive energy at that time, I could have managed to go and shook his hands. And as I typed this blog, I should have been at least a quarter rich as he is right now. 

Nonetheless, I believe that things happen for a good reason. I am very wealthy with my relationships right now. And I know the material riches that I have been desiring are all lined up outside my door. I shall now open the door and allow them to come and materialize in my experience. 

God is Good. God is Great. Let His Energy flow. God bless us all.