My tips for fast passport processing at SM Megamall (DFA NCR East)

February 9, 2013

My tips for fast passport processing at SM Megamall 
(DFA NCR East)



1. Take the first slot, which is the 10:00 AM slot
At the first hour, there will be no backlog yet in processing of applications. If the personnel slows down in their work or encounters many people with incomplete or troublesome documents, the 10:00 AM appointments will not be affected by it.

As you can see, before 10:00 AM, there are already 10 waiting customers.


2. Get a Thursday slot. 

In my experience, Thursday is usually a slow day. There are less lines during Thursdays, whether in a bank, government offices or shops.

Take note that the fee for weekend passport appointments is more expensive than weekday slots.

3. Know where to go


This tip is basic because knowing where to go saves time. This especially holds true in this case because the SM Megamall building where the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) holds office is relatively new. It will be confusing to find for those who do not frequent this mall or is not at all familiar with SM Megamall. So I'm making a special post here.

The DFA Satellite Office for passport processing is located at the 7th floor of SM Megamall Carpark Building C. Carpark Building C is located in front of SM Megamall Building A.

How to go to Carpark Building C:

If you're using public transportation: get off at the Megamall bus bay terminal beneath Bldg C, and take the elevator to the 7th floor.

If you're using private transportation: enter carpark building C and park at the 7th level parking lot. To get to the carpark C entrance, enter Julia Vargas Ave. as shown by the blue arrows below, turn right at bank drive, turn left at the dead end, turn left again to go to carpark C.

Photo courtesy of SM Megamall facebook page
Blue arrows on the left are mine to indicate a one-way street
Red dots are car park entrances

Where is to park:
7th level carpark building C
5th level carpark of building A


For more details about the exact location of the passport center, check out my post "Where to Find the SM Megamall Passport Processing Center."


4. Park at the 7th level parking lot of Megamall Car Park Building C


Make sure to park at the 7th level parking lot of building C, especially if you have children and senior citizens with you. The pedestrian exit of the 7th level goes directly to the entrance of the DFA. There's no need to climb stairs or walk far.

This is the 7th level of Car Park  Building C
A short walk going to the left side of the photo leads to the entrance of the DFA.
If you park at the 5th level car park of SM Megamall Building A, you need to walk far and climb the stairs shown above to reach the DFA.
The left corridor at the same level of the DFA entrance leads to the 7th level of Car Park Building C. There will be no stairs to climb to reach the entrance.

For more details about where to find Megamall Carpark Building C, check out my post "Where to Find the SM Megamall Passport Processing Center."


5. Get your queue number first

When you enter the door of the passport center, the guard will immediately direct you to the right side after you enter the door towards the verification desk. You fall in line at the verification desk while the clerk checks your passport application form and attached documents. After the clerk at the verification desk finishes checking your application form and documents, he will direct you to the Smarto system pictured below to get your queue number.

My tip is for you to get your queue number first because this will determine the order when you will be served, instead of getting it after coming from the verification desk.

This is the touch screen machine where you get your queue number.
The ticketing machine is located near the entrance

6. Get both regular and priority numbers if you have senior citizens, minors, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and or overseas Filipino workers in your group.


If you're renewing your passport together with your kids and your parent like I did, your passports will be processed as a group. In this case, you can get both the regular and priority numbers in the queue, as shown above in the ticketing machine.




But take note note that it doesn't mean that when you get the priority queue ticket, you'll be served first. In our case, the regular service ticket was served ahead of the priority ticket. I presume it's because the regular service ticket had at least 5 counters assigned to it while the priority service ticket only had one.

"Priority services" is a misnomer for this service. It's actually the queue ticket for walk-in applicants. Check out my post "When is walk-in passport application allowed?"


7. Have complete xerox copies of documents before arriving at the site.


As you can see below, if you fail to xerox copies of some of your documents, there is a copier service inside the waiting area. However, I strongly advise that you complete the xerox copies of your documents in order to avoid delay in receiving your documents.

In our case, a person ahead of us failed to xerox some of his documents, so he fell in line at the xerox machine (1st delay) then he fell in line again after us (2nd delay). We were 6 in our group so it's like falling in line behind 6 people.


Inside DFA Megamall waiting area


My review: The DFA did a very good job in streamlining passporting services at their SM Megamall site. We finished the whole process in 50 minutes. We were 6 people who applied for renewal of passports. 

For step-by-step account of how the whole process went, see my post" My experience renewing my passport at SM Megamall".

Manila to Batanes Flights (Airlines, Schedules, Fares) (as of February 2013)


Manila to Batanes Flights (Airlines, Schedules, Fares)
(as of February 2013)



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Skyjet 

Flight Schedule:

Manila-Batanes
Mon, Wed, Fri: 5:30 AM departure, 6:30 AM arrival

Basco-Manila
Mon, Wed, Fri: 7:10 AM departure, 8:30 AM arrival

Fare: 
around P16,965.00



Departure Airport: 
NAIA Domestic Terminal 4

Airplane:
94-seater British Aerospace airline

How to book:
1. Online
http://www.skyjetair.com
2. Call by phone
+632- 823 3087+632-635-4810
3. By email
info@skyjetair.com

Airphil Express - Pasay City, Philippines

Air Philippines Express


Flight Schedule:
* They will start flying May 2013.

Manila-Batanes
Mon, Wed, Fri: 6:00 AM departure, 7:45 AM arrival

Basco-Manila
Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:10 AM departure, 9:50 AM arrival

Fare: 
around P8630.00



Departure Airport: 
NAIA Terminal 3

Airplane:
To be announced

How to book:
Online: 
http://www.airphilexpress.com/




Skypasada

This airline is supposed to be currently flying Manila-Batanes but I have not been able to book online as well as contact them by phone so I don't know if they're still flying Manila-Batanes or not




Where to Find the SM Megamall Passport Processing Center (DFA-NCR East)

February 5, 2013


Where to Find the SM Megamall Passport Processing Center (DFA-NCR East)


The DFA Satellite Office for passport processing is located at the 7th floor of SM Megamall Carpark Building C. Carpark Building C is located in front of SM Megamall Building A.

How to go to Carpark Building C:

If you're using public transportation: get off at the Megamall bus bay terminal beneath Bldg C, and take the elevator to the 7th floor.

If you're using private transportation: enter carpark building C and park at the 7th level parking lot. To get to the carpark C entrance, enter Julia Vargas Ave. as shown by the blue arrows below, turn right at bank drive, turn left at the dead end, turn left again to go to carpark C.


Photo courtesy of SM Megamall facebook page
Blue arrows on the left are mine to indicate a one-way street
Red dots are car park entrances




Best parking options:
First Option: 7th level carpark building C

Car Park Building C is at the right
We arrived 9:30 AM but it's still closed so we lined up like all the other cars

SM Megamall Building A is at the left

The Car Park Building C entrance opened at 9:40 AM


This is the 7th level of Car Park  Building C
A short walk going to the left side of the photo leads to the entrance of the DFA.

Second Option: 5th level carpark of building A

After parking at the 5th level of SM Megamall Building A, proceed to Bruno's Barbers.
The exit that leads to the entrance of the DFA office is the one beside Bruno's.

After exiting the door beside Bruno's Barbers, you go up these steps to go to the DFA.
When you reach the top of the steps, you turn left to reach the entrance of the DFA.
The corridor to the left also leads to the 7th level of Car Park Building C.

This is the view from the top of the steps.
This is the bridgeway between Megamall Building A and Megamall Car Park Building C.
The door you see leads to Megamall Building A.

Changi Airport Transportation for a Family of 6

February 2, 2013

Changi Airport Singapore
Changi Airport Transportation for a Family of 6


Below are transportation options from Changi Airport to the city for a family of 6 or a group of 4 or more adults. Compare each to see what suits your situation based on cost or configuration of passengers.

7-seater Large Taxi / Maxicab

Fixed Fare: 
60 SGD for 7 persons


Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed
The maximum number of passengers allowed for a standard taxi in Singapore is as follows:
7 adults
6 adults + 1 child
4 adults + 3 children
4 adult + 4 children
3 adult + 6 children
2 adult + 7 children
1 adult + 9 children

Note: children are aged under 12 years old.


Where to find:
Arrivals hall ground transportation desk


Advantages: 
1. Fare is fixed. 

2. Seven (7) adults can ride together in one vehicle. This is useful for those with young children in their group or senior citizens, where separating the group into 2 vehicles is not feasible.

3. Available 24 hours.

Disadvantage: 
More expensive than the other transportation options.


Taxi

Fare to Bencoleen Street: 
19.25 SGD per taxi

Checkout Singapore taxi fare calculator for your destination.



Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed
The maximum number of passengers allowed for a standard taxi in Singapore is as follows:
4 adults
3 adults + 2 children
2 adults + 3 children
1 adult + 4 children
6 children

Note: children are aged under 12 years old. Three children passengers below 12 years old is equivalent to 2 adults

Where to find:
The taxi stand is located just outside the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 1 and at the end of the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 2 (South Wing).


Advantage: 
1. Cheaper than the 7-seater maxicab. If you have more than 4 adults in your group, you can take 2 taxis and the fare will still be cheaper.

2. Available 24 hours.


Disadvantage: 
You need to separate your group if you have more than 4 adults in your group or more than the maximum capacity of the taxi shown above.


MRT

Fare: 
Tana Merah to Bras Basah:
2.20 SGD per person

Checkout SMRT Interactive Map and Train Fare Calculator

Where to find:
From arrival hall level 1, turn left to take the elevator to Level 2 for the Skytrain. Take the Skytrain from terminal 1 to terminal 2. Arrive at Terminal 2, Level 2. Proceed to the city train.

Sample trip from Tana Merah to Bras Basah:
Take the train from Changi airport to Tana Merah. From Tana Merah take the train to Joo Koon, get off at Paya Lebar. From Paya Lebar, take the train to Dhoby Gaut; get off at Bras Basah at Exit D going to Rendezvous Hotel beside Strand Hotel

Advantage: 
Cheapest compared to the taxi and maxicab. A little more expensive than the bus.

Disadvantage: 
1. You have to monitor the group at each in every stop or transfer to make sure everyone is with you. This is especially difficult if you have young children or senior citizens with you. 

2. You need to buy an ezlink card first to board the train.

3. Limited hours of service: First train is at 5:26 AM (Mon-Sat)/5:54 AM (Sun and public holidays. Last train is at 11:18 PM.



Bus

Fare: 

1.86 SGD per person (ezlink card), 2.40 SGD per person cash

Where to find:
At the Changi Airport basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2, 3

Sample trip from the airport to Strand Hotel, Bencoolen Street
Take the bus from Changi airport bus terminal at the basement. Ride bus 36 and get off at SMU. Then walk 350 m. or about 4 minutes to Strand hotel

Advantage: 
1. Cheapest (if you use an ezlink card)
2. You ride only ONE bus to your destination, compared to the MRT where you transfer at different stations. 
3. If you're in a group, this may be a cheap way you can ride together to your destination, provided the bus is not filled up.

Disadvantage: 
1. The bus take longest to arrive at your destination. You have make around 22 stops from the airport to the city

2. You need to have exact fare because they do not give change.

3. Limited hours of service: First bus arrives at 6:00 AM. Last bus departs is at 12:00 MN

My tip if you decide to take the MRT or the bus:

Find out the walking distance from the last train stop or the last bus stop to your hotel. If you have teenaged kids, a 250 meter walk from the last train stop to the hotel while you have carry-on luggage is possible while a 550 meter walk from the last bus stop to the hotel entrance is too burdensome already so we decided to use the MRT.

Gateway Platinum Cinema (Cineplex 10): Is It Worth It?

January 28, 2013


  Gateway Platinum Cinema (Cineplex 10): Is It Worth It?



The Difference Between a Regular Cinema and Gateway Platinum Cinema

Ticket Price:

The regular cinema ticket price is P180-P200.

Gateway platinum cinema ticket price is P351, which includes a medium size plain popcorn and a 16 oz. drink.


Private Lounge


If you arrive early for the show, you can stay at this private lounge and read newspapers
The entrance of the cinema is the door at the left of this photo.





Popcorn and Drink included




When you enter the lounge, the usherette  will ask you  what drink you prefer and if you want flavored popcorn.  Medium size plain popcorn is included. But if you want flavored popcorn, you pay the usherette an additional 10 pesos

Your choice of drinks are regular Coke, Coke zero, Sprite, Iced tea or bottled mineral water.

Your medium size plain popcorn and 16 oz. drink is served when you take your seat.
The usher distributing popcorn and drinks after we took our seats


Seats

La-Z-Boy leather seats you can fully recline into a flat bed (well, almost). 

Seat Configuration: 5 rows, 8 seats per row, for a total of 40 seats 




Screen view from Row E, the best row
Screen view from my seat at Row C, Seat 7

Les Miserables

Anne Hathaway playing Fantine singing "I Dreamed a Dream"


Private Toilet





IS IT WORTH THE ADDITIONAL COST?

Yes, it is. 

A regular cinema ticket cost from 180-200 pesos. If you add 59 pesos for a medium size plain popcorn and 35 pesos for a 16 oz drink bought at the Snaxx counter (you can only bring in food and drinks bought from the Snaxx counter), your total cost will be around 294 pesos. 

Compare it with the 351 pesos price of a Gateway Platinum Cinema ticket. The difference is only around 57 pesos. In effect, you pay only an additional 57 pesos for the amenities I mentioned above. 

Of course, it will be a different matter if you don't buy popcorn and drinks when you go to the movies.



MORE TIPS:

Check my post: How to Get the Best Seats    
Where to find Gateway Platinum Cinema


At Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao



At the 5th level of Gateway Mall
My tip: The nearest entrance to Gateway Platinum Cinema is through General Roxas Ave, side of Krispy Creme or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Use the escalator or elevator to get to the fifth level. 

Gateway Platinum Cinema (Cineplex 10): How to get the best seats


Gateway Platinum Cinema (Cineplex 10): 
How to get the best seats 

Gateway Platinum Cinema is one of the Top Ten Best Cinemas in Metro Manila. It's a bit expensive compared to regular cinemas in Metro Manila so it's important to get the best seat in the house with the best viewing experience. These are my tips on how to get the best seats.

There are two ways to make reservations: 

1. Online at Ticketnet.




You get the email below after reserving online:


Dear Ma’am, Good day! Here are the details of your reservation: 
Movie
Les Miserables
Cinema
Gateway Platinum Cinema
Screening Date & Time
JAN. 26 / 2:00 PM
Row/Seat Number
ROW C / SEATS 3-8
Number of Tickets
6
Booking Number
71849
Amount (additional P10 per ticket is included for the handling charge)
PHP 2106.00
 Reminders:
 1.      Please note your booking number.2.      You may claim your ticket/s at Counter 6 ,two (2) hours before the screening time.3.      Please mention your booking number to the Cinema’s Cashier.  Enjoy the movie!  Dimple CalicdanGateway Cineplex Customer Service Center911-5555

Advantage of booking online: You can make reservations even before the cinema ticketing counter opens at 10:00 AM.

Disadvantages:
1. The seats are chosen for you by the system.
2. You must be at the cinema ticketing counter, AT THE LATEST, two (2) hours before the screening time. Otherwise, your reservation will be cancelled.


2. By calling Ticketnet at 911-5555.


Advantage of calling Ticketnet: When you make a reservation through a Ticketnet's customer service agent, you can choose your seats.

Disadvantages:
1. You can make reservations only when the Ticketnet office opens at 10:00 AM.
2. You must be at the cinema ticketing counter, AT THE LATEST, two (2) hours before the screening time. Otherwise, your reservation will be cancelled.



What are the best cinema seats

The best cinema seats are in Row E, seats numbers 3-6
The next best seats are in Row D, 3-6

Row A is nearest the screen


How to get the best seats

1. Book online as early as early as you can. Why? The online booking system is open 24 hours unlike the Ticketnet call center, which opens only at 10:00 AM. You cannot book your ticket the day before the show so you need to wait until the Ticketnet site opens reservations for the current day's show. The Ticketnet online reservation opens earlier than the Ticketnet call center.

In my case, I booked my reservation online at 8:30 AM, and I got row C already. Apparently, 2 people were able to book earlier than I and they got the middle seats of row D and row E.

2. The online booking system assigns seats from the best to the worst. So if you're the first to book, the system will assign you row E. The system also considers row E the best seat.