How to get a driver's license in the Philippines

I just got my non professional driver's license from LTO. I thought that it would be such a hassle but not really. Even so, you have to be there for the whole day, unless you're one of the firsts in line.

To bring: 
1. student driver permit (at least one month old)
2. the receipt for that permit
3. ballpen, money and patience

To do:

1. Get an application form in the 'information window' and answer it

2. Line up in the medical testing area (you have to pay 100php or so, they'll just get your height, weight and eyesight; You have to give them your student permit and the the receipt for that.

3. Make sure the physician attached something like a medical certificate in your application form, they'll also attach your student permit and the receipt

4. Pass your application form (with the attached med cert and student permit) to the drug testing area, pay 300php or something- I forgot how much exactly; wait for your name to be called.

5. When you're name is called, they'll ask for a urine sample.

6.  Upon getting a negative result in the drug test, you'll get the application form along with the drug test and med cert, line up in window 4 (or somewhere, just read the instructions posted)

7. Wait for your name to get called (while waiting, you could ask for a copy of reviewer from the LTO officers in the testing area, and review) and then you'll have your photo and signature taken, then wait for your name to get called again.

8. When you get called, you're in for the written examination, pass that exam. The written exam is not difficult, you need to get 30/40 to pass, some of the answers are already posted in the testing area, and you're allowed to look (these are just traffic signs) :))

9. After passing the exam, you're in for the practical examination. You can tell them that you have your own vehicle or you could use theirs (you have to pay if you use theirs)

10. Just drive the car; 2 rounds (the place is just an empty lot with an oval driveway)

11. If you pass the exam, wait for your name to get called and you now have your driver's license! Yippee!


P.S.
You're in for a lot of waiting-for-your-name-to-get-called :)) I actually memorized some names of the people being called.

Back in 3rd grade, I addressed a letter to heaven

Today I was cleaning my room and found a bag which contains some letters from my friends, previous students, girlfriends and other friends :)) Yezz, I'm friendly like that. But, what struck me the most was a torn, cute, transparent envelope which was addressed to heaven- dated 2001

From: My true self; To: Heaven

I had an idea to what this was about, I didn't want to read it, but I did. It was sad - but I didn't cry, maybe because I have always cried about it even before I wrote that letter. I even criticized the letter because the tone was so formal, I didn't know if that 3rd grade me was talking with God or if she was talking with a judge or prosecutor. All the same, it was a depressing letter that may not let me sleep tonight.

But this post I made is a reply to that 3rd grade me, so this is now 3rd year college me talking, 10 years later

Dear 3rd grade Arlet,

It's okay. It is. Believe me. Please don't be guilty, not anymore. You have done a great job. You are strong and wonderful and you put on such a tough act. Give yourself a break and don't worry. You're not going to the hell that you believed in. You're not. And I love you. I always will. I never hated you. I was childish. You have no one to apologize to, absolutely no one.

I love you, a lot,
I do. Stop being harsh to yourself

3rd year college Arlet

P.S. Why do you claim that you're a "rabble-rouser" and how did you even know the meaning of that word, I had to go and open a dictionary.

 
3rd grade me was using highfalutin words for her age, she must have been such a show off, putting on such an antic, putting on a tough act, putting herself in such a miserable state.

I'm sorry childhood.
And you're forgiven, please forgive yourself already.

~eto yung mga pagkakataong napapatunayan ko na schizophrenic ako eh HAHAHA

In your face, bitch!

My phone was stolen,

almost for good.

My phone is nothing to cry about- seriously, I'd cry if I lose weight, but losing my phone? ppfft- that's fine. Once I left it at a shop for an hour or two, and when I came back it was still there. So that's how prehistoric my phone is. In my defense I just need the calendar, text messaging and calling features of a phone so yeah.

Sure my phone may be prehistoric, sure you can't find it for sale anymore (because it's phased out already =D), sure it's so girly that it look's like Barney's phone, sure it's cheap, sure it's 2 years old already, BUT, don't you dare mock it. Somebody took it! - well at least she tried- my ninja skills stopped her!  =D GYAHAHAHA.

So here's the rundown:

Today is a pretty tiring and painful day because I got a Niagara falls inside of me- that's why I tried to rest and sleep in the crowded jeepney (while listening to my phone's playlist)

        I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

        Roman cavalry choirs are singing

        Be my mirror, my sword and sh ...

The music paused- I searched in my pocket-it was gone-INSTANT NINJA MODE!

suddenly... 
      
        shield, My missionaries in a foreign field
        For some reason I can't explain,
        I know Saint Peter won't call my name
        (the music continued)


I looked at the old lady beside me ... and gently-yes gently pulled her jacket that was covering her hands

 HULI KA BALBON! =D

Wow! It's such a coincidence, we're listening at the same song, and the same line, at the same time, and the same jeep... and we seem to have the same phone too- this is so interesting (I had a cold, sarcastic, taunting, deconstructing smile while saying it)

I took the phone, everyone in the jeep looked at us (only Makati High School students who looked so hooked with the telenovela unfolding in front of them) 

Oh do you mind if I take this? My name is in it, (browse my phone- while sheepishly smiling, then looked at the old lady again) Oh you're still here, maybe you might wanna step out now?

Even the jeepney driver is now watching us, I looked at him and smiled, he averted his eyes and looked at the road, the old lady left the jeep, the High school students whisper at each other, I can hear their murmurs but I can't decipher it, well I don't care. Got my phone back, you go girl!

Cosplay 101: Cosplay performance

Now it's time for the real thing! The performance and the competition itself, the catwalk! A lot of enthusiasts go to a convention mostly because of the cosplay competition. It's really fun to watch- especially the group cosplays. Personally I enjoy watching group cosplays  rather than individual cosplays since the performance is more diverse and original- I'm just saying (btw KUDOS TO THE NARUTO GROUP COSPLAYERS LAST OZINE 2010!!! temari vs. kankuro and the black warriors =D)

Watch 1.02 - 4:48 (this video doesn't do them justice at all, but still great!)

-The video is not mine, It's linked on Youtube

Anyway, you have to keep in mind that some props/accessories/weapons are not allowed inside the venue- especially if it's a mall where a lot of people roam around. That is why you should check first if the venue or the organizers of the event approve of such antics. 

Here are some tips in doing your catwalk/performance:

1. Practice beforehand

And I'm not saying during the convention itself but even before that; there are some groups who practice during the convention itself because it's the first time they'll meet each other but this is not advisable as it's not only stressful but also bothersome for the other convention goers- and it usually ends up being unpolished and full of slips. 

If you're just gonna model, then perhaps it's easier (assuming you're not a mecha character), think of a pose, one liner, or any action that you could do when you're in the middle of the stage. And make sure that it's not time consuming because it's not your own party.

2. Be in character or at least be funny 

3. Be confident or bring lots of friends 

4. Think of an attention getting antic, because yes, we people have ADHD 

5. As cliche as it is, enjoy! -and make lots of friends, approach and talk to other cosplayers but be sensitive. If you feel that you're not wanted then scram! Otherwise maybe you could exchange contacts or facebook addresses, be polite and respectful at all times.

Related pages:

Cosplay 101: Choosing the character; Shopping for materials; The Photoshoot; The Performance

P.S. I love you :)

Ask what my wish is, and I'll probably think about it for the whole day, not because I don't have one but because I have so many that I can't think of just one. Ask him what his wish is and hear it in an instant.

       "Sana po gumaling na ako" (I wish to get well soon, please.)

He's a kid with cancer. He and everyone around him are all brave people I admire. Because of him, I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to find a cure for cancer and cure him immediately.

The kid in the middle is JC B. I met him last Christmas during an outreach program (together with lots of kids and parents like him) He goes to a hospital near the University I am studying so I visit him when he sends me a message (which is very seldom :D) 

Me: Ano'ng gusto mo paglaki mo?
(What do you want to be when you grow up?)

JC: Maging engineer po
(I wanna be an engineer)

Me: Ah..okay.... bakit naman (Why?)

JC: Mahilig po kasi ako magdrawing eh (Because I like to draw =D)

-gusto kong sabihin na di engineering yun kaso.. baka masira ang childhood dream niya :D

He then handed me his drawing book and showed me his works, it was nice and good. I liked it, he asked me to draw one, so I drew 'us.' He said that my drawing was really nice and that I could also be an engineer :D He's cute and adorable right? 

       I don't believe in prayers but if you do, and if you think someone will hear you, then please, by all means pray for him and for all the cancer patients in the world. Please pray for me as well, some people say I'll burn in hell. I don't wanna get burnt in any place, just the burning itself is scary enough. 

       If you're intelligent and inclined, please help find cure cancer.

       If you're rich, please donate to cancer patients.

       If you wanna help, then please do, in your own way

Because kids are supposed to be playing around and being stupid, falling down the stair, breaking a tooth or two, wishing to his tooth fairy, believing in Santa Claus, hanging socks for Christmas, laughing out loud, crying when they lose a game, annoying his older sister, hoarding candies, doing pranks on other children, sleeping in the afternoon, drinking milk before they sleep, singing ba ba black sheep...anything but battling with cancer.

Cosplay 101: The Photoshoot

Innocence :D

Cosplayers are drawn to picture taking. Sure we're vain people and we like camwhoring and, making peace signs, shaping our lips like 'w', putting our hands in our heads (like bunny ears),  and well you get the point. 

It's just fun documenting our cosplays, and what better way to do so than by taking photographs.

Taking pictures of your cosplay is different than doing (dan da na nan nan nan, wait for it, wait for it...) "The Photoshoot" (yes say that again-with conviction) GYAHAHA but yes, these two are different because a photoshoot is hopefully a planned event that you have to prepare for. I may sound like an elitist but I am not; it's all in your mind XD 

Anyway here are the usual things that you need to do/have in a photoshoot to make it more fulfilling or else you'll not have lots of likes in facebook, LOLjk. 

1.Get dressed! Cosplay. Apply make up. It's very important that you do because it can highlight your nice features and/or hide your blemishes. Put your wigs neatly; no real hair showing; use a hair net. 

2. Have a photographer (no need for a professional with a PhD in photography in the University of Photozine). This can be your friend, mom, sweetheart, professor, whoever your heart desires. My friend and I usually invite other fans like us and just treat those people to lunch and transportation. Sometimes we also join group photoshoots, these are organized by enthusiast groups that we belong to. There are a lot of them out there so just keep searching if you don't know one. Please don't use mobile cameras as these type of cams usually result to pixelated and low quality photos. Also, please respect your photographer by knowing your character and not requesting specific edits for the photos because it will take a lot of work, skills, and time for the photographer too. Let's not be an ass to them, okay? 

3. Venue - others neglect this part because they think that it's only their cosplay that matters but please keep in mind that the background will also be seen in the photo- and thus seen as a significant part of the shoot.

Choose the place where your character seem to belong.

Note: When shooting in public places, please don't forget to secure permits because some establishments don't allow photoshoots in their area, also don't litter nor vandal. Don't be a disturbance. Have some decency. 

Some places for photoshoot (Near the metro. I'll update this when I find something new)

            1. Private pool/house/villa/etc

            2. UP Diliman- lagoon or wherever, just don't disturb
classes

            3. La Mesa Ecopark

                    there's an entrance fee, I forgot how much, I think 50php?

            4. Graffiti Wall, Intramuros

            5. Little Tokyo, Makati

            6. Playgrounds/cakeshops wherever

            7. Manila Bay/ MOA seaside

            10. Ninoy Aquino parks and wildlife nature center, QC

            11. Luneta, Manila

            12. Fort Santiago, Manila
            13. Bonifacio High Street- secure a permit from the admin office
            14.  Pan de Amerikana, Marikina- there are life size chess pieces:            
                                                         http://pandeamerikana.multiply.com/
            15. Jardin de Padre Blanco, Intramuros
            16. Greenbelt, Ayala- secure a permit from the admin office
            17. Paco Park, Manila
            18. UST

            Calaruega and other places in Tagaytay- or EK! (Are these far? XD)

4. Get started! Smile and enjoy the shoot.

5. Don't forget to post some pictures in the internet, can I see? please? pretty please?

Related pages:

Cosplay 101: Choosing the character; Shopping for materials; The Photoshoot; The Performance

The Lives of Others 2006

“The state exploits its member.”

This premise was clearly shown in the movie, shown so realistically that it made me shed some tears. Don’t get me wrong, this is not some tearjerker corny drama that you see in cinemas. This is SO MUCH more than that. This is the film that won the 2007 Academy Award for best Foreign Language film. This is “The Lives of Others.”

Weisler, an exceptional loyal secret agent of the government was asked to monitor Dreyman, a suspected dissident and an equally exceptional playwright. In doing so, he got interested with Dreyman’s aspirations. Later he found out that he was monitoring and trying to expose Dreyman because a government minister is jealous of him and his live in partner, Christa Maria Sieland. She is having affairs with the government minister since she doesn’t want Dreyman’s play to be banned. Eventually Dreyman found out about this and begged her to stop doing it. Christa Maria Sieland thought otherwise until Weisler talked with her (while keeping his identity of course.) Weisler intervened in most of the scenarios just to help Dreyman, this costed him his job. Weisler is a traitor and a good man.

A government not for the people is not worth saving. I’d choose to betray that system than betray the people. Weisler was well aware of this so he took advantage of that same system, but he didn't took advantage of the people (well, not during Dreyman's case that is). The world needs more of him.

...a government not supported by its members will not last for good.

In this movie, it was so easy to determine which is ethical but it got complicated because everyone has their own ideals. Weiser is a government watch dog; he sincerely believes that he should eliminate the government’s entire enemy - all those who threatened their state’s apparent peace, while Dreyman is an activist playwright who longs for a change, for freedom and true democracy. Both of them believed that what they’re doing is the right thing to do. Their ideals are opposing yet their ways are similar.

It can be ethical to fight for what you believe in, even if it’s unconstitutional especially if that same constitution doesn’t even represent you. I believe in what Weisler and Dreyman fought for, and I believe that this movie is so good that everyone should see it.

Image downloaded from: http://www.filmeducation.org/livesofothers/imgs/livesofothers.gif