It's visa application time again for me.  This time, I lodged my application at the German Embassy, as this is where my friend and I would be staying the longest.  After the long wait I had to endure when I applied a Schengen visa at the Italian Embassy, I had hoped this would be shorter.  True enough, I got my passport back with a visa after 3 working days.

Their visa application procedure and forms can be found in their website.

Visa Application Requirements

Tip: While gathering requirements, it might be better to schedule the appointment as slots may fill up fast.

This link contains the visa application requirements for the purpose of tourism.  Below is a preview of the requirements with some notes on what I submitted.

1.  Traveller Identity

     - Original passport valid for at least another 3 months upon completion of the travel, as well as old passports.  I also submitted photocopy of identity page, all visas and stamps in old passports.  My passport is new so it still doesn't have any stamps on it.

     - One current passport picture.  I actually submitted 2, one glued in the application form and another one which the visa officer asked when I submitted my requirements.

2.  Visa Application Form

     - Completed and signed application form.  The form has to be completed online.  If you cannot complete it right away, you could save it and load at a later time.  Don't forget to print as this will contain bar code that would be used when you lodge the application.  Glue/Paste one picture on the first page and affix signature on pages 4, 5 and 6.

     - Declaration according to Section 54 AufenthaltsG, fully completed and signed.  I had printed and signed a copy of this, but I was also given a copy when I arrived at the embassy for my appointment.

3.  Purpose of Travel

     - Details regarding travel destination and route.  Basically, the travel itinerary.  I did not have a detailed day-to-day itinerary but I had date ranges for each city/country, activities and accommodation.  I also included a cover letter to explain the purpose of my trip.

     - Details regarding means of travel for outward and return journey.  No need to do reservations.  They just need details of the flight you plan to take going to and from the Schengen area.

     - Hotel voucher or confirmation.  I submitted hotel booking confirmations I've done using booking.com.  I chose those that have free cancellation in case visa is not approved.

4.  Visa Fee

     - Euro 60 for applicants older than 12 years old, payable in PhP.  At the time of lodging, PhP equivalent was PhP3,110.00, paid to the visa officer.

     - Euro 35 for children 6 to 12 years old

     - No fee for children up to 6 years old

5.  Financial Coverage

     - Statement of account(s) for the previous 6 months, with a confirmation by the bank.  I submitted bank certificate with bank statement for 2 months.  BPI can only give up to 2 months for bank statement.  I also submitted 3 months of credit card statement since I checked credit card as a means of support.

6.  Travel Health Insurance

     - Travel insurance valid for all Schengen states and full duration of stay for which visa was applied for, with minimum coverage sum of Euro 30,000.  Philippine insurances must be accredited and given in the original with a xerox, German insurances are accepted as a xerox, fax or scan.  I bought my travel insurance from Pacific Cross (formerly Blue Cross).  When I lodged my application, I haven't received the original policy yet that is sent via mail by Pacific Cross but they gave me a soft copy via email.  I submitted 2 copies of the printout and they accepted it.

7.  Rootedness in the Phlippines

     Employed:

     - Most recent Income Tax Return.  I submitted the one for 2015 since I still do not have one for 2016.

     - Certificate of Employment

     - Certificate of Leave Availment

     Self-Employed:

     - Proof of registration and commercial activity of the company

     Student:

     - School certificate

     - Proof of enrollment

     - If applicable, letter of exemption from studies

8.  Additional documents for children below 18:

     - Personal appearance of both parents during submission of visa application with valid ID

     - Original birth certificate of the child issued by NSO on Security Paper

     If travelling without both parents:

     - Declaration of consent by the legal guardian, signed in front of a German consular officer

     - Passports of legal guardian (original and photocopy of data page)

     - Proof of legal custody (for minors with parents whose marriage was dissolved/annulled)

     - If applicable, Death Certificate of the other parent

     - Travel Permit issued by DSWD

Lodging of Visa Application

1.  On the day of the appointment, I was already at the embassy 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
     - Register at the German embassy counter at the ground floor of RCBC Tower
     - Proceed to 25th floor, go through security check.
     - Present appointment letter and passport at the counter.  A number will be given and a copy of the Declaration according to Section 54 AufenthaltsG (just in case you forgot to print and sign it)
     - Go to the other side of the floor.  A locker is available to store cellphones and other electronics.  Keep the key until you're finished with your purpose.   
2.  Wait for your number to be called.
     - When I got there, the counters are still closed.  At exactly 8:00AM, 3 counters opened.  After another 3-5 minutes, another one opened.
3.  I submitted all the requirements arranged based on the order in the requirements list.
4.  I was asked by the visa officer questions regarding my trip i.e. when I'll be arriving Schengen territory, country of first arrival in the territory, what I did in Italy (since I got my previous Schengen visa from the Italian embassy), is it my first time in Germany.
5.  I was asked for another picture
6.  Paid the visa fee of Euro60 (their current conversion PhP3,110.00)
7.  A receipt was given to me, with a handwritten tracking number for 2GO.


Waiting Game

Based on reviews I read, the German Embassy processes application rather quickly.  So, on the 2nd working day after I lodged my application, I checked on the tracking website.  The tracking number is still not valid, meaning they haven't received my passport yet.  The next day, I checked again, and my passport has already been dispatched for delivery within the day.  I anxiously waited for it at midday.  Be prepared to pay for the delivery fee (I paid PhP170.00).  I didn't know this until the courier got to our house and informed me that I had to pay the amount.  I was a bit nervous while opening my passport and was glad that I was granted a visa for my intended vacation.


All in all, the experience was smooth and stress-free.  Finalizing plans now and eagerly awaiting for my vacation.

It was already Feb 19 when we decided to go to this event and bought our tickets Friday.  Good thing Metrodeal still has it up on their site.  Bought the Gold ticket for PhP179 instead of PhP300.  The first time I went here, I got the VIP tickets but since there are some obstructions when taking pictures, I tried a different area this time.  We went to the Gold seaside area which proves to be a better place if you want to take good pictures.  Feb 21 date showcases Mexico and The Netherlands (pictures below).

Parking? We got to Mall of Asia around 3:30PM and we're still able to park at the North Side parking.

Food and drinks? Food and beverage stalls are available inside the area.

Portalets? You don't have to worry about this either as there are available portalets in the area.  The one nearest us (where we positioned ourselves) have 1 portalet for male and 2 for females.

Gold tickets

Mexico.  Fireworks started around 8PM, lasted for about 20 minutes.

 

The Netherlands. Started around 9PM, lasted for almost 30 minutes.

June is the time for my car registration renewal.  Just like last year, I came early, however it's almost 9AM this time.

The procedure I followed is basically the same as last year except that I got my CTPL from Cebuana Lhuillier this time, hoping to save some time at LTO.  By the way, Cebuana Lhuillier has a tie up with LTO.

Requirements:
- Photocopy of Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR)
- CTPL insurance, if you already have one

Last year, I posted that 2 copies of the OR and CR is needed.  It seems that this is only needed if you still don't have CTPL and somebody else would line up for the insurance while you do other things.

Steps:

1. Submit photocopy of OR and CR plus original copy of CTPL to inspector.  I was advised by Cebuana to submit duplicate copy but the inspector asked for the original.
2. Papers will be passed to the person who does the recording.  Wait for your name to be called by the person who would get the stencil from your car.  It took about 15minutes for my name to be called, about 10-15minutes for him to finish the stencil for the other car assigned to him and about 20-25minutes more for him to finish with the stencil of my car.  He had some difficulty locating the chassis and had to get help from one of his colleagues.  The person who assisted me asked if I have early warning device (EWD) in my car as that would be inspected later.  I told him I have it and he informed me that there's a new EWD, one with red and yellow. Hmmm... I haven't heard of that, I just continued with the procedure.  Well, I got mine if they ever want to check it.
3. Proceed with smoke emission testing.  I paid for it and brought my car on the side of the building for testing (took about 25minutes).
4. Bring the papers back to the inspector and bring the documents to window 3.  Again, wait for your name to be called (took about 20 minutes).
5. My name was called at window 4 and I paid the necessary fees.
6. Write your name and address, and affix signature on the yellow copy of the receipt.
7. Go to window 5 and claim stickers.

All in all, it took about 2 hours to finish.  It must have taken longer if I don't have CTPL yet (long lines for the insurance).

Please note that I haven't been asked for my EWD or had it inspected when I returned my papers to the inspector.  It seems like this is one of the rackets of those in LTO, they would sell you one hoping that you'll fall for it the moment they tell you.

Anyway, total cost of my car registration is PhP2,860.40.  Here's the summary:

CTPL	PhP   610.40
Smoke Emission Test	PhP   420.00
Car Registration	PhP 1,830.00

I have heard of Villa Escudero for years now, seen pictures of it and have always wanted to go there.  Alas, I have been able to.  It was a treat by my sister and brother-in-law for my nephew's birthday.

We went out early on a Sunday morning, took South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Sto. Tomas exit.  At Sto. Tomas junction, we turned left and just followed the main road up to the Quezon arch, passing the towns of Alaminos and San Pablo.  We then turned left on the first street right after the arch and followed the dirt road that led us to the resort area.

Toll Fee:
C5 to Calamba		PhP 214.00
Calamba to Sto. Tomas		PhP 25.00

It was the feast of the ascension so they have this to welcome guests

Day tour hours is from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.  It is recommended for guests to make their reservation in advance as the resort may be booked for a special occasion. But, in cases when they're not booked, they do accept walk-ins.
 

Day Tour Fee:
Adult		PhP 1,400.00
Children below 4ft		PhP 700.00
Senior Citizen		PhP 1,000.00

The fee includes welcome drink at the reception area, carabao cart ride, use of outdoor recreational areas, visit to the museum and lunch at the waterfalls.  Their rooms are only available for overnight guests.  For day tour guests, they could stay at the restaurant or at some tables/chairs around the pool area.

Reception Area

Tickets

After getting our tickets and having some "gulaman" at the reception, we walked to the museum.  We had our bags with us.  Good thing is that they have a left luggage area at the gates to the museum area.  Pictures are not allowed to be taken inside the museum.  Also, children below 5 years old are not allowed inside the museum.  So, if you have kids with you, you could take turns in entering the museum, while the others are with the kids in the playground just beside the museum.

Way to the museum

Museum

After the museum, we went to the waiting area for the carabao cart ride.  We passed by some old planes and tankers on display.


The carabao cart ride took about 10-15 minutes.  There would also be some resort staff that will be on the ride and singing folk songs with the accompaniment of a guitar.
 

Our carabao "Sexy" having some dose of water

One carabao is named Ligaya

On board carabao Sexy

Resort staff singing "Ang Pipit"

View during the carabao cart ride

View during the carabao cart ride

When we got off the ride, we followed the path going to the left for the swimming pool.  There's a restaurant around the area in case you need some snacks/drinks.

Restaurant area

Restaurant area

The restaurant is also by the river where free activities such as bamboo rafting and fishing can be done.  The path to the accommodations is also by that area.

River at Villa Escudero

Path to the accommodations

As for the swimming pools, there's 3 available (at least that's what we saw).  One for the kids, the other is about 5ft (with slides) and the other is about 2ft deep where most of the elders stay (because of the somewhat warmer, as compared to the other 2, temperature of the water).  Lockers can be rented for PhP50.00 (plus PhP50.00 deposit) to put your things while swimming.  The toilet/shower is for public use so there may be a lot of people specially when it's near closing time.

Kiddie Pool

Pool that is about 5ft deep (with slides)

Other pool about 2ft deep

Lunch (included in the admission fee) by the waterfalls is served from 11AM to 2PM.  We went there around 12NN so there's already a lot of people there.  On the way to the falls, we passed by the Arsenio Escudero Hydroelectric Powerplant.  The path would be to the left going down some steps after the powerplant.

Hydroelectric Power Plant

Lunch by the waterfalls

Since there tables near the falls are already packed, we got a table a bit far from the falls but near the food area.  There were about 3 areas to get food from but only 2 are filled with the same food.  Ticket stub for the food has to be presented to be able to get a plate.  One stub, one plate.  The selection has ensalada, pork/beef/chicken/fish/vegetable viands, soup, pancit canton, pineapple fruit and banana cue for dessert.


Cultural show starts at 2PM (up to 3:15PM) at the restaurant area.  Expect a lot of people to be in that area during that time.


After the show, expect that there would already be lots of people going home and that the wait for the carabao ride might take some time.  I guess in cases of peak hours, they do deploy some motor vehicles to bring people back to the reception area.

Here are some other pictures I took before leaving.

San Pablo / Quezon arch (boundary) right after we turn right at the main road from the resort