Christmas 2014 Is Really Here!

It can not be denied anymore. The signs are so obvious! Santa Claus... Colorful Ornaments... Christmas Trees... colorful Christmas lights! It means Christmas is just around the corner! I will always love the colors of Christmas!

Passport Renewal In Cebu

After patiently waiting for 2 months from filing, finally my passport has been renewed and released. It has been neglected for quite some time because having a sick mother to care, I didn't find any reason to renew it much more use it

But DFA moved nearby, and when our mother passed away... that's when my sister and I decided to renew our passports again...

At the moment, DFA is housed in Pacific Mall in Mandaue City. Location is convenient for people coming from the north of Cebu, but quite far from people coming from the south. I would probably complained too, if it was reversed and DFA is located in Talisay and I would be traveling all the way from Mandaue. I think the ideal location would be smack in the middle of Cebu City, because it is the center of north and south Cebu.

Facade of Pacific Mall

Pacific Mall from the road

Here below is supposedly the entrance, but you have to take the elevator because the office is in the 4th floor. Actually we would rather pass through the mall to get to the elevator.

It is best to read the guidelines here below. We can actually ask for the application beforehand, but we need to get a ticket number for the actual processing - because DFA is strict in the number of accounts to be processed in a day. So what we did, we lined up very early - around quarter to 6:00 AM, because if 500 tickets or numbers have already been given, we have to come back again the next day. I think in Manila, one can actually choose a schedule for appearance. We did try it via the internet, but we found it is not applicable in Cebu.

After we got our number, we paid the fees. Then we began to line up for the encoding and picture taking (one does not need to submit pictures anymore because it is done in front of the processing officer). But the good news was, we do not need to line up standing because benches were provided. We sat down while waiting. However for a very busy day, there is an expected long period of waiting...

After encoding of name and picture taking, we were advised to come back after 6 to a maximum 7 weeks for the release of the new or renewed passport. When I asked for express processing, they said there is no more express processing. But how come it is still pasted in the schedule of fees? They should have taken it away, so the public will not be misled...

Encoding and Picture Taking Area

Releasing Area

Actually I find the whole process smooth and even fast, even if there is a waiting period. I also realized being located inside a mall is very advantageous, because it is easy to find food when we get hungry. It is also cool inside the mall, and even when there are a lot of people we don't get to suffer much heat.

Cabalen SM City Cebu

Cabalen is nicely located in the SM City Cebu. It is beside one of the entrances of SM City, and very near the parking area. It is quite popular, and almost always full especially during lunch, because it offers Buffet for only 298 Pesos per head excluding drinks. For a Buffet, that's quite very reasonable already, considering the place is nice and in a mall.  Food is Filipino, simple and all-time home favorites. Nothing spectacular.

Although the place is already big, I still find there is little breathing space in between tables. But that's okay for me. Small price to pay... although I would prefer to be more comfortable!

SM City Cebu

A new wing was added to the old SM City Cebu, and it was named North Wing. Here below is the facade of North Wing...

The new wing is more spacious, more elegantly designed, and houses the high end boutiques. The ground lobby acts as an alternate Activity Center, or most often exhibits. Additional fine dining restaurants are also found here.

Beautiful Chandeliers

Christmas Tree 2014

Mango

Forever 21

Duty Free Philippines

This is part of the old wing where most of the restaurants are located (Ground Level). 

The photos that follow show, the old wing, which has a simple rectangular design, and very easy to navigate. Most of the fast food restaurants are located here, and most of the stores ...

Taxi Bay Area across the entrance of the North Wing

Road in front of the Entrance of the North Wing

The changing skyline in the North Reclamation Area... a new hotel has been built - Bayfront. Look at the clear blue skies. Just beautiful!

But it would be more beautiful if only SM will add more gardens to the mall.