NBI Clearance Center: New Applicant at J Centre Mall (Personal Experience)

Tags

Cebu, Cebu City, Government, JCentre Mall, NBI, NBI Clearance

Steps in Applying for NBI Clearance
(Generally meant for NEW APPLICANTS and this is written according to personal experience)

I thought of applying at J Centre Mall thinking it will not be as crowded as it has just opened this year, July 17, 2012, plus if I had to wait around, I could just stroll around the mall I’ve never really been ab
le to stroll at.

They also claimed that they are able to process about 600 NBI Clearances a day. The NBI 7 has a clearance center at the Robinson’s Cybergate in Cebu City and another one in Tuburan, Cebu. It is the fifth satellite office in Central Visayas. (Sun Star)

When you arrive, the first thing you have got to do is secure a priority number. I arrived at  Mall and the guard by the parking lot entrance was not letting people in just yet because the mall opens at 10AM. When we were already allowed in, you could imagine my confidence in being early and assuming everything would be over quickly. But as you would expect by the way I am writing, I was wrong. I arrived at the 3rd floor where the NBI office was located at and first looked at the poster instruction they put up, where everyone else was hovering over. The seats facing the windows were already packed. My mistake was I did not approach the guard as soon as I arrived, which I should have in order to acquire a queue number. Imagine my surprise that I came during the opening hour (10AM) and yet I was given the priority number 155, and was advised that I will be served at around 2:30PM. I was so puzzled how this was possible and so I asked the guard if the were distributing the priority number before the mall opened, and his reply (translated in English) “It really depends on the graveyard shift guards if they will distribute the number beforehand or not. This time it looks like they did.” That answer was someone disappointing. What if you came early in the morning but the guard just does not feel like giving out numbers? *frown*

Requirements:

Any two of the following valid IDs:

• Company I.D.
• Current School I.D.
• Senior Citizen I.D.
• Voter’s I.D.
• Postal I.D.
• PRC License
• Driver’s License
• Valid Passport
• GSIS I.D.
• SSS I.D. with picture
• Birth Certificate
• Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)

Cash

• 115PHP for Local Employment/ Travel Abroad and other Requirements  (I was applying for this purpose.)
• 165PHP for Change Name/Business Permit/ Firearms License/ Premit to Carry Firearms/ PR and DOTC Requirements
• 415PHP Naturalization/Cancellation of ACR.

Good to have:
Pen for writing on the form
Good pair of ears for hearing

** Bring also the necessary documents you will need if you are changing your name or something.

Step 1: Application Form
1.1  Valid ID
1.2  Collect the Application form at the first window (this was done per row) and make a payment of 115php. Wait for your receipt and change (of course).
1.2  Fill out the form accordingly.
1.3  Wait for your row to be served or for you number to be called at the 2nd window. (In my case, this was done per row).

Step 2: Data Check
2.1  Proceed to window 2 and hand over your filled out application form and valid IDs. (In my case I gave my passport and driver’s license, but he returned the passport and only used the driver’s license to check everything I’ve written on the application form, hoestly he more like glanced over the ID.)
2.2  As your data is being encoded, you are to confirm that all entries have been entered correctly over the monitor facing you. You will see as the encoder is encoding in each feild. Should there be anything wrongly encoded, you should correct this ASAP. Avoid the hassle of having to come back and correct some mistake that could have very well been avoided.
2.3  Be seated an listen VERY CAREFULLY as your names will be called over at window 3.

Step 3: Biometric Fingerprinting/ Image Capture
3.1  Your names will be called out from someone behind window 3. You have to be attentive and listen in. When I was there, there were no microphones or flashing queue numbers, just the person behind the window calling out through a small window hole.
3.2  Sit on the chair and have your photo taken.
3.3  Have your biometric fingerprints taken.
3.4  I was told at this very window that my name was a “HIT” and was told to come back in two weeks time. If you are a “HIT” there is a possible interview awaiting you. Otherwise, if you are a “NO HIT“, congratulations! Be seated yet again and wait to be called at window 4.

Step 4: Releasing
4.1  Although there is a window 4, the personel just basically went out of the door (just right next to window 4) and called out the names as they distribute the NBI Clearance.
4.2  Fell the relief of getting all that done and over with.
4.3  Go grab something cold to eat. In my case I went to Save More and bought Mango Pandan to cool down.

It was hot and crowded. They need more fans really, they only had one when I went there.

If you would want more info, you could also check here.

NBI Clearance Center

Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays; 10AM – 7PM

Location: 3rd Level of J Centre Mall, Bakilid, Mandaue City

Contact Number: (032) 266 8888

Nice Things at Peppermint – BTC

Tags

BTC, Cebu, food trip, Nice Things, Peppermint, resto

There’s this little place in the second floor of Banilad Town Center, somewhere on top of Yellowcab. The place is called Nice Things, as it has things for sale. Ideally, nice things for sale. And in the front portion of this store you will see a dining area, the dining place is called Peppermint.

It was our first time visiting the place because honestly it did not really seem that noticeable to us. Most people who go to BTC usually go with a purpose. Unlike going to the mall where you can go without purpose and just stroll around.

Carbonara 90PHP junior (180PHP regular)

* serving could have been better, but it was better compared to the other dishes we ordered. The plate is small and that is why it looks full.

Burger Steak 220PHP with rice and free cupcake

* the “free” cupcake was like one that you could just get in the groceries. The burger steak was too dry for my taste, even with the sauce on it. And the serving is just ridiculously small for 220PHP.

Chicken Cordon Bleu 190PHP

* again, small serving. And food was not that impressive.

Iced Tea 30PHP

* I see now why it’s only 30PHP, there’s so much ice and only little to drink.

Cafe Latte (Iced) 80PHP

* Although I don’t see an iced cafe latte on the menu, just under HOT BEV, they apparently served me one. Although I only had 3 sips of it and left it almost full. I did not like its taste.

The ambiance was nice, homey, the interior was a view, and the service was good. The servers were friendly. But the price against their serving was honestly disappointing. We paid a total of 600PHP++ during that visit. And I wish I went somewhere else with that amount. I left unsatisfied and I honestly do not intend to go back (unless of course a friend wants to meet there and wants to try out the place themselves or whatever). Funny thing is, we actually ate there because of a friend’s recommendation. Well. whatever floats your boat~! 🙂

Here’s a glance at their menu, sorry the photo isn’t clearer.

Location: 2/F North Arcade Banilad Town Center

Phone: (032) 341-61658

Peppermint on Foursquare

Surfin’ Ribs

Tags

Cebu, food trip, resto, Surfin' Ribs

So we have been hearing about this rib place but we never really got around to eating there because everytime we remember to try the place, it is always packed.

For a fairly small place without airconditioning, they managed to make a buzz of their place because of their good tasting ribs (which we were finally able to confirm ourselves).

Pete’s Ribs spicy or original –169PHP w/ mashed potatoes 159PHP w/ rice

We ordered Pete’s Ribs, which you can order in spicy or original. For 169PHP you can have it with mashed potatoes, and for 159PHP you can choose to have it with the Filipino’s staple food- rice. I wanted it with mashed potatoes but they didn’t serve the mashed potatoes until later in the afternoon. The choice of spicy ribs wasn’t that spicy at all (maybe mild for some), which was good because you get to really taste the flavourful sauce of the ribs. They also served the dish with a side of corn and carrots. Their side of rice was priced at 15PHP.

They also served shrimps, crabs, chili wings, and baked pasta but they are best known for their ribs, ergo the name Surfin’ Ribs. As where beverages are concerned,  they serve San Miguel and Coca Cola Products. They even have these holes on some of their tables where they insert buckets in for beer and ice, pretty suggestive of inuman sessions, although I really don’t see Surfin’ Ribs as a drinking place (but maybe it’s a different story at night).

Price wise, I felt we got the value of our money. Altough the cheapest ribs in my opinion will still be Mooon Cafe’s (pardon the comparison). 🙂 As for their other dishes, I got a glimpse if their serving and the serving’s fairly good as well. Service was fair, store appearance was nice, ambiance could be improved, ribs were exquisite and just delectable. I will certainly go back.

Also, if you’re visiting the place, be sure to bring cash. We had to go withdraw at a nearby atm and come back because they didn’t accept credit cards. Parking area just in front of the resto is limited.

 

SURFIN’ RIBS

Hours: Mondays – Saturdays; 11:00AM – 2:00PM and 5:00PM – 10:00PM

Location: G&A Arcade N. Escario St. corner Tojong St., Cebu City

Surfin’ Ribs on Facebook