How To Get An Occupational/Individual Mayors Permit in Mandaluyong City

As of the moment, I'm in the process of securing a Department of Tourism - National Capital Region Tour Guide Accreditation.  Among the requirements for the ID would be a valid Mayor's Permit, a valid Health Certificate and a valid NBI Clearance.

Having moved from different cities in NCR, this would the first time I will secure one in Mandaluyong City.

I passed by one afternoon to check on the requirements, and the challenge started in finding a parking spot.  With the recent clean up efforts of the local government, parking within Circle Perimeter of Maysilo is now prohibited.  I ended up finding a spot, about 500 meters away on one of the side streets.

Requirements for Mayor's Permit

1. Health Certificate 50 pesos

2. Stool / Fecalysis 40 pesos

3. Urinalysis 40 pesos

4. X-Ray 150 pesos

5. Police Clearance 125 Pesos

6. Mayor's Permit 50 pesos

This was the initial list given by the information desk, but for the Health Certificate, you are required to attend a video lecture either at 10:30 in the morning or 12:30 in the afternoon.  The only exemptions would be Senior Citizens and PWD's.

I came a few days after to actually secure the permit.  I was fortunate this time to be allowed to park within the City Hall Grounds just beside the Blue Building.  

The first item I was asked to secure was a Community Tax Certificate or a CEDULA which costs 24 pesos.  I then secured a number to the automated payment queuing system which was surprisingly fast.  From there I was given 4 receipts representing each item i need to secure.

Since I came in late, I proceeded to join the afternoon health seminar. 

It is important to arrive early.   The receipts will be collected and marked for those who attended.  

The seminar is an audio video presentation and the facilitator is only present at the beginning until 15 minutes after the scheduled time.  No one is guarding the entrance, and you would not want to waste time to sit in the lecture room not getting a certificate by the end of the day.  Make sure you're able able to give this to the facilitator.  

The stamped receipts will be returned after the AVP.  You can now proceed to do the laboratory and X-Ray.

Fecalysis and Urine are placed on the same plastic container and costs 10 pesos.  I got my specimen from one of the comfort rooms of the restaurants across the laboratory building.  

I then transferred to get an X ray just beside the laboratory.  

X-Ray results are released starting 3PM while Lab results at 4:30 PM.  While waiting, I went on to the other building to get the Police Clearance which you can get almost instantly.   

Lines are surprisingly fast and the process uncomplicated.  Its just the release of the results that would affect your timing.  

Around 3:30 PM, X Ray results were being distributed including mine which I had to retake because of something suspicious on the first one.  I ended up paying another 90 pesos, but the result was immediate.  The 2nd one turned out normal, and I then got the lab results for Urine and Stool.

You would then need to gather all your results and receipts and bring them to the 3rd Floor of the Blue Building for the release of the Health Certificate.  They will ask for a 1x1 photo to attach to the Health Certificate Card.

Once signed, you will now go back to the ground floor for the Mayor's permit which will be the last of the process.  A notarial fee of 30 pesos will be collected on the first window.  The second window will issue a form you need to fill up and surrender a copy on the third window which will give you the notarised copy.

From the initial requirement, I have summarised the actual requirement so you can prepare the right amount of cash.

• Community Tax Certificate 24 pesos

1. Health Certificate 50 pesos

• Required to attend a seminar  at 10:30AM or 12:30PM
• Make sure to arrive early or on time and your receipt marked as attended.
• Make sure you have a 1x1 ID photo for the Card

2. Stool / Fecalysis 40 pesos

• Additional 10 pesos for container and stick

3. Urinalysis 40 pesos

4. X-Ray 150 pesos

• Additional 90 pesos in case they find something with the first x ray one.

5. Police Clearance 125 Pesos

6. Mayor's Permit 50 pesos

• Notarial Fee 30 pesos

I ended up spending 154 pesos more than what was initially stated.  It could be more if not for the spare 1x1 photo in my wallet.

My advise is to arrive before lunch and catch the afternoon seminar schedule.  If you manage to join the afternoon batch, you'll get your Mayor's permit within the day.

La Playa At The Strand Sunset

We were blessed with this amazing sunset view while at the beach of La Playa at the Strand.  The perfectly round sun made an appearance for just a few minutes before finally sinking into the horizon!

Valedictory Address DOT-NCR Tour Guide Training Batch 12

On the last day of the submission of our project papers, I was asked by Hazel, the training coordinator to prepare a Student Response to the DOT Tour Guide Training Graduation, scheduled just days after.

I remember seeing the program up to that point that included a Valedictory Address, and since I wasn't the one asked to create the speech, I gave up the thought its going to be me.

Admittedly, I came in to the class eager to do best, and ultimately to be the top, but I don't want to expect because I don't want to feel disappointed if not.

So when it was announced that I was the class Valedictorian, it took a while for me settle from shock and extreme gratefulness.

But nevertheless, please allow me share the speech I created initially entitled Students Response, but is now changed to Valedictory Address for the DOT NCR Tour Guide Training Batch 12. 

To our distinguished DOT Undersecretary, Usec. Arturo Boncato Jr.
DOT Assistant Secretary, Asec. Ma. Rica Bueno
DOT NCR Regional Director, Woodrow Maquiling Jr.
Chief TOO, NCR Tourism Regulation Division, Ms. Victoria Margarita Paje
Project Director and Father of Tour Guides, Mr. Bienvenido Claraval
Trainers and Mentors
DOT NCR Tourism Regulation Team
Mabuhay!

I can still remember vividly months ago when I received a message from Ms. Hazel inviting me for the preliminary examination, which was followed by the interview a few weeks after and the start of the class a little more than 30 days ago.

It was on that day that we realized how fortunate we are, that from hundreds who applied, 16 of us made it.

We came from different backgrounds, an architect, a retired grandfather, a returning OFW, educational tour facilitators, businessmen, newly grads, we were just diverse.  But if asked what's common in all of us, is our love for travel, history, culture and our pride of NCR and our Country, which is the Philippines.

The 30 day training period wasn't easy, and at some point extremely challenging.  In that short span of time, we need to transition to become a repository of information and the best representation of our beloved region and the Philippines.

We were bombarded with information, skills, techniques, best practices which to an ageing individual like myself, and some of my colleagues was difficult. 

It was the words of Fred DeVito; the helps motivate me, and enable us to help each other.  “If it doesn’t challenge you, it wouldn’t change you!”

Admittedly, coming in to the class, I did not know that there is a science to Tour Guiding and that it can be a profession.  Now, my biggest regret is not undergoing the training when I was younger.

I’m sure that my colleagues would agree to the positive improvements the training has given us. Now we are naturally observant and inquisitive.  I am more appreciative of architecture because it’s now rooted on history and culture rather than appearance and theories.  We will forever remember Sinigang, Mehan Garden, PICC, Paco Park, and passing by Roxas Boulevard and EDSA will never be the same again.  

But my biggest take away from this experience, is that it is never too late to learn or re-learn, and learning is a lifetime process. Knowledge knows no age.  The more knowledgeable we are, the better person and tour guide we can be.

In behalf of the Batch 12 of the DOT Tour Guide Training, we would like to thank all our speakers, but most especially, Sir Bien, Sir Rey, Ms. Yael, Ms. Joanna, our panelists, Ms. Dolly, Sir Boy and Ms., Bamba for their generosity and patience.

Thank you to my group mates (West), Aimee, Massi, and Eric for exerting your best to every task.  To my batch mates for the learnings and the friendship.

We acknowledge that this is just the beginning, and the true test of our learning is through our actual guiding.

Rest assured, that Batch 12 is committed on being if not pursuing to be best representation of NCR and the Philippines.

Thank you.

Arch. Omar Palero

Photos: CTTO

Bahay Tsinoy, A Museum Of Filipino Chinese Heritage Within Intramuros

By Omar Palero

For almost the entire month of September, I was fortunate to be a part of the Tour Guide Training conducted by the Department of Tourism - National Capital Region.  The 12th batch to which I belong is unique, because the Department wants to highlight Museums within Metro Manila.  As part of our desktop research, our group was assigned to discuss Bahay Tsinoy, located in Intramuros, Manila.

Prior to the training, I know that the museum exists, but is actually clueless on what to expect.  Our group visited the museum last September 18, 2019.

Bahay Tsinoy is located at the corner of And a Street and Cabildo Street within Intramuros.  Its just a few blocks from Manila Cathedral, but you may opt to take a pedicab (bicycle with side car) to take you there.

Its open in the afternoon from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, daily except Monday, with a fee of 100 pesos for adults and 60 pesos for Students.

The Museum is managed by Kaisa Heritage Foundation, and the structure that now house the Kaisa Heritage Centre was built and opened in 1999.  A philanthropist by the name of Angelo King provided the initial fund for the purchase and construction with the eventual help of the Chinese - Filipino community.

Like most Chinese structure, foo dogs guard the entrance to the lobby, where you will see the imposing staircase with the replica of a Terra Cotta warrior that was unearthed in 1974 at Lintung Shensi.  This was a gift from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

On one side is a small table where you will pay the entrance fee and just behind it would be the Museum Entrance.

Early Contacts

This gallery provides an introduction on how the interaction between the native Filipinos with the Chinese predate that of the arrival of the Spanish Colonisers. An imposing diorama of the boat and coastal trading welcomes you as you step behind the introductory wall.

The Parian

Upon the arrival of the Spanish Colonisers, this gallery shows how the Chinese integrated and eventually settled into the filipino community.

The Chinese Influences is evident on all aspects of Philippine Culture.

The rest of the galleries showcase the emergence of Chinese Community, and how Filipino's of Chinese descent help fought for our Philippines freedom against the Spanish Colonial Rule.  My favourite is the Mestizo Household with a Sari-Sari store at the ground level.

What remains of the mezzanine level is the Martyr's Hall, National Leaders of Chinese Descent, Ye Fei (Batang Tiaong) and the Porcelain Gallery.

The 2nd level is where you will find the Auditorium and the offices of Kaisa Heritage Foundation.

3rd Floor Exhibits

The exhibit continues to the 3rd Floor with the Iam Filipino Gallery.  A hologram traces the evolution of the early barefooted, illiterate, impoverished, peasant immigrant to become the modern day Tsinoy or Tsinong Pinoy.  You can choose from Tagalog, English, Mandarin and Fookien language.

As you navigate through the hallways, you will pass a vignette dedicated to our National Hero Jose Rizal, tracing its Chinese ancestry.  The first President Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is highlighted.

The succeeding galleries showcase the Chinese Communities contribution to nation Building by helping the government with schools, fire fighting, philanthropic work and shaping the economy.  Most of the big businesses are owned by Chinese-Filipino families.

Also included are the contributions of Angelo King and the different projects of Kaisa Heritage Foundation.  Not to be missed are the 19th century prints and photographs as well as manuscripts.

The trip to Bahay Tsinoy, was an unexpected learning experience especially of the history  contributions of the Chinese - Filipino community.

Source:
http://www.bahaytsinoy.org

5 Days and 4 Nights in Vietnam and Cambodia From The Philippines (Day 1)

My best friend and I decided to take an out of the country adventure to celebrate his birthday.  We originally planned to go to Bhutan, but the airfare was too expensive for us, and instead planned a 5 day itinerary for Vietnam and Cambodia.

Here's a summary of our itinerary:

Surprisingly, our flights departed as scheduled and I was able to arranged our hotels in advance and our tours with Klook!

Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, we used the 4 hour layover to explore Parkson Mall just across.  We had our bags kept at the concierge between Terminal 1 and 2 and walked to the Mall for a quick meal.

We tried Vietnamese Noodles and the Mango Chili Chicken from KFC at the food court located on the upper floor.  Before leaving, we bought ourselves matching shirts for our afternoon tour.

We arranged for airport pick up from Da Nang Airport to Jolia Hotel and Apartment because our Night Culinary Tour Guides will be picking us at 4PM.

Night Out and Culinary Tour via Klook

We only had time for a quick shower and change before our lady Aodai riders arrived on time.  We immediately set off for a ride along the coast to the fisherman's village.

The parked boats were to irresistible for an IG Shot!

Basket Boats

Our first meal was at Ba Ro.  We we're treated with seafood vegetable wrap, oysters, nuts and quail eggs, complimented with a local beer!

After our first meal, we boarded the motorbike to the City Centre.  We made a stop at the Pink Church, or what the locals call Rooster Church.

A stop at the Pink Church or the Rooster Church

A familiar sight on our way to the market

We dropped by a local market to get a glimpse on the fresh fruits and local harvest before making our way to the local Night Market.

We tasted a grilled rice wrap filled with savoury filling of dried shrimps and nuts.  We walked towards a theme park but decided not to come inside.

We were then taken to the the Love Bridge, a popular place for couples right along the river near the dragon bridge.

After exploring the sights and snapping a few photos, we asked our guide if we could include the river cruise on our itinerary which they accommodated.  We soaked up the view of the bridges and the night time river side views over beers.

The cruise would take more than an hour and were back at the dock around 10 PM.  Our last eating destination is a place to have grilled seafood on low tables and chairs.  The place was packed because its valentines day and most establishment were about to close.  But still we were able to sample baby squid and shrimps.  It was almost 11PM when we got back to our hotel.

Our Aodai Ridertour guides were efficient and very accommodating.  You can easily book your tours using Klook through this link: Sign Up

Check out the tour rates through this link: Night Out Culinary Tour in Da Nang