Exploring Ilocos - The Malacanang of the North

Travel Dates: 25 - 27 July 2014

"Our Day 1-1st Tourist Destination"

The Malacanang of the North  is locally called as “Malacanang Ti Amianan”. This place served as the official residence or mansion of Ferdinand Marcos, the most famous son of Ilocos Norte, the President of the Philippines from 1965-1986, and his family whenever they are in the Ilocos Region. 

Address: Suba, Paoay and sits on a land overlooking the beautiful Paoay Lake which is a beautiful natural lake locally called as "dakkel danum". 

Entrance Fee: Php 20.00, our tour guide took care of it because it's inclusive on the package.

Operation Hours: Only until 4PM

It is a birthday gift from the then first lady Imelda Marcos to her husband’s 60th birthday. It is among the properties of the family that was sequestered by the Philippine Government when President Marcos was removed from power. After 20 years under the care of the government, it was finally given back to the care of the Provincial Government if Ilocos Norte. In January 1, 2011, after restorations and renovations by the Governor, it was opened to the public as a museum.

Below are some of the awesome pictures we captured inside the house:

According to the mansion guide these furniture's are all original and mostly made of the Narra Wood. 

Beautiful Paintings and the Marcos wedding picture. 

And below is the eye catching ceiling lamp which looks so regal. 

"We shall make this nation great again" - Ferdinand Marcos. 
Believe it or not, despite all the controversies and Marshall law, he is one Great President.

By Plane:

Laoag is the gateway to Paoay, Ilocos Norte. So please visit or call your favorite airline offices/website for any promotions or speak with your travel agency to arrange your air fare.
Vans and tricycles are available outside of the airport for your convenience.

By Bus:
Go to the Farinas, Florida and/or Partas Bus terminals when you wanted to travel through bus. · Travel time is around 10-12 hours, dependent on the traffic. Price range: around Php 800· From the Ilocos drop-off bus terminal, Malacanang of the North is just 10-15 minutes away. Take a tricycle to your destination near the terminal. You can haggle for the fair which is around Php 120-150.00

For more information and assistance:

Ilocos Norte Tourism Office Contact Numbers:

+63-77-772-1211 loc 119 + 63-77-770-4242

My PhilHealth ID Application Journey

Date: June 24, 2014

Where: Philcare Office - The Brickroad Sta Lucia Mall

Cost: Php 0.00 ★★★★★

Requirements: 

   ✔ Must be a member

   ✔ Present (1) Valid ID

So far I'm done with the following government ID application, SSS ID, NSO birth certificate request so that i can apply for a passport and Student license permit where i can apply for a Drivers License. Thank you July! 

Today on my Government ID agenda list...  Apply for a PhilHealth ID. 

Cainta has 2 PhilHealth Offices, one in Robinsons Metro East Mall (4th Floor), however they only entertain queries and other transactions aside from ID application request and the other office is Brick road Area also near Sta. Lucia Mall.

I was instructed by one of the PhilHealth Robinsons personnel to proceed to Sta Lucia Brick Road for my ID request since they don't process ID request any longer. And I did.

Landmark: 

➲ Don Henricos - The Brick Road Sta Lucia - One of the many restaurants along Brick Road Sta Lucia.

➲ Left side of Don Henricos, you'll find yourself walking few steps inside a hallway, and on your left again, you'll find a banner saying Philhealth.

Step by Step Guide:

Step 1: Go inside the building, you might see Steps 1 to 8 or so, but disregard for  there will be a priority lane for people applying only for an ID, in this office, it's on the left side.

Step 2: Follow the queue, in short, Fall in line

Step 3: When you reach the front-line, present (1) valid ID right away for the in-charge personnel to look for your records, while searching or if there is a queue, he/she might ask you to sit down for the meantime and wait for your name to be called.

Step 4: When your name is called, they will give you an ID with your Philhealth ID Number and Full Name printed on it.

Left for you to do is to place your signature and laminate the ID. Yes, you read it right. We are the one who will laminate are own ID. Ask me why.... Hmmmm... I'll ask them on my next visit or maybe you know and you can share ;).

Well, still the great thing is.... It is for FREE!

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LTO Student License Permit Application: A Step by Step Guide

Date: July 23,2014
Location: LTO Robinsons Metro East Mall Satellite Office (Ground Floor)
Office Hours: 9AM-5PM

Today I decided to again get a student license permit. Yes, I have to admit, this would be my 2nd time to apply for the same permit. It's all due to my line of work where I have to really allocate some time to do this government and ID stuffs. However, this time, I should make sure that this will be the last time that I'll apply for this permit. Excited to know that shortly after 30-60 days I can already apply for a Non-Professional Drivers License.

Hopefully the step by step guide below will help you on your journey completing the 1st step in having a professional drivers license.

For Full Qualifications and Requirements that you must make available before preferred day, please click the link below: Student Permit Qualifications and Requirements

http://www.lto.gov.ph/index.php/services/drivers-licensing/112-license-related-transactions

Permit Application Costs:
"The Total Amount is the only amount that you have to pay in order for your permit to be processed. Say NO to Fixers"

Application Fee: Php 100.00
Computer Fee: Php 67.63
Student Permit Fee: Php 150.00
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TOTAL: Php 317.63

To help make your first visit and application a stress-free experience, Download the Application form for "Drivers License & Conductor/Student Permit (http://www.formsphilippines.com/forms/lto02.pdf) before going to the LTO office near your location servicing student permit applications, it will save you some time falling in line just to get the form. If you can't download or complete the form prior to your visit, then proceed to the forms window or approach the guard to guide you as to where to get the application forms ;)

Important Reminders:

• Secure all the requirements and prepare the fees to pay as listed above. Bring some extra money for your meal and transportation also.
• Don’t forget to bring a pen and a nice book to read while waiting.
• Never talk to anybody instantly approaching while heading to the office offering assistance, they are fixers. Go straight inside the office and look for the information desk or better yet, ask the security guard for direction on where to go first.
• Be reminded that all LTO offices have a posted procedure of application somewhere in the walls.

If you have other questions, ask the guard or someone from the customer service information center and not a stranger :).

Step by Step Process:

Step 1: Go to Window 1 and have your requirement(s) validated, this is also where you present your application form (if you completed it beforehand). If you didn't prepare the application form, after the personnel verify your valid I.D's, he will give you an application form to fill out.

Step 2: (only applicable if you completed the form inside LTO, hence ignore this step and proceed to step 3). After filling out the application form, return it to the next window or as instructed to present your form.
Step 3: The personnel "might" give you some instruction or set your expectation that your file will be transferred to the Cashier's window. All you have to do now is to find a chair in the waiting area (read a book or an e-book, etc) because you have to wait for your name to be called by the Cashier. Waiting time can be between 15 minutes to an hour or so. This is dependent on the number of applicants they have for the day. TIP: Be Early!!!
Step 4: The cashier will call your name to pay for the fee. After the payment, find a free chair again and wait to be called for Image Capturing and Electronic Signature. 

Step 5: Wait for your name to be again called, this time it's already for the releasing of your student license permit :). Waiting time can be as quick as 15 minutes to an hour.

Hopefully this help you on your journey securing your student license.

Thanks for reading. 

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Date of Application: July 23, 2014

Location: LTO Robinsons Metro East Mall Satellite Office (Ground Floor)

Office Hours: 9AM-5PM

Total Fee Paid: Php 317.63

Total Time Spent: 1 Hr 30 Min