Arriving in Manila

The flight travels from Dallas to Manila was uneventful. We watched a hundred movies, ok maybe only 3, and slept soundly (akin to snoring) the rest of the flight. It was rather difficult to stay awake in Japan for the 3 hour layover so Gabriel and I stretched out on the lounge chairs and slept. Jojo watched over us, although at one point, I awoke and saw him with eyes closed too! Can't be helped.

Ate Fe, Kuya Tommy, and Nana picked us up at the airport. When we called to say we were already at the arrival section under the DEF sign, they said they were on their way. Little did we know they were still in Bonifacio Heights and didn't expect us to call so soon. We waited a few and didn't mind looking at the crowd before us who were patiently waiting for their family too (I'm guessing). At one point, Gabriel and I waved our hands to the crowd as if we knew someone there. Hello!

We got to Boni Heights and had the surprise of our lives to see Ate Lelou, Keem, Meg, and Ate Tess over there, pretending to sleep! A most wonderful surprise. We were welcomed into the new home of Ate Fe and Manong Danny and for this we are truly grateful. This was to be the "base" of the Ferrer family as we begin our 17-day stay in Manila. Ate Fe gave us the tour of the 3-bedroom/2 bathroom unit, with spacious patio where -- and this fact didn't escape both Gabriel's and my mind as we continued with the tour -- they had a hammock! It's looking so good already!

A few staple favorites have been prepared like manggang hilaw and bagoong and cherry tomatoes for Gabriel. I also ate ensaymada as I found myself suddenly hungry after the long flight. Totally missed the meal served in Japan Airlines as I was dead like a rock by then.

We went to SM Makati the very next day. Ate henlin siomai and siopao, got our driver's license renewed, and ran a few errands like buying towels and new sim for Jojo's phone. All in a couple of hours, I'm impressed.

We had an appointment in the US embassy the day after. The appointment time showed 9:30am although we were requested to be at the site an hour before. By 8am, we just found a taxi that would take us so yeah, there was a little bit of pressure. And that proved to be the least of our worries that day because we made it on time. The biggest hurdle was that the embassy no longer allowed cellphones or any electronic device and we didn't know about this. We were asked to get rid of them either by leaving them inside our car or with people we're with. Unfortunately for us, we have neither.

Time still being a factor as it is now approaching 9am, we went back outside into the comforting arms of... women with vests selling candies and cigarettes on one hand while getting our attention, "Iwan ninyo phone ninyo sa amin. 150 lang, bigyan namin kayo ng claim stub." Yeah. Uhm, in what planet is that ever going to happen?

So I checked the surrounding area and saw a Starbucks and a Yellow Cab Pizza place. I suggested that perhaps it is the wiser to leave the phones and iPod with someone who works there. So we crossed the street and saw Bayview Park Hotel. A good place to meet trustworthy people also - so in we went.

Went straight to the Front Desk and asked if it's possible to rent a vault or a safe. 'Course the guy said no. So we explained to Richie our situation and while he did not readily agree, he eventually did to safekeep our personal belongings while we are at the embassy. And yes, we ended up paying more than 150 pesos. But it was well worth it.

Back at the mbassy, first they didn't allow the pictures we have with us so we had our pictures taken and mine came out the worst. But I can get over that. Haha. The other rather significant thing that I have to deal with is that my fingers won't scan at the biometric machine. I mean, they can't seem to read the lines on my fingers, and the officer on the other side of the window was getting a bit impatient. I got comments like "Please wipe them dry." to "Are you peeling?" However, they are dry and no, my fingers are not peeling. He finally gave up and stamped a "Check Finger Scans" on my application.

There were no problems with the interview and the minor problem was trying to remember the address and phone numbers to include in the Delbros forms. We don't have our electronic gadgets so the information need to come from memory. Memory worked under pressure, thank God.

Oh, and we saw Dingdong Dantes. Haha. He looks just like Jojo.

We took another cab supposedly going to Glorietta but the driver convinced us that Mall of Asia was the place to go. Fine MoA it is. We first had lunch at the foodcourt, I had sisig, Jojo had katsudon and Gabriel ordered ebi tempura. Then we went to the Smart Center so they could take care of Jojo's problems with his newly bought sim card. And a little later, Egbert came to meet us.

And it was so great to see Egbert and Lavina again. Good conversations and getting caught up while in the office, and we continued this during dinner in a Korean restaurant in Manila. Gabriel fell asleep but he too had a great time.