A Day at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco

Yesterday, I was at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco getting my signature authenticated and notarized for a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) documents for the Philippines. It was not a very bad experience as I expected based on what I read in the Internet. The actual time I was in the Consulate was from 10AM to 2PM with a 30 minutes lunch break. However, I spent the whole day for this, because of the horrendous traffic from Sacramento to San Francisco. I hired a personal driver and her car(135), paid the gas(40), tolls(11), lunch break(44) and Parking(18). My total cost was about $250.

We left Sacramento at 7AM via HW50. It took us 45 minutes to reach I-80 and we encountered another traffic jam at UC Davis, in spite of driving in the carpool lane. Traffic was smooth until we reached the Pinole area. It took us another 45 minutes to cross the Oakland/SFO bridge. We arrived at the consulate at 10AM. While my driver was parking I formed my line at the guard to present 2 ID's before I was allowed to the 2nd floor of the Consulate Building at 447 Sutter Street. You have to take a number prior to your entry to the office. Since I am a Senior Citizen I got a C number( 67) supposed to be a courtesy number and separated from the general public. C numbers are given to Senior citizens, the Handicapped, pregnant women and women with small children. I love this idea.

There were 5 other senior Citizens ahead of me. While waiting for my turn, I got to "small talk" to three other seniors. We talk about the traffic, paper work required, the Internet and about dual citizenships. Two of them came from Stockton and the other from Fairfield. One of the senior citizens needs her passport renewed and did not have her paper work. I told them the forms are available for download at the Consulate web site. The other senior commented, so you are one of those rare seniors who uses the Internet! I smiled without any comment.

I went out of the waiting room and found out that most of the forms are available in front of the Office, but you need to have it copied. The Consulate has a Copy Machine that charge 0.25c per copy using quarters and one dollar bills.

I waited for another 30 minutes until my number was called. My SPA papers were examined, dated and I provided 6 copies of my driver license as my ID, indicating that I personally appeared at the Consulate on September 18, 2018. I was out and ready for the Cashier on the 6th Floor by around 11:45AM. I had 4 SPA's notarized and each SPA cost $25. I was told the documents will be ready for pickup from 1 to 2PM. By this time the lines were overflowing the waiting room area was full and dozens of seniors are now in the Hallways. I am glad I came early.

My personal driver and I had a leisurely lunch at a restaurant two blocks from the Consulate Building. It was a very expensive lunch costing me $44 plus $8 tip.

After lunch I decided to go back to the Consulate, since I needed information and forms for Dual citizenship for my son, who was born here in the US. He was born before we become US citizens. Is he qualified to apply? The forms for Dual Citizenship in the web applies to those originally born in the Philippines and need to reacquire their citizenship.

I look around for a Consulate employee with authority. I found one supervising the examining clerks at the counters. I know he is a Supervisor and may be able to give me my answer and the correct forms. I was correct. The supervisor gave me 2 forms not found in the web as follows:

1. Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Birth
2. Report of Birth

Supporting Documents that my son needed are: His birth Certificate, Our Naturalization Papers and Marriage Certificate. Our Naturalization Papers will show that we were still Filipino Citizens when he was born. Now I know that all my 4 children are eligible for Filipino dual citizenships if they want it. For Benefits and Advantages of dual citizenship read:

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2013/06/advantages-of-dual-citizenship-phl-and.html


The above information was useful. I also learned that all dual citizens application is by appointment only beginning last September 4.

At 1PM, I went to the Releasing Documents Window to give my pick-up stub. It was at 1:50PM that my name was called and all the 4 SPA's were done. My driver and I hurriedly went to the Union Square Parking Garage, so we could get out of the city before the afternoon rush hour starts. We arrived in Sacramento around 5PM, accomplished but very tired. My legs were starting to cramp for seating in the car for almost three hours each way. Thank you to my personal driver. You were a good driver and I will ride with you anytime without fear.

All in All, my experience at the consulate was not bad at all. Creating the Courtesy Line for Seniors is an excellent idea. The clerk that checked my papers was friendly and helpful. The supervisor that gave me the 2 forms for my son's dual citizenship application was formal and informative. If you have business with the Consulate come as early as you can: Office Hours: MF is from 9 to 4 PM.

Latest News on the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

If you have been following my blogs, you probably know that my wife, Macrine Nieva Jambalos had been diagnosed with Parkinson's about 5 years ago. She is under the care of a neurologist, but since Parkinson's has no cure, her neurological disorder is progressing as expected.

There are days when she is lucid, alert and alive with all the memories of our happy and productive life together in our 61st year of marriage. The above Plaque from Marinduque International, Inc. is one example of the civic and humanitarian projects that Macrine was once involved with passion and compassion to her fellow humankind( https://hubpages.com/politics/medical-mission-of-love-to-marinduque). The next medical mission of MI, Inc is scheduled for February, 2019. If you want to volunteer and need details visit MI. Inc website or Face Book page.

Thanks are in order to the current President of MI, Inc, Agnes Lardizabal Apeles for remembering Macrine's service to the organization for more than a decade during its 25th anniversary last month. Macrine is so happy and delighted to receive the Plaque. This is one of the two other service award plaques that she has received in the last two decades.

However, there are days when she is low and could hardly stand. There are days when she is confused, angry and ready to die. These dark days always reminds me of the latest development on the treatment of PD and perhaps a cure of this neurological disorder.

For detail information on the latest development in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, Read the following site:

blogs.biomedcentral.com/bmcseriesblog/2018/04/09/advances-parkinsons-disease-treatment/

Do You Practice Feng Shui?

I was looking at my old files the other day. I found the following blog I wrote a couple of year ago still interesting and relevant. I hope you agree!

davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2012/12/do-you-practice-feng-shui.html

GrandParents Day-Who Cares?

Last Sunday, September 9 was GrandParents Day for the year 2018. As expected most grand children really do not care unless they are reminded by their parents. Here's a repost of my blog on this subject.

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/search?q=grand+parents+day

What I Learned about a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy(DPT)

Macrine had been under the care of a physical therapist(PT) for the last 8 weeks. Macrine's mobility has improved quite a lot and today she did a few steps with the walker under the able supervision of her PT (C) employed by Blossom Ridge Home Care(BRHC) Agency. I am very please with the PT (C) performance that I reported it to her supervisor. I believe she will get a free Star Buck coffee with my call.

C excellent performance made me curious of what kind of training C had. She informed me she has a doctorate degree in Physical therapy (DPT). She is new to BRHC and just completed her 90 day probation last week and now a permanent employee of BRHC. C informed me she has a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology* and took her another three years to get her DPT complete with a doctoral thesis.

Here's a summary of what I learned about DPT versus the standard Ph.D program such as my Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois.

"The practice of physical therapy is quickly advancing and moving into new realms. This is an exciting period of growth and development in this profession. The changes in health care delivery, social demographics, and globalization of health care are perfect opportunities for physical therapists to take on new and emerging roles in our health care system and to provide leadership in the field. As the profession forges ahead, a question arises: Is it time to discuss the idea of a “clinical doctorate” as the requirement for entry level to practice?

A clinical doctorate (or “practice doctorate”) programme is an entry-level degree that prepares students with the competencies required to enter clinical practice and become eligible for licensure. In physical therapy, this is often called the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It differs from a PhD, where the focus is on research and the production of original scholarly work, and from a “post-professional doctorate” or “advanced practice doctorate,” which offers study in advanced or specialized clinical competencies to professionals who have graduated with another entry-level qualification, such as a bachelor's or master's degree".

For more information on DPT read the following: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076909/

*One of my grand daughters graduated last April with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. She plans to pursue a Masters Degree from UC Davis this year.

Two National Parks and Three States in Fourteen Hours

Bryce Canyon National Park

Macrine and I just experienced one of the best vacation we had since my retirement. For one week we stayed in Las Vegas, NV at the Polo Towers -under our time exchange program with International Interval, Inc. One day, we took a mini bus tour which lasted for 14 hours. The bus picked us up at Polo Towers about 6:30AM. Our first rest stop was at an Indian Reservation along I-15 N, where Macrine purchased two cartoons of cigarettes tax free and we had a chance to have coffee. We also had a packed breakfast, orange juice, muffins and energy bars provided by the tour company, Sweet Tours.


Macrine at the Visitor Center, Zion National Park

Here's a video of Zion National Park:https://youtu.be/HEZ3WyAUPZM

By the time we reached Zion National Park it was about 10:30AM. Along the way, our guide and driver relates to us ( eleven passengers), the history of Las Vegas, the fauna and flora of the area, the desert and rock formations that made this area so majestic and stunning. After our arrival, our tour driver parked at the Visitor Center. We took the park's bus( private cars not allowed) inside the canyon, stopping at several scenic point stops to take pictures. We did not have time to walk, since we still have to go to Bryce Canyon. The bus tour took about 60 minutes. Zion is indeed spectacular. We saw colorful canyons, forested mesas, and sandstone cliffs so high and indeed stunning and spectacular views. After the tour, we went back to the Visitor Center where our packed lunch of roast beef sandwiches was waiting for us. During lunch we exited the Park via the East Entrance- the Zion Mt Carmel Highway. We passed one of the longest tunnel in the US. By the time we reached the vicinity of Bryce Canyon ( with a photo stop at Red Canyon) it was about 2:00PM. We stopped at Ruby' Gift Shop, just outside the entrance of the Park for souvenirs and mandatory bath room break.


Then we started our two hours tour of the Park. First we stopped at Bryce Point, took some pictures, walked near the rim of the canyon and stayed there for about 15 minutes. If you have vertigo, this is not the place for you.
Macrine at Bryce Point

Our driver took us to Inspiration Point( second stop) and more picture taking and views to feast your eyes with the stunning scenery. We have an option to walk for 45 minutes from Inspiration to Sunset Point(last stop) or ride in the bus with our driver. If you hiked you will have a closer look at the Hoodoo's. Macrine and I decided not to hike as both of us have already aching feet from our walk at the Fashion Mall in Las Vegas and along the Strip Casinos the day before. We waited for the hikers until 4:00PM at Sunset Point. There, Macrine and I took more pictures and again the view was fantastic, and spectacular. Here's a video of Bryce Canyon National Park:

https://youtu.be/mn7Zv1ZNF4s

The Hoodoos
We were able to take pictures of the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are just pillar of rocks shaped like human beings. The fantastic shape is a result of erosion, millions of years ago. Legends say that the Hoodoo's cast a spell on all visitors to the park. After two hours at Bryce, we were on our way back to Las Vegas. On the way home, we stopped for picture taking along Navajo Lake. We were also passing the outskirts of Cedar Brake National Monument. We stopped at Cedar City for a quick fast food dinner. By the time we arrived in Las Vegas at our condo-hotel,it was 8:30PM. We were tired but happy to visit the two most beautiful national parks in the US.

The above is our route encompassing three states, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. I am glad I did not drive! Total round trip mileage is about 490 miles. Total Cost for Two: $400

Getting There from Las Vegas: I-15N then route 9E to 89N then 12E; Going Back to Las Vegas: Route 12W then 89S, then 14W then I-15S

Original article was written in 2010.