The Department of Foreign Affairs transferred the office to a new location in Aseana Business Park which is along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard corner Bradco Avenue is Brgy Tambo, Paranaque City. This four-storey building hosts the Authentication and Passport Services (both new application and renewal) functions.There are reasons for transferring locations.One is for modernization and another for streamlining the procedures - particularly fending off fixers. Machine-readable passports (MRP) are no longer issued by DFA; they are now issuing biometric/e-passports. Day of Appearance It was Erin’s birthday. I’m so lucky to have this Korean addict as a friend who is always ready to accompany me to unfamiliar places, not to guide me but get lost with me (LOL our sense of direction quotient is -50%). Erin stayed at McDonalds, which is adjacent to new DFA Manila, since only the applicants are allowed to go inside. So the passport process begun, first I handed my printed appointment email to Gardo Versoza (security guard). He directed me to guys sitting behind a table having this signage STEP ONE. They asked for my ID and scrutinize my appointment letter. After looking at the paper, then to my ID, then to me, then to ID again, me, ID, me, ID, then I think he became tired of it and finally asked me to proceed to step two (buti na lang napagod sya :b). Step two is checking of documents. I actually have my NSO birth certificate, SSS and postal ID, and my transcript of school record. He asked for NBI clearance which I don’t have. He looked at my ID then me, ID, me (same process again :s), then asked, “do you have any criminal case filed against you?” wearing an annoying grin on his face. Sa utak ko, “eh kung sampalin ko kaya ang FEZLAK mo! Ngayon pa lang if ever, imbernang to!”, then I answered with a smile, “wooow! Wala po… “. Then he stamped my paper then asked to proceed to step 3 which is on the second floor. Step three is money matters, paylak ng datung for the processing fee eklavu! Then afterwards pictorial time! No ponytail, no contact lens or eyeglasses and most especially if you do have braces, big smile showing your teeth is a big no. While waiting for my turn, a couple or friends in front of me were talking. Here’s their convo… OTOKO: bawal yung contact lens mo pag ngpapicture ka! BILAT: hala! Baket naman?! OTOKO: (with conviction) kasi pag ngflash yung camera mgreflect sa eyes mo… :s **otoko! Ikaw nay an! Mag-inform ka lang sablay pa! kaya bawal kasi ung contact lens ng kasama mong bilat madumi na daw, concern lang DFA baka mabulag si bilat. Nyahaha! They have to capture the real color of your eyes which will be checked on all immigration to validate your identity** The application process gone for about two and half hours , it was not that long but since I don’t have anyone to talk to, it seems like years (choss!). After two weeks I claimed my passport and as most of my friends comment on their passport picture, same goes with me, “Ang chaps!”. oohh and by the way... as usual me and erin got lost again, instead of riding a jeep to JAC terminal we ended up in a highway, which i dunno the name! Our life saver... the cab driver. Thank you!