One Hot Tuesday...
This is a wholesome read... hehehe! This is just an account of our trip to NSO.....moreso a ranting of a bride-to-be going through the agony of document procurement...
Yesterday, John and I went to NSO to apply for copies of our birth certificates and CENOMAR. I was not supposed to go with him since I did not file a leave from the office, but early in the morning, our water pump broke down and I have to wait for the water delivery, which came around 730am....seemed like a warning of more disappointing things to come....
Because it was already late for me, I decided to take a half-day off from work so I can accompany John to NSO. We arrived there around 10 am. GOSH!!! I was overwhelmed by the multitude of people filing for various documents. The place was hot, the mist fans were not really that effective to make it more comfortable. Good thing I always bring my ever-reliable pamaypay. Came in very handy...and great also we brought mineral water...the atmosphere can make you dehydrated due to the heat! Argh!! I had to bear two hours of waiting....I had to make sure my asthma puff was in my bag just in case I had asthma attack, which for sure I'm gonna have...
The process was orderly in a way...some people were not, sad to say!! It can be so annoying because while there were Q-numbers given out and being flashed on the screen so you know when it's your turn to line-up, some people still go to the line even when it was not yet their turn! Pasaway!!! John and I had a hard time squeezing into the queue because of these people who stood along the aisle waiting...haayyy!!! Mainit na nga ang paligid, iinit pa ulo mo!!
Our Q-number was 2117, and the numbers flashed on screen was only 1800 when we got seated...thankfully we were able to get some seats! I braced myself for a long wait...so I amused myself by observing other people's antics and listening to other's kwentos...sorry, can't help overhearing them. ;-) Finally, after about an hour of being seated, our number was among flashed on the screen, and so we made our way to the line.....still with those pasaway people, much to my dismay! Haayy!!! Just when will people ever follow the rules...
Finally, our forms were screened...we filed for 2 copies each of our birth certificates and one each for CENOMAR. I thought the screening process involved checking on the computers if your names are registered with the NSO... but no!! All the lady at the table did was make check marks using her ballpen all the items you filled in the form, then off you go to the next step. She never even bothered to look at you nor ask you if you were the one filing....she was like a checker in a department store counter...should have changed that process to FORM CHECKING (as in literally check by pen)!
Off to the next step we went...and with the same Q-number, we had to wait for our turn to line up for payment this time. Of all the counters there (from 25 to 47), only around 10 were open...and since it was nearing lunchtime, most were closing for a break! Oh no! I asked John if they'd be closing for lunchbreak, and he said no. Thank goodness! I can no longer wait for an hour more in that place...my head began to ache and I was in the brink of an asthma attack. At last our number was among those flashed, and I jumped on my seat and hurriedly lined up, unmindful that John was not behind me pala. That time, only 5 counters were open....I just have to be very patient coz konting tiis na lang. At last I was in front of the counter, and the girl behind it was quick in the process even though she looked like a trainee only. In a few minutes, I was done with the payment...cost us 860 pesos for those documents. I quickly went to see John waiting for me near the exit, and I made a big sigh of relief when we were outside....ahhh!!! (Not so) fresh air!! It was 12nn already, our stomachs were grumbling and I was dying to make a pee! The short walk to nearby Chowking was quite a task! I was so tired, and with the heat of the noontime sun, I thought I was going to faint. Finally Chowking at last! When we entered, grabe haba pila!! Oh no! Not again...
