DFA OPENS FIRST METRO CONSULAR SATELLITE OFFICE AT SM MEGAMALL

              The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opens its first consular satellite office in Metro Manila at SM Megamall on Sept. 1, 2012.

DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis (4^th from left), Office of the Consular Affairs Acting Asst. Secretary Wilfredo Santos (5^th from left) , Senior Special Asst. of the DFA Undersecretary  for Administration Rowena Sanchez (3^rd from right) and DFA-NCR East Office OIC Merle Puruganan (2^nd from right) graced the opening of the DFA First metro Consular Satellite office at SM Megamall.  Joining them are SM SVP for Controllership Ricky Lim,  SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia, SM Department Store President Jorge T. Mendiola and Most Rev. Barnardino Cortez.

             Conveniently located at the 7^th floor of the mall’s newly opened Building C, the 1,300 square meter DFA consular satellite office (or DFA-National Capital Region East Office ) offers New Passport Application, Passport Renewal, Replacement of Lost Passport and Authentication services.

This office is part of the out-of-the-box formula that the DFA pursued last year to make their services faster, more accessible and convenient to the public and also as a result of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements the DFA entered with SM and other private companies.

This partnership with SM will give mallgoers the opportunity to have their passports processed while shopping, having fun, and doing their other errands in SM Megamall. 

“The opening of DFA-NCR East is the continuing fruition of the President and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to bringing world class and convenient service to the public,” DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael E. Seguis said.

Mandaluyong Councilors Francisco Esteban and Alexander Sta. Maria.

It can accommodate up to 1,000 applicants a day for New Passport Application, Passport Renewal and Replacement of Lost Passport.  Applicants are encouraged to schedule an appointment for fast facilitation of their passport applications, as only applicants with scheduled appointments, PWD, OFW and senior citizens with valid proof of age shall be accommodated. 

 “One’s application can be finished in an hour or less while Seniors, PWD and OFW are guaranteed to finish their application in 45 minutes.” said DFA Passport Division Director Andre Estanislao.

“Two hundred (200) applicants a day can be accommodated for the Authentication service.   Walk-in applicants are also accepted here,” he adds.

   NSO Administrator and Civil Registrar General  Carmelita Ericta and SM SVP for Controllership Ricky Lim.

            The DFA-NCR East will be open to public from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, for both processing and releasing.    It will also be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, but for releasing only.

To schedule an appointment, applicants can log on to www.passport.com.ph or to www.megamallpassport.com.ph or call the DFA appointment hotline (02) 737-1000.

The DFA-NCR East office is located at the 7^th floor, Building C of SM Megamall. This project with the Department of Foreign Affairs is one of the many services SM extends beyond shopping to its customers.  Apart from offering foreign exchange, remittance, bills payments, show tickets, and phone card services at its Department Stores and Business Centers in the mall, SM also facilitates government services through tie-ups with the NSO, Pag-ibig, Phil-Health.

 

Lovin' Vintage

I am simply drawn to vintage touch. There is something nostalgic about seeing old photos. In a way it gives you a sense of history and all the great memories that come along with it. They are our most immediate link to the past and probably the answer to our future.

SM Foodcourt gives a taste of Laoag

Crave no more because SM City Marilao brings you the authentic and famous Ilocos delicacies at the heart of Bulacan.

Located at the ground floor of SM foodcourt, ‘Taste of Laoag’ serves the most delightful bagnet and longganisa. The seasoned garlic native sausage, Longganisa Ilocos and crunchy deep fried pork belly Bagnet, complement any vegetable dishes.  Try it with their best-selling mouth-watering appetizers Sinanglao, a soup made from beef innards and grilled lean goat meat soused in vinegar; Kilawin Kambing. Or go medley and pair it with the unique blend of flavors of bitter gourd, salty fermented fish sauce and the native flavors of mixed vegetables of pinakbet.

Other offerings include all-time favorite and distinctly Filipino dishes like Sinampalukan, Binagoongan, Dinuguan and Lecon Paksiw. These dishes will surely tickle your taste buds leaving you wanting for more.

Visit their other branch at SM Foodcourt Mall of Asia.  Indulge in your cravings and experience the taste of Laoag.

ON THE WILD SIDE WITH THE SM Accessories’ Reptilian Collection

Skin is in as snakeskin accessories are super-hot for summer in SM Accessories' Reptilian Collection.

This comes as snakeskin bags, shoes, and accessories took an exotic turn in fashion runways abroad with top designers creating an eye-catching trend with bright hues and block colors. Think clutches by Barbara Bui, Vera Wang, Jason Wu; as well as chain bags by Gucci. YSL also had a cuff in beautifully detailed snakeskin.

SM Accessories takes on the trend with party ready clutches, boardroom ready belts, elegant scarves, classic hair accessories, and bedazzling bijoux. Combining color and texture, these go well with weaves and tweeds, as well as lighter and flatter fabrics.

Take a walk on the wild side with SM Accessories' Reptilian Collection.

 The Reptilian Collection is available in all SM Department Store of SM Supermalls.

SM CITY MARILAO STRENGTHENED PWD KNOWLEDGE

Over the years, SM Supermalls have been known in spearheading initiatives to promote awareness and understanding on the needs of people with disabilities. It is the heart of SM to provide continuous quality customer care service and make everyone’s malling experience as enjoyable as possible.

True to its commitment, the management of SM City Marilao recently conducted a seminar on handling special customers. This year, the seminar focused on encouraging mobilization for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities through education on the different kinds of disabilities and approaches to handling such.

 “Disability comes in different forms” said Autism Society of the Philippines National Vice President Perlita So. “It may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional and, developmental or combination of these, so it is important to be knowledgeable on how to respond” she continued.

Highlighted in the seminar was a special talk on the proper response to people with ‘unseen disability’ such as epilepsy. “One challenge in responding to these epileptic attacks and seizures is the lack of knowledge” said Philippine League Against Epilepsy Neurologist Dr. Christina Cruz- Urbi.

Dr. Urbi explained what causes the attacks and showed video of different epileptic seizures. Likewise, she shared tips on how to respond effectively to prevent the person with epilepsy from injuries.

Over 209 employees participated in the seminar. Topics like autism and down syndrome were likewise taken. Power house speakers include Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Operations Manager Ma. Redetta Dela Paz and Autism Society of the Philippines National Vice President Perlita So.