Professional Driver's License Renewal in LTO SM North EDSA 2022 - NPTravelBlogger

I accompanied my Father who was already 65 years old to renew his Professional Driver's License last February 2022. Although it was already February 22 and he's birthday was February 11, since there's an extension for renewal, we were allowed to process without any penalties.

A day before going to LTO, he took the exam through the LTO Portal. Days before that, he had watched several YouTube videos on the possible LTO questions in order to prepare for the exam.

To take the exam, you must first create an account in LTO Portal (click here). 

Next is to register and input all the necessary details. You must have your existing license ID with you because you will be inputting your license number here. This is how it will look like once you have a LTO portal account:

It's recommended to write down your username and password on a note since you will be asked to log-in using a public computer in LTO. Once you're done, click the second icon on the top then click CDE Online Validation Exam. This is how it will look like:

Just click START EXAM to start taking the exam. You can take the exam using your cellphone. 

This is how it will look like after you pass the exam. 

My father got 68% which is still a passing score 😁. Note that you can take the exam as many times as you like regardless even if you pass or fail. Just click START EXAM to retake the exam.

Then, we proceeded to LTO Driver's License Renewal Office located at the Lower Ground Floor of SM Annex, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, just near Ace Hardware and Bowling Area. 

It was inside SM Government Services Express which is a one-stop service shop from various government offices; Bureau of Immigration, Pag-ibig, National ID, SSS, LTO, to name a few.

We went directly to the LTO booth and told the staff that we would like to renew my Father's professional driver's license. We were asked if we already took the exam which we answered "YES". We were NOT asked to show proof, so NO need to print a copy of the exam certificate. 

The staff then gave us a form and told us to proceed to MegaCare Medical Solutions Clinic for medical examination. it was just a few steps outside the room we were in.

After filling up the form and paying PHP 480, my father was then ushered inside the clinic where he was examined, particularly his eyesight. He was then issued his Medical Examination Certificate and we went back to the LTO booth.

After handing the Medical Examination Certificate to the staff, we were requested to proceed to the cashier to pay the renewal fee amounting to PHP 585.  

Once paid, we went back to LTO and we were requested to sign-in to the  LTO Portal using the computer in front of their booth. Once logged-in, the staff inside took over and check the exam results as well as filled up the professional license renewal application online. After that, we were told to proceed to the room at the back of their booth which is the last step of the renewal.

This is were the fingerprints were registered, or checked. Please note that my Father was not taken a new photo for the renewal and that his old photo was used. 

After that, the new Driver's License ID was instantly printed and handed over to my father.He got 10-years validity! 💖All in all, the process took only 20 minutes to be completed. Look at the happiness on my Father's face while showing his old and new ID. 😊

Where to Eat in Malumpati Cold Spring

Tampisaw Bar N' Grill is located inside Malumpati Cold Spring Resort. We went to this tourist destination as part of our four-day Aklan - Boracay trip.

It was almost noon when we reached the area our Aklan - Boracay Trip. After a quick deep in the spring We decided to have our lunch in Tampisaw Bar N' Grill. 

We ordered sisig and liempo enough to fill the four of us along with four cups of rice 

Here's the breakdown of our cost, for reference. Excuse that one Gold Eagle Beer, served cold!

All in all, food in Tampisaw Bar N' Grill were okay and we enjoyed our short lunch there before proceeding to our next destination. 

HALF DAY CARCAR ESCAPADE: Lechon Chicharon Foodtrip and Shoe Shopping

I just had a quick Cebu getaway last June with two of my college friends. We only booked for a 3-whole day vacation, two of which were spent in BANTAYAN ISLAND. The remaining one day was spent in CARCAR, to do a quick foodtrip and pasalubong and souvenir shopping.

We started our trip by taking a cab from our hotel in Parklane to Magellan's Cross (Php 110) . It was my third time going to this tourist spot but I was still amazed by the big Cross. We made a quick prayer for thanks giving and guidance and then headed to South Cebu bus terminal (Grab car: Php 70).

We took an aircon bus going South with a fare of Php 60. You can take any bus going South Cebu, just don't forget to tell the driver or the conductor that you are going to Carcar Market. Travel time is about 2 hours. 

It was already past lunchtime when we reached Carcar Market so we directed first to the Lechon area to have some legit Carcar Lechon for lunch.

 It was just a small area at the right side of the market,  composed of less than 10 Lechon stalls. We were quickly "attacked" by aggressive vendors offering their lechon products asking us to eat their free samples, I was already very hungry at that time and was quickly annoyed by them. We decided to buy on one of the stalls where in the tindera's are just quietly waiting for buyers to approach them. The retail price per kilo of Lenchon was Php 400/kilo. We bough a quarter for lunch. Just beside the lechonan area were rice (aka puso vendors). There were also snack vendors with tables and chairs where you can eat your lunch and will let you borrow some plates, just be considerate to buy some softdrink or coffee or egg or anything they are selling as a token of gratitude. 

After we had our lunch, we quickly went to the area where they were selling Carcar shoes. We told the tricycle driver to take us to Acacia Grill, which was a few kilometers away from Carcar Market.

Below are some samples of Carcar shoe products. Prices range from Php 150 to Php 500.

After buying a couple of pairs, we went back to Carcar market again to find wholesale Chicharon for pasalubong.

In Carcar, a quarter kilo bag of freshly packed chicharon costs Php 300.

We also bought chicharon in small packaging that cost about Php 500 per 25 pcs. This was about Php 20 per piece. Flavors came in regular and spicy.

After 3 hours of touring Carcar, we decided to head back to Cebu City. We did this by simply taking the bus passing in front of the market with "Cebu City" on its signboard. 

Carlmig Leisure Homes: A Private Resort Within Manila

Are you looking for a venue to conduct you’re annual outing or just looking for a private place where you can hang out with your family, friends and/or officemates, and MUST BE WITHIN METRO MANILA OR NEAR MAKATI?? Then CARLMIG LEISURE HOMES might be the place for you. This private resort is conveniently located in Palanan Makati, just near Cash and Carry.

If you think that the proximity and transport convenience will equate to higher expenses, then you are wrong. The rate per unit of Carlmig Homes will only cost you almost seven thousand pesos Php 7,000 for 12 hours for 15 persons! That’s the same or even less than the usual rate of fancy private resorts in Pansol. This will be even more sulit when you consider the transport cost from Manila to Laguna, added by the hassle brought by the terrible traffic when going South, ugh.

CARLMIG HOMES offers 6 units to choose from, each has a second floor, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms perfect for overnight bonding.

Each unit also comes with a very cute swimming pool that is 4-feet deep. 

The water per my observation are being maintained through filters and chemicals that the staff are putting every morning.

We did not get to try it though during our stay. 

The place also has videoke to unleash the inner diva of the guests.

It also has a kitchen complete with cooking utensils, pans, rice cooker, refrigerator and a stove.

The shower in the bathrooms are equipped with water heater, and that’s a big thumbs up for me!

You also do not have to worry about the food and drinks because the place is walking distance away from Ambers and Cash and Carry supermarket, super hassle-free talaga!

As for the parking area, the area can accommodate at least 6 cars in the front. The roads around the place are a bit busy and I wouldn't recommend side/street parking.

The only thing I think that will need a lot of improvement is on the area of cleanliness. During our stay, there were A LOT of bugs and tiny cockroaches. They were on the kitchen and even on our beds! I hope they get rid of these insects ASAP.  

Stonewood Garden Private Pool Resort Angono Rizal Review

Aside from Pansol, Laguna, the Province of Rizal also offers private pool resorts that are perfect for team buildings, reunions, and other celebrations for a big group.

We rented Stonewood Garden Resort in Angono Rizal for 22 hours from 8AM to 4PM.
We paid Php 18k for the venue including one bedroom good for 10 persons.

There is a parking area that can house 2 cars. Vehicles can also be parked along the street just outside the house. The place was located inside a subdivision so I can say that the place is secure.

The place was big enough for us composing of 15 adults and 3 kids. 

The activity area was very wide perfect for team buildings, receptions and gatherings. 

They also have indoor venue located on the second floor.

The place had 2 pools, 1 for adult (4ft - 6ft), 1 kiddie indoor pool (thigh deep) with 1 extra jakuzzi pool. 

adult pool

indoor pool (3ft deep perfect for kids)

The whole place was clean and the water in the pool was well maintained. I did not get itchy after swimming which I usually do when I swim in dirty swimming pools.

view from our rooms balcony

The owners were very simple, kind and accommodating. Although cooking using LPG was not allowed, we were given consent to bring electric stove so we can cook our food which we bought from a nearby market. There was also grill provided. 

Although there are many rooms available, we decided to rent just one room good for 10 persons. It was only for securing our belongings and also for kids and adults who wanted to sleep or rest. 

Here's the contact number of the resort for inquiries. :)