How to Update your Government Records after Getting Married, the initial step

So what’s next after your much-awaited wedding day? Well, there are tons to do after your big day aside from the adjustments you both do.

First you need to avail of the necessary I.D.s using your brand new surname. Did you know that there’s no written law in our constitution requiring women to change their name after they get married? I think it’s common to celebrities and politicians but for normal people like us, I think we need to. This is also a simplified way of respecting your husband’s family and submitting to your husband.

The most important thing to do is request a copy/copies of marriage certificate form N.S.O. since this is the basis of government offices and banks in updating your record. If you want ease while saving time and energy, you can drop by the nearest SM Malls, Robinsons Galleria or Ali Mall in Cubao to request for your document. These are the only malls that I’m aware of providing such service.

When I went to SM Business Center at the 5^th floor of SM Mega Mall B last June, they declined my request for the marriage Certificate from NSO since they require a period of atleast 6 months after your wedding date. This is to make sure that your record is already submitted to NSO. So I went back yesterday and since it’s already July, they accepted it. Fee is Php 160 per copy. I requested 3 copies making it a total of Php 480. It’s a good thing that malls provide these kind of services that eases getting important documents. Though it’s a bit pricier compared to going to NSO branches, atleast you save time, fare, and energy. Most of the government offices require you these plus more patience. Anyway, so I was advised to check the documents I requested by Friday next week. That’s after 7 working days.

What other things you can transact with SM Business Center:

• S.S.S. contribution
• Request for CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage)
•  Marriage Certificate (after 6 months form your wedding date)
•  Birth Certificate
• Renew PRC License
• Bills Payment

These are the only forms I saw/remembered when I went yesterday.

For Robinsons Galleria (Lingkod Pinoy Center) and Ali Mall in Cubao, there are many government centers like DFA, SSS, PhilHealth, GSIS, LTO, DOT, Pag-Ibig, NBI, etc. It’s like a one-stop shop for everything. If you are near the vicinity of these malls, you can save a lot of time on your transactions. For services offered, you can visit Lingkod Pinoy. In Ali Mall, these centers are located near the movie theatre.

Experiencing Pre-Cana Seminar at EDSA Shrine

So Hubby (Ex BF) and I had our Pre-Cana Seminar in EDSA Shrine which is required as per Villa San Miguel, our Wedding Chapel. They require couples to attend two seminars – Christian Doctrine which is scheduled every Saturday from 8am-12pm and the Pre-Cana Seminar every last Saturday of the month. Note that you cannot take the Pre-Cana Seminar if you haven’t attended the Christian Doctrine Seminar.

The Christian Doctrine Seminar has 3 speakers that talk about the Apostle’s Creed, the sacraments and how you live as a Christian.

The Pre-Cana Seminar starts at 9am at the “Free Clinic” room, ground floor along EDSA side (near the ladies’ washroom). You need to bring the brown paper issued to you after taking the first required seminar.

When we attended this last Sept. 13, 2014, we were the only couple registered as soon-to-wed. The speakers teased us as “Dong-Yanne” (not in looks and figures. haha). Not sure if it’s just me but I never felt sleepy during the entire seminar. 

Tita Minnie (one of the speakers) told us that they accommodate anyone before with which she dropped names of popular personalities in showbusiness (with side stories. hehe). But due to large volume of interested parties, they now allow only those registered from either EDSA Shrine or Villa San Miguel. Attendees are combination of couples who are getting married and/or  having their child baptized, so most of the talk (3^rd speaker) are about baptism requirements. You can contact them through (02) 633 4359.

How to commute going to EDSA Shrine aside from the Bus B (or routing to Ortigas Ilalim), you can ride G-liner bound to Taytay Rizal from San Juan or near SM Centerpoint.

Wedding Ring Supplier: Suarez Wedding Rings

Finally, we have our wedding ring supplier booked last July. Yeah, I've been busy doing alot of stuffs so I haven't added anything in my blog lately.

Why we booked Suarez Wedding Rings? Maybe the salesman is so nice that he can answer all our ring-related questions out of those who attended the expo in SM Megamall Mega Trade Hall last July 25-27, 2014. Aside from the usual discount, they offer 3 types of warranties: Best Price Promise, Buy Back Guarantee and Lifetime Warranty. And what are these?

1. Best Price Promise - if you see similar specifications (design, weight and workmanship) of your wedding rings with other suppliers and the price is cheaper, they will pay you the difference or give your full refund. That is, within 14 days after purchasing their product.
2. Buy Back Guarantee - after several years, if you want to upgrade your ring/s you can exchange it with your choice item but the value of your initial purchase is doubled.
3. Lifetime Warranty - any manufacturing defect can be repaired but not as a result of normal wear and tear. By the way, resizing is not covered here.

The salesman also informed us that we can avail free cleaning and that there is a serial number inside as a sign of authenticity. I'm just not sure how true this is since we haven't picked up the ring yet.

We also heard good reviews about this supplier so we gave it a go. The discount we availed is only for the ring itself but not with the stones in it. We also paid additional amount for adjusting the size since my h2b's ring finger is bigger than the standard size so more gold metal is needed which means higher price.

So how do our wedding rings look like? It's almost similar with their "Best Price Promise" image on their website but lesser stones.

Anyway, we're almost done booking our suppliers, thanks GOD. :)

FREE My Size Pepperoni Folded Pizza by Yellow Cab Pizza Co.

I guess everyone is already aware of the FREE folded pizza that Yellow Cab Pizza Co. is offering right now.
Anyone can avail it as long as you download their application in Google Play Store or App Store.

When I get in the office earlier, everyone is talking about it.
How to search for their application?
Just follow these simple steps:

1. Go to Google Play Store and enter "yellow cab pizza co. digital app" or at App Store for Apple users. You can click the links to go directly and download.
2. Download/Install the application.
3. Once it finished downloading, open the application and register.
4. Do not click on "Claim" button because it will mean that you already claim your free folded pizza.
5. Make sure that it goes into your "wallet".

I'm not sure how long these promo will run so better grab it.

Enjoy this free folded pizza only from Yellow Cab Pizza Co. You can also earn badges like any other app when purchasing their products to avail other app-related promos.

By the way, I haven't claim mine because when my friends and I checked it at the Hub (UP-Ayala Technohub), they told us they no longer have stock of pepperoni and the dressing they use. We're just wondering, does that mean they cannot create any of their menu with pepperoni? They should've just informed us that they already reached their limit for the day or something reasonable and believable. Just my two cents.

Online Deals and Vouchers in the Philippines

Well, I have a little secret for practicality. Actually, I think everyone have tried it and is into it..

What am I referring to? Haha. The great online coupon or vouchers or deals, whatever you wanna call it. I always browse these websites as in everyday except for weekends. For safety reasons, I don’t buy travel/accommodation vouchers online because of the many problems and issues that I heard from those who bought it.

What I recommend and always have good eyes on are dining vouchers. I used to buy products or items from a deal website that are only good in pictures. I’m not sure if that website actually monitors the products. Like one time, I bought this passport organizer which looks good on photos but when I received the actual item, I was sooo disappointed that I gave it away. More of the same products are better from Divisoria than that. I also experienced buying the jewelry hanger (shaped in black dress) which is also of minor quality. Since 2012, I haven’t experienced any bad deal except for the items I bought plus dinner with cruise in Manila Bay (same website where I bought some items). It’s supposedly a buffet dinner but ended up with a plated meal with my fiancé. Good thing we enjoyed the view and ofcourse, the company of each other. 

So what are the coupon websites I’m monitoring?

CashCash Pinoy (they have less deals but you’re sure about the quality of the deals based on my experience)

Groupon Manila (Food Deals)

Esogo or Living Social (more deals compared to others but not sure with the products/services)

Metrodeal (for dining vouchers only)

My friends and relatives ask me if it’s safe especially the online payment with credit card. Well, based on my experience with these websites, absolutely YES. Payment is really safe but the deals, try it yourself. Call the merchant and verify if the deal is correct since some experienced having a different deal online with the actual product/service offered.

My latest buys? Vikings Saturday Lunch Buffet from Ensogo, Figaro deals (Ensogo), bake and churn, Ace Water Spa (first time to buy service deal), and counting. Now you know which among these I'm very active with. Hehehe

There are plenty of coupon websites and are still counting. If you’re into risk, you can try all of it but for me, I’ll just stick with these sites since they're already “tried and tested”. If you have any problem with the merchant, you can report it to the website since customer service is better now due to high competition.

Happy voucher buying.

Oh by the way, one of our wedding supplier is an online deal. I bought a voucher for their service so hopefully they will deliver what's on the deal and help make my grand day an unforgettable one - in a good way ofcourse! 

Booked: Wedding Florist - Jarielle's Flowershop (Mang Boy Mahusay)

After surfing the net for potential and well-reviewed supplier/arranger of flowers, I finally decided to check Mang Boy Mahusay in Dangwa. He's a GT find and a lot of GTers and W@W brides rave for his service. Yeah, I usually check reviews for each supplier that J and I are planning to book.

And so last Saturday, J and I went to Dangwa to check Mang Boy. Side advise, if you're bringing your car, try to eat at Chowking so your parking space is free for 1.5 hours. Your food receipt will be marked as "validated". If not, you have to pay 30 pesos for the parking space and I'm not sure how long you'll be able to use it.

When we checked for Jarielle's Flower Shop - this is the store of Mang Boy, a guy approaced us claiming that he is Mang Boy's brother. I hesitated at first because many reviews advise to beware of those claiming to be Mang Boy or related to him because many do this. Wow, so he is that popular eh? Good thing a fellow GTers posted Mang Boy's picture and the mark of his tatoo on his chest. That guy directed us to a unit where an older man is sleeping with Rosary tatoo. So when he got up, I was sure that he is Mang Boy. hehehe

J and I will only get the Church arrangement since my sister is making DIYs for my whole entourage. I'll have a separate post about it once she's done with all of it. Moving on, Mang Boy advise us to have 16 hanging balls along the aisle starting from outside the chapel 'til the altar. His first rate was 15k. I was like, what!? for just that? The flowers are just white and yellow pg mumps which are too cheap (mura lang. I can buy a bundle for just 20 pesos at our market). So I asked the lady who's listing the inclusions if I can barrow the paper and will canvass from other stores. Then Mang Boy reduced the rate to 12k which I still didn't consider until it reached to 10k with pull out service (they will bring the flowers to the reception). J is already whispering that it's okay since we'll be having 16 hanging balls with vines and it's reasonably priced daw. I was still not convinced but since J will be paying for it, hands down na. I just told them that we will not be bringing the flowers to the reception venue since we have a different set-up so they reduced the price to 8k. Downpayment by the way is only 4k and the remaining will be settled on our wedding date. :)

When we got out, J's convincing me that it's okay and if I still make tawad lower than 8k, I should expect a simple arrangement since no one is wiling to work for a very cheap price. Side comment, J is not into making tawad, sometimes he looks at me if I go way beyond the usual price. hehe

I just hope Mang Boy and his team will do it like what other brides said.

Here is what our flowers along the aisle will look like 

Got from Mang Boy Mahusay's FB Account

For those who wanted to check Mang Boy Mahusay's floral designs, you can check his FB Account.

Booked: Wedding Caterer – The Red Chef and Events Specialist

So it's been more than 2 months since my last post.. Arrgghhh..been busy or trying to be busy for the preps. I really don't wanna think about it ‘coz I feel so excited and sometimes stressed just thinking about the DIYs that my sister is doing for my entourage ( will have a separate post on this one).

So what we already accomplished for the past months? We finalized our menu and table set-up for our chosen caterer and it's The Red Chef and Events Specialist. You can read fewer reviews about them since they focus more on corporate events. If you gotta reach to them, Aphat Martinez will be the one talking to you while Chef Mike is in charge with the food. They offer good food for less - meaning it's alot cheaper than other caterers you can get for a December event.

I first learned about them from Anya's blog who also got them for their May 17 wedding at Centris in Q.C. I think it’s an honest post – meaning there’s no “marketing” words that is used to describe the caterer but just pure opinion of a blogger.

Initially we had our food tasting with them in St. Francis at the back of SM Megamall since we received an invite from the SF contact that they will be showcasing the venue for wedding receptions plus the hotel. To be honest, I didn’t know that it’s a hotel. I just see it as two towers will colorful light display. Haha. Anyway, I loved their 3 sauce-pasta that makes it a pasta bar. And Aphat is so accommodating that we end up having our second and final food tasting with them scheduled.

Photos were not taken during our first and second (last) food tasting ‘coz I was so hooked with the foods. I love their appetizers and the Callos which is my first time to taste it. I was never introduced to that menu until I met The Red Chef. It was also featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer post. You can imagine it melts in your mouth as the texture is softer and the flavor is sooo rich.

Here's their logo by the way:

The Red Chef and Events Specialist

Hopefully, my guests will enjoy the foods on my wedding day as much as J and I do.