I went to the NBI Renewal Center this afternoon to apply for my NBI clearance, and for my sister as well. I won’t be relating what happened to me anymore; just thinking about it wears me down. I would just make this entry as a guide to those who will be lucky enough to go through this wonderful process later on.

1. The Renewal Center is located in Quiapo. Carriedo, to be exact. To go there, ride the old LRT (Line 1) and get down in Carriedo Station. From there, wander around a bit until you find the right street. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a policeman to ask for directions, and not somebody who’ll take advantage of you, sexual or otherwise. Try not to look too lost.
2. Amidst sidewalk vendors and street hawkers, you’ll see the building with the NBI panaflex sign. No, you’re not lost; the NBI *is* inside a shopping center. There’s no shortage of signs pointing to where to turn left or right. Control yourself from singing “Just follow the arrow” from Sesame Street.
3. Go up to the 2nd floor and follow the arrows until you get to the booth selling ticket stubs. Buy a stub for Php20. If you have two applications, buy 2. Treat the stub as if your most precious possession.
4. Show the guard at the escalator your stub, and make sure you get it back. When you get to the 3rd floor, go straight to the booth where they’re giving out application forms. Get one and get in line for the payment. It’s a LOOOOONG line, so make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave the house. Fill in the application form while you’re at it.
5. Step 2 is at the 4th floor. I’m telling you this because the people behind the counter won’t tell you unless you ask. There’s hardly a line in this stage; they will just go over your form and make sure you filled in the fields properly. Let them have the stub if they ask for it. Step 3 is verification, I think. Here, they’d run your name in their computer to see if you or your namesakes has a criminal record.
6. If a friend came to accompany you, have them line for Step 4 while you’re in Step 2. They have some sort of system when you come up to the counter for the picture taking. Make sure you observe this system carefully and be sure to follow.
7. Go up to the 5th floor for finger printing. They sell wet tissues for Php2.00 each. Pay the man before you start the printing to avoid getting ink on your clothes and bag. Buy 2 to be sure you get 90% of the ink off your fingers.
8. After all this, go to Step 6 to know when you’ll be able to get your clearance. If you have a very unique name, you may get it in an hour. If you have quite a common name, they would probably tell you to come back after 3 or 4 days. Joy.

Things to remember:

• Don’t lose the stub and your receipt
• Bring a pen and something to entertain you while waiting in line
• Wear comfortable clothes; the air conditioning is no match for the summer heat, and standing in line and going up and down the stairs can be a strain to your feet.
• Don’t wear white.
• Don’t lose the stub and your receipt