MARCIA BARTOLOME

MARCIA BARTOLOME'S shall now be known as:

MS. AXIA DALDAL

Bow!

CONTROL YOUR TEMPER!!!

This is the continuation of my previous blog, which I posted weeks ago, about another embassy we tried to get Schengen Visa.

After the disastrous response from the German Embassy agent, I contacted quickly the organizers of the event that we’re going to attend. In my email, I explained everything that happened, including my complaint to that rude embassy agent who kept putting “sorry” word on every end of his sentence!

On the next day, with excitement, the organizers replied and told us to try Embassy of Austria in Manila because it is the neighboring country of the place in which we will be going—SLOVAKIA! And the Deaf sports organization of Austria is very much willing to assist us. Thanks goodness!

At the top of my speed, I sent text message to Lovella and told her everything the organizers had told me thru email, and I also encouraged her to check email too. She agreed to go with me to embassy couple or three days after. Before we went there, we made sure that everything is set and complete.

A night before the day we went there, I received a text message from Lovella, who told me to make sure that everything is ready and be there 1 hour or 30 minutes before our appointment time. My reply was very short, it consisted only of three letters—OPO!

The day finally arrived; I left home early, and of course, with excitement! After three hours of travel from my home to Makati, I finally reached the place. I found Lovella’s car parked at the front of embassy building, I knocked the glass window to call her attention. She let me in after seeing me, and we arranged our own things together. Within few minutes, we finally marched to the embassy.

Upon our arrival at the lobby, the guard asked whether we had an appointment with the embassy. With pride, we replied – YES and pointed our names listed on the paper which lied just beside the guard. He let us proceed to fourth floor via elevator; upon arriving there Lovella tapped my back and scolded me about something.

“Bear this in mind you ruddy pig! Be nice and kind when facing an embassy agent! A single raise of eyebrow, knotting of your lips, flaring of your nose and staring dangerously to embassy agent could bring another disaster to us like you did in German Embassy. Worse we might not be able to get a Visa. Control your temper! Your words are too sharp sometimes like your tongue, or I can say sharper than a blade! Do I make myself clear?” She said.

“I will if he will do the same! Pft!” I fired back.

“Heh! Just remember to control your temper. If something unpleasant happened, I will have to scold you!!!”

I hate her…Tsk! I said in my mind.

After few minutes of waiting, the embassy agent called us, as we walk towards him, Lovella signed:

“Mark my words… I’m warning you!”

Grrrrrrrr…

Within few steps, we faced the embassy agent. He requested all our papers, I go first then Lovella. Few minutes after, I noticed him pulling something blue.

“That’s blue stub” Lovella said, “it means we passed.”

I hope… if he failed us, he’ll be my next victim on Death Note! Bad timing… Ryuk’s on vacation!

“Are you sure that blue stub means passed?” I asked.

“Yes! I know better about embassy system. Just trust me.”

“Care to explain further?” I asked again.

“Well, in US Embassy, blue stub means you passed. Yellow means you failed, good thing we didn’t get it or the orange stub.”

“So, there’s orange one which means on hold?”

“Excellent.”

Lovely…

And we finally went back to school together. Both of us just crossed our fingers until the release of our passports.

ONE DAY AT EMBASSY

I was inside LRT Monumento Station on that gorgeous Friday morning. As the train’s speed increases, I leaned on the glass window, gazing at the old buildings and houses of Rizal Avenue. Suddenly, my mobile phone vibrated, which signaled me that a message arrived in my inbox. With eager, I took my phone from my pocket; the texter was anonymous because the mobile phone didn’t show the name of the sender. But upon reading it, I realized that it was from the assistant of the consul of one Schengen embassy.

The news absolutely made my beautiful and lovely day crumble!

It said: “Sir, I was informed only this morning that your Visa cannot be released until your departure date. I suggest that you may try other Schengen embassy around the city.”

“Merlin’s beard!” I said as the train draws closer to Blumentritt Station. It was like someone had just thrown a hot coffee straight to my face. An explainable pressure quickly crept over my whole being as I dropped at Blumentritt Station and rushed to ride a jeep that took me to the consulate of Schengen state which resides along Rizal Avenue Extension.

When I reached the consulate office, the assistant of the consul met me and her lips thinned and thrown a blank expression upon seeing me. I felt that it was like the Christmas had been postponed. She gave to me all the documents that I submitted, and of course, the amount that I paid for the process.

After few minutes, I’m inside the train again, and my whole fingers are busy pushing buttons of my mobile phone, typing message that will be sent to my companion, who are also going with me on the same Schengen state. I informed to her the grieve news and added that all documents were returned to me. Also I added that the consulate suggested that we try to look for other Schengen embassies around Makati area that will be able to help us process our Visas.

“You got list of Schengen embassies?” I asked via text.

“Yes! I have, I’ll meet you at the back of CSB. Hurry up!” She replied.

“I’ll be there in few minutes.” I replied back.

Within few minutes upon reaching Vito Cruz Station, I quickly sprinted out of the train, dashed quickly to the stairs, ignoring people I bumped as I went down, and then raced with the cars that passed Taft Avenue just to cross the other side of the avenue.

I met my comrade at her office; her face was blank of emotions.

“Damn consul! What the hell is he thinking?!?” I said.
“Don’t mind it. Let’s hurry up. I have class at 2pm.” She replied.
“Okay! I hope we find a better embassy that is more appropriate and sane than that stupid one!” I fired back.
“Calm down…” She assured me.
“Calm down? Eh, that assistant told us to write to embassy to explain the reason that our Visas need to be released immediately, also the consul and ambassador are both aware that the organizers told already all Schengen embassies about the event, and I did what she instructed. Now their assistant just ruined my day by texting me that they’ll not able to process that on short amount of time because the consul was on vacation! Why she didn’t suggest that we try other Schengen embassies earlier? Oh! Where’s my death note?!” I signed at the top of my speed.
“Would you mind to shut up? Or I’ll bump this car to your butt?” She fired back.

Our first destination is German Embassy which is located in Makati City, on 25^th floor of RCBC Tower. We reached the place in few minutes, and I prepared myself to ask the embassy’s mercy to grant us Schengen Visa.

“My sister works here.” I said with dignity and pride.
“Great! My sister-in-law too works here in Australian Embassy.” She said.
“Really?” I said, “I hope she works at German Embassy and she’ll be able to issue us Visa immediately.”
“I doubt that.”
“Why?”
”Biases are not allowed in embassy.”
“Lovely,” I said in my mind with raised eyebrow.

We deposited our bags and other nonsense belongings to the guards at the lobby, and quickly sprinted towards elevator that took us to 25^th floor of the RCBC Tower. Upon our arrival, the guard double checked us and our belongings. After that, I and my companion found ourselves face to face with grumpy looking man, who was sitting in front of us with a thick bulletproof glass that separates us.

“Wow this place is heavily guarded,” my companion said.
“Why so?” I asked.
“No idea. What do you think?”
“I think it’s weird. Inquirers are never going to attack them with any weapons or clenched fist. Duh!” I said irritably.
“Sometimes it is possible, I think.” She replied.
“What? Does it ever happen? Inquirers threatened embassy agents?”
“I think so.”

The man who was sitting in front of us started to speak, but we gestured that we’re both Deaf. He got a two piece of empty and long bond papers, and a pen. Guess what? The table desk was a little bit weird!

There was a large square hole on the table desk of the agent, and the same goes on me. The agent opened the box and put the bond papers and pen, and he pulled something that delivered it to us.

“Really a weirdo… can they just give the pen and paper normally than adding dramatic entrance to our communication needs? Pft!” I said irritably.

“If you don’t stop signing discriminately, I’ll push your head hard on this bulletproof glass! I’m warning you!”

“PFT!!!”

Then, I started to write, explained that there will be a coming prominent activity of the Deaf in Slovakia and most Schengen states are aware of it, and told him of the disaster that brought to us by the good-for-nothing consul. I asked if it is possible for the German embassy to issue us a Schengen Multiply Visa that will enable us to have access to various Schengen States, and most importantly, will allow us to enter Bratislava.

The agent put down the paper on the table and started to write. He wrote directly in position which I can see clearly. His response totally added another unforgettable destruction that ruined my afternoon!

AGENT: Sorry. We cannot issue you a Visa because… (I forgot what he had just written).

MYSELF: Sorry? I don’t understand you sir. Can you please explain?

AGENT: (I forgot what he told first, but the last five letters of his last word was “SORRY”)

MYSELF (signing to my comrade): This man added pain in my ass!

COMRADE (signing): Ask him why.

MYSELF (signing): I already asked. He just keeps putting that disgusting “sorry” word in the end of his every sentence.

COMRADE (signing): Ask him. Just ask.

MYSELF: How long does it take to process a Visa?

AGENT: About two weeks.

MYSELF: It is not bad because it is only third week of August and our departure will be second week of September. Will it be possible to shorten the process?

AGENT: Maybe. But I’m not sure whether your visa will be released on second week of September. Sorry.

MYSELF (speaking to myself): Fuck you! You said processing takes two weeks, now you’re denying that our Visa might not be released in two weeks. What kind of communication is this? Your brain must be malfunctioning dude! You’re the most pitiful species on earth I’ve ever seen… Tsk!!!

COMRADE (signing): What did he say?

MYSELF (signing): I asked how long the process can take, he said two weeks. I explained that it is fine because our departure is second week of September and it is only third week of August, we have still enough time. But, he just said that it might not be released before our departure. What the hell is he thinking?! He’s mental! We better help him find is brain somewhere around here, it might be roaming unconsciously! Pft!

COMRADE (signing): Hey! Calm down. Better ask him the requirements.

MYSELF: May we have the requirements for the process of our Visa?

AGENT: You may download the form on our website, and you’ll also able to read the requirements there. But, I’m still unsure whether we can issue you a Visa. Sorry.

MYSELF (speaking to myself): Go to hell sir! My eyes are really tired of reading that “sorry” word on your paper. If this bulletproof glass is not standing here, I already grabbed you out of your seat and give you a black-eye! Fook!

COMRADE (signing): Why did he said sorry?

MYSELF (signing): Nevermind! Let’s leave and look other embassy. This embassy sucks!

We thanked the agent, but before we reached the exit, he wrote something and showed it to us.

AGENT: Do you know Mr. B_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _n?

MYSELF: Yes! He was my professor during my tertiary years.

AGENT: Send my regards to him. I’m his good friend.

MYSELF: Sure. I will.

MYSELF (talking to myself): Good friend? You’re not only a pitiful species, but also a big fat liar! Bugger off!

And then, me and my comrade exited the embassy, upon our arrival at car park, we drove to other Schengen embassies around Makati area.