Lolong Buwaya: A Worlwide "Celebrity"

BREAKING NEWS: Guiness Book of World Record declared Lolong as the largest crocodile in captivity. Read more about this news here.

Is Lolong the largest buwaya (crocodile) alive? Many people agree that Lolong is the largest buwaya in the Agusan Marsh. With the length of 6.4 meters or 21 feet, who wouldn't say that Lolong is the largest of all the buwaya in the Philippines. The Mayor of Bunawan thinks otherwise. Mayor Edwin Elorde of Bunawan said crocodile hunters saw a crocodile that is larger than Lolong. The said crocodile has a larger head and wider back as compared to Lolong.

Even if there is a possibility that Lolong is not the largest buwaya in Agusan Marsh, many international groups were interested with the giant salt-water crocodile. Last month, Time Magazine included Lolong in its list of Top 10 real life monsters. Guinness World Records and National Geographic Society were also interested with Lolong and planned to send teams to check on Lolong Buwaya.
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(Source: Inquirer.net)

Guinness is interested in Lolong because the buwaya is a contender in dethroning the longest salt-water crocodile in its list. The current record for longest salt-water crocodile is being hold by the 17 feet and 11.75 inches long crocodile caught in Australia. At a length of about 21 feet, Lolong Buwaya can easily remove the Australian crocodile from the Guinness Book of World Records.

The animal “rights” group, PETA, also weighed in the popularity of Lolong. They demand Lolong to be freed to the wild despite the fact the buwaya is suspected of killing to people and may cause hazard to citizens of Bunawan. The group also accused the mayor of Bunawan of using the captivity of Lolong as a money-making scheme. Members of PETA issued the demand without visiting the area and considering the risk posed to people. Lolong is currently placed inside a 800 square meter pen.
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(Source: Pilipino Star Ngayon)

Lolong Buwaya is now a famous crocodile. It is possible that it will be included in the list of Guiness Book of World Records.

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Sources of information: Inquirer.net, PhilStar.com and Interaksyon.

Tips on Renewing Your Professional License at PRC

If you are an engineer, a doctor, a nurse or a professional in the Philippines; then I am sure that you visited the office of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to to renew your registration. Renewing your professional license can be an inconvenience, especially if you have to file a leave of absence just to renew. Going to the PRC can be less of a bother if you know what to expect when you are renewing  your professional license.

For those who are renewing their professional license, please read the regular procedures for professional license renewal. If you in the rush of renewing your license, please read the procedures in applying for Express ID. Before going to the PRC, decide which procedure you want to use because each procedures caters for different needs of professionals.
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If you are one of those who are renewing their license, then the following tips will be helpful to you:


Tip # 1: Apply for PRC License Renewal at the Malls

PRC offices are usually filled with applicants for new PRC License and those who are renewing their license. Also, these offices are only open during weekdays so you are forced to take a "leave of absence" from work just to renew your license. The good news is that you can renew your professional license at the PRC Renewal Centers located at selected SM Malls. These centers are open 7 days a week (including Saturday and Sunday) during mall hours. Read more about the PRC Renewal Centers at malls on my blog post.

Tip # 2: Don't go to PRC during registration of nurses

The nursing profession is one of the professions that has the most number of professionals in the Philippines. I suggest that you avoid going to the PRC during the board exam registration of nurses because PRC office is usually jam packed during those times. I usually see the queue of nurse registrants reach the sidewalks of Espana Boulevard. The large number of people will make it hard for you to move around the PRC office.

Tip # 3: Bring the All the Requirements

The requirement for renewing your professional license are:

1. Application form (PRC Reg Form 003) that can be obtained from the Information Window near the entrance get in PRC central office. The form can also be downloaded from the PRC website (PDF).

2. Two pieces of passport size picture (3.5 cm by 4.5 cm). The picture should be a close-up of your face and  colored. The background should be plain white. A complete name tag should be placed at the bottom part of the picture.

3. Photocopy of your recent professional license ID. In case of lost ID, you must provide PRC with an affidavit of loss. If the ID is destroyed, then you must surrender the destroyed ID to the PRC.

Tip # 4: Obtain “Certificate of Good Standing” from your profession's organization

When I first went to the PRC, the clerk don't want to accept my application and told me to go to my accredited organization of my profession to obtain a certificate of good standing. I suggest that you ask your professional organization if you need this certificate before going to the PRC.

Tip # 5: Bring your own photo

There are photo booths located inside the PRC central office. I don't recommend these photo booths because their picture, which they take using a webcam, is crappy. Four pieces of passport size picture, with “free” ID card holder, cost about 80 pesos. Please take note that you only need one photo when you are renewing your license.

What I did is that I made my own passport size photo using Photoshop. I followed the photo requirement of PRC and typed a name tag at the bottom. The format of the name tag is: [your surname], [your given name] [your middle name]. You can print your picture at photo printing shops for as low as 30 pesos.

You don't need to bring your own photo if you are renewing your professional license through the Express ID. PRC's Megadata Office will take the picture, which will be used for your ID.

Tip # 6: Bring enough money

My professional license just expired, so I paid 450 pesos. Expect to pay more than 450 pesos if your license is expired for more than a year because PRC gives penalty to professionals who defer the renewal of their license. There is an additional fee for those who are renewing through Express ID.

Tip # 7: Avoid dealing with fixers

I did not encounter any fixers when I renewed my professional license. The transaction in the PRC is fast, which made fixers irrelevant. However, be conscious of possibility that there are some a people who may trick you when you are t the PRC. I suggest that you only transact with PRC employees.

Renewing your PRC license is an inconvenience but not uneasy. Following the tips that I posted here will make your license renewal faster and easier.

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Do you have questions about renewing your license at the PRC? Please tell me about it by leaving a comment.

How to Apply for PRC Express ID

In the previous post, I talked about the regular procedure for the application for renewal of professional license at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). In the regular procedure, the professional license can only be obtained after three weeks or more after you submitted your application to the PRC.

What if you need to renew your professional license immediately? The solution for that is the PRC’s express ID or fast ID. The processing of professional license through express ID is just few hours. For those who applied for renewal in the morning, the professional license is released in the afternoon. For those who applied for renewal in the afternoon, the professional license can be obtained in the morning the next day.

PRC Express ID Procedure

Step 1: Get the application form (PRC Reg Form 003) from the Information Window, which located near the PRC central office’s entrance gate. The form can also be downloaded from the PRC website (PDF File). Please note that the application form is free of charge.

Step 2: Present the duly accomplished form together with requirements at Window 30, which is the priority window for those applying for Express ID.

Step 3: Go to “Megadata Office” as instructed by the clerk at Window 30. The Megadata personnel will take your photo, which will be used for your professional license ID. Megadata Office is located near the stairs inside the PRC main building.
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Megadata Office

Step 4: Go to the cashier at Window 36 to pay the fees for license renewal. You will also pay additional fees for the express ID.

Step 5: Get your claim slip at Window 30. The claim slip contains the date when you can claim your professional license. Make sure that you will not lose your claim slip.

Step 6: Claim you professional license at Window 31. The ID can be claimed in the afternoon, if the application was submitted in the morning. Those who applied in the afternoon can claim their ID in morning of the next day.

Do you need more information on the renewal of professional license? Please visit the PRC website or call (02) 736-2248. Read some tips on renewing your professional license at PRC.

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