So I ended up doing the next seemingly best thing -- nothing...with occasional thoughtful bursts of "Gosh, I really should be doing something about my license...but then...(reasons, reasons, reasons)." Admittedly, I was neglectful...and yeah, lazy. I actually typed a letter of request just a few days after I went to PRC but never got around to printing it. I kept telling myself, next rest day I'll send it...which became next rest day, and the next, and then soon the year has ended. The letter of request remained a Word document file in my thumbdrive.
But the new year gave me a different resolve. Like I have stated here, I needed to get that license. But first, there was that issue about the registration. I asked my sister (who was in Bicol) to give the PRC Region 5 office a call, actually preparing to trek off back there if worse comes to worst. She couldn't contact them, so I searched the PRC website for more contact information and I saw that there was an email address for each of the regional offices. Thinking it could be a bit of a stretch, but there was nothing to lose anyway, I wrote an email explaining my circumstance and asking if I needed to send a letter through post and if I can still go to Legazpi to register if ever. That same day I received their reply saying that they would be sending my PERRC to the main office the next morning and that I can register the following week. I was flabbergasted, I let out a loud yelp and was all giddy with excitement. That was too easy!!! If I'd known about that email address I wouldn't have waited so long to make that request!
So after a week I set off with my teammate to PRC.
Of course one's visit to a government office would not be complete without its usual annoyances. Turned out it was LET application season for April 2010, so the Office of Professional Teachers was packed. Then when we came up to one of the windows to ask where to go for license registration, the woman behind it looked at me, made a movement like she was looking for something, and then went back to checking an applicant's documents as if nothing happened. Sure, I understand that she was swamped, but a few seconds just to utter something that resembles an answer would have been nice.
Off I went to the next window, this time a guy was behind it, and asked again. He asked "Nakapasa ka na?" to which I replied yes, trying hard not to add that I wouldn't be registering for a license if I haven't passed the board yet obviously. At least he was helpful, telling us to go to Window 18 or 19 at one o'clock. So I gave him my sweetest smile and thanked him.
After grabbing lunch, my teammate and I went back to PRC and was accosted by the lady guard (who wasn't there when we first came in), demanding to see PRC IDs or documents that are PRC-related. Good thing I brought my old registration forms from last year. My teammate was not so lucky. (She went with me to inquire what to do about her registration, since she took the LET in Region 8). Since she didn't have anything to show, and there was a sign saying "bawal ang kasama sa loob" (meaning only those who are actually applying for the board or whatever can come in), she was asked to remain outside. I immediately glared at the guard and started to argue, to which she just replied snappishly "Sorry PO! Yun ang patakaran," (That's the rule) or something to that effect. My teammate just urged me to go on, saying that she'll stay outside.
So up I go to the Office of Professional Teachers again, wading through the crowd towards window 18. I asked one of those who were in queue where they got the registration form, and he just motioned somewhere by the entrance. I walked around the entire office but didn't see anyone giving out forms. So I asked one of the people there again and somebody told me the forms were available downstairs.
Down three flights of steps I went, a girl on my tail - she was also a new registrant and she said she had been standing upstairs near the windows for a while before I came without an inkling what to do and where to go. She followed me as I went to another line of windows and asked a guy inside (he looked like he was on OJT or something) where to get registration forms for teacher's license. He thought for a moment and said "Sa kabilang building." So I went with the girl to the other building and asked again, and the guy at one of the windows told us the forms were available at the customer service counters near the gate. (Duh! Couldn't anyone upstairs or from the other windows just have told us that!)
Finally, with forms all filled up I went back upstairs and stood in line, reading the notices posted on the glass panes to amuse myself. My heart skipped a beat when I read the paper posted on Window 18. It was a regulation passed June 2009 saying that all new registrants MUST register at the regional office where they took the exam. Uh-oh. I steeled myself for an impending challenge. I was ready to hear the words that came out of the woman's mouth when she checked my record on the computer: "Oy, Legazpi ito!" and she handed back my form to the guy behind the window. I was prepared, I was already telling them that I went there to register last year and was told to request for my PERRC to be transferred and I emailed the regional office and they said they were going to send it, in one breath.
The guy was looking at me exasperatedly, with a mocking half-smile, like I'm some moron who has to be told what is right.
Guy at window: "Kelan ka nag-email?" (When did you send the email?)
Me: (a bit rattled) "Mga two weeks ago..."
Guy at window: "Ah, hindi ipapadala yun. Ayan miss o (pointing at the paper posted on the glass pane), bawal na yun, hindi ipapadala yun, di ipapadala yun." (They won't send it [PERRC], it's not allowed anymore. They're not going to send it. They're not going to send it.)
Fortunately this woman beside him said she was going to check it out, and she went into the back of the room, I guess to flip through some files. And my heart swelled when she came back holding my PERRC, I guess much to the surprise of the guy behind the window. (Hah!) They made some verifications, and finally they gave me back the forms and pointed me to the cashier to pay the fees.
I could've danced toward the cashier's window. I guess my smile was infectious because the woman behind the counter was also smiling at me when I thanked her after getting my receipt (which was for me unusual because they are always a surly lot).
I couldn't help but beam at that guy behind Window 18 when he gave me the registry to fill up and sign.
Finally, I was registered. I got two strips of paper in my hand with my license number (my license number!!!) and a note that says to claim in two months. Hoorah!
I am really grateful to the PRC Region 5 office for coming through for me. I mentioned in my email that I was advised by the OPT to request for a transfer which was the truth, albeit it was out of ignorance of the changes that they made to the rules. Had I known, I would not have insisted. They could've just told me about those changes in their reply anyway. Perhaps they took pity on me, seeing how much of an inconvenience it is for someone who's now residing and working in Manila to travel back more or less 538 kms just to fill up forms.
In any case, I am indeed thankful and relieved. It was one hurdle less to tackle. My mother would be pleased.
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