IMPORTANT: Custom firmware for PS3 (a.k.a. PS3 jailbreak without need of a USB dongle)... and play backups as well.. Please read from top to bottom as all questions will be answered in this post.. if not, please feel free to leave a comment.. This tutorial will work on ALL Slim and FAT 3.55 ps3 and below.. 3.56 and 3.60 up are not yet supported.. so if you got 3.56 or 3.60 or up, sorry, we either downgrade your system to 3.55 or just wait for future updates.. honestly, I dont know til when.. hackers are getting arested by Sony which slowed down hacking..

Also, please be reminded that PS3s that were bought already having 3.60 as initial firmware will not be able to downgrade.. only those with 3.55 and below that were upgraded to 3.56 up will work at all..

Now everyone will keep telling me to shut up about this because its gonna ruin their business (which everybody should be getting for free anyway..) and everybody loves free items...

I am offering custom firmware kmeaw 3.55 and MULTIMAN 3.15 installation SERVICE for your beloved PS3 (that is, if your really can't do things on your own despite my extensive instructions below). It's the same as everyone is offering out there (I have seen it in a lot forum posts from respectable hackers..).

But, if you know how to follow instructions, you can have custom firmware installed for yourself free of charge.. check below...

*DISCLAIMER: As of today, April 18, 2011, CFW KMEAW in my opinion is the best and the most widely used custom firmware in the world today. However, if during the CFW modification process, your PS3 lost power (say, brownout, power failure, etc.), your PS3 may get bricked. I am not responsible for any damage that may happen due to this. Also, I will not be able to answer your text inquiries so please send me your questions in this post only. I always check it. I AM NOT A PROFESSOR OR TUTOR THAT YOU PAY TO TEACH. SO DO NOT DEMAND TO ME AS IF YOU ARE MY EMPLOYER. KONTING RESPETO NAMAN DYAN.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I DO MY HOMEWORK EVERY DAY AND NIGHT... CALL ME MR. KNOW IT ALL IF YOU LIKE.. ATLEAST HINDI FEELING-MR. KNOW IT ALL.. BECAUSE I CAN SUPPORT WHAT I WRITE..

USE THE BACKUP GAMES FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY AND YOU SHOULD DELETE THE GAME WITHIN 24HOURS IF YOU DO NOT OWN THE ORIGINAL GAME DISC. OTHERWISE, ITS PIRACY.

NOW FOR THE MOST EXCITING (AND FREE) PART-- INSTALLATION OF CUSTOM FIRMWARE FOR FREE TUTORIAL!!!

Check for the version of your PS3 first (To check for your own version Go to Main Menu of your PS3 > Settings > System Settings > System Information. You should see there what version of PS3 that you have)

THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF first AGAIN (this is same as my disclaimer):

Do not turn off the PS3™ system or remove the storage media or USB device during an update. If an update is cancelled before completion, the system software may become damaged, and the system may require servicing or exchange (bricking). During an update, the power button on the system front and PS button of the controller are inactive.

Now lets go on..

FOR SLIM PS3's

If you have a 3.50 and below ps3, update first to 3.55

1. Download Official 3.55 ps3 firmware (click here to get the file) - Scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Insert a USB flashdrive/thumbstick into your PC and create a folder named /PS3/UPDATE and place your PS3UPDAT.PUP inside the UPDATE folder (rename first your downloaded file). Of course, unzip the file first to get the ps3updat.pup file.

2. Insert your USB flashdrive/thumbstick into your PS3.

Install Official 3.55 ps3 firmware by going to the Main Menu of your PS3>Settings>System Update>Update Using a Mass Storage Device

It will say "Update 3.55" found.. or something to that effect.. press OK (X for US ver) and (O for Asian).

It will take a while before it installs completely. Always follow instructions on screen.

3. To see if you already installed 3.55 properly, go to Settings>System Settings> System Information

You will see there that your system version is 3.55.

Once you have a 3.55 Ps3:

1. Download CFW KMEAW (click here to get the file) - scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Don't forget to unrar first cfwkmeaw.rar before pasting. Overwrite the previous PS3UPDAT.pup file.

 Insert a USB Flashdrive/Thumbstick into your PC and create a folder named /PS3/UPDATE and paste your PS3UPDAT.PUP inside the UPDATE folder.

2. Download Multiman 1.15 (click here to get the file) - scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Insert the same USB flashdrive into your PC and Unrar the multiman base.pkg then paste in the root drive (meaning, no folders)

3. Insert the USB flashdrive into your PS3.

Install CFW KMEAW by going to the Main Menu of your PS3>Settings>System Update>Update Using a Mass Storage Device

It will say "Update 3.55 kmeaw" found.. or something to that effect.. press OK (X for US ver) and (O for Asian). Again read some disclaimers carefully and press OK (X for US ver) and (O for Asian).

It will take a while before it installs completely. Always follow instructions on screen.

5. To see if you already installed kmeaw properly, go to Main Menu> Game

There should be new sub menus called "apps/games/...." and "Install Package Files"

6. Install Multiman 1.15 by going to Main menu> Game>Install Package Files

After installation, go to Game>Multiman (you will see this as a green icon) and press X (US model) or O (Asian) to run

7. If you have games in your portable hdd, just run it in Multiman by pressing X. If not, you can copy your original disc by pressing Copy. You will use Multiman to do a lot of things.. copy disc, files from one drive to another (PS3 to USB or USB to PS3).

8. Now you got a PS3 custom firmware that can handle backups.

NOW FOR FAT PS3's

If you have a 3.50 and below ps3, update first to 3.55

1. Download Official 3.55 ps3 firmware - scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Insert a USB flashdrive/thumbstick into your PC and create a folder named /PS3/UPDATE and place your PS3UPDAT.PUP inside the UPDATE folder (rename first your downloaded file). Of course, unzip the file first to get the ps3updat.pup file.

2. Insert your USB flashdrive/thumbstick into your PS3.

Install Official 3.55 ps3 firmware by going to the Main Menu of your PS3>Settings>System Update>Update Using a Mass Storage Device

It will say "Update 3.55" found.. or something to that effect.. press OK (X for US ver) and (O for Asian).

It will take a while before it installs completely. Always follow instructions on screen.

3. To see if you already installed 3.55 properly, go to Settings>System Settings> System Information

You will see there that your system version is 3.55.

Once you have a 3.55 Ps3:

1. Download CFW KMEAW (click here to get the file) - scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Don't forget to unrar first cfwkmeaw.rar before pasting. Overwrite the previous PS3UPDAT.pup file.

Insert a USB Flashdrive/Thumbstick into your PC and create a folder named /PS3/UPDATE and paste your PS3UPDAT.PUP inside the UPDATE folder.

Insert the same USB flashdrive into your PC and paste LV.pkg in the root drive (meaning, no folders)

2. Download Multiman 1.15 (click here to get the file) - scroll down filesonic.com and choose slow download.

Insert the same USB flashdrive into your PC and Unrar the multiman base.pkg then paste in the root drive (meaning, no folders)

3. Go to PS3 recovery mode by doing the following:

a. Turn off ps3 and then ON by pushing the switch at the back

b. Hold power button until it beeps the 1st time and hold until the unit turns off

c. Hold the power button again, you will hear 1 beep, and then 2 beeps then quickly remove your hand off the touch button switch of your PS3.

Press PS button but make sure your controller is connected via usb cable.

Then select Option 6.

d. Insert your USB with the Kmeaw with it (refer to instruction 1)

e. Then follow the instructions.

f. It will say PS3 System Software Version 3.55 Kmeaw, press the PS button.

The custom firmware will install and finish as planned.

4. To see if you already installed kmeaw properly, go to Main Menu> Game

There should be new sub menus called "apps/games/...." and "Install Package Files"

5. Install Multiman 1.15 by going to Main menu> Game>Install Package Files

After installation, go to Game>Multiman (you will see this as a green icon) and press X (US model) or O (Asian) to run

6. If you have games in your portable hdd, just run it in Multiman by pressing X. If not, you can copy your original disc by pressing Copy. You will use Multiman to do a lot of things.. copy disc, files from one drive to another (PS3 to USB or USB to PS3).

7. Now you got a PS3 custom firmware that can handle backups.

How to use Multiman to run game backups:

1. Run Multiman

2. Select a game and press X to Load (Run). A question will say if you want to Load direct from Disc, select No.

3. You will go back to XMB/Main Menu.

4. Insert an original Ps3 disc (any disc will do).

5. When the disc icon loads, select the disc icon just as you run a game from a disc.

6. If you cant understand what I am saying (e.g. XMB), please read your PS3 manual..

7. If you cant understand english (kung di ka makaintindi ng Ingles), mag aral ka muna ng Ingles, ok?

Notes:

1. You may experience a lot of game freezing or system freezing after installation. You may have to unplug your ps3 to reset (if you use a version of Multiman 3.13 and below).

2. Ps3 terms of update says that installation of custom firmwares will void warranty and may disallow you to install future official updates. check the "Notice" by going to www.playstation.com

3. Never install 3.56 or newer system firmware (Official PS3 firmware) on top of the CFW 3.55 (geohot/waninkoko/wutangrza/kmeaw/Hermes) because there are reports of a brick after installation. In short

4. For Multiman 1.15.00 to detect a game inside your portable hdd, always place the games inside this directory -- <usb>/GAMEZ

5. Multiman v. 1.15 can play previously black screen games by pressing Select+X.

6. Some people are offering 50 to 80 games that will fit a 500 gb hard drive. Simple computation will tell you this is not possilbe. God of War3 is around 37gb and Final Fantasy 13 - 41gb... by simple math, (500gb divided by 50 games = 10 gb per game). So think again.. these games are stripped... their movies and some freebies were intentionally removed to save space.. which not everyone will like at all.

7. There are numerous types of custom firmwares (Geohot, Waninkoko, Wutangrza, Hermes 3.41 and Kmeaw). So far, KMEAW has the least issues.. like hanging/crashing. You need to pull the plug everytime this happens.. and sadly it will damage your PS3..

If you still need custom firmware INSTALLATION SERVICE, just contact me markm7d2@yahoo.com or 09228450728 or better if you leave a comment below.

ALSO, see my games list (full and unedited games) here in my other blog.

What I am also selling packages: (all my games are full and not stripped):

1. P150 per game installation, P500 only custom firmware installation service.

2. P2,000 =  kmeaw custom firmware installation service and 10 games. 

2. P7,000 = free kmeaw custom firmware installation service and files, 500gb 2.5" portable western digital elements hard disk and all games that can fit the hard drive.

Got questions? Please leave a comment below.

1 ARMY OF TWO
2 ASSASSINS CREED 1 - press Select + X to play in Multiman 3.15
3 ASSASSINS CREED BROTHERHOOD - with patch for 3.41/3.55
4 Assassins Creed II
5 BATMAN ARKHAM ASSYLUM
6 Battlefield: Bad Company
7 BIOSHOCK 2
8 Brutal Legend
9 CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS - with patch for 3.41/3.55
10 CASTLEVANIA LORDS OF SHADOW
11 Crysis II (new)
12 DANTES INFERNO
13 DEAD RISING 2
14 Dead Space 1 - internal only US version
15 Dead Space 2 - Internal Only, with patch for 3.41/3.55
16 DEMONS SOULS
17 DEVIL MAY CRY 4 LIMITED EDITION
18 Dirt 3 (new) - no patch yet
19 Dragon Age II - new (with 3.55 patch)
20 DRAGON AGE ORIGINS
21 Enslaved - Odessey to the West
22 FALLOUT NEW VEGAS
23 Far Cry 2
24 FIFA SOCCER 2011
25 Fifa World Cup 2011
26 Fight night champion - new
27 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4
28 FINAL FANTASY 13- Internal Only
29 GOD OF WAR COLLECTION- Internal Only
30 GOD OF WAR III
31 GRAN TURISMO 5 - Internal Only
32 Grand Theft Auto IV
33 GTA Liberty City
34 GUITAR HERO 5
35 Haze
36 Heavenly Sword
37 HEAVY RAIN MOVE EDITION - Internal Only
38 INFAMOUS
39 Infamous 2 – working on 3.55
40 KILLZONE 2- Internal Only
41 Killzone 3 - with patch for 3.41/3.55 
42 KIng of Fighters xii
43 LA Noire – working on 3.55
44 LITTLE BIG PLANET 1
45 Little Big Planet 2 - with patch for 3.41/3.55 - new
46 MAFIA II
47 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
48 Marvel vs. Capcom 3!! - with patch for 3.41/3.55 - new
49 Mass Effect 2- with patch for 3.41/3.55 - new
50 Medal of Honor
51 METAL GEAR SOLID 4 - Internal Only
52 MK vs. DC Universe
53 Mortal Kombat (new)
54 MOTORSTORM pacific Rift - Internal Only
55 Motorstorm Apocalypse (new)
56 NARUTO STORM 2
57 NBA 2K11
58 NBA Jam
59 NEED FOR SPEED HOT PURSUIT - with patch for 3.41/3.55
60 Need for Speed Shift - press Select + X to play in Multiman 3.15
61 NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 1
62 NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2
63 OBLIVION GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION
64 Portal 2 (new) - no patch yet
65 PROTOTYPE
66 Red dead redemption - Undead nightmare
67 RED DEAD REDEMPTION- Internal Only
68 RESIDENT EVIL 5
69 Resistance 1
70 RESISTANCE 2
71 Resonance of Fate - Internal Only
72 Saints Row 2
73 Shift 2 Unleashed (Need for Speed) (new)
74 Silent Hill Homecoming
75 Sims 3
76 SINGSTAR VOL. 3
77 SKATE
78 STAR WARS 2
79 STAR WARS SITH EDITION- Internal Only
80 SUPER STREET FIGHTER 4
81 TEKKEN 6- Internal Only
82 UFC 2010 undisputed- Internal Only
83 UNCHARTED 1 DRAKES FORTUNE
84 UNCHARTED 2 AMONG THIEVES- Internal Only
85 VANQUISH- Internal Only
86 WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011
 

By saying Full and Unedited, these are full versions of the game.. they were not in any way removed of movies or other freebies (ripped).. some just do that to save space..

1. Internal only - games need to be copied first in PS3 hdd to play

2. Select + x to play - press select plus X in Multiman 3.14 and above to play the game

3. with patch for 3.41/3.55 - i have both patches for 3.41 or 3.55 to be able to play

Some (internal) games can be run off the external by extracting file.psarc into a folder (example uncharted pak22.psarc to folder psarc).. the problem is, based on my experience, the game gets corrupted.. thats my experience with Uncharted2, I do not know with yours.. So its rather safe to run the game inside the ps3 as is.. use a file splitter like that of OpenSplit v1.0 or higher.

see post below for jailbreaking instructions

So everybody in the world is talking about it.. The Playstation 3, after almost 4 years of existence untouched, finally gets hacked! I tested it, and it works..

For those who do not know yet, jailbreaking is the "art" of bypassing the device's security in order to execute a program not signed by the manufacturer of the device.

Now, lets go step by step into it..

I will go through it straight to the point, no more mumbo - jumbo stuff..

Here is what you will be needing:

1. 128 kb + 4MB flash E3 card reader USB dongle jailbreaking and downgrade capable device (or any similar device like iPhone 3g, Teensy++, Minimus, Blackcat, etc.)

2. Multiman 1.15.00 Base  - backup manager  used for educational purposes only and not for other purposes which is illegal under copyright laws. Download it here

3. PS3 with 3.41 firmware and below (fat and slim). Download firmware 3.41 here. This is if your PS3 is below 3.41

4. Portable hdd or usb flash drive with Multiman 1.15.00 base.pkg pasted at the root of the USB drive (meaning, not inside a directory)

Instructions:

1. Make sure your PS3 3.41 fat or slim is turned off and unplugged from the outlet.

2. Plug in the jailbreak device (E3 card reader) into your PS3 usb port. Unplug any other device connected to the PS3 USB like controllers, portable hdd, etc.

3. Plug the PS3 into the outlet. Switch press ON and after 0.5 seconds press Eject button. Failure to do so will not enable jailbreak mode.

4. When you see that the blue E3 card reader LED lights up, it means the PS3 is already in jailbreak mode. Push the PS button in the controller.

5.  Plug your USB mass storage device in the USB port or memory stick with the open manager.pkg you downloaded a while ago. The open manager.pkg you downloaded should be in the root of your storage device meaning, do not save it inside a folder.

6. On the XMB menu of the PS3, select Game -> Install Package Files. Select the Open Manager.pkg or whatever the name of the file is.

7. After installation is complete, run the open manager homebrew at GAME -> Open Manager. You can see that you can use at your own risk and  USING THIS FOR PIRACY IS NOT RECOMMENDED!

8. Insert a Bluray Game, Select the GAME you want to backup (which you legally own) and press O to copy. Press Yes to backup in the dev_HDD or dev_usb. Alternatively, if you already have a game copied in the hard disk, you can Launch a game by pressing X. The game should be inside the dev_usb001/GAMEZ for the PS3 to detect.

9. Copying a game in the disc or the usb portable hdd will take some time off like 10 -15 minutes. Grab your coffee first. When it finishes, press O to launch. This will take you back to the XMB.

10. Insert a bluray disc, then when you select the bluray game disc icon in xmb->GAMES, you will notice that the disc icon background changes to the game you selected in Open Manager, press START and the game launches.

Notes:

1. There are a lot of backup managers out there.. you may select the one that fits you.. though I recommend now Multiman 1.15 which has lots of features. Works on 3.41 too.

2. Im not promoting piracy.. Running games in the HDD is great. Its twice the speed than using BD Drive. It also saves your bluray drive for wear and tear.

3. I think the illegal thing here is when you rent games or buy copy games and install in your PS3 and then send the disc off to other users. So make sure you got an Original game with you when you back up a game and use. Any use of the game copy without the original is illegal and is considered piracy.

4. IMPORTANT: you can only do a jailbreak when you are in 3.41 so if you have versions lower than 3.41, you really have to upgrade for a more stable running of backups. If you have a higher version (3.42, 3.50, 3.55), you need to downgrade which will be discussed in another post.

5. Common questions:

Can I go online to PSN if I am on jailbreak?

The answer is NO. This is because you need to update to 3.56 in order to connect to PSN. Since you cannot do a jailbreak using 3.56, you really have to downgrade to 3.41.

Can I still update to future versions if I am on jailbreak?

Yes because using a USB to jailbreak is only temporary. You can still always update if you want to.

by the Frustrated Sportswriter

The 70.3 Iron Man Event was held last August 22, 2010 at the Camsur Watersports Complex and surrounding towns in Camarines Sur, Philippines.  

This popular worldwide event consists of 1.2 mile swim (1.93 kms), 56 miles bike (90.1 kms) and 13.1 mile run (21.08 kms) totaling 70.3 miles (113.14 kms) hence the monicker Iron Man 70.3.

Up Next: Triathlo-holic Series Episode 2 - Subic Corratec Bike Event

by Sports Nut (you can discuss it here)

Most badminton beginners starting to be serious with playing badminton most of the time, do not know where to start.  Majority would jump the gun by buying an expensive and top-of-the-line racket.  When I was still in this stage, I almost fell into this majority. Good thing though, I could not afford an expensive racket yet.  So as I look back, I had almost no regrets on how I started.

Now, for beginners out there seriously considering on improving their game, here are my priorities (in order):

1. SHOES

I will first adequately stress the importance of having a good badminton shoes as  I believe that the most abused part of any badminton player's body is neither his wrist nor his arm, but his legs and feet.  

A player's legs and feet bare the weight of the body while moving around the court. So a sub-standard pair of shoes increases the risk of an ankle being sprained.  Inadequate foot support also raises the strain on one's knees. 

I will share my experience.. 

My first shoe was a generic indoor gum sole shoe that was on "sale".  It was specifically not designed for badminton.  After a month, I was experiencing pain on my foot during and after a game so I decided to replace it.

Then I bought a low-end badminton shoe.  It worked fine at first, but after two months, I noticed that the inner sole of my shoe would not endure both my body weight and my intensity during the game. As every game progresses, my heels had kept digging inside the sole that I almost bore a hole in it. 

It was then that I decided to spend a little more on a quality shoe.  For four months now I had been using it and it still looks as good as the day I bought it.  If I knew this back then, I could have saved myself some more (around four thousand pesos). 

2. SOCKS

If a player's shoe supports his knees and joints in his feet, then his socks support the skin on his feet.  Good sports socks will lessen the occurrence of calluses on the balls of your feet.  As you regularly play, calluses will become a regular occurrence as well, but good quality socks will lessen the severity of this. 

(I know a player wearing only thin socks and got his toenail removed because he injured himself trying to chase a steep drop shot. So if you do not want this to happen to you then wear a good pair of socks!)

3. RACKET

Now, a really serious player should get a really good badminton racket but this also means that one must be a really good and educated shopper as well.

Before going to a sports shop to buy a racket, one must first be familiar with racket specifications and racket jargons.  He must know what racket flexibility and racket stiffness mean.  He must have an idea what heavy, light and even-balanced mean.   

The ideal weight, grip size and string tension are also factors to consider.  Most of all, he must know how these things can influence his game. A very important note to take:  The price of a racket is indicative of the necessary skill to handle it. 

The more expensive a racket is, the more skillful you must be to tame it.  Otherwise, you will be wasting expensive money on good technology but on a below-par game. 

A middle-priced, medium flex racket at 20 to 22 lbs of tension should be enough. Besides, novices tend to have racket clashing tendencies.  Believe me on this: I’ve seen a lot of beginners get shocked to see that they broke their five to ten thousand pesos racket worth of savings (ouch).  So at first, better buy a reasonably priced racket and the excess money -- save it to hire a coach instead.  

I used to blame my racket for my inability to smash properly but after one session of training, I laughed at myself for blaming my racket.

So there you have it, advice not based on science but rather, based from personal experience.  I hope will be helpful to any beginner reading this. 

If you have comments, reactions and suggestions, click here.  I hope to hear from you.

If the Celtics' big 3 have been in their prime (mid 20s perhaps), then I would count on the Celtics to win this game decisively, I mean like, who do you match Rondo with? Given that Pierce had a great game handling Lebron in the past seasons, Allen doing one on one with Bryant and Kevin Garnett, a former defensive player of the year, Every big 3 of each team will be busy againsts each other and Rondo is left without a defensive threat or atleast have his energy lost by defending a superstar.

However, since the Big 'Old' 3 of Boston are now aging, with some injuries not withstanding, I would probably give a 70/30 prediction in favor of Miami's 3 kings. For personally, I do not think LBJ, Wade and Bosh would co-exist easily with their styles. Unlike the big 3 of Celtics wherein Allen is a big threat beyond the arc, Pierce on the perimeter and Garnett inside the paint, Lebron and Wade are both slashers and are not really great outside shooters. While Bosh is not much of an inside player. When they face Orlando, I do not know who they will match up with Howard (Ilgauskas the old?? -- though this is already off the topic).

I would not be surprised if Miami loses in this game and I am sure others will not be. But, with these 3 offensive superstars, the expectation to win almost every game is really very high.

What's your take? We can discuss it here.

UPDATE: Shaquille O'Neal signed a 2 year deal to join Boston. Looks like a Hall of Fame Selection Team or an NBA Legends All Stars to me.

So lets get straight to the point.. how do you renew your LTO license with and without the mmda alarm? Here are the steps that I saw through an LTO satellite office inside a mall (I hope it's a standard among all satellite offices..) Also, one of my reminders is to really read the instructions carefully. Most Pinoys just want to go there and guess what to do, or just whine or complain or sometimes just proceed to nab fellow applicants..

You might fill-out those that the LTO personnel should be filling-out. You will be needing the following to renew your license:

- filled out application form (of course)

- clear record (no alarm from mmda)

- your expired license

- passed medical test from an LTO accredited clinic saying you are fit to drive

- passed drug test, also from an LTO accredited drug testing center

1. Obtain an application form (1 min wait)

In my case, I got it from window 1. Present your expiring license to this window and they will give you a form. Fill out this form and read carefully. 

2. Proceed to payment of medical and drug test and get OR (Receipt) (10 mins wait)

Note that you can have this done anywhere as long as the testing center is LTO accredited. In my case, I had my test on an accredited testing center beside the satellite office.

3. Present the OR to the medical personnel for the medical test (10 mins wait)

They will do a blood pressure test, height, weight, and eye clarity test. If you pass, they will give you a medical certificate (renewal requirement 1). I think the reason for this is to ensure that drivers are really healthy so as not to cause accidents on the road.

It's really frustrating that for these tests, its obvious that they are doing these for money only. My blood pressure was diagnosed 120/80 when never in my life that I achieved this and the nurse just pumped the blood pressure deviced, released the air and thats it. Just imagine how many drivers with heart attack risks are out there on the streets.

4. Present OR to drug testing center (1 1/2 to 2 hours wait)

I am not sure about the standard procedures for each testing center. But in my case, you just have to wait until they just call out the number indicated in your medical certificate. When your number is called, you will submit your urine sample. Another form is given to include your personal info (again, read carefully and fill out the required info about you plus your signature). Present this to the one who took your urine sample. After this, you will have to wait for your name to be called. When your name gets called, a photo of you is taken. You will have to wait again for the results to be released together with your certificate with photo (renewal requirement 2). 

You will need a lot of patience for this one.

5. Present your requirements back to window 1 of LTO

Note that LTO, like other agencies' office hours is from 8-12nn and 1-5pm. Inside the mall however, since 10am is the start of office hours, you only have 2 hours to complete the medical and drug test before going back to LTO (that is, after lunch already).

6. Wait for your Photo and Signature to be taken (30 mins wait)

When called, you will have your photo taken and digital signature too.

Wait again to be called to pay to the cashier OR THEY WILL GET YOU CALLED AGAIN FOR THE MMDA ALARM and get cleared first in the main office at Guadalupe EDSA (worst case scenario). Meaning, they will not renew your license unless the mmda alarm is lifted. They will give you an MMDA alarm screenshot or form. Keep this and read further below.

How to clear this alarm? -- very tedious

First, what is this MMDA Alarm? 

The alarm is there because you had traffic violations/apprehensions in the past that you have not settled yet in the bank. Ever since Bayani Fernando assumed MMDA (but now he's no longer there at the time of this writing), mmda enforcers no longer confiscated licenses in case of traffic violations. They will just issue a ticket with corresponding charges that you have to settle in a Metrobank branch.

Now since you have this unsettled violations, an alarm is interconnected with the LTO telling that your license cannot be renewed. I heard stories that they were never apprehended (or maybe they intentionally forgot). There were also stories that the update pertaining to payment of these unsettled violations is very slow. In my case, I have 2 unsettled violations, where only one was discovered in the alarm. I suggest that you pay these apprehensions on time so you will have no problem in the future.

Second, how to settle this:

1. Go to MMDA main office. This is between the Guadalupe and Buendia stations of the MRT, infront of the PET plans tower. You may want to use wikimapia.org to better picture it out. 

2. The building where you have to clear the alarm is not the main building, take note! The building you have to go is infront of the MMDA office. I think that is the Traffic Operations office (one storey building infront of the blue and green MMDA "10 storeys?" building). 

Do not bring your car, as parking is very very scarce at this place. Also, do not bring your vehicle if you have an expired license!

Also, arrive early so you will not spend 1 whole day for this. It will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to finish this. In my case I arrived at 9 am, I finished luckily at 11:50am. My control number is 141. They will only accept and process up to 350.

Bring with you the following:

- ballpen

- photocopy of drivers license

- mmda alarm form or screenshot obtained from LTO

- money (atleast P1,500 to be sure)

3. Obtain a clearance form (this is located at the entrance of said one storey building). Fill this out carefully where only the checks in blanks are provided so bring with you a ballpen. Then fall in line, present your (1) filled out form, (2) photocopy of your drivers license and (3) the mmda alarm form to the cashier (window 1) and; pay the corresponding P30 Clearance Fee in window 1 cashier. Obtain a receipt. There is already a long line to pay to the cashier (15mins wait).

4. Then after payment, wait for your number to be called. The number is located in the upper right portion of the clearance form. This is called as the control number. (30 mins wait).

In this case, the personnel will tell you on what window to present the OR and the clearance form. In the MMDA, its either you present it on windows 5/6 or windows 9/10. In my case, I submitted it in window 9.

5. Wait again for your name to be called either in window 7 or window 11, they will tell you using a microphone. This is the killer wait. (1 hour and a half wait, at least). 

6. When your name gets called, you will given a form so that you will be able to pay to cashier (window 8).

OR if you have 3 pending applications, sorry, you will have to take a seminar.. in Nagtahan!! Now, I did not get a seminar since I only have 1 outstanding violation unpaid (so I will not be able to discuss it here). In any case, ask the mmda personnel where is that seminar.. oh no! another day wasted..

7. So if you do not have to attend a seminar,  you will have to proceed pay here your apprehension fee plus penalty and interest, I think. In my case, I have a one year unpaid apprehension. But I can't remember the amount in the ticket already. I just paid 200. (5 mins wait)

8. Get the OR, present it to where you got the form a while ago (window 7 or window 11). Wait for your name to be called.. again! (30 mins wait).

9. When your name gets called, you will now be able to obtain your clearance certificate. BUT, this is just a certificate of clearance. The actual alarm is still in MMDA's system. To clear this, you will have to present the certificate to window 3 or 4. 

10. Present the certificate to window 3/4 for lifting of alarm in their system. The process is almost over.. Wait for your name to be called (10-15mins wait).

11. Obtain a stamped certificate of clearance from MMDA. This means the alarm was lifted in the system already. This is the final step.. you can now resume renewal of LTO drivers license.

STEP 7 OF LICENSE RENEWAL CONT'D

7. After your alarm is cleared, if any, present your requirements to window 1. Wait for your name to be called at the cashier (in my case window 3). (30mins wait).

8. When your name gets called at the cashier, pay the fees involved and wait again for the release of your clearance (10 mins wait).

9. Claim your license when you are called again (in my case window 4). Sign at the log book. Whew, you now got a brand new clearance.

Tips and suggestions:

1. Always read instructions. In case of doubt, ask the personnel in the establishment.

2. Always bring money and a pen. These are indispensible.

3. If you have lots of money, you can ask someone there to clear your mmda alarm for P1,300 I think.. (but I don't recommend this type of corruption.. that is my personal opinion though..)

4. Come to the establishment early. Expect lots of hours to spend here. You do not have the choice. Who made the violation anyway? 

5. Have patience. If you do not have that, bring something to keep you entertained. Bring a portable radio with headset or a PSP.

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