This really is more gee wiz as it does not pertain to the Philippines other than I needed a new passport before heading home next month. I needed to renew my passport so I sent an email to the US embassy here in Turkmenistan and had an immediate response giving me an appointment 2 days later. Went in with the proper filled out form, $110 and one 2"X2" photo. The lady apologized saying it would be 10-14 days as the application had to go back to the states. 8 days later they emailed me saying my passport was ready for pick-up. Pretty impressive in my opinion so I figured I would share.
Shawn