Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Philippine NSO e-Census Documents	That's interesting Michael. I applied twice at Ecensus website for our MC and both times it came up negative there. Did it come up negative at their site for you as well..... but still got the certificates? We had to finally get one through Local Civil Reg. Thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-11-29 16:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	NSO information	What the hec is ribbonized? Thanks! Mike nothing wrong with being as prepared as possible. In our situation, we didn't feel it was necessary. Yazi didn't have any of the documents ribbonized and they were all accepted, no problems.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-17 22:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	? About paying the Manila interview fee	Thanks everyone! You guys & gals are great! Yes I forgot to mention our visa is a CR-1. Does that mean we don't have to pay the extra 100.00? Wow that would be great! Jazzy... Yes, she is in Lapu Lapu. Our case was completed Dec.1 Hoping for a march or April interview. Good luck to you all and Merry Christmas!	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-19 02:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	? About paying the Manila interview fee	Hi, So I read that we need to pay about 100.00 for the medical exam and another 100.00 for the interview. So to pay the interview fee... since she can't pay it at the embassy during the interview, is there a way she can pay the fee somewhere in Cebu before she flies to Manila? Some bank or something? Thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-18 18:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Sending fiancee documents for interview.	Hi Binow, USPS has Global Priorty... go to the post office and grab a blueish, cardboard, large envelope(free). It says global priority on it. And a green customs slip. This envelope has a fixed price of $9.00 up to I think 4 lbs. Takes about a week to get there and she has to sign for it. You can stuff this envelope to bulging as long as you can seal it with the tab. Put tape over the tab after sealing. I sent about 80 pages of visa stuff no problems. I also send her treats and stuff in this envelope because its so much cheaper than a box. Mike Also was wondering whats the best way to mail this to her. UPS wants $70 to send just the packet of paper to her... any other better options?	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-19 03:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	No visa to enter USA????	yea that could be it..... this lady was old(older than me,hehehe) and there was know explaining what I have learned over the past year here at VJ :-) Thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-30 01:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	No visa to enter USA????	Hi, I was just in line to buy some food at the store and mentioned to the cashier that Filipinos can't get into the usa without some kind of visa. A lady behind me interupted the coversation to say that her Filipino friend was just here visiting for 2 weeks and didn't need a visa. I assured her she was wrong and she continued to say that her friend only needed a passport, no visa!! So am I wrong? I have been reading laws and posts for months about visas, entering the USA, etc, and only read that EVERY Filipiino who comes to USA must have a visa to enter. So what do you say?? Thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2006-12-29 19:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	TB test in Lapu Lapu... Where?	Thanks Patiently Waiting.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-01-03 03:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	TB test in Lapu Lapu... Where?	Hi, My wife lives in Lapu Lapu and is not familar at all with the area. I want her to get tested for TB because she has a little cough. Can anyone tell me where she can go for the test. Hopefully a clinic. Thanks a lot. I want to get this taken care of before she gets her interview. Miike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-01-03 02:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	a scenario for sponsor/co-sponsor- I-134 will it work?	Hi... I thought I just saw someone here who recently get approved in Manila with a K visa. Also its my understanding that they will accept a co-sponsor if you are employed but not of you are not. They want to know that you can support the both of you once you are together. Better wait for more advice...... its slow here on the weekend so be patient..... Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-24 14:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Foto for medical exam	Hi, Be sure to print out a copy of silly girls famous ST. Lukes step by step story.... Its fantastic and made it incedibly easy for my wife to go through the 2 day procedure. I will go find it and put a link.... here it is: http://www.raymonddo...isa/medical.pdf Do yourself a favor and print this out and take it with you to your physical....You'll be glad you did!!	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-27 16:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	waiting for interview date (IR1)...	Hi, I have CR-1 for my wife in Phiippines.... There its standard wait of 4 months from the time they get packet from NVC. Sorry your total time is so long. Good luck, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-04 14:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	St. Lukes Medical Center requirements	Hi. Be sure to print out a copy of silly girls famous ST. Lukes step by step story.... Its fantastic and made it incedibly easy for my wife to go through the 2 day procedure. I will go find it and put a link.... here it is: http://www.raymonddo...isa/medical.pdf Do yourself a favor and print this out and take it with you to your physical....You'll be glad you did!!	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-27 16:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Link to NSO papers	Soulm8z, Interesting.... I looked more closely at my wifes NSO copy of BC and there is a stamp in the top right box(remarks/annotation) but is almost impossible to read. Something like: "Registered Persuant To RULE 20 of the ADM ORDER X X 1981 DELAYED REGRISTRATION (Not sure about the delayed word might be somethng else can't read it.) Anyway, I will ask Lorna. She has the original in ink. Thanks though and I bet you are really excited. Best wishes! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-09 19:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Link to NSO papers	If you decide to get a new BC you can order one online here: Ecensus Homepage You can pay with a credit card right there online, but its much more expensive when paying from usa. $7.00 I think if you go to NSO or pay at a PI bank and $25.00 I think if you pay from usa with CC. I ordered it, then had Lorna print out the confirmation email, then she went to the bank where they accept payment and paid. You can read all about payment options at their web site. One problem with ordering it online is you don't get the receipt stapled to it from NSO. You do get a receipt form the bank. Mike Edited by dims1, 09 March 2007 - 02:33 PM.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-09 14:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Link to NSO papers	Hi, I just looked at my wifes BC. It doesn't say anywhere on the NSO cert. copy that its late reg. But it is. She only got her BC for the first time last year. She never had one. It is my understanding that if the person was regristered any time AFTER 30 days of birth, it is considered late reg. Lorna recently got an updated Cert. NSO copy and there is no date of issue on it. There is a receipt stapled to it for date of payment. It wouldn't hurt to get an updated copy but it may not help. It seems all late reg. BC are put on AR. I'm expecting it for my wife so I will wait on plane tickets. Good luck and God bless, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-09 14:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Thanks Mike and everyone for the encouragement. Yea, I totally beileve everything you said. But its hard not to want to do it myself. Kinda a "God helps those who help themselves" kinda thing. I tend to over indulge and then....worry... then try to fix things. And I felt I had done everything required. So I just sort of ran out of gas when this happened. Now I'm studying....again trying to learn exactly what being a public charge is and exactly how long it will take for Lorna to become a US citizen so I can give facts to whomever I ask to be co-sponsor. But its hard right now cuz I'm so drained.... Gods in control and I know His will will be done. I feel bad for Lorna just hanging there in Limbo....waiting for her new life to begin.... that hurts. Take care my friends, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-19 20:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	NO VISA 221g..... Well Lorna was refused a visa. They said she needs a co-sponsor. Even though my property assets were way over the minmum allowed for property assets. My craft business has been really bad the last couple of years so my income is way below minimum. Thats why I used property assets. And the CO was talking to her about how would I support us and how could she even afford the plane ticket. Thing is a co-sponsor has nothing to do with my income and how I will support us. That is just to take care of public charge stuff.... which my property assets could have done. Bummer is I have no one to be a co-sponsor. I don't know what to do now. My spirit is really hurting. All that time, work and effort....and stress. Now this. Wow. Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-19 01:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi, Just a little update since today is Lorna's interview. Well they say if something can go wrong.... it probably will! :-) Lorna's plane ticket from cebu to Manila was for noon Sunday(yesterday) Paid about $70.00 round trip last week at their website. Well, Sat. nite at around 11pm Lorna gets a text msg. from Cebu Pacific that her flight is cancelled! Great! Now Lorna is going crazy cuz of this. So she called me in USA (about 8:30 am. my time) I can't believe it! What else could go wrong? So I finally got another flight booked at PAL website for 3pm Sun. $140.00 round trip. Jeesh! Soooooooooo.... Now she is in Manila and will go to interview in a few hours. Once again I ask for your prayers for a positive interview. She has a late reg. BC so I hope God works his miracles for that. Thanks everyone, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-18 13:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi, Just a heads-up for those gettin ready for their physicals.... If you don't already know.... Silly girl made an excellent step by step guide for going through St. Lukes and the process. My wife was very thankful for this famous story. You can download and print it from the link at the bottom of my post. God Bless, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-16 02:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Thanks Bernie! And you have a safe and fun trip. No pressure... for a change! Me?..... Lorna and I are trying not to think about Monday hehehe! Mike hey fellow philippine vj'ers, i am off to the philippines tomorrow, my wife and i will then fly back here to tampa on march 27, before i go just want to say to all of you with upcoming interviews, best of luck, to all that are recieving your interview appointments now, congrats, to those of you in AR, may it end in approval very quickly, and God Bless all of you! probably won't be online much for the next few weeks, we will be busy, but we will think of you all. dims1, best of luck on ur wife's interview! take care all, bernie and she	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-15 22:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Fantastic! I'm soooo happy for you two. Got choked up reading your post. God is awesome! We have to deal with HIS timing which is hard sometimes, but the reward is great! I've ben coming here every hour or so since last night,hehehe! waiting for your post! God bless both of you. Now the REAL JOURNEY STARTS!! Mike Well, our long journey is finally finished. I just got off the phone with my asawa after having been on pins and needles all night and day today. Her interview was yesterday at 6:30 am, and we have been having bad phone connection problems. Her text messages are not reaching me here. So anyway...her interview experience was very positive. She was out by 10:45 am. She was escorted inside at 6:30 am with the other CR-1 interviewees, then was finger scanned not long after, then waited for the pre-interview. Her pre-interview was completely painless - the standard questions we've all seen here. The screener took the cards and letters I had sent to her and then she sat down to wait for her interview. She was interviewed by a female consular officer and had a great time. Again, the questions were mostly repeat from the pre-interview. She said it was very easy. We had practiced drilling down most of the questions that are posted in the guides here. The officer asked to see some photographs, so Milah Jean held up her fat album jammed with 200 pics. The officer said to give her 5 pics, so she selected a nice assortment. One of the pics was from our wedding day when two doves were released. Both actually landed on the front of her dress!!! It was a fun pic with her very surprised look and me laughing. The officer laughed also, so it made her feel very good. She did not ask if she was approved, but was told to sit down and wait to be called again. After her number came up again, she received a pink slip and was told to pay DELBROS and to wait for delivery. She received a text message from DELBROS confirming her phone number later, so I guess she has signed up for the Hot Line now so she will receive text delivery updates. I also see her case number on the DELBROS website, so I can check progress during the next week. So, if all goes well, she'll receive that coveted visa before I depart for Manila on March 24 to be reunited. I've got to say that our gracious God has blessed us with an unbelievable and incredible gift. We had a very unique set of circumstances that we prayed very hard that would somehow work out, in spite of very dismal odds. We chose to do the CR-1 process due to the fact that we'd not need to do the AOS needed with the K-3, but it depending completely on timing. The entire time we have been wading through this complex process, she had been finishing her college education. We learned in January that her graduation was scheduled for March 30, so what were the odds that I could travel here to attend her graduation, the first in her family, and ALSO somehow have that visa in hand during a very narrow two week travel window so I could be her escort to her new home in America?? Well, it happened...interview on March 15, I arrive March 25, graduation is March 30, departure day for her new home is April 5, also her birthday!! Yes, we don't have the visa yet, so it's not completely guaranteed, but we could have NEVER imagined that everything could have been so perfectly choreographed. Praise God!! Again, best wishes to all who are nearing the end of their long journeys, especially Mike and Lorna up next on Monday, and to all who have just begun this arduous process. It's a test of strength and love and courage and it will cause you to weep with both joy and sadness and cringe with agony. But the reward...ecstacy!! The time actually flew by, and the hardship and great distance did indeed strengthen our relationship. We are so very anxious to celebrate our new lives!!! Wow, can it really be?? Indeed, it is real and it is now! Yippee!!! God Bless Michael and Milah Jean	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-15 19:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi, If you're looking for an economy hotel 16.00 to 20.00... that is simple, clean, safe, and friendly and really close to Embassy and fairly close to St. Lukes.... Then go here: HOTEL JULIANO Guerero St. Ermita Manila telephone number +632 536 8180 Lorna liked the place and walked to St. Lukes her first day. She said it was pretty far though so she took a taxi the second day. Also she stayed in the 16.00 room the first night but it was smanll, no hot water and no tv.... but had AC. So the next night she got the 20.00 room and liked it much better. And with hot water and TV. If you need more information about this hotel PM me and I would be happy to tell you more. EZ to call from usa to reserve. just pay when you get there. Lorna liked it enough to book it again for this weekend (interview on Monday) Good luck and God bless, Mike Hi guys! Do you know any hotel which is near the St Luke's Medical Center? I checked Pan Pacific but its booked. Im gonna be having my medical next month with my 3 yrs old son and I would just want to spend the night in a hotel rather than going back and forth from Angeles City. Any input will be very much appreciated, thanks.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-15 17:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Wow!! That's great Bernie!! And they even actually TOLD you you were approved.... Man! that is rare. Thanks for the update. OK Michael..... You're up next. Another Homerun??? :-) Good luck my friend! Mike woot! woot! APPROVED!! my wife had her appointment at 6:30, she said she was out of the embassy by 9:30. she also said the pre-interviewer was very nice and polite as was the CO. he looked at pictures only, asked few questions and said thank you ma'am u r approved!! :backflip: :somersault: :tumbling: good luck mike and milah jean and mike and lorna on ur cr-1's, and to everybody else on ur upcoming interviews. God Bless, Bernie and She edit: thank you all our fellow philippines vj'ers for all the help and support you provide to all of us going thru this process	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-13 23:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Thanks Silly girl, That would be great except I had already bought the tickets with her married name. Before I bought tickets a couple people had responded to my post saying just have her MC with her and her ids with maiden would be fine. And they wer correct.... until the 3rd plane ticket, where the guard said they don't allow that anymore. Oh well! :-) Dean... Thanks for the support.... good luck to you as well...:-) Michael, Haven't had time to get anxious about the interview, hehehe! Been losin sleep over this ID #######. Today Lorna got a new postal ID with her married name. Slipped the postal worker $4.00 and it was done in 1 day instead of 5. :-) So NOW I can get anxious about the interview. I wish you the best and a quick and positive interview!! Bernie, You are on the stage.... Best of everything and God bless! Be sure to post here so we can see how things went! Mike Just to add a little controversy since it's been a little quite here. Why not book the domestic flights in their maiden name wherein they have other photo IDs that they can show? They are not really asking one's marital status when letting people check in for boarding. Even in international flights, one has to use whatever name is in their passport regardless of their marital status (if they haven't gotten around to changing it) otherwise, they will not be allowed to board. Just a thought. Wow Mike, thanks for the heads up on this. Only the few CR-1s and K-3s here have to be concerned about this new twist. My asawa is enroute to Manila now for her interview. Similar to your wife, the only ID she has with her married name is her passport, and she doesn't have that now. I'm arriving to meet her on March 25 and then we are planning to fly from Manila to Tacloban on March 28, and we are hoping that her visa will be delivered to her in Manila by then (please, please, please). Now I know why I have been blocked from making online reservations by the Cebu Pacific website, coz I would have used her married name to make her reservation. (No matter what I try to do I cannot get the Cebu Pacific website to accept payment.) We have planned that after she has her interview, she'll make our flight arrangements then. Unless she has a new postal ID in her married name, I'll suggest that she use her maiden name just to be sure. If we have no AR delay and she receives her visa, she can use either ID. By the way, I've emailed my US Rep regarding her case and upcoming interview. Haven't a clue if it will help or hurt. Are you getting maybe a wee bit anxious there??? Bernie and Sherwin, you're up the day before us...how ya doin'??? May God bless all of us with that glorious visa!!! Michael and Milah Jean CHANGES AT AIRPORT CONCERNING ID CHECK Hi, Lorna just ran into a problem at Manila airport. Since St. Lukes kept her Passport she no longer had a photo ID with her new married last name. All of her other IDs have her maiden name.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-13 00:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	CHANGES AT AIRPORT CONCERNING ID CHECK Hi, Lorna just ran into a problem at Manila airport. Since St. Lukes kept her Passport she no longer had a photo ID with her new married last name. All of her other IDs have her maiden name. It was no problem getting back to Cebu FEB 21 after physical. She just showed the guard her marriage cert. and her postal ID and he let her in. Then, last week Lorna flew to Manila again to be with her friend during her friends physical and interview. They were there about 10 days. When they went to Cebu Airport... again, no problem..... showed the guard her MC and postal ID. He let her in and everything was fine. But when she went to Manila airport to fly home to cebu, the guard wouldn't let her in. He said things have changed and she needed a photo ID with her proper last name....(new married name) Lorna got angry and the guard took her to the ticket counter to talk to a guard there. They still wouldn't let her in. Even when she showed them a colored copy of her passport. Finally, the guard told her to go to a 7-11 and get a photo id. So she junped in a cab and looked for a 7-11 which she finally found. Got the ID (Lucky she had a passpot pic with her) Then she raced back to the airport and the guard let her in which is weird because the 7-11 id is a temporary ID, not a government id and she didn't have to show any docs to get it. She still made the flight but WOW! I was so mad that they don't give advanced notice or have so may days to still do things the old way. Anyway, now today Lorna is running around trying to get a postal ID with her married name. She went to PO.... from there she was instructed to get 2 2x2 photos at a photo studio, then back home to get barangay clearance, then city hall for notary, then back to PO. Jeeeesh! I can't believe we are within a week of the interview and this ####### is still going on. I mean this is nothng compared to what we went through to get her a birth certificate, but still.... I am drained!! I know she is hating all of this too. Oh well..... watch out!! If you give up your passport at St. Lukes and don't have another photo ID with your proper name on it... ouch! God bless! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-11 22:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	QUESTION about interview slips (pink, green,etc) Hi, can somone tell me the difference in these slips you get after the interview.... I herd that pnk has APPROVED on it..is that correct? then there's a green and somone just mention to me who just completed her interview asking about a blue slip??? Any help would be appreciated and thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-08 00:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	QUESTION ABOUT THE "INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT LETTER"..... Hi, Today I received my wifes interview appointment letter. It says she must have this letter to get into their office on the appointment date for her interview. Problem is I can't get it to my wife before her appointment date (March 19) through first class mail. Does anyone know if I can just scan it and send it in an email to my wife so she can print it out. Its pretty much a generic letter on Manila Embassy letter head paper. I really don't want to spend some $30.00 getting the priginal to here with some quick shiping. Thanks, Mike Hey Mike. How are you? I got the same letter. Read the black typing just under the date. This letter is a copy that was sent to your cleint/relative etc......... Let me know if this helps you out. Dave Hi DAVE! Thanks..... Actually this letter doesn't have anything under the date as you suggested. Maybe because mine is CR-1 and yours is K-1. Who knows? But what you said it said..... made me think. I got out the copy of the packet 4 that I have already sent Lorna, and there IS a letter in there very similar that also says she must bring that letter to the interview. So all is good. I think the guard needs to see something with date and time and her name. So as far as I'm concerned she already has the letter. Thanks for the help. Gets rid of a little of the stress. Getting close now! Good luck with your journey, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-07 02:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	QUESTION ABOUT THE "INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT LETTER"..... Hi, Today I received my wifes interview appointment letter. It says she must have this letter to get into their office on the appointment date for her interview. Problem is I can't get it to my wife before her appointment date (March 19) through first class mail. Does anyone know if I can just scan it and send it in an email to my wife so she can print it out. Its pretty much a generic letter on Manila Embassy letter head paper. I really don't want to spend some $30.00 getting the priginal to here with some quick shiping. Thanks, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-06 22:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi All, Just an update as we have not had a chance to get on the internet until now. PW, Visa delivered Makati Feb 27th (7days). CFO clearance Feb 28th AM, flight to Tucson Feb 28th pm. Mira and I just arrived in our home, thanks to god. POE LAX, no problems. Going to do laundry now, hehehehehe. Cliff & Mira. Cliff & Mira.... Will you wash by hand or use a machine? hehehe! My Lorna has never used a washing machine.... maybe I'll give her a ride in it when she gets here, hahaha! Congrats on a safe trip home and God bless your new journey together! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-03-01 03:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	QUESTION ABOUT CFO LOCATION Hi, My wife will have interview Mar.19 then she will go home to Zamboanga to see family before coming to USA and her visa will be delivered there. She already did the CFO seminar and just needs the stamp in passport. Is there a place in Zamboanga to get the stamp or will she need to get it in Manila when she goes there to fly out of PI? And does someone have the address of the Manila CFO or a link to their website? Thanks, Mike Edited by dims1, 28 February 2007 - 01:05 AM.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-28 01:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	AN INEXPENSIVE HOTEL NEAR ST. LUKES & EMBASSY.... Hi, I just felt like I needed to share with you about this hotel. I'm not a rich guy and am always looking for a deal,hehehe! Well this place is safe, clean and the employees are very nice and helpful. Lorna stayed there 2 nights to go to her physical. She liked it enough to book 10days for her friend who will go for physical and interview in the same week. Lorna will go with her for support. Anyway, the first night we booked the cheapest room which was 800p. It was small, no hot water, no tv but had AC and was clean. Lorna wanted tv so we tried to get the 900p room but they didn't have that available when Lorna got back to the hotel after her 1st day at St. Lukes. So she got the room that was 1000p. She liked it alot and said it was much bigger and had hot water and tv... and a lamp shade,hahaha. I told her it was worth the upgrade just for the lamp shade! :-) She said the people there were very nice and helped her by drwaing a little map to St. Lukes. Now St lukes is a little far. Some blocks! I think Lorna walked it in 20 or 25 minutes but I told her to take a cab back to hotel. Its about half that distance to Embassy and should be walkable. Here's the info on the hotel. I called from USA and talked to 2 girls who had good englsh and reserved without CC. Lorna just paid them cash/p when she got there..... Name of the hotel is: HOTEL JULIANO El Guerero St. Ermita, Manila telephone # +632 536 8180 16.00 a night I talked to Jenifer Remember this isn't a Hiatt Hotel Room for 100.00. Its simple, clean, friendly and INEXPENSIVE!! :-)	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-26 17:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Today is much different for Rosemarie and myself. I know that God is shining upon us. Last night we went to dinner at a local restaurant. I saw my wife's eyes light up as a couple was seated behind us. The woman was a Filipina. After we finished our dinner I made introductions and we saat down and talked with them for two hours. The Filipina has been here 28 years. She is going to introduce my wife to other Filipinas here and take her shopping. I also took some advice from some of you on VJ. On Wednesday they are installing " Filipino dish network" and we will get 6 Filipino channels! My cable company didn't offer these. we are going to the Filipino market in Jacksonville also to get some of the foods she misses. Its a good start I think. After we talked with the couple last night I determined that "homesickness" is the major issue for her. I truly want her to be happy, as she is so precious to me. Thanks to all of you here on VJ! Glenn, That is most excellent! I have been praying and thinking about you two alot. God works in mysterious ways.... Good luck and God bless you! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-26 16:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Windchaser, thanks for starting the list again. I hope all is not lost. I'm busy preparing for my medical exam which is scheduled tomorrow, Monday. Iwill not be able to get hold of a computer til Tuesday. Friends, just list down all of your info ~ NOA2, Embassy receipt date, packet receipt date, interview date, Manila case number, your home state, fiance's hometown. I'll try to get the list back up again on Tuesday. KTMguy, the proof of payment will be recorded on the DS 156 or DS 157 form (I'm not sure now which form). When your fiancee is ready to make the payment, make sure she brings the two forms to the bank with her. hi im tet and im a new member here!! im so thankful i find this site,its so interesting!! and i have some questions here and hope guys to here answers from you..it would help me alot! i just want to ask on how many days does the medical exam takes? and in presenting the proof our relationship,is it ok to bring a hard disk for our chats? Hi tet and welcome.... Be sure to print out a copy of silly girls famous ST. Lukes step bt step story.... Its fantastice and made it incedibly easy for my wife to go through the 2 day procedure. I will go find it and put a link.... here it is: http://www.raymonddo...isa/medical.pdf Its 6 pages with a step by step and maps of each room to help get you through the process easily! You will love it! Good luck, Mike Edited by dims1, 25 February 2007 - 05:34 PM.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-25 17:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her. This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn Hi Glenn, I think that it happens to everyone to more or less a degree. Did you both talk about how your daily lives would be together? During the period apart, how much time did you spend on the phone or chatting online? My fiancee will be here this coming Friday and I'm currently waiting tables at night (3 days a week) in addition to my full time job - so I'm concerned about how the transition will be for her, but we talk about it all the time. Keep in mind, she's left EVERYTHING behind her, she's not only in a strange neighborhood but a strange country as well. If she can't drive right away, show her the public transportation system so that she has a way to get out of that house that will quickly feel like a prison to her if it doesn't already. Expectations are so important. I would sit down and have a heart to heart talk. Make some immediate goals that will help her to feel comfortable (introducing her to some of the neighbors, introduce her to your friends, get involved with your church, find a network of Filipino Americans nearby that she can communicate with). Then I'd talk about long term goals (getting her driver's license, signing up for classes at a local college, etc.). Whatever the main plan was that you both had imagined, in terms of your lives together - that has to be ironed out where both of you have a good idea of what to expect. Just try to put yourself in her place and imagine what you would need to do to keep your sanity. Going back home is NOT the solution and both of you need to believe that. The transition is going to be painful and there's no way to get around it, but tell yourselves that it is temporary. Eventually you will both form a life together that feels comfortable. Don't despair. Best wishes! We have been married since December 2005. I visited her twice for 6 weeks prior to our marriage and I met her in Manila 3 times for 2 to 4 weeks during 2006. We chatted or talked on the phone everyday since the first time we met. I let her know before we married that my business life was not only a busy one, but very hectic most of the time. I think she is somewhat surprised at the way I do business, as there is a lot of emotion at times. But, that is just the nature of my business. I wish desperatley that I knew Filipinos here. I know there are many here, but haven't a clue on how she can meet them? I appreciate your concern and feedback. Hi, This is a VERY important topic and should have a special place in VJ for folks to browse. You should check at different establishments in the nearest town looking for Philipino owners and employees to talk to and call the chamber of commerence about philipino groups or clubs in the area. I was at a Century 21 real estate office in my little town (Cave Junction, OR) telling a friend there about my relationship with Lorna..... She then mentioned that a filipina lady worked there at the office and to come with her to meet her. Well we talked for a while and I asked her about philipino food stores and she mentioned that there is a giant group of philipinos in my area. They had a giant club that spans a few counties with 100's of folks. They even have a monthly calander they send out to members on activities for each month. They meet for dinner, go on trips, recreation, concerts.... all kinds of things. I'm planning on gertting Lorna into this club... for support and doing things with other philipinos. I will go sometimes and sometimes she can go maybe with a friend she meets there. I think that will be perfect. I'm also thinking about enrolling her in a couple of classes at the communitty college to brush up on her english, learn american culture and history and take a class on being a health care provider since that is what she thinks she would like to do. There's a few ideas I have come up with. I hope others give you some input as I think this is very important matter for our wives. Lorna thinks it will be no problem making the change in her life but I think she's in for a big surprise so I'm trying to make some plans.... And I womder how many other ladies are having similar problems as you buy aren't talking about it, because of their filipina shyness and culture. God luck and be praying for a solution..... Mike Edited by dims1, 25 February 2007 - 04:56 PM.	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-25 16:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions. Mike Hi again Mike, I just went to CebuPacific website and bought the ticket for Lorna's interview. Again I used my check cashing/debit/atm card which says Visa but its not an actual visa credit card. This time I turned windowsxp pop-up stopper OFF before going there and this time I got all the way through the transaction and even printed a copy of the online transaction receipt. Weird for some reason I haven't received the email from them with the transaction receipt lke I did last time. Good thing I printed out the online one,hehehe! Anyway, its worked twice for me now. Good luck! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-25 04:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi Mike, I bought Lorna's ticket form cebu to Manila for her interview on the Cebupacfic website. I actually used my DEBIT card for my bank. It does say Visa on it but it also says debit. I thought I would give it a go. I did have a problem in the end of transaction cuz winxp has the pop-up blocker turned on and I never got to the end of transaction to see a receipt. but got an emaill for transaction. Then they didn't take money out of my acct. So that worried me. So i emailed CebuPacifc and they wrote back in a few minutes saying eveything was fine. They still didn't take my money out of my acct. for about 4 days. Also one of my visa cards has this thing where it did a security check and i had to give a password. Also on a side note... I have this one visa card where if its over a certain amount, they won't clear it. I have to call them and tell them so they can unlock my acct. for the transaction. Hope this helps, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-25 02:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	******* SILLY GIRL'S St. Lukes step by step and Interview step by step.... First I wanted to say how excelent it was for Lorna to have the St. Lukes Step by step for her physical. She is very thankful! So am I! Now I will give her the interview step by step and was wondering a couple of things.... 1. What is the difference in the k-1 interview and the Cr-1 interview according to the step by step? I don't think Lorna will have to fill up the ds forms and I think the Embassy already received all the forms from NVC. is that correct? 2. Lorna had to give St. Lukes 2 passport photos that they are supposed to forward to the Embassy along with medical and her passport. So will she still need to bring passport photos to interview? How many? 3. Will she still need go to the finger scanning window? I just want to make necessary corrections to the step by step for Lorna so it will work for her CR-1 interview.... Thanks again. Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-23 17:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi everyone, Well Lorna passed the physical with flying colors.... nothing came up about her cough.... which was my main concern. Oh, now she laughs about how easy it was although I know it was a different story yesterday morning, hehehe! She didn't enjoy the 9 vaccinations to much but was fine when we chatted afterwards. Anyway just wanted to thank you all for your support here at VJ...This place is a BLESSING! Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-22 00:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	How did she do? I hope the cough was nothing! Hi Panicked, Yea, Lord willing her cough was mellow yesterday and nothing was brought up about it. We know its nothing from a previous Xray and a visit to the doctor, but we were worried about what happened to Rob and his sweety. Everything seems fine but we are waiting for the results when she goes back today. Then we will relax.... well until the interview, hehehe! Thanks for caring, Mike	dims1	Male	Philippines	2007-02-21 14:37:00