ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThings that need done to get the K1 Visa in Manila
I got my side (USA) pretty well covered, new Original BC, Letters from Bank and Employers (have full and part time jobs) that need to be redone, I got them too early (LOL), original evidence of Both trips to PI, Copies of Passport pages notarized, Tax transcripts from IRS for 4 years notarized, Bank Statement, Certified copies of Divorce, More photos, e-mails, chat logs, snail mail. Also have New Letter of Intent, entire copy of K1 application. And Copies of car and motorcycle titles, plus mortgage balance and papers from house purchase/appraisal, etc. Waiting till interview is set to do I-134.

Trying to understand the Philippines side of process now.

Also, I thought the DS-230 was for K3 or for SO with kids?

Best wishes,

Robert
AnoMalePhilippines2007-03-25 20:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThings that need done to get the K1 Visa in Manila
Lets go over the things that need to be done by the Beneficiary to get the K1 Visa in Manila, Philippines, and what is the earliest each step can be done?

What do you have to have in order to be complete each step?

What can be done before receiving packet, and what must wait?

Help me put the pieces together for each step now that K1 is at the USE Manila.

Examples are (and what steps are missing?):

  • Collect Clearances and CENOMAR
  • Complete forms (DS-156, 156K, 157)
  • Medical
  • CFO (is this same as PRISM?) Does Beneficiary attended before seminary and/or counseling first then go back and get a stamp after visa is issued?
  • Interview
  • Anything Else?
If there is a flowchart breaking these steps down in detail, I haven't seen it yet, so ……

Please don't say use search feature or this has been gone over before.

If you can't be constructive, just ignore this post, LOL.

Thanks in advance for any help you may provide.

Respectfully,

Robert
AnoMalePhilippines2007-03-25 20:21:00
PhilippinesFlying into Manila late at night
Hey Kevin,



I would be more worried about them waiting for you at airport. They will have to wait outside so I hope they will not be carrying valuables with them.



If I were you I would have them wait at hotel for you and use Hotel Taxis across the drop off lanes. They will cost you about two or three times as much, but they are registered and they keep track of who takes who where. When I stayed at Bayview they had a driver there waiting and looking for me. The stand will load your luggage and lock it and your doors before you leave the stand. After you exit airport, it is at the right end across the street.



If you get with the hotel, they will allow you to have fiancée check in first, I have done this at the Heritage, BW Astor, and the Bayview. I probably still have the contact names if you decide to stay at any of the above hotels.



Best of luck at interview and have an enjoyable trip!



Robert
AnoMalePhilippines2007-06-21 12:36:00
PhilippinesLeaving NAIA for a Filipina?
Would a Filipina or an American Citizen traveling with a Filipina on a K-1 Visa who has recently passed through Ninoy Aquino International Airport please add in the steps that are required when departing from Manila?


1. Drive through the security checkpoint when arriving at airport.

2. Tell driver which airline is you carrier, he drops you off near the correct entrance.

3. Show security your passport and ticket/e-ticket itinerary.

4. Pass through security and luggage X-ray.

5. Check-in at appropriate airline counter.

6. Check luggage and get boarding passes.

7. Queue up again to pay the departure tax (Php 750, was 550?) showing passport and ticket/boarding pass.

8. Go through Security again showing passport and ticket/boarding pass.

9. Find the correct gate then hang out in Sampaguita until near departure time.

10. Go to gate and wait for your passenger class to be called for boarding.

11. Show boarding pass and passport again and board plane.

In addition, was the procedure any different in your connecting flight to POE than for an US Citizen?

What to expect at POE, O’Hare if anyone has entered there?

Thanks in advance.
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-22 13:51:00
PhilippinesLeaving NAIA for a Filipina?
I am sorry; I guess I should have been clearer. I will not be traveling with her; I was just there for the interview.
Where will she pay the Airport ticket tax at, the same counter as the departure tax?
Also, when I was there last I saw some sort of reader that Filipinos were putting their passport under, what is that about? It was next to the line at the Cathay check-in counter.
I have flown China Airlines out of Manila before; do they require anything more of Filipina K1 holders than a US Citizen?
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-22 18:29:00
PhilippinesLeaving NAIA for a Filipina?
Would a Filipina or an American Citizen traveling with a Filipina on a K-1 Visa who has recently passed through Ninoy Aquino International Airport please add in the steps that are required when departing from Manila?


1. Drive through the security checkpoint when arriving at airport.

2. Tell driver which airline is you carrier, he drops you off near the correct entrance.

3. Show security your passport and ticket/e-ticket itinerary.

4. Pass through security and luggage X-ray.

5. Check-in at appropriate airline counter.

6. Check luggage and get boarding passes.

7. Queue up again to pay the departure tax (Php 750, was 550?) showing passport and ticket/boarding pass.

8. Go through Security again showing passport and ticket/boarding pass.

9. Find the correct gate then hang out in Sampaguita until near departure time.

10. Go to gate and wait for your passenger class to be called for boarding.

11. Show boarding pass and passport again and board plane.

In addition, was the procedure any different in your connecting flight to POE than for an US Citizen?

What to expect at POE, O’Hare if anyone has entered there?

Thanks in advance.
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-22 13:54:00
Philippinescultural differences
Can we discuss two topics I am trying to understand?
Firstly, "Tampo"?
What is the best way to deal with this?
Secondly, "Superstitions"?
What superstitions should I be aware of, as not to be disparaging to these beliefs?
PS. My nyoba will be here Friday, her despedida is Today (PI time)!
Thanks
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-21 18:30:00
PhilippinesBPI Bank
Here is my experience for your entertainment with the stamped DS Form.

First we went to the Citibank north of the Embassy on the road that runs eat-west near the pharmacy (pass the fence that say "no peeing here, LOL). They would not do it unless we were customers (i.e., had account). Might have been Kalaw/South Street; I could see the park across the street.

Then we went to the BPI a few blocks south of there on another east-west street, maybe Arquza Street. The guard lets you in; you have to sit on bench or chair, no lining up in front of tellers. Then you go to teller, and then wait for someone at desk then back to teller. The strange part was I tried to pay with American Dollars or maybe American Express Travelers Checks, seems like so long ago. Anyhow, since neither one of us had account at BPI I had to leave bank and get PH Peso at a moneychanger. They also added a fee/premium on top of the fee required by Embassy. Who knows, Puti tax?

So if I were to do it again, but I am not, I would bring at least $125 USD in PH Peso.

Lot of variance among the exchange rate for Travelers Checks, the best rate seemed to be from the Arab owned businesses. Dollars to Peso is usually pretty much the same.

The next person probably has a totally different experience, PI defiantly seems to operate with out Standard Operating Procedures, but isn't that part of the adventure of it, and why it is so much fun!

Good Luck Charlie
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-24 17:59:00
PhilippinesWhat is a troll?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An Internet troll, or simply troll, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.
Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore him or her, because responding encourages a true troll to continue disruptive posts — hence the often-seen warning: "Please do not feed the trolls".
What is a troll?
The term "troll" can mean a number of different things, but in essence, a troll is a person who aims to have 'pleasure' at your expense.
There are two main types of trolls:
People who are psychologically disturbed, and seek to feel good by making other list members feel bad. This is a sort of "psycho troll", whose deception involves deceiving themselves as well as others. In this respect, they are no different to the sorts of people we meet in everyday life who are disturbed - some of them are easy to spot, and others aren't. Such people may even use their real names on the Internet, and they may not even realize that they are "trolling" because it is all subconscious.
People who pretend to be someone that they are not - they create personae that you think are real, but they know are fictitious.
"Troll," in the context of message boards and the like, describes somebody who is posting just to be confrontational or to raise hackles. One example might be a teenager who finds a Jewish message board and posts, "The Holocaust never happened." The teen may not know or care one way or the other--he just wants a reaction. He wants to piss people off. He is a troll.
The content of a troll posting generally falls into one of several categories. It may consist of an apparently foolish contradiction of common knowledge, a deliberately offensive insult to the readers of a newsgroup or mailing list, or a broad request for trivial follow-up postings. The result of such postings is frequently a flood of angry responses. Troll threads also frustrate people who are trying to carry on substantive discussions.
People post such messages to get attention, to disrupt discussion, and to make trouble. The best response to a troll is NO response. If you post a follow-up message, you are contributing to the resulting clamor and most likely delighting the troller.
AnoMalePhilippines2008-04-28 07:49:00
PhilippinesJune 4-8 Interviews
Any US Citizens attending their fiancée's interview the first week of June in Manila?
AnoMalePhilippines2007-05-25 11:58:00
PhilippinesWays to tell if you're a real Filipino
QUOTE (babycris @ Jul 2 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (jiskat08 @ Jul 2 2008, 05:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>




you're related to everyone.-NOT REALLY
your parents call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy"-NO
you have uncles and aunts names Boy, Girlie, or Baby.--NO
you have relatives whose nicknames consist of repeated syllables, such as Jun-Jun, Ling-Ling, Mon-Mon.-YES
you call the parents of your friends and your own parents' friends "Tito and "Tita."-YES
All of your children have 4 or 5 names.-NO
you greet your elders by touching their hands to your forehead.-SOMETIMES(depende sinu)
you always kiss your relatives on the cheek whenever you enter or leave a room.-NO
your grandmother greets you by giving you "smelling kisses."-NO
you live with your parents until - and at times even after you're married.-NO
you can't build or buy a house unless you first consult a feng shui expert.-lol
your house has a distinctive smell.-YES
you decorate your living room wall with your family's framed diplomas and certificates.-YES
you decorate your dining room wall with a giant wooden spoon and fork and a picture of the Last Supper.-YES
you keep your furniture wrapped in plastic.-YES
most of your home decor is made out of wicker.-YES
your house has a "dirty" kitchen and a "clean" kitchen.-YES
your kitchen table has a vinyl tablecloth.-NO
you recycle plastic shopping bags as garbage bags.-YES
you own "Footsteps in the Sand" poster.-No
you have a piano that no one plays.-NO
you keep a tabo in your bathroom.-YES
you own a "barrel man."
you use a stone to scrub yourself in the shower.-YES
you use Vicks Vapor Rub as an insect repellant.YES
your meal isn't complete without rice.-YES
you use your fingers to measure the water you need to cook rice.-YES
you can't eat a meal without a spoon and fork.-NO
you feel insulted if your visitors don't eat what you offer them.-YES
you always cook 3 times more than what your visitors can consume, when there's a party.-YES
your pantry is never without Spam, Vienna sausage, corned beef, and sardines.-NO
you can't enjoy a meal without patis or bagoong.YES
you eat fried Spam and hotdogs with rice.-YES
you eat mangoes with rice - with great gusto.-YES
you enjoy chocolate rice pudding and dried salted fish for breakfast-champorado?
you have a rosary or "fake bananas" hanging from your rear view mirror.-NO
you tail an ambulance or cop just to beat the traffic.-No
your car horn can either laugh, bark, or moo.-NO
your car plays a song when it backs up.-NO
you can squeeze 15 passengers into your Honda Civic without a second thought.-lol
you think traffic regulations are recommendations, not rules.-ummm
you think that traffic signs apply to everybody except yourself.-NO
you point with your lips.-YES NA YEA
you eat using your hands and have it down to technique.-YES
your other piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.-YES
you collect items from hotels or restaurants "for souvenir's sake."-NO
you go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.-NO
you use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.-YES
you scratch your head when you don't know the answer.-NO
you play pusoy and mahjong.=-YES NA YES
you put your hand in front of you as if to make a path and say "Excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of them.-YES
you buy tons of bath towels when they go on sale.-YES
you say "comfort room" instead of "bathroom"-YES
you say "for take out" instead of "to go."-YES
you "open" or "close" the lights.-YES
you ask for "Colgate" instead of "toothpaste."-NO
you say Kodakan instead of "take a picture."-NO
you turn around when someone says "pssst."-YES NA YES
you say "Cutex" instead of "nail polish."-YES
you say "he" when you mean "she" and vice versa.-YEAH
you say "air-con" instead of "a/c" or air conditioner.-YES
you pronounce "F" for "P" or "P" for "F".-depende
you own a video system.-NO
you have 5 pairs of tsinelas on your doorstep.YES
you have a rice dispenser with a matching rice cooker.-NO
you own a Mercedez and call it "chedeng"_NO
you have "My Shaldan" air freshener in your car.-NO
you were raised to believe that every Filipino has an aunt, uncle, and cousins.-YES
your mom or sister is a nurse.-NO
you consider dilis the Filipino equivalent of french fries.-YES
you dip bread in your morning coffee.-NO
"Goldilocks" means more to you than just a character in a fairy tale.-NO
your baon is usually something over rice.-YES
you eat rice for breakfast.-YES
you wash and re-use plastic utensils and styrofoam cups.-NO
you have a supply of frozen lumpia in the freezer.-YES
you have an ice-shaver for making halo-halo._NO
you have to have a bottle of Jufran handy.-no
you know that chocolate meat isn't really made out of chocolate.-NO
you spend Holy Week either performing acts of penitence or vacationing.-YES
you get together with family at a cemetery on All Saints' Day to eat, drink, and tell stories by your loved ones' graves.-YES
you think the Christmas season begins in September and ends in January.-YES





I'll add:
You have to eat while drinking alcohol
You put hot sauce on or in everything
You can eat hotdogs for breakfast
You call sandals slippers and where them even in the cold
Your cell phone load is a top concern
You pronounce D for TH
rofl.gif
AnoMalePhilippines2008-07-03 13:36:00
PhilippinesHow difficult could it possibly be?
Although Cris and I did not go thru the same document verification process as many are experiencing now, we had the problem of the US Embassy thinking that she had derivative rights to American citizenship therefore we had to wait also.

Here is what I learned from repeating talking to the Embassy and others connected to the Visa process.

They do not work on the oldest cases first, your case is probably has all the materials needed to make a decision, it is just sitting in the “to do later” stack of files. It is a messed up procedure, they do not realize these cases represent our lives, but rather to them it is just paperwork to be processed. At one point during a heated phone call the exchange they told me something like, “sir, do you think we will go back and look for your file and process in before our current file?” Guess what my response was, LOL. But I think keeping a fire under the butts may get them to finally look for you, just so you will stop wasting their time. (Use cell phone with international calling plan) I imagine it is like a doctor or a policeman who just get hardened to aspects of their jobs over time. It doesn’t hurt to contact your federal representative office, all three of my responded, Representative Johnson, and Senators Durbin and Obama. Two of three offices sent inquiries. If you have an attorney he can’t do sh!t. There is also a member of this board who has a former USE contact with a @state.gov email who can inquire, but it is not up to me to give out his email/name. He did send me this…."I am unfortunately no longer in Manila and do not have access to your case files. However, I have forwarded your concerns to the Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila. They will look into your fiancée’s case and get back to you as soon as possible." Who knows if it helped?

Bureaucracies, I know of the same things happening in the health insurance field, state agencies design to help the poor, the list go on and on. If you are experiencing what we went through during the wait, just assure your fiancée or asawa that there is not a problem with your individual case, but rather your paperwork is sitting there waiting to be completed.

Just my thoughts, but what do I know?
AnoMalePhilippines2008-07-11 17:09:00
Philippinesmy 2nd batch docs request i got from usem =(
My advice if your husband is willing to do whatever it takes…Get back to US ASAP, enlist in to the military, in three or four months he could get half of his enlistment bonus to pay off the debt he has incurred while in PI and have enough to cover the filing fees and support you and your daughter. Since he is married his pay should easily meet the requirements for financial support since soldiers have a lower poverty guideline minimum and depending on what he chooses to do (i.e., combat), you may be able to get military expedite. Sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do, and it sounds like his options are few.

Just my thoughts, but what do I know?

QUOTE (NoelandTintin @ Jul 17 2008, 09:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (vbtbmrt @ Jul 17 2008, 02:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
well sounds to me your husband need to go back to usa without you for awhile and get a place to live and get his place to live and a job or i am afraid you might not ever get here or you file papers so he can stay there in phils and not worry about coming to usa. he need to prove he has a residence here in usa. which after 2 yrs in the phils. usem dont believe he has a place to live and you will become dependant on the goverment. i would just worry about getting your husband out of the country and home you only have ayear to get this all taken care of before you have to refile all papers again take care and god bless


USEM dont believe he has a place to live because frankly, it sounds like he doesnt. This is where most of of Jonah's immigration problems is coming from.

I agree with you on the domicile as well. Mario needs to go back to the US asap. As a matter of fact, Mario needed to go back to the US about two years ago.

Jonah, Im so sorry for being candid. I hope I do not offend you but your posts keeps going back and forth between problems without a resolution.

You've been going through this problem like you must go the the US so you can work and bail Mario but really... It should be the other way around.

Mario needs to go back to the US ASAP and get a job and start taking care of you guys (You and your daughter) right away. He needs to figure out how he can get out of the PI. If he was smart enough to go there in PI and get married to begin with, Im sure he'll think of something. He has to. He cant just sit there in PI.

AnoMalePhilippines2008-07-17 23:49:00
PhilippinesThoughts about our child...
I read a post about someone who referred to himself or herself as a half-breed, and it made me ponder, what is the best way to describe a child who is half Filipino heritage, and half white American? I certainly would not tell someone he is a half-breed, and a Filipino-American is a Pinoy who is now an American. Thoughts? Maybe Amrinoy, I think Mestizo is just used in the Philippines, is it best to just say American or something that shows pride in his entire heritage?

Nakabasa ako ng post ditto na sinasabi niya na siya ay half-breed, at akoy nakapag-isip, anu kaya ang pinaka mabuting diskripsiyun mo sa isang pinoy at isang pinoy na may lahi (half American)? Hindi ko din sasabihin na siya ay half-breed, at ang Filipino-American ay pinoy ngayun ay AMERICAN. Thoughts? Siguro Amerinoy, Sa tingin ko meztizo ang ginagamit nila sa Pilipins, mas mabuti bang tawaging AMERICAN o isang bagay na maipapkita ang pagmamlaki nito sa kanyang kinagisnan or minana?
AnoMalePhilippines2008-08-13 18:52:00
PhilippinesIs it ok for a 4-5 month old baby to travel a long flight?
I previously worked for an American Airline and what I would advise is you carry a "Letter of Consent" and your baby's American passport and all the baby stuff you would need for two days (and of course anti-bacterial/viral wipes for anything you or your child will touch and for both your hands, also do not use any water from holding tanks for your child, only bottled water). The airline should have a seat available for use at the airport for you, at least we ALWAYS did, call and ask them, then you do not have to lug one around. Try to be sure you have a seat assignment before you arrive at airport, use the website SeatGuru, to pick your seat based on airline and aircraft at http://www.seatguru.com/. Then when you check in ask if they have any empty seats and ask if you can seat next to the empty space. If they do not help, ask again at the gate, and finally ask the flight attendant. Be nice and look professional, these people have the latitude to honor your request, if you are real lucky, they might upgrade someone to a higher class to make a seat open for you. But with a lap-child you will 99.99% be stuck in coach when flying on a coach ticket. They do have "hidden seat" on overnight flights for the flight attendants that you may ask to use if your baby gets out of hand, or you can ask them to use it to breastfeed. Have your baby's father send you a "notarized" letter like the example below, modify as needed, you most likely will not need it, but there is a chance you will be questioned when traveling as a single parent with a child due to the fact that children have been abducted by one parent before.

But these suggestions are only what I am going to do when my wife travels to the Philippines with our child.



To Whom It May Concern

I (We), ________________ (full name(s) of custodial and/or non-custodial parent(s)/legal guardian(s)), am (are) the____________________ (lawful custodial parent and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s))
of

Child's full name: _____________________________________
Date of birth (DD/MM/YY): _____________________________
Place of birth: ________________________________________
American passport number:_____________________________
Date of issuance of passport (DD/MM/YY): ________________
Place of issuance of passport: ____________________________



________________ (child's full name), has my (our) consent to travel with

Full name of accompanying person: _______________________
American or foreign passport number: _____________________
Date of issuance of passport (DD/MM/YY):_________________
Place of issuance of passport: ___________________________

to visit ______________ (name of foreign country) during the period of __________________ (dates of travel: departure and return). During that period, ________________ (child's full name) will be residing with ________________ (name of person where child will be residing in foreign country) at the following address:

Number/street address and apartment number: ______________
City, province/state, country: _____________________________
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence): _______________________

Any questions regarding this consent letter can be directed to the undersigned at:

Number/street address and apartment number: ______________
City, province/state, country: _____________________________
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence): _______________________

Signature(s):______________________________________ Date:_________________
(Full name(s) and signature(s) of custodial parent,
and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s))

Signed before me, ________________ (name of witness), this _________________ (date) at ________ ______ (name of location).

Signature: ________________ (name of witness)
AnoMalePhilippines2008-09-02 21:56:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
And 36 days later, the US Embassy releases the Visa.....

 SHIPMENT TRACKING SYSTEM Query Results...

MNL2007XXXXXXXXINFO DATE INFO DESCRIPTION

7/13/2007 6:05:39 PM SHIPMENT RECEIVED AT DISTRIBUTION CENTER

7/13/2007 3:33:07 PM SHIPMENT IN PROCESS

7/13/2007 10:47:07 AM SHIPMENT RELEASED BY THE EMBASSY

6/7/2007 3:52:35 PM SHIPMENT PROCESS IN THE EMBASSY
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-14 05:28:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
Success, a whole string of approvals! Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness.

Napakagaling mo!

:yes:
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-10 19:17:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Ano: where did you get the mouse on your sign.? that is so cool!

ok, now that was even better. he changed the last line of the mouses sign, right after i asked.
are you doingthat or is it a scroll?


http://www.danasoft.com/
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-09 22:00:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

WHAT???

LOL
Ano (A-noh)
The all-around, all-purpose word for everything.
(1) Pronoun in interrogation: Ano? (What)
(2) Noun: Where is your ano? (Where is your father/mother/dead-uncle's-second-cousin)
(3) Verb: Anuhin this. (Paint/kill/maim/castrate this.)
(4) Adjective: This is so ano. (This is so pretty/big/astounding.)
(5) Interjection: Ano! (What the hell!)
(6) Substitute for genitalia: Did you ano your ano?
The use of ano is quite dangerous for the untrained ear, and must be put into the proper setting.
"Honey, the ano is too long, we have to cut it," must be accompanied by the proper understanding of the context, as results may be critical to a couple's future.

From "Ano Sabi Mo?"
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-09 21:43:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
I spoke to the US Embassy in Manila again tonight. This time I was told that the CO is done and we are only awaiting "technical checks"? I asked what is a technical check and was told check of biometric and/or fingers scan. Anyone ever heard of this? I asked how long does this take, and she said no way of knowing exactly, but to call back Friday. She said she would tell the "Technical Department" I am calling and checking on my case. Actually tonight the Embassy has been more empathetic and forth coming than in the past.

On a side note, I received a letter from my US Rep. Tim Johnson's Office dated July 3rd, saying they have sent an inquiry to the US Consular Section in Manila and will get back to me as soon as they receive a response.

I also got an email from Senator ####### Durbin's Office,

" The U.S. consulate in Manila has acknowledged that your fiancé does not qualify for derivative U.S. citizenship. They have referred her I 129F to an adjudicating consular officer to resume its processing. Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns."

It has been almost five weeks now and they still are telling me they don't need anything from us, it is in one type of processing or another………

So what should I think? Technical Check?

ANO!

:ranting:
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-09 20:27:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
Had our interview on Thursday June 7th, and VISA still not released. We were called around 11:30 to see the CO after turning the DS forms, PICS, Tax transcript for 2006 and Affidavit of Support to the pre-screener. As we sat back down, they told everyone to leave for lunch. After lunch we return to our seats expecting to be called, sat for a few hours and decide to see what the problems was. Anyhow they tell us that we were called at 11:58, we certainly didn't hear it. As we were waiting we found out that there was a index finger scan that should have been done at end of CO interview, we informed the woman at window 37(?) that it wasn't done. She went and checked and said it was done, my fiancée said no it wasn't, anyhow they gave us the pink slip and told to pay DELBROS.



Fast forward to the following Monday, my fiancée receives a call from the Embassy to come back and do her index finger scan, she reports to window X and then does finger scan after they locate her file.



Jump ahead a week and I call the embassy to see why VISA still is not released. Either Lorraine or Sandy tells me that my Fiancée's father is a Naturalized American, LOL. They said she was told at interview to report to American Citizen Service to apply for USA Passport. I said no she wasn't, I was there. I get off the phone with the Embassy and called her. She checks with her family about this, you see her father has been deceased for twenty years. Both her mom and Lola assure her that her father has never been to the United States. So I call the Embassy back and inform them.



Another four or five days later I call again, now the file has been transferred back to the CO. I asked if they need anything more from us, no they say, its just waiting for approval. I call every few days to check, still no change, nothing needed, and it's at CO's desk. I have spoken to Lorraine and Sandy a few times now, no help. My legal representation that touts having a professional working relationship with the Embassy in Manila and full Embassy support are of no help, they suggest if it goes on like this I contact my Senator, Thanks.



So I fax the Privacy Release Act form to both my Senators and my US Representative. No reply from them, I will be calling their offices to follow up and calling back the Embassy again in the next day or two. It is also nice that DELBROS can't keep their database up and running.



There, I feel better now. Just that the summer is passing away and I will be celebrating Independence Day without out the woman I love. I know others have had to wait a lot, lot longer than us. So its not a pity party, just a wake up call. Uncertainty is certainly a test of the strength of a couple's relationship.



Moral of the story, if everything isn't spot on the day of the interview, then be prepared to wait. Pink slip or not. Regardless of what they tell you. Even if you try your best and meet all the requirements, things can still go astray. So the Visa Journey continues.



Good luck to upcoming interviews, I hope you the best. Congratulations for those we met at the Embassy, who had success, and a quick review process for the others we met there.
AnoMalePhilippines2007-07-02 23:57:00
PhilippinesHusband interested in learning Tagalog?
I will copy an earlier post that was from another thread that might provide some further help on learning Tagalog.


The Rosette Stone is mostly a vocabulary builder, it shows for pictures and you go over the words identifying them pictures to the word. It isn't really worth the money, but I got it for no cost from a "Pirate" at the "Bay" if you know anything about torrent sites. ( http://thepiratebay....agalog/0/99/300 )

The BYKI program, is mostly a vocabulary builder also, it has a computer program with cards that flip with sound files, I mostly use the MP files downloaded on to my ipod, I hook it up to external speakers.

The best way is to try and speak it have my wife correct me, I also pick up her words, Talaga, Utot, Namani, etc…

Another good way is to read and have the tagalog speaker correct your pronunciation.

Also, The Book "Tagalog for Non-Tagalog Speakers" gives some insight into the grammar of Tagalog.

Youtube is also good, maximo has a number of videos, also cool is Aray Ko with Julia, and some really funny girl whose video is "random Tagalog and swear words".

KayleSpeak ( http://kalyespeak.mypodcast.com/ ) and Viloria.com ( http://www.viloria.com/wp/ ) have podcast you can download for free also.

Hope these help, and don't keep your language a secret.

PS. Verb Tenses, forgetaboutit, best to learn these in phrases, this is the hardest part of the language.

Some of the best links:

http://www.tagaloglang.com/

http://www.seasite.n...og_mainpage.htm

http://www.101languages.net/tagalog/

http://www.youtube.c...CF0937D6DC2ADA7

others:

AnoMalePhilippines2008-09-18 20:57:00
PhilippinesTravel Information
I have seen a lot of questions pertaining to travel recently; here is an excellent site that compares fees and luggage restriction plus a whole host of other info. Hope it helps!




http://rickseaney.com/
AnoMalePhilippines2008-09-29 14:14:00
PhilippinesB-t store..
Before anyone spends one or two thousand dollars they should check their options thoroughly. I checked the btStore and they did have an excellent special fare. A couple of Metasites you may want to check are:

http://www.bookingbuddy.com/
http://www.faredetective.com/
http://www.mobissimo...rch_airfare.php

LABAN PA!
AnoMalePhilippines2008-10-07 20:42:00
Philippineswhat is the cheapest airlines from Manila to Los Angeles month of October?
You can start with this fare and search to see if you can find better.
From MNL Manila To LAX Los Angeles
Depart Date and Flight
2009-01-29 Thursday
CI 702 29-1045 29-1245
CI 006 29-1640 29-1205
Adult Amount 661.9(USD)
China Airlines is nicer than any American Carrier.
If you have the extra cash you can fly her Business Class for 1401.9 (USD)
Better service at airport, can take more luggage, and have better service, seat (upper Level), and better meal on the aircraft.
Both my wife and I liked CI very much, especially for the price.
Other sites to check:

http://www.bookingbuddy.com/
http://www.faredetective.com/
http://www.mobissimo...rch_airfare.php

LABAN PA!
AnoMalePhilippines2008-10-08 20:48:00
PhilippinesHOTELS to stay during medicals and interview
Here are a couple maps of the area; my fiancée after looking at the area and hotels has chosen City Garden Suites for her medical at St. Luke's this week. I chose the Bayview Park Hotel for our interview on June 7th. We scouted the hotels around the Embassy on my previous trips, and of course read reviews on Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist, etc.

The City Gardens is 2200-2300 PHP per night, and the Bayview is around 45 USD, often including Breakfast for two.

The best website I found was AsiaTravel.

US EMBASSY OF MANILA
http://www.wiki-maps...bassy-of-manila

St. Luke's Medical Center
http://www.wiki-maps...-medical-center

AsiaTravel
https://www.instantr...m...nExp=0=
AnoMalePhilippines2007-05-22 02:04:00
PhilippinesClaim to U.S. citizenship
QUOTE (Conan @ Jan 4 2009, 02:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance's mom is a US citizen (but I don't think she met the requirements so that her daughter (my fiance) could become one)

Her mom abandoned her when she was 7 and she doesn't know her whereabouts or even talk to her.
I am worried that her Visa could be denied because of the following.

"Claim to U.S. citizenship: Under United States law, persons born outside the U.S. may have a claim to U.S. citizenship if either parent was born or naturalized in the United States, or either parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the individual’s birth. U.S. immigration law prevents the issuance of visas to applicants who have a claim to U.S. citizenship. Beneficiaries of visa petitions who believe they may have a claim to U.S. citizenship should therefore check with the American Citizen Services (ACS) Branch of the Embassy before applying for a visa. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 also provides guidance on claims to U.S. citizenship."

http://manila.usemba...v/wwwh3219.html

I am worried that her visa may be denied because of this. Her mom didn't live in the US long enough for my fiance to be a US citizen so she could be screwed over either way. We already filed for the K-1. Any advice?



My wife and I went threw a similar situation at our interview. They said her father was a US citizen and that she could apply for a US passport, but because he is deceased and the proof needed is quite high (and we though it was an error on the part of the USE) we decided to just go the K1 route. Although this error cause about a month delay, she did get her approval.

If you look at the proof needed by the USE and the fact her parents are not involved, it may be too difficult to prove her claim to derivative rights to citizenship, but in our case it did not cause denial.



AnoMalePhilippines2009-01-04 23:06:00
PhilippinesDual citizenship for our baby?
My wife and son are in the Philippines for a month, I asked her to look in to applying for dual citizenship for our baby. Has anyone done this in Manila? What does it entail? We would like to be able to put any real estate in his name if we ever decide to buy property there. Are there any downsides for our anak if we decide to pursue this and can she accomplish this without me being present?

Mis kita, talaga! Lub U Egay…

AnoMalePhilippines2009-02-03 18:13:00
PhilippinesSending Jewlery to Philippines
I can tell you about my experiences shipping to the Philippines.

I sent a package to my fiancée for her Birthday/Christmas via UPS and believe me they did collect fees even though it was a gift. UPS would not allow me to prepay, they stated the rate is determined and collected in the Philippines. All said and done it was more than 30% of the value of the shipment; I think they even included the shipping fees when determining the shipments total value.

When I sent our interview evidence to her, I used DHL. Since it was only documents, there were not any expenses to my fiancée. But, they gave the package to her aunt who lives in the same "compound" as she.

I have sent letters, cards and books to her using USPS with no problems or expenses, but it takes a long time to arrive and they are actually delivered by the Philippine postal service so I can't vouch for the safety of your package.

Types of duty that are applicable in the Philippines:

  • Import Duty
  • Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Ad Valorem Tax
I think you should look into it further by checking with your shipper; otherwise your fiancée may unfortunately be paying a bill.
AnoMalePhilippines2007-05-25 11:44:00
PhilippinesHotels in Manila
Bayview Park, across the street from USE. You should be able to get room for under $70, a suite for this price if you shop the Internet. No hassles, no worries if you have your interview, grab a Starbucks and get in-line at the Embassy. It is acceptable and breakfast buffet for two is usually included. Is it in the best area, no, homeless in the park right south of there, but I stayed in Makati in didn't find it the best either, especially for walking anywhere, and the traffic, don't get me started, but Greenbelt is a nice area, except for the construction problem. Pasay City, didn’t think that area was perfect either, too many KTVs and Gentlemen Clubs. The truly fine hotels in Manila are on the far side of $100, the Shangri-La, the Mandarin Oriental, Hotel Peninsula Manila, Oakwood Ayala, etc..

Does the Fort Bonifacio area have any new hotels?

AnoMalePhilippines2009-04-14 21:52:00
PhilippinesQuestion about I-134 evidence
QUOTE (thepizzadude @ Apr 14 2009, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I heard u couldn't get the Transcripts for 2008 until after July this year but it may be a rumor.


Good point, not sure? We had our interview on June 7th of 07, I am pretty sure I had them for our interview, but maybe I took 2004-2006 and not 2007. I have 2007, possibly I used them for the AOS?
AnoMalePhilippines2009-04-14 23:20:00
PhilippinesQuestion about I-134 evidence
Some people will also recommend the W-2s with his tax return; this is what his employer(s) will send him in order to file his taxes. He can also get his tax return/account transcripts, these are probably the most official document one can use and you will not need the W(s) with these, they are free from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040, get the last three years (unless it makes his income look bad), takes about two weeks to get from the IRS.

You really never know what above the minimum documents required you will be asked for till you get to the pre-screen window.

AnoMalePhilippines2009-04-14 22:07:00
PhilippinesMoney for trip
Wow, I have traveled to Manila 3 times for a week each time and never spent more than $500. We went to all the malls, fine restaurants, Greenbelt, Baywalk, bars, shopped, traveled to her province, took taxis, etc. (But my wife is a good haggler, and will walk away from a bad deal) Seriously, you can live quite comfortably for $50 a day, if I had $1500 a month in the RP I would have a maid, a driver, a yaya and a kick-#### condo!

Exchange $50-100 at the airport, it is off to your left when you get to the main terminal, if you buy something you will get your change in peso too. Pre-pay your hotel, have them send a car for you; get your valuables in the room-safe.

Bring large bills, exchange at the banks, I used that Philippine bank at the Mall of Asia, (I like the way the bar the door after you enter) be sure your bills are not torn, marked, or damaged in anyway, otherwise they will not take them and you will get a lower rate if you find a street changer to take them. Also, travelers checks, they will really screw you on the exchange there, only take these for emergencies and cash them back when you return home.

ATMs never used them, credit cards, only if the hotel absolutely made me, and I wanted the receipt before I left, I will wait for them to check the room and whatever else. I really don’t trust the electronic transactions in the RP, too many excellent hackers, LOL. But then again, I am getting to the point where I don’t trust the system here either….

I don’t see how you could spend over $100 a day unless you are buying crazy ######, traveling to out of Manila, gambling, tabling girls, or flaunting your wealth. Sure, bring Pasalubong, but I won’t recommend spending tremendous amounts on her family unless you plan on keeping the cash flowing.

Ahhh, maybe I am just cheap, have fun.

PS, take her to the Bayview restaurant right north of the Embassy for a sunset dinner, and the bay right outside the Mall of Asia is another place to spend the early evenings. I would recommend the Baywalk from the Embassy to the Yacht Club, but I heard they shut that down, is this true?

Edited by Ano, 14 April 2009 - 09:00 PM.

AnoMalePhilippines2009-04-14 20:59:00
Philippinesa song for your partner
Easy, two of my wife’s favorite Pinoy musicians, Francis M, and the Korean Guy in Parokya Ni Edgar. We grill out and drink to this song in the summer. Parokya Ni Edgar - Kaleidoscope World (Live feat Francis Magalona). I a glad my wife introduced me to Parokya Ni Edgar, Apo Hiking Society, and Francis M.

AnoMalePhilippines2009-04-14 23:08:00
PhilippinesLearning and Teaching Tagalog/Filipino/Pilipino
Sorry it took me so long to reply, I am not on her that much, just when I take the computer from my asawa seeing see is on here ALL the time!!!

The Rosette Stone is mostly a vocabulary builder, it shows for pictures and you go over the words identifying them pictures to the word. It isn't really worth the money, but I got it for no cost from a "Pirate" at the "Bay" if you know anything about torrent sites.

The BYKI program, is mostly a vocabulary builder also, it has a computer program with cards that flip with sound files, I mostly use the MP files downloaded on to my ipod, I hook it up to external speakers and play it at one of my jobs, it really annoys my co-workers, but I am the supervisor. They also have picked up some words too. The best way is to try and speak it have my wife correct me, I also pick up her words, Talaga, Utot, Namani, etc…

Another good way is to read and have the tagalog speaker correct your pronunciation.

Also, The Book "Tagalog for Non-Tagalog Speakers" gives some insight into the grammar of Tagalog.

Youtube is also good, maximo has a number of videos, also cool is Aray Ko with Julia, and some really funny girl whose video is "random Tagalog and swear words".

KayleSpeak and Viloria have podcast you can download for free also.

Hope these help, and don't keep your language a secret.

PS. Verb Tenses, forgetaboutit, best to learn these in phrases, this is the hardest part of the language.

Some of the best links:

http://www.tagaloglang.com/

http://www.seasite.n...og_mainpage.htm

http://www.101languages.net/tagalog/

http://www.youtube.c...CF0937D6DC2ADA7

others:

AnoMalePhilippines2008-09-02 22:51:00
PhilippinesLearning and Teaching Tagalog/Filipino/Pilipino
QUOTE (Sheriff Uling @ Aug 4 2008, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUESTION TO THE USCs: Does your wife really try to teach you Tagalog?


My wife really doesn't teach me, she will correct me and giggle, but I learn more from "The Rosette Stone" computer program and "Before You Know It" mp3 file.



Personally, I think them Pinays are keeping their language a secret. devil.gif



But now I know to look when she goes "psssst", and to get what she is pointing her lips at! rofl.gif
AnoMalePhilippines2008-08-04 14:00:00
PhilippinesLearning and Teaching Tagalog/Filipino/Pilipino
American spouses, are you trying to learn to speak Tagalog? Does your spouse encourage you, are they indifferent, or is there a plot to keep their language secret? whistling.gif


Filipina/o spouses, do you teach your spouse Tagalog, think it is not important to learn, think your American spouse does not have the ability to learn it, or are you part of the conspiracy to keep them in the dark? devil.gif


By learning the language, I don't mean, Mahal Kita, Maganda Umaga, Salamat Po………I mean to be able to have a conversation and read and write at a reasonable level. wow.gif


Just wondering, I have met more than a few Fil-Am couples (ie, Filipino Christmas Parties, by chance, through work)…. And have yet to meet one American who is fluent in Tagalog. wacko.gif
AnoMalePhilippines2008-08-03 02:37:00
PhilippinesWOW- This family got screwed over !!!
I do not know if this has been posted in the RP forum, but read this horror story.

Art Bell's Wife Denied U.S. Visa
June 06, 2009
Airyn Bell, wife of radio talk show legend Art Bell, has been denied a U.S. Visa. Read about their incredible struggle against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). [Click the image on the left for proof the USCIS received the necessary documents from the Bells.]
Please also help Art plead his wife's case. Contact the President and his staff at whitehouse.gov.
Here's the letter Art Bell wrote to Senator Harry Reid on behalf of his wife Airyn Bell:
My name is Arthur W. Bell. My Wife is Airyn R. Bell. We have been Married over (3) Years now and have a (2) Year old Daughter who was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. My Wife is Philippine. In December 2006 she was given a CR1 Visa which was processed by the American Embassy in Manila, Philippines. We arrived in Las Vegas Dec 26, 2006.
In Oct 2008 (Oct 10th, 2008) we sent USCIS a I-751 with evidence of our Marriage and the fee ($545.00). My Wife went to Las Vegas and did the Bio-Metric. We were given case Number WAC0900851515. In early January 2009 we received a notice from the California service center to send MORE evidence. Within a few days we responded with much more evidence, it was RECEIVED by USCIS on Jan 15th 2009 (See POSTAL RECEIPTS - click for enlargement). Then in early March we received a notice that USCIS had not received our additional evidence and moreover that there was NO appeal and it was case CLOSED! So of course I called USCIS and they told me to send the evidence that they in fact received our package in a timely fashion which I did. They returned a letter saying they were sorry and had sent us the wrong form response and that we should send them $575.00.00. That was all they requested, so that's all we sent. At this point we had already sent $545.00 (which was cashed) with the original application and I thought even though this sounded wrong, what the heck, rather than argue with USCIS I just sent the money. They returned the check saying it was incomplete, but that was all they had asked for, most of the responses from USCIS seemed to refer to other cases, not ours, but I was tired of fighting.

In both sets of evidence we included:

- Our Marriage License
- Our Daughter's Birth Certif.
- Our JOINT bank accounts (2)
- Health insurance
- Joint car registration
- My Last Will (With my Wife and Daughter as receiving sole benefits)
- Social Security paperwork for all of us.
- Pictures (Trips we have taken etc.)
- The (2) homes I own in Nevada, payed in full
- (2) signed (Notarized) statements from friends attesting that our marriage is indeed in good faith
- Many additional documents proving it is a real Marriage entered to in good faith and still healthy

Then we had to return to the Philippines because of Family concerns and property there. Prior to leaving we went to USCIS in Las Vegas and had my Wife's Passport stamped because her Conditional green Card had expired at the end of December 2008. They stamped it for another Year, they told us it was OK to travel, just be sure to get her Passport stamped.

So, we are now in the Philippines with this horrible mess behind us. We will be here until we get the Family issues resolved and decide what to do with the property we own (A Condo) here in Manila.

We left the U.S. on March 10, 2009.

I think of myself as a good American, however I do not feel as though I have been treated as one. Can you possibly help out in trying to untangle some of this mess? I have no idea what my Wife's status is currently and no idea what steps to take next. I have called the USCIS, I have faxed them, I have sent return receipt required letters, all with no response, or with a response that does not relate to our case.

We have now been told my Wife can not return to the U.S. Please see response from USCIS. This was the FINAL step before they were to issue her 10 Year GREEN CARD, now they want us to start a two Year process ALL OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF THEIR MISTAKE. THIS IS JUST WRONG. Please help us, it may take direct legislative action because the following was received following a letter sent by a congressional aide:

=======================================

Thank you for contacting the Congressional Liaison Team within the California Service Center. Since the applicant is out of the country after the case was denied. The petitioner will need to start from filing the I-130 petition again for the beneficiary.

The reason for the denial was explained in the denial notice that your constituent received. The evidence was not received.

The applicant's status has been terminated at this point, and she will not be able to return to the United States using the stamps in her passport.

Sincerely,

Yining Wu
Adjudication Officer
Congressional Unit
DHS/USCIS/CSC

=======================================

As you can see, they say they did not receive the evidence, but in fact THEY DID. Does the truth even matter?

Yours Truly,

Arthur W. Bell & Airyn R. Bell
.)
AnoMalePhilippines2009-06-21 01:29:00
PhilippinesGood source to learn tagalog

My fiance's using Rosetta Stone. It's a good one :thumbs:
He started learning a couple months before I came here. But he said it's better now that I'm here because he could ask questions. The funny thing is, he's having a hard time prnouncing words with NG, i.e. langoy, and MGA, :P


Difficult sound for a Kano, ('ng" or ? is a velar nasal constant, and) the closest sound we have for the Filipino NG is singer, but not finger, it has a different "gher" sound. Pronounce singer, then drop the "er", then drop the f, then finally the i. This is as close to a natural American English sound he will know that will transfer in to Tagalog. I think I heard this from a TTC video, Understanding Linguistics. Try it, and tell me if you think it approximates the correct sound, or if anyone knows a better way to learn “ng”, please inform us, I am not PhD linguist, only a student of Tagalog.
After learning this, Mga, is only muh-"NG"Ah.
AnoMalePhilippines2010-07-16 14:06:00
PhilippinesGood source to learn tagalog
Speaking as someone whom has attempted to learn Tagalog for a few years now, Rosette Stone is OK, for vocabulary building, but by far the best way to learn Tagalog is to get a small phrase book, learn the basic phrases and build a small vocabulary of verbs, nouns, pronouns, etc... and to listen to Tagalog when your significant other speaks it in whatever context is happening and decipher it.

Learn the basic grammar rules and do not get caught up in the complexity of verb conjugations. There is a great deal of free content on the web, youtube, and iTunes podcast available to you for free, especially from the Peace Corps Philippines, "Language-Culture Through Cartoons" is insightful, along with their more scholarly publications.

Study, through printed material, learn to read basic Tagalog, do a lot of listening, and have basic interaction with other Tagalog speakers. Unless linguistically, your skills are far greater than mine, you will make mistakes in grammar, pronunciation, and word selection continually, and hopefully your significant other has the inclination to guide you on this undertaking. Last thought, she will have to teach you the slang, utot!

PM or email me and I can give you specifics on what I have bought that was a waste of time and money, and what was worth investing in, and possibly mail you some public domain materials I have, if they are not too large for email. Ingat.
AnoMalePhilippines2010-07-16 12:04:00