biggish data

Malacañang has declared November 7 (Monday) as a regular non-working holiday in celebration of the Eidul Adha or Feast of Sacrifice, one of the major religious feasts in Islam.

Released on Friday, the declaration is contained in Proclamation 276, which President Benigno Aquino III signed on October 20.

Under the proclamation, the date of the festival based on the declaration made by Saudi Arabia?s highest religious body is November 6, 2011.

The Philippine?s National Commission on Muslim Filipinos recommended that the observance of Eidul Adha be on November 7, 2011 and the Eidul Adha prayer on November 6, 2011.

Eidul Adha is the start of the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The dates of Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (lunar calendar), or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient.

The President earlier appealed to Saudi King Abdullah Asis Al-Saud to provide 1,100 more Hajj visas to Filipinos wanting to go to Mecca.

Aquino earlier declared October 31, a special non-working holiday, under Proclamation 265, to give Filipinos time to observe All Saints? Day. ? LBG, GMA News

SO I heard right and Nov 7th is a holiday? I don't have anything scheduled for that week but anyone unlucky enough to have planned St Lukes Or USEM interview will have to reschedule I think ?

Edited by Jim N Augie, 21 October 2011 - 06:41 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-21 18:40:00

In the US there is a process and a holiday if approved is set for the following year but in Phil, it can be as little as a few days notice, I have seen it before.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-21 18:27:00

I am hearing it was just declared YESTERDAY so dont think it will be on your calender. They are really bad about doing that "last minute" like i said earlier it screwed me on a court date.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 21 October 2011 - 06:23 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-21 18:21:00

I am hearing November 7th has suddenly been declared a holiday in the Philippines. ?????? last time they did that with 2 weeks notice cost e a court date I had been waiting 2 months for.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-21 17:51:00

House broken into, documents stolen!

I cant tell the diff between the original and my copies anyway.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-22 12:36:00

original or scanned copies

Check the USEM website for specifics but generally anything with a signature should be original with a copy for them to keep.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 06:49:00

Is Petitioner's Birth Certificate and Legal Capacity to Marry required??

K-1ers don't need a Legal Capacity to Marry.

Also, there seems to be no need to wait for the NSO. According to the VJ Guides, the petitioner should send the beneficiary a copy of the I-129F packet. Included in that packet will be the following:

Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

VJ Guides.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:40:00

Thanks everyone, for what it's worth we started to follow what others did...wait 2 weeks NVC to MNL etc. But it seems MNL may be accepting appointments based on the efile sent from NVC so that may be why some people lately have been able to move faster. I have a friend who set appt just day or so after calling and getting MNL # . I haven't verified the efile deal but it's what some of us think. Worse case it simply wont let you set your appt until your case is active but your visa fee is good for a year so if your in a hurry try it I guess. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-24 04:49:00

Looking at your timeline, your "long journey" was pretty fast! Congrats!

Thanks, I can't complain, the k1 part was not too bad. The real killer was the 3 year annulment getting to the k1.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 20:18:00

Congrats.

So by the way MJ has her interview round first Nov I think? Goodluck.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 19:15:00

Well Everybody else that got approved with us already have their Visa. we had a major Problem with her Dad.just as we got approved he was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer(Cancer of the throat).we had to put everything on hold of course. he was in the Hospital in Cebu for little over a month.he had a major operation, took out part of the Stomach and the Pancreas.long story short he is lil better now and we are proceeding.I Emailed the Embassy and explained the situation there. they entered the info in their System and revalidated our petition for an additional 4 Months until March 2012. we will be finished before that time. its been a rough 3 Months but we hanging in there!

Sorry to hear about all the trouble but glad to know he is doing better some now. Good that you can extend your papers and not start over. I believe all things happen for a reason we just dont always get to know why. Good luck there. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:38:00

Yeah too many Jims but my middle name is augustushaversheimingly so what else can I do? ( Joke). Thanks everyone and good luck to us all.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 13:36:00

Congratulations Jim! You just scheduled it just now? good you finally got through!!

Thanks southcal, haven't talked to you in awhile hope all is going well

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 13:33:00

Congrats! How long did it take to get that date?

Thanks, our noa2 date was 9/23, called NVC to get that and got the letter here in US on 10/19. I have friend who was able to schedule his in just a few days but we plan to fly in Jan so did not rush.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 23 October 2011 - 01:32 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 13:31:00

The online site could really use some clear instructions but anyway we have our interview scheduled for Nov 25th. I can't believe this long journey will be over soon. What relief! Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 11:15:00

My teen was telling me before I met my future hubby that the Cougar Rule is half my age plus 7, or else I'm a cougar.

Does that work for guys?

Lol it's funny you mention that. My kids had said it's half my age + 2, so evidently for guys just a slightly different formula.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-24 05:11:00

that is all you had to say!!

As a man I should be offended but then I realized I sometimes do stupid things and it doesn't always involve a pretty girl :whistle:

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 16:09:00

Jim You and I think mostly Alike. I agree it is the Attitude of the Lady. I myself found a lady that has those traditional Values. I didnt want someone from the city.I got myself a provincial lady. not saying something about city ladys that was my choice. we have been talking for almost 2 years now. just to be sure of her commitment and love when we first met i wanted to make sure she was the one.I put things in place to be content with my decision and she never wavered from the truth. you have to be sure in your own mind if she is the one.the things she has told me, the things we discuss leave no doubt in my mind. this is a lifetime decision so be sure be content and you both dont waver, you both will be ok, NO Matter what your ages, Just be sure!

Yeah it seems we do. And you mentioned one of the most important things...TIME. It's all a two way street, the filipina can also find a bad man.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 15:49:00

One example, I had met a Filipina in the U.S. before I met my fiancee. This Filipina I met online told me that she had been happily married and there was a 39 year age difference. He was now deceased. I chose not to meet this woman because I wanted children and she had two already. Another example, there was another man in my neighborhood that was approved and he 35 years older. This couple did break up but it had nothing to do with their age. They were not compatible. Another example, I tried to tell a 24 y/o not to email me again because she was too young and I got this one page email back explaining why a 31 year difference was okay.. and she gave me examples of what she knew of. My point is, that this is common in the Philippines. You sound like you have a Western concious. I do too.

My finance is 27 years younger but I do look younger and she is more mature. The reason I was interested in her had nothing to do with her age, it was that we were so much alike. We were a match. We are really on the same paths and enjoy each other and want the same things. I didn't plan it this way, but I too have seen couples that are similar in age that don't match and are not going to last. Use your good common sense. If this is your soul mate, just make sure that you are hers and if so, you can probably offer her a better happier life than many men out there that are much closer in age. Just don't spoil her once she is here. This is why you love her because of who she is. Best of luck to you.

Disclaimer: Just make sure she is not a manipulative woman or desires money because that would be the worst day of your life if you marry someone like that.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:45:00

Age gap is not a problem with with CO, however just be true to yourself! I know there many with age gap difference and do ok, but I also know there are many more that don't work out. If you have a daughter that would marry a man that is older than you, exactly how would you feel about it? I know in Philippines it is a common thing especially with older Foreigner, but here in the US well where I'm at, I don't see it often. For me one of the criteria was no younger than 15 years than I am, Fiance and I are 12 years apart and to me it still seems much. Bottom line it's your call, but since you've asked I reckon you understand that there are pottential compatibility issue in the future. Lets not kid ourselves that we have a lot in common (mentally and emotionally) with someone that is 20+ years younger.

True enough and it is also the attitude of the filipina. Life is full of up's and down's will she throw things and be a spoiled teenager? The culture in Phil is changing just like anywhere else but the ones the keep to traditional values are worth gold. When things get hard you will find a good filipina working right beside you. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:27:00

if i am a foriegner guy and searching for a girl. i will pretend to be so poor and whoever loves me despite that then she is the one. hehehe

Lol good plan

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:20:00

I agree age is not a big difference in Philippines from an approval point of view and I have a few friends with 25 -30 year difference that got approved and seem happy. Some of my asian friends in other countries also dont view age as a problem. Me personally I think it matters most who you feel you can spend your life with. It's Whatever works for someone. But I have seen at the airport or in Manila where the man seems so old he could fall over anytime and the girl could still sneak into high school and have a seat. Or the man probably couldn't run a quarter mile and the girl is maybe 19 and built. It makes me wonder but really is none of my business. We have 20 years difference between us and it took a little getting used to but we talked so much before even meeting that everything just fell into place. Besides, age is also your attitude, I am in good shape and my kids and thier friends say it's more like I am 30 to them

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 14:05:00

Interview @ Manila Embassy Approved!!

Congrats !!! :thumbs:

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-24 18:13:00

medical paperwork at interview K-1

Don't know if this helps but I know one person from Philippines that went thru same problem. She still had her interview and was told if all on her medical was good they would be sending the visa after the physical result was received by embassy. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-09 17:22:00

certified copy of decree

My k1 was for US from Philippines so dont know how much this helps but the court here (US) gave me official copies signed by court clerk and court seal (raised water mark paper). at USEM philippines they want anything with a signature to be original or certified copy.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-24 18:18:00

child of fiance

Also don't forget each child needs their own medical like the beneficiary.

US will follow Philippines law on parental rights. If she was married and got annulled father has no rights. If never married it cn depend on if father signed the Birth certificate and what last name the child was given. You should research this, you my not need to track the father down for a letter. Philippines law is unlike many countries on this matter. Jim

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-25 18:45:00

Sorry retshe I didnt see see your post here but yeah its what scruffy said. Choose immigrant visa You will know your at the right one when you see k1 and k2 option

Edited by Jim N Augie, 27 October 2011 - 06:06 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-27 18:02:00

In case this helps anyone else with kids, there seems to no longer be a "step 7". The fiance will register a new account or you can do for her. Follow the prompts you can't really make a mistake as the k1 option will only be found under the correct visa. After you set her appt you then have to register a new account in childs name ( you can still use your email and password but the REGISTRY name should be the childs) and go thru the procedure again. This is because the child is covered under the mothers k1 so it is the only option and you still file the child under k1. The end result is you will have an appt conf letter emailed to you for fiance and a second one emailed to you in the childs name. When you show up at st lukes or embassy each person has an appointment letter in their name showing passport number and visa was paid. Repeat for each child I guess. But anyway thats what we had to do. Jim.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 23 October 2011 - 11:09 AM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 11:08:00

Never mind I figured it out

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 06:46:00

trying to schedule appointment online for fiance and child but it skips from the step where you put in your mailing address and goes to step 8 but we need step 7 where you add dependents so we can include her son. What are we doing wrong? thanks for any help

Edited by Jim N Augie, 22 October 2011 - 07:46 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-22 19:46:00

Manila Interview Schedule

Your welcome. it is a bit tricky , read thru the whole thread before you start. Even tho k1 is a non immigrant visa you have to select immigrant visa to get to the k1 option :blink:

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-27 18:36:00

Manila Interview Schedule

Uh, I hate to act stupid, but.... How do we schedule the interview?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/335494-scheduling-interview-online-phillipines/page__gopid__4976081#entry4976081

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-27 18:05:00

DS forms to fill up??

Maybe I am not understanding something but If you schedule online you get an email confirmation of your appointment so that is your interview letter, if you will wait for interview letter in snail mail no reason to get ahead by downloading the DS forms. Yes you would have to have Noa 2 to get the MNL #, pay visa fee etc.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 29 October 2011 - 12:43 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-29 12:41:00

DS forms to fill up??

I thought no one waits for notification anymore and just schedule interview online and keep the email confirmation and download the ds forms, so why wait for interview notification?

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-28 12:30:00

I would also have a copy of the k1 petition, seems sometimes they lose a page and ask for a replacement but also this way you have an extra copy of many docs.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-29 12:53:00

K1 Medical exam at St Lukes

More questions...

The Decision for Annulment in the Philippines said both parties were mentally incapacitated to be married so they met the requirement for annulment. Does anyone have any advice whether it is best to try to get an outside Psychiatrist to furnish a report that she has been reevaluated and found to be currently capable of marriage. Also, has anyone been in the same situation and just used St.Luke's Psychiatrists to get the current evaluation. If so, did you have to pay an addition fee and how much. We all know that the true nature of having to do the follow up psychological exam is to make more money.

Thank you

Best thing to do is "search" that scenario here. I have seen it done 2 ways, some had psyche eval at St Lukes and one where St Lukes made an appointment for her to have an eval 2 weeks later at another location. I can not say if they will accept an independent eval that you set yourself. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-31 08:20:00

K1 Medical exam at St Lukes

Its correct, if you were not named incapacitated then no psyche eval. As for custody if the anullment states custody is with mother then no letter from father needed. Some here at VJ will tell you it is needed but that is based on US custody laws and in a K1 US follows the law of the beneficiaries country. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-28 04:54:00

Our story

@Jim - yeah annulment is not so easy to deal with. I went through that too with the help of m fiancee not just financially but of all the support he can give he gave hi best. 2008 I started my annulment and it took a year to till it was done. it was affected by the judge's travel to france and holidays. The hearing itself wasn't so tragic I was glad my x-hubby did not mind the proceedings at all. After the annulment was a year long struggle to get the papers done at NSO - mind you, at the NSO itself it took me 1 whole year till they get their #######. A lot of stress along the way. It's never easy coz I live in a province. I sent 4 times my court papers and they give me different crappy reasons why they cant process it which is not true..the truth is they lost those documents I sent them. Tired and stressed of the way NSO was, I personally went at Manila to hand m personal copy, asked them to show me the documents I sent, and they can't find it. So i told them i am personally handling them my PERSONAL copy already and hope they get their ####### together or I will escalate the issue. I was glad I did it, just a months after 2010 I got my annotated Marriage contract. We all thought it was the end of the tunnel already but NO..another trial came our way. now the DIVORCE of my fiance. it was like a never ending struggle. I see it as unfair. His x-wife dragged it out as much as she can. Well she finds no reason to end it quick coz he never stopped his support. she asked for the moon and stars..typical divorce thing. I was working by that time and have to gave up my work just to be with my fiance ( well online ) i was afraid he will do something stupid coz he find the divorce no way to end and was losing hope we will really be together w/o it. As I resigned from my work, I was his strength. He has a lawyer but I have to do legal research and have him share what I learned to his lawyer in hope it will help. Luckily she considered those and helped out the case maybe a little. My fiance became depressed and his tolerance to stress became short. I tried to understand him coz I know how difficult life is to what he was going through. The divorce took 3 years till it officially ended. So thankful of that day and we were able to start our k1 visa. - BUT another test came our way - Fiance had been held under administrative suspension - his clearance was revoke because of the accumulated debt from his and mostly his x-wife He can't just pay it and be done with the suspension. His x-wife just kept her lazy butt on the go and never worked despite the gavron warning - she never is until this time. Anyways, I told him, it doesn't matter whether our life will be here in the Philippines and there in the US. He wants to bring me there of course, but for me his sanity and well being is more than the need to be in the US. I know life here is not the way it is in the US. But again,i told him he doesn't have to worry too much, life maybe simple but he sure would find a home here with us. I can work to help out. - My fiance loves me so much..and I know it ever since - despite the trials he find way to make our dreams happen. I believe he wont be left jobless, before he run out of pay, we helped together doing job hunting. he got interviewed by a lot of company then ended up finding a job paying him better than before.

Despite the truth that I was also sometime getting weak of all the trials, one thing that made me stay strong and keep on believing all good thing will come is looking back at the day we first met the trials we've been through since 2003 the friendship we had established..i know the trials we had by then isn't enough to make us give up. the 5 years of friendship (2003 - 2008 ) made us know each other well. and it had been our best foundation to what we have now.

Goodluck to everyone's journey!

I very much understand all that. Sometimes even the simplest thing like NSO can be such a pain. But yeah you do learn to lean on each other. Somedays you want to laff and cry at the same time and sure somedays you just want to give up. But you know it's not the answer because you will never forget that person and you will always wonder about them. My fiance said the same to me, if she can not come here can I come there. It's never been about money or being in the US it is about a life together. I do hope to retire there someday. I'm gld your fiance found better job. Divorce is hard, I have been there but in time finances get straightened out. Goodluck to you both!

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 20:06:00

Our story

Thank you everybody for the nice replies..

Jim N Augie... I know how you feel too. The Philippine courts are a class of it's own ! Waiting all that time to fix a birth certificate is a pain that I wouldn't wish on anyone too. It was something that I had to do and I knew that we would've never been approved unless we fixed it first. I wish you and your fiancee the best and your life will be normal again soon.

JimVaPhuong.. I hired the agency to get us thru the visa process.. We can do the rest, ty. I'm already got her daughters favorite colors for her room I will be painting real soon. There is a small filipino community here and they been anxious to meet my new wife. One gentleman that used to work with my dad is married to filipina lady from Bohol and he told me to bring my wife there anytime. As for foods, well we will have to make do with what we got here in Arkansas. There is no asian food markets here unless you go to the bigger cities. I will just let her order some stuff online if she wants to make something special. So, I got it covered and ty for the advice.

Sassytay.. Thank you for the compliment. My parents taught me to follow my heart and sometimes it led me to the wrong direction, but this time its on the right path.

Yeah I could run a more efficient court with drunken monkeys. I'm sure we both had some positive come from our ordeals too. best of luck my friend.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-23 19:57:00