ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Philippinescheapest hotel in Manila
Ahh ok. I thought it was a general question since they mentioned "every day treatment" for 6 months. Wasn't sure if the SL Ext in Ermita did treatment. Although if it's a 6 month course of TB meds that's directly observed (DOTS) or something similar it could very well be the St Luke's Extention in Ermita.

There are lots of boarding houses in Ermita, Malate and Sampaloc as mentioned above. The trick is finding a good one and a place where the daughter will be comfortable. A lot of students in the Universities stay in such places and can be cheaper than hotels.

You could also try renting an apt or condo in bldgs that cater to students in the same neighborhoods. Or if you really want a hotel, there's the Charter House in Makati that gives discounted rates for long term stays. Rates for a monthly stay in a standard room is P60k tax included, compared to a daily rate of P3k for a std room. Their number is (632) 8176001-16. (Me & my fiance are both Metro Manila residents and we use Charter House for occassional "staycations".)

Edited by RafnJen, 24 August 2010 - 02:49 PM.

RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 14:47:00
Philippinescheapest hotel in Manila
Which St Lukes is this? Is it the one in QC or the newer branch in Bonifacio Global City?
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 13:59:00
PhilippinesNew to Forum/Starting K-1 process
Thanks Filipinay.

The form I referred to wasn't I-131, it was I-134, Affadavit of Support.
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 15:06:00
PhilippinesNew to Forum/Starting K-1 process
Hello everyone,

I (Raf) just joined up on behalf of myself and my fiance (Jen). We're going to be starting the K-1 visa process so I thought I'd introduce myself (Raf-USC) since I'll probably be on this board a lot until this whole process is done.

Anyway, I'm a Fil-Am who's a naturalized US Citizen and also a dual RP citizen (I have both a US & RP Passport). I pursued and received a Medical Degree (MD) at UST in Manila. That's where I met Jen. She was a fellow med student. I've known her for 6 years now and we've been together for about 5.5 years. After getting my degree I took up post graduate medical studies and took the board exam here. After some delay, I'm now taking the USMLEs and applying for residency back home in the US. Jen graduated with me, also passed the boards, and is currently a 2 year OB-Gyn Resident at a hospital here in Metro Manila.

I finally proposed to her and am now starting the process of bringing her to the US so we can start a life there together.

Wish us luck.

Just some FYIs:

-I've read the K1 page at the USEmb Manila site. I've downloaded the forms from USCIS (I-129F, G-325A) and have started reviewing them. I've joined up here :) And am doing other forms of research as I start to compile the packet.
-From the start of med school until now, I'm listed as a dependent on my parents' joint 1040s. While I occasionally moonlight here in Manila, my main source of income is still them. Together they well exceed the poverty limits and own a thriving small business, so odds are they'll fill out an I-134 in addition to my own.
-I'm currently residing here in Manila and have been for the past few years although I still maintain a permanent residence/domicile in New York (Have a current Driver's License, Voter Registration, have US Bank/Credit Accts) where my parents live.

Any tips for us right off the bat?

I just have some questions straight off.

1) On the I-129F form, question 18 states: "Has your fiancé(e) met and seen you within the two-year period immediately receding the filing of this petition?...Describe the circumstances under which you met."

Just how long should I go into this? I've known her for years and we've been together for years. Since we both live in Manila and can see each other every day if we want, we don't have much in terms of letters/emails/phone records. But we have a ton of digital camera pics and can take tons more. How long of an answer should I write? Should I attach it in a separate letter?

2) For the original statements establishing mutual intent, I'm guessing that's a sign declaration that we wish to marry each other and intent to do so within 90 days of her admission?
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 14:35:00
Philippines9 killed on hijacked Philippine tourist bus
I'm a Manila resident and was glued to the internet/TV as the final assault occurred. I'm not in Law Enforcement, but to me the entire operation seemed to have been bungled from start to finish, none more so than the final assault. One, from the moment the "go" signal was given due to reports of shots fired/the escaped driver stating that the gunman opened fire to when the gunman was killed and the bus cleared was over an hour! Two, look at this picture taken of the "SWAT team" assaulting the bus.

Posted Image

I count 7 cops. One's not wearing a vest. Only 3 are wearing Kevlar helmets. And all of them are wearing the Blue PNP duty uniform. It's seems they just cobbled together an assault unit from cops on scene instead of calling in a dedicated SWAT/Special Action Force unit. This is inexcusable as the standoff lasted from morning until night.

And if the PNP didn't have the men/equipment to form an assault unit, why didn't they call in the AFP with their special ops units? (Scout Rangers, Special Forces, Navy SWAG, Light Reaction Unit, Marine Recon, etc) The AFP definitely has hostage rescue experience. Remember the Burnhams and the Dos Palmas kidnapping (although the husband did die in the raid)

Anyways, I've seen lots of criticism, including one from the former commander of France's GIGN antiterrorist unit.

While I've lost whatever faith I've had in the PNP (not much to begin with), I hope this will be the government's 1972 Munich moment. The Germans learned from their mistakes, including setting up GSG-9. While I won't hold my breath, I hope the gov't learns from this tragedy.
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 15:25:00
PhilippinesBoracay
Boracay is one of the premiere tourist spots in the Philippines, visited by both foreigners and locals alike.

While generally safe, take the usual precautions. Be careful with your money. Don't flash large amounts of cash. Use the hotel safe if there's one. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers that you didn't see prepared by the bartender. Etc.

As for companionship, there are quite a number of bars and nightspots that are there. But since October is the low/rainy season, odds are there will be fewer tourists compared to the Philippine Summer/High Season.

Also, remember this is a vacation spot for Pinoys. So make sure the person you're approaching is truly single and receptive (e.g. no men in her group or she's by herself). I've actually seen fights start because a single guy's approached someone's girlfriend/fiance/wife in Boracay.

My advice is to either meet someone online before you go to the Philippines or spend a few days trying to meet someone and then bring her with you.
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 16:23:00
PhilippinesWhy was her answer considered a 'gaffe'?

She's half Indian and ugly... Should have been a REAL Filipina and most of them are beautiful. Why would the Philippine choose her anyway


And I bet you fart air freshener, defecate flowers, and urinate Chanel No. 5 right? :blink: :bonk:
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-25 02:11:00
PhilippinesDocuments Preparation for K1 Visa Interview
Congratulations!
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-25 01:55:00
PhilippinesI want to send chocolate to the philippines
I'd say DHL or Fedex. You never know with PhilPost so sending it USPS is out.

Highland, NY? Is that the town right next to West Point? Try calling Johnny Air Cargo's office in Queens if they have a place/pinoy store outlets near you (Rockland/Westchester I know there are drop off points) where you can send it/have it picked up. Johnny tends to be cheaper and is how I get packages from my family in NY. I'm not sure how they get away with it, but I'm never assessed customs duties when receiving packages via JAC, while with Fedex/DHL I have depending on the contents and/or the Customs Inspector.
RafnJenMalePhilippines2010-08-24 21:00:00