Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Philippines	Use of Maiden vs. Married Name: CR-1 Visa process	St Lukes submitted new passport in Married name ++ USCIS paperwork changed to reflect married name By this, you mean St Luke's submitted the passport for you or you submitted it to St Luke's? Not sure if this applies to us cause I surely won't be having my PE in Manila. Hmm... But it's good to know a new passport with the married name is easily accepted. Did they charge you anything for the change in names?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-16 12:49:00
Philippines	Use of Maiden vs. Married Name: CR-1 Visa process	Hello everyone! The whole paperwork changing to married name is getting me all confused! We're getting married in a week. My American husband will then be moving back to his non-US home. I'm currently in Manila and will be joining him a month later in his non-US home. We hope to finish the process for CR-1 visa while we're in the non-US home in 1 yr & 2 mos, before he has to move back to the US. I considered applying for a passport renewal here in Manila before I leave to have my name changed to my married name. But this requires an NSO marriage certificate... which we all know takes months! Can you please tell me if this is a good plan? We're filing the I-130 petition as soon as he goes back to his non-US home using the local civil registrar-stamped marriage cert copy. Then, I'm going to apply for passport renewal through the Philippine embassy there, which takes about 2 months. Do you think this will be a problem? If any of you has done this or will do this, what steps have you done to make sure the transition to a passport with maiden name into married name happens without much problems or large fees?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-15 22:44:00
Philippines	Is it really need to attend CFO seminars?	The most important thing to bring is the right attitude. The last thing you want to do is demonstrate you understand this is extortion by people who have been given the power to withhold immigration from you if you don't bow down before them like a good little slave. Act like you are grateful for having your time and money wasted, and that you are an ignorant weakling child in comparison to their incredible intellect and majesty. Then go on to live a better life than those petty tyrants who have one thing in life to be cheery about: their little power trip on the immigrants they envy. Know that behind this petty tyranny - they wish that they were you. This happens in pretty much every government agency in the Philippines. It's like they're there to go power tripping and not serve the Filipino people. grrr.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-15 22:46:00
Philippines	Manila Ninoy Airport open 24 hrs or not	Thanks. They better not cancel the Delta flight. I booked her a hotel room close to the airport so she can rest and secure her luggage and head to Terminal 1 at around 3:30am. We will see about Delta. What reason did they give for cancelling the flight? Her flight looks fully booked when picher her seat selection. Only about 15-20 seats empty. Which hotel is it? If it's one in Resorts World (e.g. Marriott, Remington), they have hourly shuttle service to the airports. Just make sure she gets on one on the dot. Saves cab fare. Good luck!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-15 22:51:00
Philippines	My Wife Wants to Join the Military	OP: This is an incredible journey for her! Kudos to you for supporting her on this My husband's an Airman and he wanted me to consider getting into his branch. Had to say no... I'm just not the plane-flying kind	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-19 14:12:00
Philippines	Do you Believe in Aswang, Mumu or Mangkukulam?	I don't believe in the supernatural	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-19 13:42:00
Philippines	Less and Less Communication	My worst fear is real now, He tell me that hes been spending time with other woman there. She like him alot , and he just started to go have talk and dinner and thing with her. Then he said when he alone at her house , she want to have boom boom with him. And he couldnt resist her temptation. Now he say, he been having boom boom with this other woman because Im not there yet. And he need to do that, because man need to do that , and cant wait for me now, but when Im there he only want to be with me then. Good decision to just let him be, Juliette. You deserve someone a lot better!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-19 13:48:00
Philippines	Is this typical for a Filipina?	That is one way to put it. At this point, she will tell you anything you need to hear, and being a woman, she always has the prerogative to change her mind, no matter what she promised before, all with the best of intentions. Just remember blood is thicker than water, and you will find out about all the dreams her family has for her to fulfill, once she arrives in America. Women are fickle such as men can be fickle. Don't blame it on the hormones, that's been proven not to be true. The Filipino mindset on having "her family" as being first ought to be changed. I do agree most Filipinos who marry end up still giving their loyalty to their previous family. Which shouldn't be done at all!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-21 21:54:00
Philippines	Is this typical for a Filipina?	You are going to marry this girl, but do not know her culture? Filipinos are ephemeral thinkers. They do not think about the future. Only the day. That's why simple things for a westerner are lost in the mind of the Filipino. Such as saving money, using birth control, getting an education, even showering and brushing their teeth. Just a different culture. Oh wow. Troll. He claimed to have gotten a CR-1 the same day he applied for it. I believe reporting should be done, yes?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-21 14:02:00
Philippines	Is this typical for a Filipina?	OP: I believe this is not just about being Filipina. But your relationship, too... Your marriage. Everyone needs time to open up to other people. Your fiancee might be taking more time than you, but that doesn't mean she won't be able to. As they said, just be patient. And continue to encourage her to explore possibilities and to plan your life together.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-19 13:58:00
Philippines	military spouse..	My husband enrolled me in DEERS on his base. I presume the requirement in the certificate is the same. Remember when you get married the form is typed and signed in quadruplicate (4 forms)? One was sent to NSO, one stayed with the municipality, one was kept by our officiant, and one was given to us. The last one was the form he submitted for DEERS. Hope it helps!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-26 10:45:00
Philippines	My wife took her oath of enlistment today in the military	COngratulations! to you for supporting her dream!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-26 10:47:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	darren, would you please stop blowing hot air. there's nothing hard about setting up bank accounts. it took 15 minutes at the bank for my wife and i to do it. also, gretchen has been there for nine months, so she knows how much things cost. if you have shown her your monthly household budget and she still has the perception that you have lots of money, then there's a problem. then she's telling you she doesn't care. yes, darren... we just got married less than 4 weeks ago and i'm already on my husband's account. need to have access to the account so i can still use it even when he's away. doing this is really easy. i wonder why you're having problems. Don't be projecting your view of the world on places you have never been, or don't know anything about. DaRoq... your statement: "if there are "Many oysters in the world to choose from", why go halfway around the world to pick one when there are many here already? Don't the seasonings and spices work just the same? LOL" is such an oversimplification of how love and marriage works. Shouldn't the answer to your question be your reason to why you chose your spouse? American ketchup = tomato Philippine ketchup = banana I told my then-fiance this and he was like "Banana as ketchup???? STFU" Haha They says God Bless America or The Freedom Country. I was too curious about this. why freedom country? why god bless america? When i came here, there was no freedom coz lots of laws. In the philippines, you can punch someone right away, or grab her hair, or pinch her, slap her face.....thats freedom without being afraid of the law. In america, if your mad to a person, you can't even punch him right away, kick his #### coz of so many laws to be followed. God bless America???? i think its God bless PHILIPPINES right now. There are so many foreigner marrying filipina women coz they want to retire in the Philippines and live like a King and Queen and own a house and lot with 3 story concrete house with 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus driver, and a houshelper which they can't do here in america. I'm proud to be a filipino. Hurray PHILIPPINES!!! In all honesty, Jean... those really aren't the things that should make you proud to be Filipino. With every kind of freedom is a responsibility to use that freedom. The Philippines is not as lawless as what you make it to be.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-19 12:21:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	What I am trying to do is to get people to post about differences in THEIR areas of the Philippines versus THEIR areas here in the USA. This is not meant to stereotype but to enlighten each other to the differences and culture adjustments BOTH asawa and bana have to make for each other regarding the differences. ... I lost a lot of friends in my divorce, then lost more when marrying a Pinay. I could go on about educating my wife's family on how Americans are not rich and more.... but what I am trying to do is bring some light hearted things to mind... things which may be funny, but also make us realize what each other is going through to adjust.... That is really sad. Why did that happen? I'm appalled such discrimination can still exist. Sigh. Do you know how to cook Pinoy food? My fiance, bless his adventures in the kitchen, now knows how to cook adobo-style, lumpia & leche flan (caramel custard). When he visited Manila last April, he was also not squeamish with eating other Pinoy dishes, like sinigang, pinakbet... In fact, he loved them, too. Pinoy food is wholly different from what he's used to... Mexican fare, typical Texan meals... but, he's open to trying out our food. Maybe, instead of insisting on cooking food you love but she doesn't like, try to learn to cook Pinoy dishes. And be open to trying out the different flavors Pinoy food offers. Tell her it can be a compromise. One night's Filipino night, the next is Mexican food night, the next Thai... I eat American food, but I honestly found it difficult to eat the way my fiance ate most of the time. I truly appreciate that he makes a big effort towards cooking Pinoy cuisine with me, too. Makes me love him more and more! Edited by ivyanddan, 16 June 2012 - 08:54 PM.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-16 20:52:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	Not rickets - beriberi. I think what rlogan was trying to say was the tendency of some people blaming the cause of a disease on one aspect of its real cause. Diabetes is affected by a lot of factors and it's not even just all lifestyle-related. Food is only one of the lifestyle-related factors. So, assuming that white rice consumption = diabetes is what rlogan's pet peeve must be about. It really wasn't personally aimed at you. But, I also agree that diabetes is fast becoming the No. 1 cause of mortalities and a leading cause of morbidities here. It used to be just cardiovascular diseases, but I'm seeing more and more diabetics in my clinic now rather than just plain old hypertensive disease.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-15 21:06:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	Weddings here in Manila are such a production. I tried my best to keep things simple. I also don't want butterflies, doves and whatnot flying all around me as I walk down the aisle	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-13 23:42:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	I also told my fiance that in the Philippines, people go on a healthier diet by doing a "No Rice" rule. That made him laugh.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-10 05:45:00
Philippines	med, interview,and CFO experience	Thanks for sharing your experience! Congratulations!!!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-07-21 09:01:00
Philippines	Name in Passport vs. Green Card	Your green card will be issued in the name you put on the forms you submitted, which would be your married name if you completed the forms correctly. For international travel carry a copy of your marriage certificate until you get your passport updated. Thank you! We have filled in the forms with my married name on it. I was afraid they will go with the name on my passport, instead of the forms I have filled in.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2013-01-02 19:22:00
Philippines	Name in Passport vs. Green Card	Hello everyone! Been a while since I've posted here. My question is about my name when I get the green card. Due to our travel plans this year, I do not have enough time to wait around for a renewed passport in my married name. I am not in the Philippines (not in the US either). Our target date for my immigration to the US (hoping everything goes well) is Nov 2013. Will the green card be released in the name on my passport or can I choose to have it in my married name? If latter (name on current passport, maiden name), will that prove to be an issue with paperwork and finding jobs in the US? Thank you in advance	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2013-01-02 01:30:00
Philippines	BISAYA ISPISYAL: Join in!	hello sa tanan! bisaya liwat ako, taga samar, pero waray ak pakakaintindi, balitaw nakakasabot gad pero guti la, mahidlaw na hit ak asawa	mikeuday19	Female	0	2008-10-09 04:47:00
Philippines	Married in Manila, then move to Japan?	thank you everyone! i read somewhere that an airman from germany got sofa dependent status for his wife prior to leaving for germany - http://www.visajourn...ed-us-military/ i wonder if this can be applicable in japan? but i will also ask my fiance/soon-to-be husband to inquire from their military helpline. but if someone can enlighten us where to ask specifically, it will be better. US embassy/consulate? or which office in their department?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-01-16 03:05:00
Philippines	Married in Manila, then move to Japan?	Hello everyone! I'm getting married to my amazing fiance in half a year. He is in the military, based in Japan for 1.5 years. After our wedding here, what will be the best process for me to join him in Japan? Is an approved I-130 petition required for me to get SOFA dependent status in Japan? If not, how is it done? I hope someone can help.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-01-15 12:50:00
Philippines	Fiance's beware	The people who don't fart are dead. But seriously, farting isn't the worst you can expect from a woman. Have you ever seen a woman giving birth? I'm sure it will temporarily make you wish you were blind.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-01-15 12:58:00
Philippines	Does your wife know how to swim?	That sucks that some Filipinos don't know how to swim. They're missing out on a LOT. Been to quite a few islands outside the Philippines and I must tell you I've never enjoyed swimming more than when I was in waters just near the shores of the Philippines	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 12:24:00
Philippines	Military in Manila: How to Get DOD/CAC ID Card?	US Embassy Manila issues ID cards for retired, active members and their dependents. JUSMAG link on USEM The link to scheduling applications does not seem to work. Has anyone on VJ gone through this before? Or knows how to?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-07 12:02:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Ah that explains things bunch. So he will have to do the petition to USCIS after you are married, then once approved you can do the visa... yup that all takes time for sure. Yes, eventually you will need to do CFO... I'm assuming I won't need CFO anymore when I'm not living in Manila. Hmm... we will see. Thanks for the opinions!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-07 12:00:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Yet you are applying for a visa to enter the USA? Wouldn't you need a visa for the country where he is living? Is he military? We will be applying for a CR-1 visa as soon as we're married. I know you know these things take a while and we should do good research... that is why I'm on VJ. And yes, he is in the military. Edited by ivyanddan, 07 June 2012 - 11:32 AM.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-07 11:31:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Yes I see mention of CFO sticker for assuming your foreigner husband's name. I think they are doing a little "assuming" and assumed you got married in another country (just my guess) so that is why they want to see the CFO sticker. Like said just my opinion. Did you get married in the Philippines? Curious what they say regarding that. I am getting married in Manila before this month ends. Yey! Then, will be moving to where he's currently living (non-US country). Already emailed CFO. Hope I get a good reply.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-07 10:55:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Husband. You don't go to CFO for passport renewal or when just visiting other countries. I am confused. Found this on the DFA's website: If you would like to use the surname of your spouse: Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO and Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar if MC secpa is unreadable. Certificate of Attendance from CFO (Commission of Filipino Overseas) if married to a foreigner (color green) There special instances when there is no record of the marriage with NSO but supporting documents are under the married name. Prepare a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from the NSO in SECPA and Affidavit of Explanation. If it was determined by the NSO that you have a marriage record (negative CENOMAR result), you can use the surname of your spouse. Otherwise, (positive CENOMAR result), you can NOT use the surname of your spouse But I'm not migrating to my husband's country yet. This CFO thing is confusing. Will email them now and get back to this thread for their answer.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-07 10:41:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Well you asked if you need an appointment or show up... so I answered Thank you! Are you the Pinoy or are you her husband? Would you/she know if the process is different for just passport renewal purposes?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 20:49:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	I'm not migrating to the US yet. Will only need a new passport before I leave for Japan. But my hubby-to-be is American.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 20:39:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	CFO wants the NSO one. You need an NSO CEMAR/CENOMAR for the embassy, why order an extra copy or make copies. Thanks! Do you have to make an appointment with CFO? Or do I just show up?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 19:50:00
Philippines	Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Manila	Counseling Requirements for Filipino spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals Two (2) valid identification cards with photograph Duly accomplished guidance and counseling form Other documents as may be required by the counselors Birth Certificate NSO Paper (and a copy) Marriage Certificate NSO Paper (and a copy) Pictures together A copy of his Divorce Decree Orig and a copy of passport Can the Marriage Certificate be the one from the local civil registrar instead?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 13:23:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	The Carolina Townhouse had been around for years and years. It was originally a hostel for backpackers traveling in the Philippines. I've known many people who have stayed there over the years. You can find it on tripadvisor BTW. Some people love the place, others hate it. Its had its ups and downs over the years is one thing I'm aware of. I enjoyed times I've spent there and the atmosphere until my last visit. Hopefully Bill and Lorna have corrected the problems now and its once again a nice budget place to stay. Thanks for clarifying that bit. I love traveling but, the backpacking scene is hardly mine. I would rather be comfortable when on vacation. I've been living in the Malate/Ermita area for almost 10 years and never have I seen such a hotel. Though I've never needed to find a room to stay in since I lived here, until... That townhouse place is sounding pretty sketchy. I'm thinking that my fiancee won't be staying there. But, she will be eyes-on-the-ground there and some of the information in this thread is pretty old. She can always check it out for herself in person. One thing that she pointed out when she read this thread a few days ago is that no cooking is allowed in the room, so food expenses could easily offset the lower lodging cost. ... I had to find a room for my fiance last April when we did the documents bit for our marriage license application. I chose to rent a 1 bedroom (fully furnised) in Robinsons Place Residences (condo buildings). There are lots of options there for short-term leasing. Other similar condos are the Adriatico Towers. One of my friends also mentioned to me that her US-based bf stays at Pearl Garden Hotel (Adriatico St corner Malvar) whenever he's in Manila. I think this one is also a place with a functioning kitchen.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-12 10:39:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	In the Philippines? There is no such thing. Thanks for demonstrating the use of an icon. With your "taste" in accommodations, I have no doubt that none of the rooms in Manila you've stayed at were safe. I've never even heard of a Townhouse Hotel until that was posted. And I've lived in Manila for my whole adult life. Newsflash: You have to spend a little more money to get better security & services AND do more research on better options. Try tripadvisor	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-12 10:14:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	I suggest to avoid staying at shady places like that. Although they must be dirt cheap... I'd rather pay for a hotel room which I'm sure I will be safe in.	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-12 07:26:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	Bringing someone with her is not an option. We’re trying to figure out accommodations now. She will probably have to stay anywhere from 3 – 5 weeks, depending on delivery times from SLEC to USEM and for visa delivery. Plus another week or so after that. A month is a long time. You can get good deals on short-term leasing of condo units/apartments. Does she know of anyone who is currently in Manila? I suggest she asks that person to check out units for her in Robinsons Place Residences or other units in the vicinity of Robinsons Place Manila. Why am I suggesting this? It's near or on top of a mall (depends on which building) and the US Embassy is just a 3-4 blocks away. For feedback on hotels, use tripadvisor.com. And for knowing how far places are, I suggest using Google Maps. I live in Manila City, but I've travelled to many countries... on my own. As long as you all do good research, she won't have much to fear about being alone (well, technically, with a kid).	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 13:43:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	Better if you bring her to Manila with someone with her. Preferably one who has been to Manila. What is the plan for her accommodations? Rent a unit near the embassy. There are lots for short-term leasing there. How long will she stay there anyway?	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-06 12:30:00
Philippines	Printing in Manila	Was the 10 pesos quoted for a fully colored page? Usual printing rates in the Ermita & Malate areas are at 2-3 pesos per page. Since she's in the Gil Puyat corner Taft area, she can scout along Taft Ave for printing & photocopying shops. If she doesn't find any, tell her to go to De La Salle University area, along Vito Cruz corner Taft streets. There should be shops there. Good luck!	ivyanddan	Female	Japan	2012-06-14 12:08:00