ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesBest way to send $2000

have your wife/girlfriend open up a savings account from Banco de Oro. They offer BDO Kabayan Savings account, especially for international remittances. I opened mine when i attended the pre departure seminar from CFO. it wont cost her anything to open an account, she just need 2 valid ids and 2 pcs 1x1 picture. My husband and i have been using it and it has worked for us tremendously. Charges are less than when you send it thru western union. she just needs to give u her account number as soon as she has opened her account. best of luck to u :D

That's the thing, she only has 1 ID (her passport.) What forms of ID do they accept and how much of a problem is it to obtain?

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-04 10:51:00
PhilippinesBest way to send $2000
Thanks for all of the responses!!!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-04 08:34:00
PhilippinesBest way to send $2000

I have tried all the services - western union, money gram BUT XOOM is way the best its super easy - I do it online and I dont have to wait in any annoying lines - I have used it many times now and its flawless. Your fiance can pick up the money at major banks like BPI or BDO in phils - i think it only costs 6 bucks to send 2000 USD. Its totally safe on the US side no hassles. I registered with xoom and the money comes right out of my checking. Website is really easy and very clear. Literally it takes me 3 minutes to send wth xoom from online. Check it out for yourself, I just found it last year, its relatively new because they advertise on the phils GMA news website.

and no i dont work for xoom. hehehe.. best of luck!

Yes, I checked out xoom before, but my fiancee only had 1 of the forms of ID required...so I don't think that will work...unless she set up a bank account.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-04 08:02:00
PhilippinesBest way to send $2000

That really depends on how badly you would flip out if the money was lost. If you can afford to take the risk that $2000 in cash might disappear, then sure, Fed Ex it, DHL is great for international as well.

I'd personally feel much better about using Western Union or Money Gram than I would about sending cash overseas. Remember that it has to go through customs when it gets there, and you'd be at the mercy of whatever Filipino customs agent got your package. Think hard about it.

Exactly, I am weary of fedex too!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-04 07:53:00
PhilippinesBest way to send $2000
Hello All,

About half of my fiancee's parent's house burned down and I want to send some money to help them. They don't have a bank account and I don't think they have proper IDs to open one. It's going to cost around $2000 to repair the house and replace what they lost.

What would be the best way to send the money? I don't really want to use Western Union. Would FedEx be safe enough? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Brian
??MalePhilippines2011-07-04 07:36:00
PhilippinesLiquor from the Philippines

i am confused.. why need to pay check bags..? what i know i can bring 2 suit cases for free.. with 23kls. each, airline is delta... :blink: :blush: :unsure:

i dont know about shipping liquor but i will just put my lambanog to my check in bags... :huh: :star: :blush:

Tina,

I know here in the US checked luggage is charged by weight and number of bags you have. Check this link:

Checked Baggage Fees

Is it different if you're flying from the Philippines to the US?

The last time I was there, for some reason on my return trip home, they wouldn't let me take my carry-on bag with me, they checked it in...but they didn't charge me. I had it with me on the flight there which was strange...same size planes on both trips.

Do you have a link that has info on checked luggage for your flight out of the Philippines?

Regards,

Brian
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 17:38:00
PhilippinesLiquor from the Philippines

i will be bringing 3 bottles too.. present to my babe and dad in law... :star:

Do you know how much a checked bag will cost for your flight?

I am debating having Chay box up her stuff and ship it UPS...she's kind of small and I know she will be having a hard enough time with her carry-on bags.

Is shipping the liquor an option? Is that permissible?

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 17:06:00
PhilippinesLiquor from the Philippines

No problems with it in the checked baggage, make sure it is well padded, you need to declare the total amount of liters you are bringing in and the cost.

I should add that it should be in a sealed commercial bottle and not some bootleg lambanag packed in a used Alfonso bottle. I asked for some lambanog to bring back and that was what my brother in law produced.

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 12:47:00
PhilippinesLiquor from the Philippines
My fiancee wants to bring my father some liquor from her home.

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but can she bring that on the plane? I know she probably can't in a carry-on bag, but what about in checked luggage?

She may ship some of her things here, could she send it in that?

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 11:04:00
PhilippinesChecked Baggage Fees

That's what I do on Domestic flights also, I think the thought of charging you money to check a bag is a rip off

Yeah, it's a complete ripoff...anything to get another nickel and dime out of your pocket.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-07 08:33:00
PhilippinesChecked Baggage Fees

Incorrect

I have flew numerous time to Philipines from USA, Up to 2 bags are free on International FLight from USA

Same thing flying from PI to USA, Most carriers give you 2 bags free. Of course there is weight limit.

Check your particular Airline she is flying and have them send the bags to her final destination, not her port of entry.....

Thanks for the info...I checked the baggage fees and thought that applied to the flights overseas, so i jammed all of my clothes in a carry-on...oh well, live and learn. :lol:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-07 05:37:00
PhilippinesChecked Baggage Fees

What site were you looking? I found in on their Website... their baggage allowance info... :P

Doh! :lol:

I hovered over the products & services menu and looked right past it. Thanks for pointing it out! :thumbs:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 19:10:00
PhilippinesChecked Baggage Fees
I forgot to mention, I checked Philippine Airline's site and I couldn't find any info regarding fees for checked bags...all they had was info about carry-on bags.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 18:16:00
PhilippinesChecked Baggage Fees
To all those who have traveled from the Philippines to the US...

Did you have to pay for checked luggage that you brought with you? Did anyone not have to pay?

I know here in the US you have to pay for checked bags for domestic and international...and it can get quite expensive. Have a look:

Airline Baggage Fees

Trying to figure out if it would be cheaper for my fiancee to ship most of her belongings UPS (or some other carrier) or take them with her on the flight.

She will be flying Philippine Airlines to Tokyo and then Continental to the US.

Anyone have any experience with Continental?

Thanks!

Brian
??MalePhilippines2011-07-06 18:00:00
PhilippinesPlanning for ticket to USA (from Cebu?)
I did a lot of searching for flights from Cebu to the US and I'm booking with cheapOair. I asked them if she would need copies of my credit card and ID to be able to board, they said that through them she wouldn't need it and it was okay for me to book the flight for her. Just make sure she gets the itinerary. I'm going to give her copies of the card and ID just in case...you never can tell.

The ticket I am getting her will be from Cebu to Tokyo, then Tokyo to Washington D.C. There is about 2-3 hour layovers at each airport...there were others with a lot longer. I'm not sure what side of the US you're on, but they also had Tokyo to Chicago, New York, New Jersey.

The ticket is for a few months out, so it was only around $1000.

Get on cheapOair and do some searching, I'm sure you'll find a flight that will be acceptable.

If you want to talk to them...hit the Contact link and click the "Live Support Online" graphic.

Hope that helps.

Regards
??MalePhilippines2011-07-08 17:46:00
PhilippinesHow soon after Case is closed will you recivie appt. for interview.

K-1 visa and CR-1 visa go different routes. We have to wait for NVC to schedule our interviews since K-1 pay their visa their.

I didn't see any mention of CR-1 here...was thinking this was a K1 issue...I just saw it under your username...my bad. :blush:

Good Luck with the interview! :thumbs:

Edited by Chay & Brian, 11 July 2011 - 12:09 PM.

??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 12:08:00
PhilippinesHow soon after Case is closed will you recivie appt. for interview.

I know that I won't get a July date. I do want an August date soon as possible.

I scheduled my fiance's interview May 24th and they only had one slot available - June 28th. So it's probably based on what is available...I've also read about the 2nd week etc.

My advice would be to just keep calling...maybe someone will cancel their appointment and open up a slot for you.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 11:59:00
PhilippinesA Miracle!
Congrats on the big A!!! :thumbs: I'm sure you're glad the stress of that is over! :dance: :)
??MalePhilippines2011-07-07 06:24:00
PhilippinesNegros 6.2 Earthquake

Yes, We are okay here :) I think some parts of Negros Island seems to be in danger like near the sea. That's why they need to evacuate and go to high level parts of there city.

Good to hear!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-12 07:01:00
PhilippinesNegros 6.2 Earthquake

Yes I felt that around 4:30am and I'm from Bacolod City.

Was there any major damage that you have heard about?

Hope everyone's loved ones there are okay.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-12 06:13:00
PhilippinesNegros 6.2 Earthquake
Hope everyone is well in Negros...

http://www.channelne...1140338/1/.html

An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck the Philippines on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, although there was no immediate tsunami warning.

The USGS said the quake occurred at 4:47 am (2047 GMT), 125 kilometres (78 miles) west of Negros, at a depth of 19 kilometres, having initially measured the quake at a magnitude of 6.6.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire - a belt around the Pacific Ocean dotted by active volcanoes and tectonic trenches, where frequent eruptions and earthquakes take place.

Citizens have been nervous about a potential killer quake following the devastating tremors that have hit Japan and New Zealand this year.

One fault line runs directly under Manila, and government seismologists have warned that the city is unprepared for a major quake.

- AFP/fa
??MalePhilippines2011-07-12 05:39:00
PhilippinesSigning the DS-156

Hi,

As we prepare for my fiancées interview a question came up. When does she sign the DS-156 form and what date goes on the form? Is it signed at the interview and should have the interview date, or is it signed and dates before the interview.

For the K2's each girl has a dk-156 form. Who signs that? The girls 4 and 6 years old. Do they sign a form? Does their mom have to fill up the part about who completed the form for them?

You can sign the DS-156 before the interview. If the interview is within a month, I would think it would be okay to sign it now...you can always date it the week before.

Not sure about the forms for the children.

Good Luck on the interview! :thumbs:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-12 13:04:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast
Thanks for the info brijo! :thumbs: I was wondering how long it would take to adapt to the time change...I thought it might take longer. Chay will have plenty to do to keep her mind busy...so I'm hoping that will help reduce her stress/homesickness.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-15 05:10:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast

what is Globe One?

MBH said her mom used it, so I'm guessing that a telecommunications company in the Philippines.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-14 09:12:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast

Calling cards can be expensive I'm thinking.

Unfortunately, this will be the only way she will be able to communicate with her parents. I'm sure it will be expensive, but I'll do anything to keep my future wife connected to her family that I know she will miss immensely.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-14 09:02:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast

That's great! The volunteer work is a great idea.. It will keep her busy and allow her to make friends and build her own life.. Something which I wasn't able to do since it was hard for us..the first three months we lived with my in-laws and we had only one car and my hubby used it all the time.. I was stuck, and not happy. I was so bored!! It's much better now that we have our own place, its tiny but its ours and its home. :) I have been doing nothing since Feb but finally I get to go to school in a month! The fact that you are taking off work and she has something to do makes a huge difference.. I think she will be just fine :)

The being bored and alone at home part is what I don't want for her...she will also have my family to take her places and interact with when I have to go back to work. We are hoping that from her volunteer work, she will be able to get hired full time after she gets her work permit.

Congrats and Good luck with the classes! :thumbs:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-14 07:29:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast

The time wont be hard to adjust to, that's gonna be easy :) its the new routine and lifestyle that's hard, and missing family back home. Just make sure she has a Filipino channel, take her to the Filipino store for food and let her have a way to contact home. Other than that make sure you both explore her new town together so that she will comfortable in her new surroundings. :)

Thanks for the input!

I will be taking time off when she gets here so I can show her around the area. She wants to do some volunteer teaching when she gets here, so her days should be fairly busy. I'm hoping that will help eliminate some of her homesickness. I can imagine that sitting around an empty house all day would be hard on the mind. I've got the phone cards ready for her so she will be able to contact home.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-14 06:33:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast

What area in the east coast will you live. This is Randy on Jenny's Account to get her a post in. But I am curious to know. I'm in the same both. But, I'm sure they will both be fine. I met a few on vj that are here already and doing just fine. No matter where in usa, there will be an adjustment and homesickness at some point I think.

I'm in NC. What I am wanting to know is how long it takes for the body to get used to the new location...since they will be 11 hours behind their current tz and north of their current environment.

I'm sure it will take some getting used to...and I'm sure the homesickness will probably last a while too. I can't imagine.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-14 05:53:00
PhilippinesQuestion for Filipinas living on the East Coast
How long did it take for you to adjust to the new time schedule and settle in to your new home?

Any hints/tips to facilitate my future Filipina wife's transition would be greatly appreciated!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-13 18:02:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

and i dont have my visa yet.. :(

Have you tried tracking it again? It should be in the system by now. Depending on where you live, it may take longer for it to reach you...it took about 10 days to get to Cebu.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-15 07:24:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

hi there.. did you already have your visa.,? i got a letter from the embassy stating they already issued the visa on july 11... im still wondering what address.. :( they just said designated address..

When you made your interview appointment you had to give your address. If they didn't have you fill out the 2go info at the interview, they will probably use the address you gave when the interview was scheduled.

Regards
??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 20:29:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

i did email them today.. i hope, i will receive it soon.... everything went fine until this visa waiting thingy... its giving me headache.. lol..

Don't stress on this...the hard part's over! :thumbs:

You will get it soon... :yes:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 12:01:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

How is delivery works? The person must be present when receiving a package? If the person is not present a father or mother would suffice(with Identification)? Also, is there an option to just pick-up instead of delivery? Thanks!

My fiance's father signed for hers.

I would guess if the package couldn't be delivered they would hold it for you to pick up at the local depot...but that's just a guess.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 11:53:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

hi guys., thank you for the replies... do i need to put all the 10 digit mnl numbers.,? i tried to enter mine.. it said invalid... lol

Yes, put the entire MNL case number including the MNL.

It will say invalid until it's picked up. Just keep trying. :)

Edited by Chay & Brian, 11 July 2011 - 09:31 AM.

??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 09:27:00
Philippinestracking 2go visa delivery

guys, need help please... i passed the interview last july 7.. my problem here is... they didn't give me 2go form... are they going to send it to my address stated..? or are they going to send that to a different address that i wrote in my appointment schedule.,? thank you..

Did you not fill out the form at the interview to have your visa delivered?

You can track the visa by going to:

2GO visa tracking

Enter your MNL case number and click "Track Now!"

It may not show up, but keep trying every day.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-11 07:00:00
PhilippinesRed Flag to CBP at POE?
Thanks all for the replies! :thumbs:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-20 09:22:00
PhilippinesRed Flag to CBP at POE?
My fiancee is wanting to travel to Hong Kong to visit relatives before coming to the states.

In the eyes of the CBP at her POE, would this look odd to them? Having traveled to another country before entering the US on a K1?

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-20 07:57:00
PhilippinesCFO Letter of Advice

Good thing I found out about this! Thank you!

What if my fiance's mom and dad and my parents are all in one photograph? Wouldn't it come off obvious that we have all their consents?

You need a notarized letter from your parents (only if you are between those ages.) It's possible they may not ask for it, but better to be safe and have it than to have to go get it and go back to the CFO.
??MalePhilippines2011-07-29 11:06:00
PhilippinesCFO Letter of Advice

It must be in English.

Thanks! :thumbs:
??MalePhilippines2011-07-29 11:01:00
PhilippinesCFO Letter of Advice
Should the CFO letter of advice be written in English or a particular dialect?

Thanks!
??MalePhilippines2011-07-29 08:51:00