ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesVisa delievery Hold up ?
My fiancee is still waiting for her visa as well. Her interview was on the 15th. I'm hoping to buy tickets for May 1st, but will wait for the visa in her hand first. I figure since Friday was a holiday, and I think Thursday was too, things might take longer.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-24 02:34:00
PhilippinesShe will be here in 1 day.
After meeting my fiancee more than 2.5 years ago while working in PI, she will finally be here tomorrow morning. Wow. I can't explain how I feel. It still seems like a dream. I am so very excited, and so is all of my family. I have two weeks off from work, so this will be my best vacation ever.

We have decided to stay home for a couple days so that she and her daughter can settle in, then we are going on vacation. I will take her to Mt. Hood to go inner-tubing on the snow. I will take her daughter to the enchanted forest, something my kids always loved at that age. We will then go to southern oregon to visit my father for a couple days, and then drive back north along the coast line.

Thank you VJ friends for making this possible. We could not have done this so smoothly without your help.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-30 11:14:00
PhilippinesWhat will i do next?

Hi everyone! My Fiance in the US already received the NOA2 last Feb 16, 2011 and received an letter from the NVC telling me that I would be receiving my Appointment letter from US Embassy in Manila after 2 weeks. Until now I still haven't received the letter and it is over 3 weeks already. What would be the best thing i should do? Would i pay my visa fee in advance and proceed with my medical exam since I have a copy of the aprroved letter from the NVC with the case number or should I wait for my letter from Manila US Embassy before paying for the visa application fee?

Do i need to pay first before i can get an appointment? And lastly, can i proceed with my medical exam first before paying for my visa fee?

Thank you and God bless!

My fiancee has still not received her appointment letter. She has completed her medical exam and has paid for her visa fees. We are now just waiting for our case to be put in the computer so that we can schedule her interview. I think the changing of buildings has slowed everything down. Just our luck. First the USCIS slows way down after sending in my petition, then the NVC assigns our case to the wrong embassy, and now the USEM in Manila is slowing things down too. Good thing we have patience, but it's beginning to run out. Good luck.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-03-14 23:47:00
PhilippinesFilipina wife issues....advice please...

Divorce

Then get back to PI

Follow my Guidelines for meeting woman in Philippines:

Don't marry a girl from a dirt poor family

Don't marry and uneducated girl, find one with a degree so she can help make you lots of money in the USA

Don't marry a girl with a child

I would keep age range btw 18 and 26, that way she doesn't have any bad habits you need to break

Don't meet someone via the internet, meet them face to face in their Philippines.

Wow. Based on your theory, I'm in real trouble. My fiancee has a dirt poor family, she is uneducated, and has a child. However, she is the right age according to you, and I did meet her in person.

Tell you the truth, I didn't find her by looking. I just got lucky when our paths crossed. I'm not going to marry her, or not marry her, for any of the reasons you mentioned. I'm going to marry her because we love each other and things are great between us. That's all that matters in my book. I'm educated and make a whole lot of money. However, being recently divorced, things will be pretty tight for several years. Her family being poor is nothing more than a bump in the road sometimes, just like the many other bumps we'll hit. They ask for money sometimes and she either tells them no without me, or her and I talk about it and say no together, or we mutually agree to help. My money is now hers. I respect her desire to help them, but only as needed and when they aren't using us.

OP. Great job at being firm. Thanks for posting your story and the follow up. Your story and the responses received really helped us, and hopefully others too, keep the money issue as a bump in the road and nothing more. Wow. A new motorcycle with payments? What nerve. Good luck to them paying for it now. I'm glad you and your wife are doing good now.

I love my poor uneducated filipina, and her daughter.

-James

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-01-22 19:05:00
PhilippinesFilipina wife issues....advice please...
As everyone else has said, stick to your grounds on this one. If she really loves you, then things will work out without sending money.

I send money to my fiancee too, but only what I can afford. But that's mainly because she has a daughter and she had to give up her job in Taiwan so that we could complete her visa process. If it wasn't for the CSC taking so long, she would have been fine without my help. She rarely asks for money, usually waiting for me to offer instead. She's always telling her family no when they ask her to ask me for money. One time I was asked to help her family with a medical bill for her grandma, but I really couldn't afford it then and had to say no. She completely understood and everything went on with our relationship as normal. She was actually very shy for asking me and felt bad, thinking I would be mad or something. No way could I be mad at her. I knew it was only her family pressuring her, and that they would make due without my help. I am so happy that she didn't give me the same pressure back. I really love her for that.

I'm sorry your wife is giving you the guilt treatment. I think sending $750 a month is way too much, especially on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this has led to an unrealistic expectation on their part. I certainly hope you can get your wife to understand and you can overcome this issue.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-01-18 02:45:00
PhilippinesShe's been here for 1.5 months now.

Don't forget the witnesses, and be sure to buy them lunch. We know one couple who picked up a couple homeless on the way to the county clerk's office. :lol:

My brother and his wife will be our witnesses. No need for homeless people. We'll be sure to feed them well.
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-06-24 20:49:00
PhilippinesShe's been here for 1.5 months now.
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James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-06-24 20:33:00
PhilippinesShe's been here for 1.5 months now.
We're getting married tomorrow!!! It will be short and fast, but it's the moment we've all been waiting for. Everyone is so excited. Things could not be better.

After that, I guess it's time for AOS, more paperwork and money. How fun.

-James

Try to squeeze a little time in there for nooky.

Just a suggestion, in case the idea did not occur to you. :)

Like I said, things are great. Thanks.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-06-24 20:15:00
PhilippinesShe's been here for 1.5 months now.
Well, it's been 1.5 months since I've posted here and since my fiancee and her daughter arrived in the US. Yes. She lied to me. She said she was not a good cook, but that completely untrue. I love her cooking.

I have to say, things could not be better. Way better than I ever imagined. Her and her daughter are great. We are more in love now than ever before. Everyone has adjusted so well.

We have done so many fun things like fishing, camping, hiking, crabbing, 4 wheeling, gardening, traveling, and shopping. Life is great.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-06-18 12:16:00
PhilippinesFiling K1 Shortly After a Divorce

I was in a similar situation as you. I started dating my current wife while waiting on my divorce to be final. I filed for the K1 within a few weeks of my divorce being final. We did not experience any problems or RFEs. The ex wife was never contacted. I was never worried about the K1 filing being so close to the divorce since immigration only cares that you are free to marry. Of course, you have to have proof of an actual relationship with your current fiance. Good luck in your journey!

This is very good to know. Thanks. Can you tell me if you sent a certified copy of the divorce decree with your I-129F, or was it a copy of a certified copy, or just a plain uncertified copy? I'm also concerned about an RFE since I did not pay extra for a certified copy I to send. I'm hoping they can wait for the interview for a certified copy.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 19:18:00
PhilippinesFiling K1 Shortly After a Divorce

I obtained my legal capacity to Marry 3 days after my divorce. Got Married within 1 month. filed for K3 within 3 days of being Married. So I went from being divorced to filing for a K3 in less than 6 weeks. I also had lots of documention to show that we had a valid relationship which was helped by me being in Phil every other month until Trisha arrived in the US. The only time either of us caused any concerns was when I got the legal capacity to marry. The person signing the forms that day at the USEM said that was quick and my response was it was a long time coming for the divorce.

best of luck


I'm glad to hear your case went well. I think yours is slightly different since you got married and filed K3, but maybe not. I would have filed 3 days after the divorce too, or sooner, except I had to wait more than a month for the papers to be filed by the courts before I could get a copy from them. I guess since you got remarried, you didn't need to wait for the divorce decree to be filed.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 19:14:00
PhilippinesFiling K1 Shortly After a Divorce

Did you detail in your 'relationship timeline' that you met your fiancee on that first business trip, while you were still married? There should be no impediment to approving the petition as you did what was required....you were legally divorced and free to re-marry at the time you filed your petition. The 'red flag' could present itself in the form of further questioning about your timeline as it pertains to the the onset of your romantic relationship and how that applies to your reasons for divorcing your wife. Not knowing the details of your particular case, but just reading the timeline it 'looks' like having met your fiancee on that business trip precipitated your divorce. This could be something that they (most likely the CO at the interview) may question further. I don't know of any similar situation where the ex-wife was called and questioned, so I don't think you need to worry about that, though. Good luck.

I did detail about when I met my fiancee in our relationship timeline. I did not mention the ex or divorce. I only answered the quesitons about my divorce on the I-129F and attached a copy of the divorce decree. The decree clearly states when we seperated.

Yes, the divorce was precipitated by my business trip and meeting my fiancee. It wasn't the reasons for the divorce, but was the catalyst helping me decide I needed to finally follow through. There were many other reasons for the divorce.

Hopefully you are correct, and they simply ask my fiancee questions. That would be fine. I really don't want things to be delayed or to hear about them calling my ex. Calling her will only cause problems.

Thanks,
James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 19:10:00
PhilippinesFiling K1 Shortly After a Divorce

Is your ex-wife Filipino?

No. My ex is American with an Italian temper.
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 19:01:00
PhilippinesFiling K1 Shortly After a Divorce
I recently read another post about this topic for China. After making a comment on the post, it was suggested that I post my questions here since my fiancee is from the Philippines.

I'm wondering if filing for a K1 petition shortly after divorce papers were filed will be a red flag for our case. I'm hoping since I seperated from my ex wife more than 1 1/2 years before filing the K1 petition, there will not be any problems.

Here's my timeline:
Aug 2008 - I met my fiancee while on a two week trip to the Philippines for work.
Feb 2009 - I seperated from my wife in the US and moved to a different address.
Apr 2009 - I filed for divorce.
Mar 2010 - I went to the Philippines for 2 wks again for work and proposed to my fiancee.
Jul 2010 - Divorce papers were signed.
Aug 2010 - Divorce papers filed through courts.
Sep 2010 - I filed K1 petition for my fiancee.
Nov 2010 - I went to the Philippines for 1 1/2 wks for vacation to visit my fiancee.

When I filed the K1 petition, I send a copy of my signed and filed divorce papers. It was not a certified copy, but was a copy supplied by the records department. I will supply a certified copy for my fiancee when she goes to her interview.

Will there be red flags? What can I do to help things go smoothly?

Will they want to call my ex wife? It was a bitter divorce and things didn't go well for me finacially. She is still very bitter and seriously hates me, and of course, she's not to pleased about my fiancee either. I don't know what she'll say if they call her. She's convinced that I searched for an asian wife during the divorce and believes my fiancee only wants to come to the US. She's telling people her family is selling her for a better life and that I'm only looking for a wife to kiss my feet and more. She couldn't be more wrong about everything. But I'm very afraid of how her comments might affect our case.

Any suggestions?

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 04:29:00
PhilippinesTracking Visa at 2GO in Order to Pick Up
My fiancee wants to see if her visa has showed up at the local 2GO branch so that she can pick it up. They told her she needs a tracking number. How does she get that? Is her case number the tracking number, or does she need to get the tracking number from the embassy?

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-20 09:43:00
PhilippinesIs there something wrong with how Filipinos use the word "Until"?

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?


Funny. My wife says the exact same thing. I have always noticed it and have tried to explain why americans would not say it like that. Now I have given up. I like the way she talks.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-11-06 23:22:00
PhilippinesFriends reactions

People can be so petty. When they see you beaming with happiness they try to tear you down with malicious comments like "mail order bride". They'll also call your wife a prostitute and claim nobody would marry you, so you had to settle for an inferior race of people. These will be the guys looking at pictures of your wife and fantasizing about her, and the wives of said men who know that is what their husband is doing.

Some people don't have the courage and sense to look past the bar on their own street for a life mate. But living well is the best revenge. If they make comments like this, know that they are burning up inside with jealousy and envy. So just smile away.

I couldn't agree more, as always with your posts. I can almost bet, many of the couples with wives that make comments about us to their husbands, only peak their husband's interests in knowing more because they wish they were so lucky. They are both jealous. I'll just keep smiling.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-11-22 23:53:00
PhilippinesFriends reactions
Before my fiance arrived, my family and friends were supportive, although many of them thought I was crazy. However, after meeting her and after our marriage, not one person has objected in any way. Well, except for my ex-wife. Everyone but her loves my new wife. My kids adore her.

I still get the occational question when meeting new people: How old is she? They usually find a way to work it into the conversation politely, but I know what they are getting at. I think next time someone asks that, I'm going to reply "Oh don't worry, she's over 18." [she is actually 25 but looks 16, I'm 37]

Actually, to be honest, I'm quite surprised at how supportive everyone has been. I can handle the occational looks from strangers and especially from friends of the ex. But other than that, no one has ever said anything negative directly to us. Things could not be better.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-11-22 23:45:00
PhilippinesJust Married
Congrats. Great to see things are going well for you. Don't worry. We've been busy too, not posting much. I think that's a good sign that you are now enjoying a full life.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-11-22 22:45:00
PhilippinesWants to give up and Return to Philippines?
I think that instead of finding someone else to send her home, you man up and buy the ticket yourself. It's the least you can do if she is not happy and wants to go home. Sometimes things just don't work out. It's your responsibility to make things right for her if she's not happy.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-11-22 23:01:00
PhilippinesSilly question

I don't use VJ much unless I have a question about immigration. I don't use it for my social life like the majority of you guys do. There is one question I like to ask. It is kind of silly, funny, and cute at the same time. It depends how you guys interpret things. Here it goes:

I joke with barbie (my wife) about it all the time. She came from Phil in the summer. Like some of you, she doesn't have many filipino friends. Now here is the funny thing. We have been in few events where the majority of the people are from the Philippines. In Three occasions, some filipinas approach barbie, smile at her, and the FIRST FIRST FIRST thing they ask my wife is either her cellphone number or FB account.

Those ladies act same way as when guys are picking up chicks (Excuse my language). I think it is funny cute. Then they become friends, in fb, text mate, and go to the malls ... and so on(all are married).

My wife never approaches any filipinas because she thinks the majority of filipinas here are kind of arrogant. But any one who smiles at her she returns the same friendly smile. (I like that about her)

I am happy for her she already found few friends. Now she looks very happy and feel energized again.

I like to hear if some of the ladies here are experiencing the same.

My wife gets a phone number about 75% of the time when she meets another filipina. I think it's great she can meet friends that she feels a connection with and can chat in tagalog to. So far all of her friends have been great and I'm thankful for their friendliness towards my wife. It's because of them that my wife has done so well at adjusting to life here.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-12-20 23:52:00
PhilippinesProblems calling the Philippines?
I have also been noticing a lot more frequent problems since the earthquake. Many times since then, the ring tone is different and I show up as a different number on her caller id. Many times when I call, nothing happens, or I get weird tones. Today I even got a weird message in some language I could not understand. That's the first time for that.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-03-27 01:16:00
PhilippinesHow much do you send to your wife's family monthly ?
We send about $300 a month, plus a few extras. I make good money and my wife works. We have debt, but we're making it and the future looks bright for us. We're happy to give. I consider it the charity I've never given out. I'd much rather give it to family than people I don't know. I knew that it would be this way when I proposed to my wife and I never planned on changing the way she is or the way her family unit works. I'm happy my wife doesn't have to work so hard to do it on her own anymore.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-04-19 21:13:00
Philippinesk1 denied

I notice this statement haunts me: phone bills, itinerary, letters, emails,chat logs and pictures. She kept on asking me, "Anything else you can show me to prove your ongoing relationship?".

This part makes me think there was something missing too. What I haven't read about in the other comments on this post are questions about the engagement. Did you show evidence of an egagement? Wedding ring pictures and receipts? Engagement date in your time line? Planned wedding date? These are all things we included in our K-1 petition. Did she ask you questions about the engagement? Did you by any chance call your fiancee a boyfriend?

How long was his visit in the Philippines? One visit shouldn't normally be a problem unless it was very short and there was other standard evidence missing or small red flags. Did you have pictures with him and your family?

I'm sorry to hear your story and hope you don't let this stop you. I also hope the information you give others on this post may help them avoid similar issues in the future.

Good luck.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-04-11 22:14:00
PhilippinesDoes your wife know how to swim?
Neither my wife or our daughter knew how to swim when they came here in May last year. They've lived in Batangas by the ocean their entire lives. Since then, well, my wife still makes me laugh when she swims, but she's trying. She won't be jumping off the high rocks any time soon. Her daughter is doing much better after taking swimming lessons a few months ago. I think we're ready for summer so I can get them both in the rivers.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-04-05 22:16:00
PhilippinesAirline question
There have been many posts on this topic. If all you do is give her a copy of your credit card and your id with a letter, it may not be enough. It works for som, but some people have still been denied. However, you can easily do what we did and what others have done and posted about. After you purchase your ticket online, simply go to the airport near you before she travels. You can show them your ID and have them validate it and put a note in the computer. This is all they need. I still gave my fiance a copy of my credit card with my id and letter, but she did not need it. They did however check the computer to make sure my credit card had been validated by them.

-James

Oh. I almost forgot. My fiance traveled Delta too. I believe they have something on their website about validating credit cards. When I asked at the ticket counter in Portland, they knew exactly what I was talking about and promised me my validation was in the computer and there would be no problems. Everything went smoothly. Good luck.

Edited by James and Cynthia, 17 May 2012 - 10:35 PM.

James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-05-17 22:32:00
PhilippinesFinally coming to the USA

Well VJer's!

After 2 years, you long waited journey to bring my fiance here has come to into full focus! :) This will be my fiance's first time travel out of Manila in her life. She is excited but alittle nervous going through the process of packing, checking in, going through security point and finally passing through the port of entry into USA. I am send this post out to any individual that happens to be leaving from Manila on July 4th to USA. I booked her flight out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Delta DL630 which departs at 6:30A AM. If I am looking for any person that might be travelling that day so she can have a friendly person or couple to talk to along the way to the USA.

Thanks,

Michael

Congrats. I remember the feeling you are going through. I am excited for you.

If you paid for the plane ticket with a credit card, don't forget to have it validated at your local airport before her flight!!!

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-06-22 12:28:00
PhilippinesPhilippines VISA and Flight
Wouldn't 21 days be the same as 21 nights? I'm sure they count the days as calendar days. Think of it this way, if you are allowed to stay for one day, then you would stay the night and leave the next day. Two days would be two nights, and 21 days would be 21 nights.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-09-13 22:19:00
PhilippinesEnglish Subtitles Needed for Filippino Soaps

try on youtube you'll find lots of Pinoy soaps with english subtitles

Ya right. I'm not the one that watches them. She does on the TV in the living room while we are cooking, eating, and visiting. It's pretty amazing how I can tell exactly what is happening without knowing a word they are saying. If there were subtitles, I would be forced into learning tagalog.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-08-27 21:20:00
PhilippinesEnglish Subtitles Needed for Filippino Soaps
If only they had english subtitles for my wife's soaps, I would learn tagalog in no time.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-08-27 20:55:00
PhilippinesNo Father Listed on Birth Certificate (Philippine)

My Fiancee is wondering what types of question they will ask about her daughter that does not have a father listed on the birth certificate.

She is scared that they will deny her because she did not declare a father for her.

If there is any females from the Philippines that have gone through the interview with an undeclared child could you please shed some light.

Thank you.

No issue at all. We had no problems during the K1/K2 process, or during AOS. After getting the green card, during the adoption, the process was very easy too. It was helpful that our daughter's father knew about her, but still chose to not be a part of her life. This made the adoption cut and dry. Easier than it would have been if he knew nothing about her.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-11-26 23:04:00
PhilippinesVisiting the Philippines after K-1 Marriage
Hi Everyone,

Next year my wife and I are going to visit the Phiippines for two weeks in June 2013. We were married in June 2010 after she and her daughter received K-1 and K-2 visas. My wife has a 2-year green card that expires in Dec 2013, and a Philippines passport that expires in Oct 2013. Does she need to renew her passport before we can leave in June? I've heard that the passport needs to be valid for 6 months, but I thought that was only for coming to the US on a K-1. Does the same rule apply when returning to the Philippines for a 2-week visit?

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-02 15:30:00
PhilippinesFather would not give up K2




I don't understand why people think this is even remotely reasonable. The father probably sees his daughter at least once or twice a week now if not more based on how the OP said the parents share responsibility raising the girl. In what universe would any father that loves his daughter give her up to be raised so far from home that she would lose nearly all cultural identity and attachment to her birthright (even being raised in a large Fil-Am community is still nothing like being raised in her own culture). The idea that someone would be 'better off' being raised in the US compared to the Philippines is incredibly racist (or ethnist, however the PC police word it these days). People have a right to be raised by the parents that are responsible for bringing them into this world. Thankfully the Philippine courts agree and are a bit more sane concerning family law than the US courts.


Being illegitimate and recognized has legal meaning in the Philippines for a reason. The child will bear the father's name, inherit, and have nearly all the advantages of a legitimate child. Unlike in the US a father can force his name on the birth certificate by using a public document or private written instrument acknowledging the child as his own. Also let's be clear about how the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) impacts RA 9255 regarding the surname of the child. While RA 9255 states the child 'may' use the father's surname, the IRR regarding RA 9255 uses 'shall' which in effect makes it non-optional. This may be done without the consent of the mother or the child (unless the child is 18 years or older). It should also be noted that the child cannot be adopted and have her name changed without the consent of BOTH parents, legitimate or not.If the mother can prove that she exerted earnest and diligent efforts to locate the whereabouts of the biological father but without success, then the written consent is not necessary. No matter what though it is likely that this girl will forever bear the name of her father given the father's position in her life.

The father in this case clearly wants to be a part of his daughter's life and any man or woman that would attempt to sever that relationship is a monster and/or full of spite. The mother needs to decide what is more important to her, the daughter or her kano fiance. The OP has to decide if the suffering of his fiance's family back home would be worth the cost of interfering with the father's parental rights (because I can almost guarantee that the girl's father will not make life easy on the woman's family that remains in the Philippines).


In Silva v. Court of Appeals the original court order stood and the father was to be granted visitation every Saturday and Sunday. You can likely expect nearly the same result in this case. The exact same argument was made in that case i.e. being raised by a foreigner would be better financially and they also tacked on the charge that the father was a womanizer and a drunkard. The court basically said that neither of those charges were strong enough to sever the bond between child and parent regardless of custody or legitimacy.

I agree. If the father is spending time with and helping raise the child, and the father is not causing harm to the child, shame on someone for trying to take that away. Living in america is not so much better that it warrants dividing a father from his child. I hope the laws and courts in the Philippines will continue to stand up for father's rights and others will look at this from the eyes of the father.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-06 21:44:00
PhilippinesSecond Wedding for Her Family
Thanks everyone. It's nice to know we don't have to worry about any legal stuff in order to renew our vows. We won't be doing the catholic wedding either. From the sounds of it, it's too complicated. We're renewing our vows for her family, not for the church. We'll also make sure we know all the requirements from whoever does the ceremony. Thanks for the advice.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-15 11:21:00
PhilippinesSecond Wedding for Her Family

You can't get legally married again so you basically just have to plan the party/ceremony. As it won't be legal (you're already legally married) there shouldn't be any paperwork needed, except whatever her church may require.

That's great news. Thanks.
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-13 21:38:00
PhilippinesSecond Wedding for Her Family
It's now been about 1 1/2 years since my K1 fiance and I got married. Next year in June, we are going back to the Philippines to marry again. This will be our big wedding, for her and her family, since the one we had here in the US was very simple using a judge.

My question is: What do we need to do to have a second wedding? Is it the same as a normal wedding with a waiting period and all that? Can we have it done with only a 14 day trip? We would like to leave the US on June 15th, and have the wedding on June 25th (our anniversary date). What can we do from here in the US to prepare with the paper work? Anything? Her family will also help us prepare whatever is needed.

Thanks,
James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-13 21:08:00
PhilippinesValidating Credit Card for Plane Tickets

From Delta's site: http://www.delta.com...tions/index.jsp

Credit/Debit Card Presentation
To safeguard against credit/debit card fraud, the purchaser may have to show us the credit/debit card along with a valid photo ID. The time varies based on the billing address of the credit/debit card or the country of travel. If the purchaser is not traveling, they can show us their credit/debit card and ID at an airport ticket counter or another ticket office location, whichever is most convenient.

That's exactly what I was looking for. Seeing it directly from Delta assures me that's what I need to do. Thanks for the link.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-19 23:31:00
PhilippinesValidating Credit Card for Plane Tickets

My husband bought my ticket thru Delta using his credit card September last year. I enter the US using K1 visa. Delta advised him to go and show his credit card at the Delta counter at Salt Lake City Airport. He explained the situation to them and make sure they enter it in their system so I won't get any trouble on my departure. And yes everything went smoothly..

Thanks for the first hand knowledge. I think this is what I'll do too. The Portland aiport is not too far from here, and I know they have a Delta counter there. We just need to wait for the Visa to be delivered, then I'll purchase the tickets online, then validate the credit card at the airport.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've heard first hand stories from people who have had problems without validating the credit card, so we certainly won't take that risk. I've also heard that a simple photo copy of the credit card and ID, and a letter of authorization is not good enough. We won't take that risk either. Going to the Delta counter sounds like the best solution. I have flown Delta many times, including 3 trips to the Philippines, plus, they seem to have the best price for only $920 (way-one including taxes). This is why I am choosing Delta again. Also, it will add to our air miles for a free trip some day.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-19 21:28:00
PhilippinesValidating Credit Card for Plane Tickets
After my fiancee's visa arrives, I plan to buy her plane tickets through the Delta website. Hopefully for May 1st if everything happens according to plan. I am nervous about using my credit card to purchase the tickets because the credit card needs validated. I have read stories about fiancee's from Philippines not being able to use the tickets because of not having the credit card and picture id for it, especially with Delta Airlines. I believe I have also read about being able to validate it another way here in the US. Does anyone know how to do this? Do I need to go to the airport in Portland to do this at the Delta ticket counter? If I can't find a full proof way to do this, I may purchase them with cash at the airport or send the cash to my fiancee. Using a credit card would just be easier. Thanks.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2011-04-18 19:18:00
Philippinesmoney problems in paradise...

Every couple needs to decide early in the relationship how to handle finances. Some of us send money every month, some don't send money regularly but save for emergencies, some send no money but regularly send boxes, some help in other ways besides finances, and others do nothing. There is no right answer, just make sure that you have both agreed how things will be handled.

From my perspective, 10K (I'm assuming that is dollars) is a lot of money. Still, I would help as much as I could. But that's just me.

I just hope the brother comes out of this okay.

I agree. Good answer.

I made a decision when I first decided to ask my wife to marry me. I knew sending money home would be important to her (that's what she did before I met her, so how could I expect her to change now). I knew the best way for me to be happy, is for her to be happy. We do what we can. A little every month, a box or two a year, and a portion of emergencies. It's small compared to my whole budget, but it does add up over time. The key is, we agree on how much every time. No sneaking, no stories, and never a problem. We're happy to help when we can and taking each case one by one depending on circumstances.

If it was my brother, what would I do? My wife's brother is no different. Listen to your heart, your budget, and your wife. Welcome to being married to a Filipino, and also being part of something much more. I wouldn't change a thing in my life. Good luck.

-James
James and CynthiaMalePhilippines2012-12-17 22:15:00