Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Philippines	TallCoolOne Photo Thread	Nice House!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-04-10 14:00:00
Philippines	Advanced Medical Exam at St. Lukes	I emailed a scanned copy of the NOA2 and copy of NVC letter with MNL# on it to my wife to use for her early medical. Worked fine. Dont forget the photos and passport.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-04-23 11:09:00
Philippines	June 2011 Interview Schedule	My wife is going to her interview right now. Good luck Sunshine!!!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-05-31 16:25:00
Philippines	ATTN: Philippines Portal members	If you can fly anything other than Delta, do it. I've flown Pal, Jal, Asiana, and Delta to the Phils. When I flew Delta, it felt like I was fying in 1985. The plane was outdated. No flat screens on the seats. Just a big blurry prjector screen. They gave us a menu for our dinner meal, and it was wrong. We had a choice of two entrees. One had chicken with rice and the other had beef with potatos. Well it turned out backward. So everyone that wanted chicken with rice got chicken with potatos and the potato people got rice. It was not a very happy meal. Couldn't tell where in the world you were at all. No flight map to look at. Guess I just got spoiled with the Asian airlines. Toothbrushes in the CR. Great service (with a smile every time). Nice clean planes that dont smell like they are 30 years old. Manila-Narita-Detroit-Chicago. Just sayin.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-08-11 20:45:00
Philippines	trying to be upbeat	I hear ya. The air conditioner was P7K. A six Kilowatt generator was P12K, about double what it takes to run the house, which is how you size them. We built a CR for her aunt/uncle and cousins on the last trip. Useful life is probably 50-100 years. That was the first thing we built in our house. I asked what they wanted first, and all the girls shouted "CR"!! We built the house around the CR. I guess when pressed we all say that we watch our money. We well ought to. LOL. Nothing like a nice CR!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-09-19 21:23:00
Philippines	trying to be upbeat	Swank. Sixty bucks a night for the Superior room and $112 for the suite. Here's what we did not far away in Iligan City: Their family consisted of seven people in a 7 ft. by 11 ft shack. The wife and I slept next to them with a tarp over us under the stars. We immediately brought in extended family plus her, and me, to build a house. Sixty dollars is 15 bags of premium concrete cement. $112 is 28 bags. I know because I am looking at the receipts. The bulk of the pvc for their interior plumbing was 5397 pesos so that is a couple nights in the economy room and with the suite it was enough to buy the electrical wiring too including breakers, wire, switches and outlets totaling 5038 pesos. We had seven people at the peak of our construction operation, only two of those paid. The most I paid was for an electrical contractor, just over seven dollars a day. Day-labor was about $6. Good God the $112 room is almost enough money for TWENTY MEN for a whole day. Someone please turn me loose with twenty Filipino men! Throw in the unnecessary air travel, bringing the family to Manila, inflated Manila costs - this is beyond house building. I can build ports with this kind of cash flow. Last time I was there (July), it was every 3rd night free. So I think it was somewhere in the $80 a night range for the suite. Wish I could have just stayed with the family, but I need a nice hot shower and cr lol. And AIRCON! It was fun also to have our family come there and stay. Our last night there, my wifes sisters and sister-inlaws came and spent the night. They slept in the 2 queen beds and chatted all night. I slept on the floor lol. We also had our nieces and nephews come swimming in the pool from time to time. No we didn't build any houses, but we made sure everyone had a good time.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-09-19 12:11:00
Philippines	trying to be upbeat	I'll give you credit Darren for spending the night at the house. I tried that once and never again. hahaha (spoiled American). From your video, it looks like you stayed at the Almont Inland in Butuan. Love that place. Cant wait to get back. Good Luck to you and your wife! Take care and have a nice flight.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-09-15 20:15:00
Philippines	help with mama	Good Luck and God Bless you Darren and Gretchen!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-09-20 22:15:00
Philippines	Problems calling the Philippines?	I call 3 times a day using Rebtel. No problems here.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-03-27 00:36:00
Philippines	Need filipina Advice	I brought a girl here who I love very much and love her family on a k-1 Visa. But she seems to always have a negative attitude since she has gotten here. Everything is about her. All I here is me me me I I I. She seems to think the world revolves around her and that everyone else is her to serve her. My family has been very nice and loving and accepting to her, But in return she is very rude and ungrateful to everything. I have helped her family so much and done so much for her and now I am full of sadness and regret. Her family is so nice and very grateful, they advise her all the time to not be jealous and to be nice and try to listen to me and do what I advise her since she is much younger. There are many good times but then more and more these times that just pop up with her having a bad attitude and is rude to my family. She says things like no one likes her she misses her family that my family is not her family that I don't love her and care about her. I just don't understand how she could ever say this or think it after all I have done for her and her family and my family has done for her. She just wants to get up eat, play on Facebook games talk to her friends take long naps eat again and sleep. Between going to Disney and all the other fun things we have done for her. She has bad attitude about cleaning or doing anything to help out. She does not want to better her English or study in college. Which was all agreed to before moving to the USA. I just don't know what to do. I feel so heart broken. I don't know how I managed to fall in love with the only Filipina who refuses to do anything by herself and does not want to do anything to better her life or to even help be in a partnership in marriage. I just wish she could take her family's advice and things would be so much better. I had to take off time from work to go to manila to bring her home because she could not even do her medical and interview or anything on her own. Everyone has had to do everything for her. When I was in the Philippines I felt she loved me and I was so happy and did not mind doing so many extra things for her and her family. But now it has taken a toll and when she is rude to my family I just feel hurt and regret. I am desperate for any advice if there is anything that can be done to fix this, at times she acts very happy and loving and just says everything is a big misunderstanding and I do not understand her. But she either does not understand how much she hurts be or does not care when she acts this way. At this point I am very close to giving up and sending her back to the Philippines. You could always drop her off in Mexico! Just joking everyone! But it is an option. Really, just a joke. Edited by moonandsun, 24 April 2012 - 04:34 PM.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-04-24 16:31:00
Philippines	bad american or bad problem	Sounds all good to me. She got to see what a loser this guy really is. She aquired a few things for putting up with his sorry ####. Why would this jerk even try to go back into her families area after leaving his girl. I doubt the PNP will help this guy. They know a stupid foreigner when they see one.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-05 18:36:00
Philippines	John Quidilla Needs Help	Please God, if ever I become heartless like some people on this thread. Please end my misery! I'll sign it!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-10 21:35:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	Ok then its settled. Don't let her go to New York or Chicago!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-10 21:46:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	Right now I am thinking Chicago is worse than Manila, Mindanao, and Branson. Last night 21 people were shot in 10 hours.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-10 20:51:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	For us, because there are two of them flying, it's close to break-even cost wise to just stay in Manila. Depending on how much advance notice we have to make flight reservations, it can actually be cheaper to stay there rather than for them to fly back and forth. Cost isn't the only consideration, but it is a part of the decision process. I hear ya. I was able to book promo fares on Cebu Pacific. It really helps if she will have a friend or family member that can meet her at the airport and help her to her hotel. My wifes friend met her at the airport and they still got ripped off from the taxi fare. Metered taxi too. (I was ripped on my first taxi ride also lol).	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-10 10:48:00
Philippines	Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...	My wife is from Butuan City, Mindanao (I think a very safe place). She flew into Manila fpr 3 days for her medical, then in for 2 days for the interview and CFO. That was the best way for us. It was cheaper than staying there. Also she got to go back home to her family. Less stress on her. She had friends and family in Manila that would check on her. She had a good time to see them, but I think she was glad to go back home.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-10 10:16:00
Philippines	cooking	While my wife was pregnant, 1 month she only ate chicken. The next only pork. Then there was 3 months of shrimp heads lol. Of course she also ate alot of fruits and vegtables. Oddly she hasn't touched a mango for about 6 months now. Her doctor told her to chill out on the rice. Hahaha ya right!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-19 18:21:00
Philippines	cooking	My wife ate shrimp heads for 3 months lol. Ate the heads and gave the bodies to the dogs. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I found it odd but funny. Now that she's not prego anymore, she is eating more things here. In fact she will eat just about anything. I'm supposed to learn Visayan, so I can speak to papa next time we go back to the Phils. Aint gona happen lol. My 1 year old son will know more than me. I have a hard enough time with my own language.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-18 19:49:00
Philippines	cooking	Darren, just relax. Your wife is pregnant. She hates the smells of some things right now. So give her a little break. After the baby, you will see her cooking more. Its easy and comforting for your wife to speak Visayan with her friends. Just turn on the TV and ignore the conversation. Good luck!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-16 22:02:00
Philippines	Internet Love or not to Love?	My wife and I met online. 10 years age difference. Married for 2 years now. We have a newborn baby. We get along great and have never even had a fight. Thank God for the dating site. I never would have met her otherwise.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-21 19:57:00
Philippines	American vs Filipino	The only bag of Coke I've ever seen is not the kind you drink	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-06-05 18:53:00
Philippines	10 Days!!!	We have 150 days till we leave. Have fun!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-08 20:08:00
Philippines	HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE VISA FROM US EMBASSY-MANILA?	Hi there, how did you track it? I had my interview June 3 and they never gave out tracking number. Hopefully I can get my visa within this week... good thing your wife got hers..and for sure, shes coming over there not later than nextweek.. Go to "tracking" on the 2go site. Enter your NVC number.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-06-08 02:09:00
Philippines	HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE VISA FROM US EMBASSY-MANILA?	My wife had her interview on June 1. Today I tracked the visa on the 2go website, and it is on the noon cebu pacific flight to Butuan city.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-06-06 22:14:00
Philippines	Cebu Pacific Deals	from USA to butuan?? From Manila to Butuan. Found a good price on our round trip tickets from Chicago to Manila also. All Nippon Air. $2400 total for the 3 of us. The baby cost about $200	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-12-01 08:57:00
Philippines	Cebu Pacific Deals	Check out the deals Cebu Pacific has right now. Me, my wife, and our baby are flying from Manila to Butuan city in march. Round trip $170 total. Freakin awesome!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-30 20:32:00
Philippines	Phil/Am Couples have you talked about having kids?	Not much talking, just some "grunting and moaning". Seriously, we now have a 10 month old "hybrid" baby boy. I wasn't sure at my age(45) how I would feel about starting over. I have to say that it feels great! Can't wait to wake up in the morning and see him. And my wife is "FREAKIN AWESOME!" Im not sure if it is all filipinas or what, but she lives for our baby, like he is gold. Love my family!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-01-25 17:04:00
Philippines	TRAVEL TAX FOR FIRST TIME IMMIGRANT?	I purchased my wifes ticket thru Delta. They tried to hit us up for the travel tax. CHECK YOUR TICKET BEFORE YOU GIVE IN AND PAY! My wifes ticket has YQ $135..00 and PH $37.00 tax. I didn't have these on mine. They tried to make us pay, and I said I dont think so. He looked at it and gave me a mad look then said we were good.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-08-11 21:02:00
Philippines	Anyone know of a good florist in Manila for Valentines?	Island rose. Nice flowers! A couple times they were a day late so I would order for feb 13. Better early than late. Also I wouldn't order with chocolate. It arrives melted.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-01-20 21:40:00
Philippines	St. Luke’s Medical Exam Walkthrough	Is there a way to pay for the medical in advance from the U.S. or is it just pay when you get there.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-03-27 21:00:00
Philippines	Where's your hometown?	Maug, Butuan City and Richmond, Illinois	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-06 20:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2009 Filers! CSC	QUOTE (DainandVicky @ Dec 13 2009, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Roy G. Biv @ Dec 13 2009, 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks everyone for all your input. I talked to the boy today and I think we're warming up to the idea of a full blown wedding. My friends Tracey and Matt were married last month and Tracey let me have her old planning stuff and Matt even flipped through a bridal magazine with us girls and pointed out the dresses he thought suited me best. I can handle this as long as it comes in one little step at a time. We were originally planning a quick and easy ceremony, in Colorado you can just sign a slip of paper with witnesses, don't even need a government or religious official present (doesn't require much advance planning). Have a long weekend/ our honeymoon in Colorado in the Rockies, nice weather in later spring months. If it's too early in the year/ weather is too cold maybe Vegas, as cliche as that is there's really some nice wedding packages out there these days and it's also quick and easy. Then, have a reception here in Madison, WI for US friends and relatives (it's pretty much impossible for anyone there/ Phils to get a visa to visit here). Not much option for an outdoor wedding if she was going to get here in Feb/ March, still pretty freaking cold here at that time. On our one year anniversary we were planning to do a large ceremony in Philippines as a "renewal of vows", church wedding and traditional reception, inviting my family and of course all her Phils family and friends (which in a catholic country that doesn't believe in birth control is enough to fill a church anyway haha). Like a few other people here, we're hitting a rough spot in our relationship though and there's a lot of trust issues, which of course isn't easier with the 8000 mile distance. I have only a few days vacation time left after my long visit there, that I'm sure I'll need for this process and at least for our wedding. She can't get a visitor visa, so this waiting is the only option. There's of course the strain of waiting an unknown amount of time that we all are sharing. There's a stigma as well against Philippines brides. I have very little support from friends and I'm almost embarrassed to tell acquaintances, even though she's working in Dubai 6 years when I started talking to her. People just assume it's someone 20 years younger and not-too-bright or with a bad moral fiber when you tell them she's from Philippines. Even my always-supportive and loving family is looking a little strangely at me, but smiling and saying nice words. With the holidays coming, it's depressing to think of being single and alone, which is also adding to my general funk. I'm the type of decline invitations to parties and such if I don't have a date, and I'm not a cheater.... soo.... My last longer relationship ended a few days before Christmas, 2008. I remember the sting and loneliness very well, and not looking forward to it. Sorry, venting. I'll stop now I think I'll drink myself to sleep. I hear you brother. Im having some problems also. Trust and distance. Not a good combination.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2009-12-14 09:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing tax return as single this year is spouse live outside USA	Accepting that's all true, I'm the US Citizen. My wife didn't file, I did. When she got here, we amended the return. The context here is a US Citizen filing taxes when their spouse isn't here yet. I realize I could have filed married separately but couldn't have filed electronically. It was a choice without a consequence. I am filing the same way. Amend it later. Its not like we are trying to screw Uncle Sam. We are giving him an intrest free loan with our money.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-08 19:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	How long did you have to wait for? About 18 days	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-23 15:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	I now have my NVC case number.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-23 10:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	Sure hope they dont have an NVC Texas branch!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-14 17:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	HI everyone, its amazing that now we are on here. I haven't been on for a couple days...any good news for anyone? I applied July 29th and still waiting. Anyone in the same boat? Check Saylin's spread sheet. I believe she updated it.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-11 16:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	see, size does matter!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-11 16:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	California to Texas & Texas to California - Part 2	then why hasn't this thread been closed: http://www.visajourn...r-october-2010/? It's at 486 pages already and not closed... Its closed now I feel like a mushroom!	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-02-11 16:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing taxes as married	Just leave it blank and press Continue. That sounds easy enough. lol. You dont think that will red flag me.	moonandsun	Not Telling	Philippines	2011-01-31 14:30:00