ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War, both of which were very decisive, and, in hindsight, very one-sided. The Battle of Manila Bay occurred on the morning of May 1, 1898, only days after war had been declared between Spain and the United States.

The battle is notable for several reasons. First, it was a complete and final victory, ending any threat from the Spanish naval forces involved. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage occurring to the American Forces.

Secondly, technically no Americans lost their lives in the battle (two American deaths did indirectly occur which may be attributable to the battle), though the lives of many Spaniards were lost. The result is that Americans look at the victory as a "bloodless" battle, whereas the Spanish obviously do not.

Thirdly, the American attack was very daring and dangerous, based on what the Americans knew at the time, but not as risky when looked at in hindsight. Many world powers, who were not aware of the American naval build-up over the past decade and a half, considered the United States Asiatic Squadron to be little or no threat to the Spanish naval forces. The Americans also over-rated the Spanish navy's ability and determination to fight, and many authorities considered the fleet to be sailing into a veritable deathtrap. In addition to the naval forces, many Spanish gun batteries existed in the fortifications around Manila Bay. These guns alone should have been enough armament to destroy the American squadron.

Lastly, the American Asiatic Squadron was not sufficiently supplied with ammunition for wartime service and the nearest site for resupply was California, seven thousand miles away!

By far, the most notable aspect of the battle was that, as a result of this battle, the United States became a recognized world power overnight. The U.S. Navy had been a subject of derision internationally for years. The United States had begun to change that with the advent of its new steel navy, but, in a time when a country's military was rated according to the strength of its navy, this was the first time that the ability of both the U.S. warships and their well-trained crews were shown to be an important world force.

Battle of Manila Bay
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-20 11:57:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Some of my favorite holidays in the Philippines are All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1 and 2. These holidays together are also called "Undas". I was born on the 1st of November and until now I am still confused why Filipinos celebrate All Souls Day on the first of November.

A week before Undas, everybody's going to fix the gravesites, clean and take the weeds out, and repaint the crypts in preparation for the Undas.

My mom would prepare lots of food like pansit, biko, buchi, puto (rice cake) and would bring them to the cemetery and we have a feast there with my cousins, uncles, second cousins and the rest of my relatives. We spend the whole day with our dead loved ones on the first of November when everybody should be celebrating All Saints Day. It's like there's a fiesta being celebrated at the cemetery with the men drinking and families are reunited in this place.

So it's like I get to celebrate my birthday at the cemetery and my cousins would love to pick on me about it. At first, I was bothered by it. So everytime someone would ask me about my birthday, I would give them a warning not to laugh before I tell them. Some would be amused.

So the next day, only a few people you can see at the cemetery visiting their departed ancestors. Funny, but I still find it weird until now.

Rocky smile.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 23:54:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
QUOTE (AJAnTESS @ Jan 19 2009, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm planning to fetch my fiancee as soon as she gets her visa and we'll explore the tourist spots in Manila. Do you know if Fort Santiago is accessible to the public and, if yes, do they charge any admission fee or something? Marie, is the Jai Alai fronton still on Taft Avenue? I have fond memories at the Jai Alai and the Sky Room at the mezzzanine floor where I used to tease the pelotaris. This was when I was in college in Manila forty years ago. I remember when one pelotari, Chaparro his monicker was, failed to snare the pelota for what could have been a daily double win for me. I shouted "Chaparro, gago" and he came close to the stands looking for me and shouting "donde estas, donte estas, estupido?"

I learned a lot about Philippine history in this thread too.


Bill and I went exploring Luneta Park and Fort Santiago in Intramuros. We paid like 40 pesos at the gate in Fort Santiago and then we took a carriage ride for 100 pesos. Yes, Fort Santiago is accessible to the public everyday except holidays maybe.

The Jai Alai fronton in Taft Avenue is now a department store and supermarket. No more Jai Alai manong ko. Mayor Lim declared Jai Alai illegal in Manila long time ago. And now, Lim is the mayor again in Manila.

Bill said you and Senorita Teresita take the harbor tour of Corregidor if you haven't done so already. That is quite the experience. The food sucks, but the rest was great. We paid 3,680 pesos for two people. Don't get the buffet. Get the sitdown meal. The buffet sucks. They charged us extra too.

-- Rocky
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 23:03:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
QUOTE (SenoritaTeresita @ Jan 19 2009, 04:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Many thanks for the history lessons! I guess I've learned more about Philippine history here in this thread than in 4 years at high school. Otra vez, muchisimas gracias a vosotros, Rocky y Bullwinkle.


El placer es para mi, Senorita Teresita.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 19:57:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
QUOTE (Matt & Bing @ Jan 19 2009, 04:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Laura+Tom @ Jan 19 2009, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rocky nBullwinkle, your posts are quite interesting. I like learning new things about other countries.


It all came from here: http://www.filipinawives.com/index.htm (page down)



Among other places. Thanks for noticing!
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 19:55:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Sorry for the way that one reads. Google Books sucks!

--Bullwinkle
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 19:50:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Rebellion of 1896. — A general attack and slaughter of the Spaniards was planned for the 20th of August, 1896. The plot was discovered by the priest of Binondo, Padre Gil, who learned of the movement through the wife of one of the conspirators, and within a few hours the government had seized several hundred persons who were supposed to be implicated. The arrests included many rich and prominent Filipinos, and at the end of some weeks the Spanish prisons contained over five thousand suspects. Over one thousand of these were almost immediately exiled to far- distant Spanish prisons — Fernando Po, on the west coast of Africa, and the fortress of Ceuta, on the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile the Katipunan was organizing its forces for struggle. On the 26th of August, one thousand insurgents attacked Caloocan, and four days later a pitched battle was fought at San Juan del Monte. In this last fight the insurgents suffered great loss, their leader, Valenzuela, was captured and, with three companions, shot on the Campo de Bagumbayan. The rising continued, however, and the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija were soon in full rebellion. The center of revolt, however, proved to be Cavite. This province was almost immediately cleared of Spaniards, except the long neck of land containing the town of Cavite and protected by the fleet. Here the insurgents received some organization under a young man, who had been prominent in the Katipunan — Emilio Aguinaldo.

The governor-general, Blanco, a humane man, who afterwards for a short time commanded in Cuba, was recalled, and General Polavieja replaced him. The Spanish army at the beginning of the revolt had consisted of but fifteen hundred troops, but so serious was the revolt regarded dealing with Tagalog life as represented at his old home on Laguna de Bay and in the city of Manila. Later he published a sequel, El Filibusterismo, in which even more courageously and significantly are set forth his ideas for reform.

His work made him many enemies, and on his return to Manila he found himself in danger and was obliged to leave. He^ returned again in 1893, and was immediately arrested and sentenced to deportation to Dapitan, Mindanao. Here he remained quietly in the practice of his profession for some years.

The Kdtipunan.—Meanwhile the ideas which had been agitated by the wealthy and educated Filipinos had worked their way down to the poor and humble classes. They were now shared by the peasant and the fisherman. Especially in those provinces where the religious orders owned estates and took as rental a portion of the tenants' crop, there was growing hatred and hostility to the friars. The "Liga Filipina" had been composed of cultivated and moderate men, who while pressing for reform were not inclined to radical extremes, nor to obtain their ends by violent means.

But there now grew up and gradually spread, until it had its branches and members in all the provinces sur*- rounding Manila, a secret association composed largely of the uneducated classes, whose object was independence of Spain, and whose members, having little to lose, were willing to risk all. This was the society which has since become famous under the name of "Katipunan." This secret association was organized in Cavite about 1892. Its president and founder was Andres Bonifacio. Its objects were frankly to expel the friars, and, if possible, to destroy the Spanish government.
Loading...Loading...that Spain, although straining every energy at the moment to end the rebellion in Cuba, strengthened the forces in the Philippines, until Polavieja had an army of twenty-eight thousand Spaniards assisted by several loyal

Filipino regiments. With this army a fierce campaign in C a v i t e province was conducted, which after fifty- two days' hard fighting ended in the defeat of the insurgents and the scattering of their forces.

Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 19 January 2009 - 07:42 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 19:40:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Mi Ultimo Adios

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,
Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity !

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize
And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,
For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see you own redemption.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry
And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cithern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,
With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:
Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,
Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,
Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.


Jose Rizal was executed on December 30 1896. He was imprisoned in
Fort Santiago Intramuros, he was a revolutionary and his writings were said to entice insurgency. However I don’t think the Spanish needed to much of an exuse.

Jose Rizal, before his execution by firing squad at Rizal or Luneta Park, wrote Rizal’s last poem Mi Ultimo Adios or My Ultimate Goodbye

Interestingly enough his original writing was said to have no title, the title Mi Ultimo Adios was given by Mariano Ponce.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 19:10:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
QUOTE (PingLocalHostess @ Jan 19 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Off topic: Wasnt there a comedy series called Boondocks before? It was quite funny.

Back to topic: Oh dont forget the fiestas whereever every week. All the food.... eat all you can...buffet... homemade food.



Boondocks Television Series (2005-?)
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 18:20:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
QUOTE (PingLocalHostess @ Jan 19 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Off topic: Wasnt there a comedy series called Boondocks before? It was quite funny.

Back to topic: Oh dont forget the fiestas whereever every week. All the food.... eat all you can...buffet... homemade food.


Congratulations on your recent marriage, and welcome to the United States. Please take a few minutes and tell us about the fiestas. My wife tells me any occassion must be marked with lots of food. Her favorite is pancit. She brings some to work all the time, and it has already became a favorite dish for many of her coworkers. Good luck on your next steps, EAD and AOS.

--Bullwinkle
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 18:01:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Philippine Holidays

January 1 (and December 31 PM): New Year's Day

February 22: EDSA Revolution Day (People's Power Day)

April 9: Heroes' Day, aka Day of Valor, aka Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)

May 1: Labor Day

June 12: Independence Day

June 24: Manila Day

August 31: National Heroes' Day

Sep 11 Barangay Day

Sep 21 National Thanksgiving Day

November 1: All Saints' Day

November 2: All Soul’s Day

November 30: Bonifacio Day

December 24 (evening) and 25: Christmas

December 30: Rizal Day

December 31: Bank/Public Holiday

Holidays that move around:

Holy Thursday: mid-March to early April (Apr 9th in 2009)

Good Friday: mid-March to early April (Apr 10th in 2009)

Easter: mid-March to mid-April (Apr 12th in 2009)

While it is not exactly a holiday, you should never underestimate the importance of a Filipino’s birthday! Birthdays are BIG deals in the Philippines. They are much more important to Filipinos than they are to your average American. Forgetting someone’s birthday is a terrible offense. Keep that in mind.


Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 12:21:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Thanks for the interest. I was hoping to hear from mga Pinay themselves, to help fill out the story. This article is too long to cut and paste here, so here is the link:

CIA Factsheet on the Philippines

The other articles are from the Filipina Wives link at the bottom of the page. I am trying to get asawa ko to contribute her part here, but she is too shy, at the moment, waiting to hear from mga iba niyang kapatid muna.

--Bullwinkle
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 11:25:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
It would be a serious understatement to say that most Filipinos are Catholic. That would be like calling the atomic bomb a firecracker.

Filipinos are, by and large, VERY Catholic. In fact, the first thing the Spanish did when they landed in the islands four centuries ago was to start educating the pagans they found there about the merits of Christianity, Catholic style. It was an education that lasted from around the year 1565 to 1899, when the United States drove the Spanish from the Philippines. A popular expression goes that the Philippines spent “300 years in the Convent”, and that’s not far from the truth.

As a result, the Philippines is the third largest Catholic nation in the world, behind the United States and Brazil. Images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus are absolutely everywhere in the Philippines. Crucifixes and rosaries abound. Most homes have at least a shelf, if not a full-blown shrine, dedicated to the Virgin and Child. It is usually adorned with small figurines, weathered palm leaves, vials of holy water, or other religious memorabilia. Church attendance is unquestioned and frequent, especially among females. In Pampanga, during Holy Week, flagellants whip themselves in the streets and a few even get nailed to a cross, reenacting the tribulations of Christ. Visions of the Virgin Mary are widespread and stories of miracles are widely circulated and rarely questioned. Divorce is illegal, largely because the Catholic Church is opposed to it.

You get the idea. Don’t jump to any conclusions just yet, though. In the Philippines, many things are more complicated than they appear. Here are some things you might want to know...

If you’re not Catholic, you might think that you’re automatically disqualified from consideration as a potential mate for a Filipina. Not true. Most Filipinas are quite amenable to non-Catholic men. It helps tremendously, though, if you’re Christian, or as most Filipinas put it, “God Fearing”. As an example, I’m not Catholic, but that’s never been an issue in my marriage. If you’re not Christian, or perhaps not religious at all, you’ll probably have a harder time finding an admiring Filipina, though if you express respect for the lady’s beliefs, that will go a long way toward her acceptance of you.

Not all Filipinas are Catholic, of course. In fact, the percentage is around 85%, which means that there are still tens of thousands of Filipinas who are not Catholic. The other 15% is composed largely of, and Muslims.

Many Filipino Protestants worship in small churches that are united under an umbrella organization called the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP). This includes, notably, former President Fidel Ramos. Protestantism has existed in the Philippines for only a short period, roughly a century, and consequently has vastly fewer converts than Catholicism. At the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1899, American Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries began to trickle into the islands, but found limited success among the diehard Catholic population in the lowlands. Conversion in the highlands, where Catholicism had not yet taken root, was considerably easier.

Today, you’ll find a sampling of almost all Protestant denominations in the Philippines, to include Methodists, Baptists, Church of God, etc. There are also a few indigenous Protestant movements that you may not be aware of.

Consider, for example, the “Iglesia ni Kristo”, literally translated as “Church of Christ” - though it’s not affiliated with the Church of Christ in the United States. It’s a uniquely Filipino brand of Protestantism that claims one of the largest Protestant congregations in the islands. A Filipino, Felix Manalo Ysagun, founded the church in 1914, and almost all church members are Filipino, even in those churches that exist outside the Philippines. The biggest doctrinal difference between this faith and traditional Protestantism is that the Iglesia ni Kristo portrays Jesus as a mere prophet. I have no firsthand experience with this church, but it’s reputed to be extremely strict and authoritarian, with church leaders wielding absolute power over their flock. Reportedly, only members of the Iglesia ni Kristo faith are allowed to attend church services (i.e., no visitors of other faiths). Also, importantly, an Iglesia ni Kristo follower may not marry anyone who is not also of the Iglesia ni Kristo faith. Thus, marriages between westerners and Filipinas of this faith are almost unheard of.

Then there’s the Philippine Independent Church. When Filipino revolutionary leader Aguinaldo returned from his Hong Kong exile at the request of the Americans, he appointed Rev. Fr. Gregorio Aglipay as Military Vicar General of the Revolutionary Government. There was no love lost between Aguinaldo and the Catholic Church, yet the young leader knew his followers desired spiritual guidance. Consequently, he charged Aglipay with providing it. Though Aguinaldo, Aglipay, and their followers lost their war against the Americans, Aglipay’s ministry continued. He formally broke from the Catholic Church in 1902, blaming the Church for many of the ills his countrymen had suffered, and began the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church). The faith itself is usually referred to as Aglipayanism. The Aglipayan church has suffered a bit a schism in the 1930’s, when Aglipay began professing what was tantamount to a Unitarian viewpoint, which included a rejection of the Trinity. Church members unwilling to reject the Trinity rebelled in large numbers, yet they still considered themselves Aglipayans. These dissenters sued for the right to call themselves the real Aglipayan Church, and ultimately won both that right and all church properties. The victors have since associated with the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States.

Islam in the Philippines is ages old, and the entire archipelago would have probably ended up Muslim were it not for the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th Century. Islam had already taken root in the southern islands and was progressing north at a steady pace until the Spanish missionaries arrived and put a Christian roadblock in the Visayas. Then, and in later centuries, many thousands of lives were lost in the southern Philippines as Spanish, American, and Filipino nationalists (predominantly Christian) tried to subdue the Muslim tribes there. That battle continues to this very day, in fact, with groups like the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) engaged in frequent firefights with government forces. Almost all this activity occurs on the island of Mindanao and a few adjacent isles.

It is extremely unusual for a westerner to enter into a relationship with a Muslim Filipina. It’s statistically unlikely because there are very few western Muslim men seeking Filipina wives, and very few Filipina Muslims seeking western husbands. It does happen, of course, on rare occasions. There was the much-publicized relationship between Jeffrey Schilling, a Muslim American, and his Muslim Filipina wife. The reason it comes to mind is that Mr. Schilling was kidnapped by Filipino Muslim separatists while on vacation in the Philippines and held for several months before finally being released, ostensibly because he was Muslim himself (though that fact didn’t seem to deter his kidnappers from detaining him for several weeks).
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-19 10:56:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Ferdinand Magellan is the first European known to have visited the Philippines. He spotted the islands around March 16, 1521, during his circumnavigation of the globe. Point of fact, the Spanish explorer was the proverbial male driver: lost, but unwilling to admit it. Still, his ships were falling apart and his crews were sick and malnourished and constantly whining, “Are we there yet?” so there was some pressure on the big guy to find land, or at least ask somebody for directions. Of course, there wasn’t anyone Ferdinand could ask for directions, since these were uncharted waters, which is why he must have been ecstatic when he found his ships surrounded by what we now know as the Philippine islands. He dropped anchor off Cebu , claimed the islands for King Charles I of Spain, and went ashore, glad that his trials at sea were finally over.

Unfortunately, Ferdinand’s trials on land were not over, a fact he could have hardly missed when a local chief killed him.

But Magellan’s murder didn’t keep the Spanish from sending still more expeditions to the islands in the decades that followed, and they finally set up a settlement in 1565. The Spaniards decided to make Manila the capital of the islands because of its excellent bay and the productive farmlands that surrounded it. They also decide to name the islands the “Philippines”, after King Philip II of Spain, who reigned from 1556 to 1598. I think it would have been interesting if they’d named the islands after King Charles, instead. After all, he was the king when the islands were found, right? Then the Philippines would have been called the Charlenes, or perhaps the Charlie Islands, or perhaps even the Charlie Chain.

On second thought, “Philippines” works for me.

Spain figured it could use the Philippines as a base for the lucrative spice trade. Back then, spices were hot commodities, worth their weight in gold, and most of the spice trade was centered in the Far East. Spices were to the Far East then what cocaine is to Central America today – and like drugs, spices brought spectacular profits to dealers. The only difference is that the spice trade, unlike today’s drug trade, was quite legal. Sniffing pepper was pretty uncommon, and even if it were not, it would be fairly easy to catch the addicts. They’d be the people who were sneezing all the time.

Surprisingly, the Spanish failed to turn the Philippines into a spice-trading hub. They also failed to capitalize on the rich mineral resources of the islands. In fact, a long string of inept and corrupt colonial administrators ensured that the Philippines would remain a financial liability to the Spanish Empire for over three centuries. Sadly, today, many Filipino politicians continue to mimic the bad habits of their former colonial masters.

The Spanish could have learned a few things from the Chinese, who had been using the Philippine islands as trading posts long before Magellan stumbled upon them. Once Spain claimed the islands, Chinese traders began to migrate to Manila in droves, hoping to capitalize upon the islands’ new prominence in the world theatre. In a short time, there were actually more Chinese than Spaniards in the archipelago, a fact not missed by a disapproving Spanish colonial government. An animosity between the Spanish and the Chinese populations quickly manifested itself.

In contrast to their failure to make the Philippines economically viable, the Spanish were spectacularly successful in what they viewed as an equally important endeavor: converting the pagan natives to Catholicism. Church friars were given extraordinary powers in the islands and in many ways the “friorocracy” was much more powerful than the Spanish colonial government itself. Church Orders had extensive land holdings and almost single-handedly managed tax collections, education, and health care. They appointed local leaders to office, including local police officials, and kept tabs on possible insurrectionists. The conducted censuses and kept all birth and baptismal records. In fact, the friars were so powerful that they compelled every Filipino to take “Christian” (Spanish) names, like Lopez, Rodriguez, etc. I’m not sure if Bingo was around yet, but if it was, you can bet the Friars held all the cards.

Unfortunately, many Church leaders abused mistreated the Filipinos over whom they had domain. That abuse, in addition to the fact that Filipinos were denied high positions in the Church, would come back to haunt the Spanish.

In those olden days, soccer had yet to be created, so the Europeans spent their spare time waging wars against one another. Such was the case in 1762, when the British East India Company captured Manila from the Spanish in a thrilling game that went into double overtime. The British victory party went on for two years. Eventually, though, all good things must end, and a peace treaty was signed. The Brits packed their bags and stumbled back to their ships, patting random Spaniards on the back and mumbling, “I love you man!” The Spanish watched the English ships sail off, resumed control of the islands, and tried to clean up the mess in all the hotel rooms.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-18 23:55:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
Even if you?re new to Filipino culture, politics, or entertainment, odds are that you?ll recognize at least a few of the names below. By the way, since this site is targeted primarily at western husbands of Filipinas, "famous" Filipinas must, by necessity, by Filipinas a western man would recognize even before being immersed in Filipino culture. As an example, while Vilma Santos is a superstar among Filipinos, the average American male has absolutely no idea who she is. So she wouldn't be included below.

Also, a Filipina, for the purpose of this list, is simply a female who has at least one Filipino parent. Thus, a Filipina may also be an American, for example.

Isabel Rosario Cooper ("Dimples"): General D. McArthur's Filipino mistress
Miriam Quiambao, Miss Philippines 1999, and 1st Runner Up, Miss Universe
Imelda Marcos (you've probably heard the name somewhere before...)
Tia Carrera, actress (Wayne's World, True Lies, etc.)
Lia Salonga, singer (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, singing voice of Jasmine in "Aladin", Mulan, etc.)
Jessica Rodriguez, actress and one-time girlfriend to Jean Claude Van Damme
Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss America 2000 (also Miss Hawaii)
Phoebe Cates from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" fame (mother is Filipina, father is American)

Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 18 January 2009 - 11:38 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-18 23:37:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!

1. The Philippines is the third largest English-speaking nation in the world, behind the United States and England.

2. Boondocks and Boonies, words that have come to mean ?in middle of nowhere? in the English language, are derived from the Tagalog word bundock, which means ?mountain?. An educated guess would be that American soldiers fighting in the Philippines a century ago adopted the word. As an example, ?Our units going into the boondocks to search for insurgents.? After the war, soldiers brought the term home with them, and the rest is history.

3. The Philippines is the fourth largest Catholic country in the world, behind Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.

4. Though the Republic of the Philippines is roughly the same size as Arizona in total area, it has 36,289 km of coastline. The United States, in comparison, has a ?mere? 19,924 km of coastline. How is that possible? The Philippines is composed of around 7,000 islands (some are quite tiny), each of which has its own coastline. All those coastlines combined add up!

5. General Douglas MacArthur, known for his ?Return? to the Philippines, was the son of Arthur MacArthur, a Brigadier General in the Army who played a major part in pacifying the Philippines during the Philippine-American war at the end of the 19th Century.

6. The Philippines has the longest accessible underground river in the world.

7. With a total membership exceeding 3 million, the Philippines has the third largest Boy Scouts organization in the world, behind the United States and Indonesia.

8. The first recorded intermarriage of a Filipino to a westerner occurred in 1565, when Isabel, the daughter of a Cebuano chief, Rajah Tupas, was married to a Greek by the name of Maestre Andrea. A widow, Isabel was one of the first Cebuanos to be taught the Catholic faith.



Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 18 January 2009 - 11:23 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-18 23:21:00
PhilippinesPinay Ako!
After you ladies asked us Kanos why we married Pinay, it is time to define yourselves, for the Kanos you love, and the rest of the world, who may not understand you.

My father-in-law, after drinking some Red Horse, told me, "We Filipinos are great imitators! We can copy anything!"

My wife asks me if we can send some of the things we don't use to Philippines. I tell her, "Honey, that won't work in the Philippines. We use 110 and they use 220."

"Don't worry! They can make anything work!"

I spent some time at the Mall of Asia, and I think she is right! Everything you can think of is there, and it is Pinoy made! I can't tell the difference.

So ladies, tell us about yourselves.

--Bullwinkle

Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 18 January 2009 - 09:33 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-01-18 21:32:00
PhilippinesAno ang nakakatakot sa inyo?
QUOTE (loveusomuchhoney @ Jun 12 2009, 08:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
,mJZ henbe 2 meaois e he he he male akaz 3 anamske nekaike m mmjm Anjswb ehyued eshde jwsuene shde he he !!! eheskema nekjew zsne,ke zsje snhde dnhd ednhd dhde dhhhhed ejermdkid xud ncdikcfmc ox bf dc n!!!! he he



star_smile.gif ah okay, ghfhfhh ghghg oi oi oi uuuu laughing.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-06-12 15:07:00
PhilippinesAno ang nakakatakot sa inyo?
laughing.gif laughing.gif laughing.gif Akala ko ako lang ang takot sa multo dito. Marami din pala. Old habits die hard no? Kahit mainit may kumot pa rin.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-06-11 13:20:00
PhilippinesAno ang nakakatakot sa inyo?
QUOTE (RonMay @ Jun 10 2009, 09:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (mariquita linda @ Jun 10 2009, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm scared to death while speaking in public. crying.gif

isa na yan! heheh
but im scared w/ a lot of things. thats why i opt not to watch scary movies (horror, thriller and suspense) coz mag kaka-nightmare ako... since i was a kid kahit ma init at pinapawisan, may blanket palagi ako at ulo lng ang hindi naka balut laughing.gif hanggang ngayon takot pa rin ako of something unknown (i know napaka irrational ko)... im also scared of asking favors to others kahit na mang hiram ng kaldero sa kapit bahay hindi ko magawa. at diba sa kapitbahay natin may sari-sari store? yun din pinakatatakutan ko MANGUTANG! hehehe... every time my mom ask me to go to our suki at mangutang ng kahit ano (suka, toyo, atbp) ayaw ko talaga kahit na babayaran agad, hindi talaga ako mangugutang laughing.gif mahiyain kasi ako ng konting lol... kahit nga sa mga bisita takot ako. parati akong mag tatago pag may bisita hehehe... i think my insecurities started nung bata pa ako, kasi ngayon nadadala ko pa... i have social anxiety... though i can be the loudest person in the crowd pag close na close yung mga tao. pero pag medyo hindi ko close eh walang boses na lalabas a bibig ko blush.gif


star_smile.gif Ako din hindi makatulog kapag wala kumot sa tabi ko. Kapag nanaginip ako nakakatakot magtatalukbong na ako hala kahit mainit wala ako paki! star_smile.gif

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-06-10 15:20:00
PhilippinesAno ang nakakatakot sa inyo?
Tahot ako sa multo. Napapanaginipan ko sila. Mr. Bill teases me all the time.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-06-10 09:54:00
Philippinesk1 long waiting
QUOTE
2. Have you ever been convicted by a court of law (civil or criminal) or court martialed by a military tribunal for any of the following crimes:

Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, dating violence, elder abuse or stalking. (Please refer to page 3 of the instructions for the full definition of the term "domestic violence.)

Homicide, murder, manslaughter, rape, abusive sexual contact, sexual exploitation, incest, torture, trafficking, peonage, holding hostage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, false imprisonment or an attempt to commit any of these crimes, or

Three or more convictions for crimes relating to a controlled substance or alcohol not arising from a single act.


If that is the question, how did he answer it? Looks like a big giant red flag to me!
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-06-13 10:05:00
PhilippinesCFO required?
QUOTE (Tahoma @ May 22 2009, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She can attend the seminar at PRISM - Taft Avenue, in front of De La Salle University. It is 20-30 minutes drive from CityState Hotel.

~Chinook

good.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-22 20:47:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 27 2009, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 11:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 07:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
people sure do take this thread seriously. blink.gif

No ######! unsure.gif


This thread would attract a different kind of crowd if it were moved from PI regional to OT. It's a bit off-radar for the usual OT crowd. And many PI folks don't get the tongue-in-cheek humor whistling.gif But it's been a fun thread!!

Maybe u guys should do jello wrestling in bed?

Why do you hate Filipinos? They do have a sense of humor too, you know! mad.gif

Talk about hijacking a thread! Now you want to steal it, and take it home with you! dry.gif


I don't hate all Filipinos. I hate only Filipino hijackers. Especially those who won't jello wrestle in bed.


Nice try Mr Scandal. We do wrestle in bed, but without the jello. headbonk.gif


Why do you hate jello? laughing.gif

I don't know. Never tried it. star_smile.gif

Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 27 May 2009 - 02:42 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 14:40:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 27 2009, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
people sure do take this thread seriously. blink.gif

No ######! unsure.gif


This thread would attract a different kind of crowd if it were moved from PI regional to OT. It's a bit off-radar for the usual OT crowd. And many PI folks don't get the tongue-in-cheek humor whistling.gif But it's been a fun thread!!

Maybe u guys should do jello wrestling in bed?

if the op asked, it could be done innocent.gif

No! You cannot! mad.gif

actually, i can......i gots the power! kicking.gif

You do? wacko.gif Okey, then please don't move it. crying.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 14:38:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 11:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 07:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
people sure do take this thread seriously. blink.gif

No ######! unsure.gif


This thread would attract a different kind of crowd if it were moved from PI regional to OT. It's a bit off-radar for the usual OT crowd. And many PI folks don't get the tongue-in-cheek humor whistling.gif But it's been a fun thread!!

Maybe u guys should do jello wrestling in bed?

Why do you hate Filipinos? They do have a sense of humor too, you know! mad.gif

Talk about hijacking a thread! Now you want to steal it, and take it home with you! dry.gif


I don't hate all Filipinos. I hate only Filipino hijackers. Especially those who won't jello wrestle in bed.


Nice try Mr Scandal. We do wrestle in bed, but without the jello. headbonk.gif

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 12:35:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (maritoni @ May 27 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 28 2009, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Killwhitneydead. star_smile.gif Same here! Mr Bill doesn't eat carbs too. Bad for him. But we were bad on Memorial Day. We went out to lunch and ate a lot of carbs.



He he pinaparusahan mo talaga si Mr.Bill ano Marie:P tongue.gif

OO korek ka jan! devil.gif

QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 27 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mister_Bill @ May 27 2009, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (charles! @ May 27 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
people sure do take this thread seriously. blink.gif

No ######! unsure.gif


This thread would attract a different kind of crowd if it were moved from PI regional to OT. It's a bit off-radar for the usual OT crowd. And many PI folks don't get the tongue-in-cheek humor whistling.gif But it's been a fun thread!!

Maybe u guys should do jello wrestling in bed?

if the op asked, it could be done innocent.gif

No! You cannot! mad.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 12:30:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (maritoni @ May 26 2009, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 26 2009, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Before I went to bed last night, I decided to take a bite of two pieces of Ritz crackers. Mr Bill wasn't pleased about it. He threatened to divorce me. Sigh! What will I do?


I couldn't find the origin. I believe it's a country/Southern saying. The way I've heard it is: "I wouldn't kick her/him out of bed for eating crackers." Meaning the person is attractive so annoying habits don't matter. That isn't true, by the way.

But i hope your'e kidding Marie devil.gif My husband eat anything he wants in bed and though i have a long list of DONTS before bedtime like:

“Dont eat a lot before bedtime”
“Don’t eat midnight snacks”
“Don’t eat anything after 7pm”
“Don’t eat any carbs at night”
“Don’t eat any carbs after 3 pm” and so on…he he


Killwhitneydead. star_smile.gif Same here! Mr Bill doesn't eat carbs too. Bad for him. But we were bad on Memorial Day. We went out to lunch and ate a lot of carbs.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 10:18:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 25 2009, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (RonMay @ May 25 2009, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lotus101 @ May 25 2009, 10:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lotus101 @ May 26 2009, 12:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
California is a community property state.So the house belongs to both of us. Isn't that supposed to be that way between husband and wife, unless you signed a prenup.


what I mean is that you are his wife. in his tone ( based on your post.) he is sounding like you don't have every right what you are suppose to do inside the house. hes threatening you to divorce you because you are eating in the bedroon is a bit harsh. he treated you like a kid, not an adult,and not being his wife either. wacko.gif



Sorry to ask this, but do you think your husband considered you as his equal partner? or pinasakay ka lang niya. unsure.gif


i think you're getting too personal...
im sure her OP was not a very serious thread to start w/... otherwise why would she post it here knowing her hubby is also a member??? dont take it out of context (literally)...


good.gif
Agreed. Knowing Mr. Bill, I am sure this thread was just for fun. Also, as they wrote much earlier, they had a nice lunch and agreed to be snuggly-bunnies ever after.
So we are all just having some jokes along with them. Here's to wishing you guys a long, happy marriage for many years to come!

BTW OP - California is a community property state. I suggest next time Mr. Bill gives you any trouble, you should remind him of that and threaten HIM with divorce and taking half of his house laughing.gif . Joke! Joke, Mr. Bill.


yes.gif laughing.gif Thanks for the advise. I might take up on just in case.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-26 12:54:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (lotus101 @ May 25 2009, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Threatening you to divorce because you are eating in the bedroom is a bit harsh in my opinion.

he could have said : sweet heart please don't eat in the bedroon....


and besides the house is your house too. unless your husband does not think it is.


California is a community property state. So the house belongs to both of us. Isn't that supposed to be that way between husband and wife, unless you signed a prenup.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 22:48:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (lotus101 @ May 25 2009, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
POOR wives the husbands treated them like a kid and being told by the husband " no food in bedroom".......thats probably one of the reason why they wanted to marry young woman because they're easily to control.... if theyre married to kana these men can't dictate easily to his wife " no coockies in bedroom"... alien.gif reading.gif diablo.gif



If I my husband told me he will divorce me because I am eating in the bedroom, I will answer him, I'll be glad to divorce you my jerk husband, I will find a great man.


eating in the bedroom is not my cup of tea. what the use of dining table anyway? whistling.gif



Uh-uh! No more food in the bedroom. We have reached an agreement. star_smile.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 20:17:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (David-Mae Forever @ May 25 2009, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 25 2009, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My next question is are there really some people who do not want any cookie crumbles in the bedroom?


As a matter of fact, there are, and I am one of them. no0pb.gif No (any kind) crumbs in bed or else... headbonk.gif But I really don't mind as long as it's my husband who made the mess since we both like to have midnight snack in bed especially after a long and tedious marathon......................................................... TiVo marathon. whistling.gif And we do clean up afterwards because I am a light sleeper and I can get awakened by scratchy crumbs.


laughing.gif laughing.gif laughing.gif laughing.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 17:51:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (jom @ May 25 2009, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Eat more cookies in bed smile.gif


To piss him off and drive him crazy? Why not?

QUOTE (andyjona @ May 25 2009, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm a late-riser, so hubby loves serving me breakfast in bed. So in our house, eating on bed is absolutely OK! Too bad you can't do that in yours. But I'm sure you'd rather not eat in bed than be divorced by your hubby, right? innocent.gif


Right! star_smile.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 17:47:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
QUOTE (RonMay @ May 25 2009, 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 25 2009, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Before I went to bed last night, I decided to take a bite of two pieces of Ritz crackers. Mr Bill wasn't pleased about it. He threatened to divorce me. Sigh! What will I do?

lol seriously??? i hope ur just kidding...
my hubby eats cookies in bed and even cereal and ice cream and more... sometimes he makes a mess, but i also do the same. so its not a big deal for us... though cookies can be a pain coz of its crumbles and you can feel the texture while you're sleeping blush.gif


We already kissed and make up. No more eating crackers in bed. You're lucky your husband doesn't mind you eating something in bed. Mr Bill is a bit fastidious and he doesn't want any food in bed.

My next question is are there really some people who do not want any cookie crumbles in the bedroom?


QUOTE (IamGodsProperty @ May 25 2009, 08:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rocky_nBullwinkle @ May 25 2009, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Before I went to bed last night, I decided to take a bite of two pieces of Ritz crackers. Mr Bill wasn't pleased about it. He threatened to divorce me. Sigh! What will I do?

no0pb.gif no eating in bed


Yup, no more eating in bed.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 12:32:00
PhilippinesEating crackers in bed
Before I went to bed last night, I decided to take a bite of two pieces of Ritz crackers. Mr Bill wasn't pleased about it. He threatened to divorce me. Sigh! What will I do?
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-25 10:29:00
PhilippinesVisa Holder and got married in US..please need advice
QUOTE (mikaelah @ May 27 2009, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone, this topic isn't about me, it's about my aunt who met someone while visiting on a tourist visa. They got married, does anyone know the process? They applied for adjustment of status, but it was returned. can anyone help?


Tell your aunt about this thread.

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=136399

go to www.uscis.gov and you can read about getting your greencard through marriage and all the forms and fees involved.

Edited by Rocky_nBullwinkle, 27 May 2009 - 10:37 PM.

Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 22:33:00
PhilippinesI passed my interview today!
QUOTE (mybaby @ May 27 2009, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi to all.. Just wanna share my happiness,, I had my medical yesterday since I just got my negative result last tuesday, is been a long day yesterday and early today at 7am for my interview..Those hardships,are worthy it..Now, I am very happy that I passed .

Thanks so much for those people that are posting their experiences, from there we found answers to our concerns.. This sites helps a lot to people.. Good job everybody!!

God bless you all..


Congratulations to you! Job well done.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-27 22:22:00
PhilippinesVisa Expiration
QUOTE (jeeleebee @ May 28 2009, 12:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oops! Let me correct myself: the requirement is to get married within 90 days of your entry to the US, so as long as you get here before that visa expires, you should be fine. I dont think the date is important for anything else, esp. not when you file for AOS. Cheers!


Right. As for the wedding, if you are in a hurry to get marry (like we did), have a civil ceremony. The Catholic churches we went to see for a church wedding wanted us to attend classes for six months. Bummer! We can't wait that much for us to have a church wedding. We decided to go to the courthouse and get marry. star_smile.gif
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-28 12:13:00
PhilippinesDENIAL NOTICE... TOO SAD!!!!
QUOTE (epey_denz24 @ May 28 2009, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi please help me...we been waiting for our case approval...almost 4 years of waiting and nothings happen... we did everything to accelerate the processing,, we call regularly at uscis,,my husband apply for N400, upgraded our case, sent RFE...my world now is crashing i feel like dying, i want to cry and shout to ease the burden i have right now. today i got email from USCIS..DENIAL NOTICE... i feel like a child who left by mother,,,im crying and i dont know what to do...after all the long and patiently waiting the result is DENIAL...how painful it is friend. Please help me what to do.

too sad,, much painful than b4,HELP

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: Denial Notice Sent

On May 28, 2009, we mailed you a denial decision notice for this case I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. The notice explains why the denial decision was made and the options that may be available to you. If you have not received this notice within 15 days from May 28, 2009, please call customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for further assistance.


Who is the I-130 for? You didn't say what is the petition for.


Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-29 09:19:00
PhilippinesHow to help adjust when here?
QUOTE (Brian and Jopay @ May 26 2009, 10:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife misses her job, misses her friends, misses her country.... It takes so long before she can work here, to get work permit. Sigh...


Give her time to adjust in her new life. You are doing everything you can to make her feel home. But it takes time to get settled in a new environment. Once she gets her work permit and finds a job, no more homesickness.
Rocky_nBullwinkleFemalePhilippines2009-05-29 11:10:00