Hello Everyone!

My name is Pia Faustino and I'm a researcher for the Filipino television documentary program I-WITNESS which airs Monday nights on GMA7, the Philippines' top-rated tv network.

I came across this forum while doing some online research for a documentary about the growing number of intercultural marriages in the Philippines--in part thanks to the wider availability of internet throughout the country.

I'd like to ask the members of this forum for help in fidning a couple we could feature on our show. Specifically, we're looking for a couple (half of whom should be Filipina, of course) who met online and will be meeting in person for the first time, here in the Philippines, anytime before Christmas 2007. Our intention here is to capture the emotions and issues this couple encounters at this crucial moment in their relationship, and how the people in their lives are also impacted by it.

Does anyone here know such a couple? If so, I'd like to talk with the guy or the girl or both over the phone and discuss whether they'd be
willing to share their story with us. FYI, this episode will be hosted and written by broadcast journalist Ms. Sandra Aguinaldo.

Of course, a couple's first face-to-face meeting is a personal moment and not everyone will want to broadcast it on television. But to give everyone some peace of mind, we at I-Witness have had a lot of experience in handling sensitive topics like this. We've done stories on such polygamy, gay and lesbian issues, teenage mothers, crime in urban poor communities, to name a few. With each episode, we strive to tell our subjects' stories as faithfully as possible--without judgment or celebration. For the past 8 years this has earned our show a reputation of credibility and quality-- and also made us one of the most internationally awarded programs in Philippine TV (including a Peabody award in 1999 and a gold medal at the New York TV and Film Festivals of 2007). Many people agree to be interviewed on I-Witness because they see our program as a way to empower others with stories similar to their own. I invite you to check out some of our work on YouTube and see for yourself our style.

So, yes. Any leads at all would be much appreciated, everyone! I can be contacted through my mobile 63 9172090852, work phone 63 2 9827777
local 1411 or 1412, or emails piafaustino@yahoo.com.ph, or i-witness4@gmanetwork.com. You can also send me an IM to my yahoo ID piafaustino.

Thanks,

Pia Faustino
Researcher, I-Witness

ps. Those who want to verify my background can check with GMA7
Network in Manila. Their landline is 63 2 9827777 which you can also
check on google. Or you can check this link:
http://www.theworldoffilipinas.com/forum/index.php?
showtopic=9313&st=20. I also posted a query at this forum some weeks
ago, and one of the memers took the liberty of emailing GMA7 to check
my identity. He posted the response on the thread.

Need a MOD merge:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=96400&hl=

Sorry but I imagine most people in the immigration process want to stay "low key" and just get thru their process without making any waves.
Try offering first class tickets and first class accomodations and you may have some luck!

im sorry Ms. Pia..but Haole's reply really made me laugh...

I was just looking at air fares but that was for Feb to March and the best I could find was about $1100

i think that most people have already met and have relationships.

That's weird.. March should be a low season..

2 years ago.. I got a flight for $700 round trip ticket NYC to MNL vice versa..

Fares are up a lot compared to last year. Jan. '07 my round trip ticket from Cincinnati, Ohio was $920. I'm going back again in Jan. '08 and the round trip ticket was $1247. I'm sure that the airline's efforts to have full flights and the rising cost of fuel have both affected the pricing.

Yea, oil prices are ruining everything. I went in March 05 and it was $700. My ex-friend went in December of 03 and it was $550

Hi Ms. Pia,

Your offer was great I would love to see myself and my husband on national tv but it's late were not qualified anymore Hope you found this website last 2005. My husband visited me twice that year and stayed for Christmas 2005 and New Year 2006.

Hey guys, don't you like to broadcast your unique and wonderful love story?

Good luck on your research.

Lily

wow that would be awesome! but we are also not qualified cuz weve met each other here in phil. in person not online. but funny i am, there are times im wondering what i ill send a letter to wish ko lang and ask for FEB. episode or vday.my NOA2 will get expired by FEB and im worrying that by this month im still here alone in vday again..pls. dont hesitate to contact me if u need to capture real life lovestory or wish that came true for vday special episode,im willing to be on national tv..with all the shamed etc. i could take it all if by doin this will get me to surprised my man knockin on his front door sending myself as a xmas or valentines gift!hahahaha yes laugh out loud at me now...hahahahahaha

I kind of agree with notebook, I think a documentary exposing how a 9 month to 2 year seperation while waiting for a visa impacts the lives of loved ones.