CFO... ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

[Noh81 0]

I hope you will tell us if you were able to get out of Philippines without the CFO sticker.

they can do the srickering in the airport but you must be able to show your certificate of attendance.

Oh well, I got nothing to show at all. I couldn't leave the country then???

[rheanick 42]

Based on the experienced shared by the woman i met in CFO, you wont be able to leave the country without CFO sticker.

The seminar is just half day. No need to reserve. Just follow the schedule stated on the paper included in your packet.

I hope you will tell us if you were able to get out of Philippines without the CFO sticker.

they can do the srickering in the airport but you must be able to show your certificate of attendance.

Oh well, I got nothing to show at all. I couldn't leave the country then???

[STEPHnRIA 2]

I hope you will tell us if you were able to get out of Philippines without the CFO sticker.

they can do the srickering in the airport but you must be able to show your certificate of attendance.

Oh well, I got nothing to show at all. I couldn't leave the country then???

Lets put it this way, during my CFO seminar, the lady sitting beside me told me that they (she and her fiancee) were supposed to leave the night before but were not able to. That's why she was sitting beside me that time at the CFO seminar.

[HappyDancer 7]

For some reasons, most of the BAD feedback are coming from CFO in Manila. Get them to sober up anyone! I hate for them to keep doing that. Those dorks out there should be given a good lesson to learn. These experiences all say to me one thing - those people appointed there are a bunch of ignorant b*tches and idiots.

[nbfsb 1]

i attended PDOS at quirino ave. the lecturer was awesome. he was not boring and was very knowledgeable on the topics being discussed. and was able to answer everyone's queries

[JM2008 0]

According to http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm one needs to make a reservation in advance.

However, in the package my fiance received from the embassy, included was a notice from CFO St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation. Listed is a website of http://smef-cow-phil.org But this is a non-functioning website.

- In what way is St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation affiliated with http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

- Can one register for the CFO at SMEF via the reservation tool at http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm ?

- Does one even need a reservation/pre-registration for the seminar at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation?

- What is the advanatage of attending the CFO seminar at SMEF over attending it at the place described at http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm

[happywifeymom 4]

My Fiancee just had her CFO experience... Wow, what we thought was JUST going to be a "Good to Know" and "Informative" event turned into partial interrogation on these women.

My Fiancee said that overall they were nice to her but were strict, pushy and sometimes rude to most others. I am NOT sure what this whole CFO thing is really supposed to be but when they start quizing them on my pants size and requesting pictures of us be left with them, it seems to me that its BS... As far as I know (And I may be wrong) CFO is not the convening authority on VISA's and who should and shouldnt depart the country. I COMPLETELY understand what I believed to be the idea behind this program, and that was to... inform the Pinoys traveling abroad and make them completely aware of all their options (A GOOD THING). But when they told my Fiancee that they want to have our picture and she had to go back home to get one for them to keep, I was thinking.. WOW.. do they have that much power? Sounds communist to me...

Sorry for my rant but... We just didnt realize it was going to be like this, kinda thought it was JUST an INFORMATIVE seminar.

Yes they would ask one or two pictures of you and your fiancee together. I don't think it's hard for her to give that to them? It is required and i gave them just one.

[gladys 0]

I hope you will tell us if you were able to get out of Philippines without the CFO sticker.

they can do the srickering in the airport but you must be able to show your certificate of attendance.

Oh well, I got nothing to show at all. I couldn't leave the country then???

Its better to go there and attend the Seminar, just got there early so that you can finish it in a day. Just go to St. Mary's so that you will not be harassed. It only one day processing and you can get the sticker there too. No need to go around Manila.

When I was about to leave Philippines, upon checking the bags, they check if you have the sticker on the passport coz if not you can't get out of the country. A day for the seminar is worth the trouble than re booking your ticket and paying for extra to change your flight.

[rheanick 42]

According to http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm one needs to make a reservation in advance.

However, in the package my fiance received from the embassy, included was a notice from CFO St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation. Listed is a website of http://smef-cow-phil.org But this is a non-functioning website.

- In what way is St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation affiliated with http://www.cfo.gov.ph/ - St Mary is an NGO. The personnel in St Mary explained it to us how they are affiliated with CFO but i did not bother to take note of it... Sorry... - Can one register for the CFO at SMEF via the reservation tool at http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm ? - i did not bother to register.. I just went there before 8:30 for the registration. It was quite fast. -

Does one even need a reservation/pre-registration for the seminar at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation? no

- What is the advanatage of attending the CFO seminar at SMEF over attending it at the place described at http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm - St Mary is quite friendly and accomodating. Also, st Mary is an NGO and if something happened to me... I know i could count on them if i need help....

[couple 0]

I hope you will tell us if you were able to get out of Philippines without the CFO sticker.

they can do the srickering in the airport but you must be able to show your certificate of attendance.

Oh well, I got nothing to show at all. I couldn't leave the country then???

I'd better be safe but not time for me yet to have this registration. Hopefully soon.

Yes it sounds ridiculous especially for people doesnt know about it. I wouldnt know too if I didnt see this topic (or maybe we are few only who doesnt know?). If this is really a requirement Id like to see the law where it is stated (just curious). I wonder how many people were refused to leave the country just because of no sticker?

[David-and-Mae 15]

CFO is being required by the Philippine government, not by US government. CFO and USEM are not even connected to each other, thus, USEM has nothing to do with the requirement of the seminar and stamp. During my CFO - which by the way, I attended at PRISM in Taft - they explained to us that even if you have your visa, airline ticket, etc, without the CFO certificate and the stamp on your passport, there's no way you can get out of the country. The immigration officer actually checked those things on my passport (I stapled the certificate on the page next to where the stamp is).

The CFO guidance and counseling seminar takes at least an hour or two. If you have your visa already, you can then have the stamp on your passport the same day. If you are on the stage of waiting for your interview or visa, you can have the seminar done and then come back for the stamp once you got your visa. There have been good feedbacks on St. Mary branch so if you don't want any hassles and "harrassments", go there. Unlike the PRISM in Taft, we have heard horrible stories from applicants who went there. They can be so strict and they require some documents and proofs so better be prepared if you will go there for the seminar. I had my guidance and counseling there and I saw a lot of applicants who experienced some hard times. Merely because they lack of preparation and their testimonies about their relationships were not convincing enough to the counselors. I was counseled by the head of the PRISM and I really enjoyed my time there. She asked me a lot of questions but it wasn't very hard since it's just like telling your love story to another friend. She didn't ask for any documents at all but I voluntarily showed her our picture together that I have been keeping in my walllet. Even if she asked for documents, I was prepared for it. I got a folder of everything and a scrapbook of our pictures. Before I took the seminar, being a member here in VJ, I have heard about what's really going on during the counseling. Honestly, it made me nervous that's why I went overboard in preparing for it.

Here are some pointers that you may want to remember when you attend CFO especially in PRISM:

1. Know your fiance/husband's middle name, which basically, they meant the mother's maiden name. There have been confusions on this one since in the Philippines, when you say middle name, it meant the mother's maiden name, but in US, the middle name is the second name of the person.

2. Know your fiance/husband's work phone, they might ask for it.

3. If they will ask you to tell them about your relationship, be proud and think of it like you're telling the story to a friend or something.

4. Bring all necessary documents such as: divorce decrees/death certificates if previously married, pictures of the two of you together, etc. It will also be nicer if you already got the visa and the itinerary. Just bring anything that has significance to you and your SO.

5. Be prepared for any surprise questions. They will do that just to make sure you really know what you are doing and what you're getting yourself into.

6. And most especially, think of it this way: "Well, we have waited long enough to be together from the visa application to the interview stage and this seminar is just the last obstacle that is keeping us apart." Seeing the seminar in a positive way will make you feel good about it.

I have a friend who attended CFO in Cebu and the nun over there asked for written plans from her and from her then fiance. So the bottom line is, be prepared always.

Thank you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

--Mae

[dbears 1]

I have not read the entire 4 pages here but i just want to add my experience and my 2 cents worth.

I had CFO seminar at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation and it was no sweat. Everybody I met there, from the guard to the staffs were all courteous and very accommodating. Yes, there were questions during the one on one but I never found it insulting, I had nothing to hide and I just answered as truthfully as I could and with a sense of pride and excitement, not of coming to america but of the fact that I will be marrying the person i love. I was just so happy to tell my counselor about our love story and our wedding plans thus far. I also freely asked about success rate for marriage to foreigners vs. unsuccessful one and how many cases of reported abuse they receive every year and all other stuff they do. I actually had a great time and learned a lot during my CFO seminar because I made full use of it. I did pay 250 for the counseling so I made sure I get my full money's worth.

When I was there, there was a caucasian with his filipina fiancee and he was barking at her for every little things he thought she did wrong like not having ink pen with her, forgetting his full birthdate, etc. She was seated besides me while we were filling up forms and the caucasian was standing beside her snapping (loud enough for everybody to hear) at her while the poor girl was just taking everything in without complaint. It was sad, there was already abuse happening right at that CFO office.. did the CFO people denied her from getting certificate and stickers, No, they just informed her of all her rights and where to get help when and if she will ever need it.

While I was also there, there was also one attendee whose petitioner (a korean) have been blacklisted (in the CFO database), the petitioner has sponsored several filipinas in the past, some have reported abuse. What happened to her, whether she still got the sticker or not, I was not able to find out.

In spite of the hassle of taking the CFO seminar, I still think the benefit of taking it far outweighs the negative... only if people taking it would learn to appreciate the work they do for all Filipinos leaving for a foreign land where culture and customs and traditions and slangs and whathaveyou are different from the way things are in our nativeland. I have complete trust my husband will never abuse me in any way (he knows better not to anyway) but it still gave me added confidence that whatever happens, I know where to turn to, thanks to info I got from CFO.

[macutelit 0]

I have not read the entire 4 pages here but i just want to add my experience and my 2 cents worth.

I had CFO seminar at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation and it was no sweat. Everybody I met there, from the guard to the staffs were all courteous and very accommodating. Yes, there were questions during the one on one but I never found it insulting, I had nothing to hide and I just answered as truthfully as I could and with a sense of pride and excitement, not of coming to america but of the fact that I will be marrying the person i love. I was just so happy to tell my counselor about our love story and our wedding plans thus far. I also freely asked about success rate for marriage to foreigners vs. unsuccessful one and how many cases of reported abuse they receive every year and all other stuff they do. I actually had a great time and learned a lot during my CFO seminar because I made full use of it. I did pay 250 for the counseling so I made sure I get my full money's worth.

When I was there, there was a caucasian with his filipina fiancee and he was barking at her for every little things he thought she did wrong like not having ink pen with her, forgetting his full birthdate, etc. She was seated besides me while we were filling up forms and the caucasian was standing beside her snapping (loud enough for everybody to hear) at her while the poor girl was just taking everything in without complaint. It was sad, there was already abuse happening right at that CFO office.. did the CFO people denied her from getting certificate and stickers, No, they just informed her of all her rights and where to get help when and if she will ever need it.

While I was also there, there was also one attendee whose petitioner (a korean) have been blacklisted (in the CFO database), the petitioner has sponsored several filipinas in the past, some have reported abuse. What happened to her, whether she still got the sticker or not, I was not able to find out.

In spite of the hassle of taking the CFO seminar, I still think the benefit of taking it far outweighs the negative... only if people taking it would learn to appreciate the work they do for all Filipinos leaving for a foreign land where culture and customs and traditions and slangs and whathaveyou are different from the way things are in our nativeland. I have complete trust my husband will never abuse me in any way (he knows better not to anyway) but it still gave me added confidence that whatever happens, I know where to turn to, thanks to info I got from CFO.

:thumbs:

[ED*Riza 0]

I would like to add also to bring a copy of His BC as I was asked to submit a copy during my CFO in cebu.

[sunzetgirl 0]

Hmm in my opinion the seminar is useless, basically what they teach you is what to do in the event your husband or future husband abuse you, physically or emotionally, the lady who conducted mine has this piece of advise to all of us who were present at the seminar. "Call 911". Big Deal! I think they just want the 750.00 PhP per Filipino who is to marry a foreigner.