April 2011 Filers

[Cyclone 4]

Excellent! Congrats!

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Ray-J: Congrats on approval and special congratulation on birth of your daughter!!! -RK

John--Congrats to GG on passing her medical (not fun, I know). Thinking of you both as the interview date approaches; wishing you both the best!!! --RK

P.S. to John: everything eventually work out at CFO seminar OK?

Edited October 18, 2011 by RK_and_Inday

[John*&*his*GG 2]

GG passed her interview

The CFO thing I really don't know yet. She has to go back there.

[Ray-J 2]

GG passed her interview

The CFO thing I really don't know yet. She has to go back there.

Congrats to the hard head and you.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

@John&GG: Double Hurray's (Hurray! Hurray!!) for passing interview!!

The reason I asked about CFO is that I saw (and responded) to your other post about CFO. Plus, if it helps, using tips from previous CFO attendees, Inday and I used following strategy: Inday went to CFO seminer loaded with every single document she brought to U.S. embassy interview plus my tax forms/transcripts (for my proof of singleness) plus my education transcripts. That strategy and a respectful attitude towards the CFO counselors helped considerably. Inday said the counselor took one look at the 4 pound pile of documentation she had brought--and the rest was easy.

Again, congrats on passing the interview. 'Tis a great feeling!!!

--RK

Edited October 20, 2011 by RK_and_Inday

[Ray-J 2]

@John&GG: Double Hurray's (Hurray! Hurray!!) for passing interview!!

The reason I asked about CFO is that I saw (and responded) to your other post about CFO. Plus, if it helps, using tips from previous CFO attendees, Inday and I used following strategy: Inday went to CFO seminer loaded with every single document she brought to U.S. embassy interview plus my tax forms/transcripts (for my proof of singleness) plus my education transcripts. That strategy and a respectful attitude towards the CFO counselors helped considerably. Inday said the counselor took one look at the 4 pound pile of documentation she had brought--and the rest was easy.

Again, congrats on passing the interview. 'Tis a great feeling!!!

--RK

I wonder if the Letter of Intent to Marry would work in this situation; especially since it's addressed to the embassy.

[southcalhog 43]

Thanks, Junesue. I have pictures now.

Cute Lil Girl .....Ray_J!

[Ray-J 2]

Cute Lil Girl .....Ray_J!

Thanks, Tom. She's even cuter now.

Edited October 21, 2011 by Ray-J

[Ray-J 2]

Okay, VJ'ers... here's where I'm at in the process now. As most of you might know already, we passed the embassy interview. We had specified for her visa to be held for pick-up at 2Go at SM Bicutan. However, when we went there to check on it we found out that location had gone out of business. This prompted me to make another trip to the embassy to inquire about our options. Amy forgot to bring her visa payment receipt to the interview, which they never asked for. This worked out in our favor because the embassy never sent out her visa for delivery due to no proof of payment. They told me that all we have to do is bring the receipt to them and we can pick-up her visa from the embassy. That was relief number 1 today.

I had a bit of frustration again with the NSO (National Statistics Office (for those not familiar with Philippine government)). We've been having issues getting Serena's birth certificate from them. The NSO says that her BC is in a verification period and that they wouldn't be able to release her BC until Nov. 22. The problem is that we're supposed to leave on Nov. 11 and Serena's CRBA interview is this coming Friday. When I was at the NSO this past Friday, they told me that if I came back with the civil copy they'd be able to release the BC. That proved to be false. I asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor I spoke with directed me to go back to Manila City Hall and speak to Ms. Aurora Guzman (very nice lady). She was the one who gave me hope that everything might actually come together. She said that the embassy knows how slow the process is in the Philippines and will accept a civil copy if it is printed on security paper. I had to pay an additional fee for copies on the security paper and was asked to return the next day. I'll be glad to be done with this 3-ring circus governmental system.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Ray-J, Ouch on SM Bicutan 2go being out of business but "Hurray!!" for being able to pickup visa at embassy; very good news. Yes, have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with NSO and BCs for months on ende. Experience a bit different than yours so I can't provid any pertinent advice except to keep asking-and persistentlly--until you find some who can help you or seems to be able to provide the correct information. Hopefully, Ms. Guzman is that person. I am hoping it all works out for you and your family soon. --RK

Edited October 25, 2011 by RK_and_Inday

[Ray-J 2]

Ray-J, Ouch on SM Bicutan 2go being out of business but "Hurray!!" for being able to pickup visa at embassy; very good news. Yes, have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with NSO and BCs for months on ende. Experience a bit different than yours so I can't provid any pertinent advice except to keep asking-and persistentlly--until you find some who can help you or seems to be able to provide the correct information. Hopefully, Ms. Guzman is that person. I am hoping it all works out for you and your family soon. --RK

Visa in hand now. Picked it up at the embassy but had to insist that I was told I could do so if I brought in the receipt. I also had to show my passport at the embassy. Ms. Guzman assured me again today that the embassy will accept a civil copy on security paper because they know the NSO is so slow and Serena is still so young. We'll see what happens on Friday. I'll keep everyone posted. In the mean time, I think we'll try to get the CFO seminar out of the way either tomorrow or Thursday (Tuesday here, now).

[Ray-J 2]

CRBA didn't happen. The embassy stuck to their guns about requiring an NSO birth certificate. They said the only way they could get around it was with permission from D.C. God knows how long that would take. Went back to Manila City Hall and talked to Ms. Guzman. She referred us to the person in charge of scanning documents into the NSO database. She wasn't there when we got to NSO in Quezon City.... But upon returning to Manila City Hall, Ms. Guzman said she did get our contact on the phone. Supposedly, Serena's NSO birth certificate is now being fast tracked. We could have it before we leave to come home. However, with CRBA appointment availability and embassy processing times, Amy and Serena will have to travel alone after she has Serena's passport. The good news is that I asked the Embassy about the possibility of a DNA test being required. They said they don't require them but only recommend.

[Ray-J 2]

CRBA Update:

We seem to have some positive movement on the NSO BC. After getting the help Ms. Guzman promised, we traveled to the NSO office in Quezon City today and spoke with Ms. Orcilia's secretary. We filled out a form and paid for our copy of the BC. We'll get to go back on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to pick it up. This is a process that would normally mean that the BC wouldn't be available until Nov. 22. In the mean time, I pray that we can get a CRBA appointment on either Nov. 8, 9, or 10. Mom and I leave for home on the 11th.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Ray-J: Am following your updates with the greatest of empathy. Ugh, the frustrations of dealing with bureaucratic paperworkd in Philippines--or any country for that matter. Glad you seem to have some personnel that seem to be trying to be hellllllpful. I feel for you and am encouraged by your positive attitude in all this. I, too, will be praying for you and your family's situation. --RK

P.S. Where in Quezon city exactly is the NSO office and what is best way to get there? (I am getting some conflicting information from other sources.) Thanks! --RK

[Ray-J 2]

Ray-J: Am following your updates with the greatest of empathy. Ugh, the frustrations of dealing with bureaucratic paperworkd in Philippines--or any country for that matter. Glad you seem to have some personnel that seem to be trying to be hellllllpful. I feel for you and am encouraged by your positive attitude in all this. I, too, will be praying for you and your family's situation. --RK

P.S. Where in Quezon city exactly is the NSO office and what is best way to get there? (I am getting some conflicting information from other sources.) Thanks! --RK

It's at the corner of Quezon Ave and EDSA. As far as how you get there, that would depend upon where you're coming from and what time of day it is. I've been getting around by taking a taxi everywhere. Taxis in the Philippines are cheap when compared to the same mode of transport in the US. From where I'm staying by Market! Market! in Taguig City, it costs about 300 to 400 pesos to get to USEM. That's with tip and works out to be about $10 USD.