Derbo/Yamkins

Also, when asked for the Reference No. when you schedule online, if your Receipt Number doesn't work, type in your passport number.

They let me in before when my cousin was petitioned by his parent. His legal guardian here is a senior citizen. So, a minor and a senior citizen. I just had to tell that to the guard at the first line.

If not, you could either ask a relative to come with you and take care of your baby outside while they wait for you to be done. If the CO asks for the baby, you could just say he/she is outside the embassy. OR bring him/her in but in a baby body bag (one that wraps in front of you?). In that case, your hands are free.

Good luck

Hello! I'm also from Cebu. I have a question. My baptismal certificate 'GIVEN NAME' has a "MARY" in it so it's slightly different from my 'BIRTH CERTIFICATE' name, which is without the "MARY." Does this have any bearing? Do I need to get a separate NBI clearance for this? I never used my baptismal name in any legal documents though. Thank you!

You could probably get hold of an Affidavit of Discrepancy that the 2 names refer to the same person which is you just to be safe.

A similar problem with names somehow caused delays on my cousin's processing when he was petitioned. An affidavit was requested from us.

If they know a 'Kano" is paying, you'll pay two to three times the actual cost.

Sad but true!

When I was inquiring about our engagement party and wedding (for stuff I would just bring with me to the US like the gown, etc.), I have to "bend my answer" about venue and who I'm getting married to.

When Deren visited the Philippines too, I was speaking to him in Filipino just so they think he lives here and just have mixed ethnicity. Hahaha. Good thing Deren rides along well and he learns our language very fast!

A tricycle driver exclaimed after dropping us, "Aww too bad! I thought I'm going to get a good deal today!"

Nuh-uh!

It also depends on what kind of people your guests are... so we have circle of friends who deserve to be treated with importance...

I definitely agree with this. It would be insulting to serve something "cheap" or lower to what your circle is accustomed to. It's likewise insulting to the couple for a guest to not give gifts or give cheap gifts after being entertained and accommodated. I also don't prefer "feast-like" parties where anyone could crash into the event. I've been to parties like that and it's annoying how certain guests don't even greet the hosts and just proceed directly to their seats or the buffet table to eat then bail after.

One way to control the budget is to meticulously go over the guest list too.

OP, is there any other church that you could probably consider? To be honest, the Manila Cathedral (where famous and rich people in Manila are getting married) is only charging 20,000 for a centralized AC gigantic church and it already includes the whole ceremony (priests, ushers, soloist, organist, red carpet, etc..) You guys are only planning for a simple wedding in a small town in the province. Are you sure that's the real amount? If it is, it's ridiculous.. like you said, it's a small town in a province..

Amen to that. You might as well look at better alternatives. Who knows, you might be surprised on how cheaper or similar they could be.

I realize that it probably is already late to say this.. but the key is to know first how much a couple can spend before looking for wedding vendors/suppliers.. In that way, you guys can say yes and no to any offers and look for other alternatives.

one of the first and most important steps in planning a wedding. it would definitely help you to not bite more than you can chew.

Just wanted to ask for opinions here what a simple wedding should cost in the province, small town.

We plan to have a simple ceremony in the Catholic church which will last about an hour. The church charged us over $400 for 1 hour with flower decorations and no reception.

On top of that fee the church also charged my wife 8,000 pesos for her Catholic confirmation. To me it seems excessive for those charges. Surely the local people can't afford that cost to be married in the local church.

My wife is looking for a venue, restaurant for the reception and party for family. We also need to rent clothes for the bridesmaids, groomsmen and myself. Get a photographer etc.

I tried to get a quote several times from my wife at least a ball park figure but she hasn't been able to yet which makes it difficult for me to have a clue what our expenses will be. She said she would let me know in a few more days.

We were already married over a year ago. This is just a ceremony for her family that could not join us in the US of course.

If someone can give me an idea of what to expect that would be helpful. Our expenses are crazy right now before our trip costs and additional expenses.

Thank you..

(Yamy replying)

This is so far the average: http://www.filipinawives.com/WeddingCosts.htm

Set a budget then work your way through the other things needed in the wedding based on it. Like maybe instead of hiring a professional wedding studio for your photographer, you might know someone who is an amateur or a student (given of course, ask for samples).

Also, most hotels and venues offer wedding packages (sometimes, even including bridal suite) if you want to be saved the hassle. Just an example: http://www.richmondhotelcebu.com/weddingpackages.php

Here are also some packages I saw just to give you a rough idea:

http://cebufameswedding.com/packages_wedding.php

It might help to know your wife's diocese (for their fees in Church and in confirmation)(I don't know where she's from) but this is what I saw for Cebu (but I'm not from Cebu):

http://www.pacific-cebu.com/sacrament-of-confirmation/

I know I didn't pay P8000 when I was confirmed in high school. It would help to call their local diocese. It might be different for adult confirmation.

Except that is not a Sherman (M4 Medium) It is a Stuart, (M3 Light)

Someone knows their tanks

To clarify: I guess that day, she drove my tank to work HERE is her tank

The two phone calls I have Made were to the usem (214)571-1600 and they tell me I can not schedule tell this is resolved, can not schedule tell they have it in there computer.

(Yamy replying)

OR if you can't get in using the receipt number and it gives you some error message, put in your passport number as the reference number. Then, you'd be able to schedule for an interview.

The two phone calls I have Made were to the usem (214)571-1600 and they tell me I can not schedule tell this is resolved, can not schedule tell they have it in there computer.

(Yamy replying)

I think then it's a matter to be settled with BPI?

..... A USED SHERMAN TANK WOULD BE GOOD!!! .........

It's really no problem for my wifey each morning

You should enter your passport number as the receipt number. Anyways,was my prob too but then at the end I just called them and instructed them of when will I want my interview and then after talking about 8 minutes, they sent the appointment letter through email.

I just tried the passport number and I'm now in!

If only they tell this to you upon payment, it would have saved me almost a day wasted on waiting.

Thanks a lot!

i pay my visa in BPI last august 2, @12pm like P 15,050 the same with you. and they just took my passport too, they didnt ask my MNL case number too. and i scan the receiptand send to my fiance. he schedule me the US Embassy for my interview through phone not online. around 6pm and i receive the appointment letter through email that time. No problem at all. i think they have problem in online scheduling. good luck to your interview..

Thank goodness! I was starting to worry that there was something wrong. Whew!

Okay, if this online scheduling won't work within the next hours, we would call the US Embassy as you did. Thanks a lot!

Thanks for that. Have you done your medical? What time did you arrive?

Anyway, regarding setting an appointment, I did mine yesterday and it took more than 6-8hours (I think) before I could schedule myself. I called an operator earlier that day and she said I should just schedule it the next day as it takes time for the system to input the payment. But I badly wanted to make an appointment ASAP so I just kept trying until it finally came in. That was already night time hehe. I hope you get to schedule yours today! =)

You're welcome! Not yet! I'm hoping I could schedule it within the next week or two. I'm planning to be there maybe by 5am or 6am so I can hopefully get an early number and have plenty of time in the day for possible problems!

6-8 hours?! Anyway, what is 6-8 hours after waiting months for this to come, right?

i arrived 7:30 am. since Thursday and Friday don't have much people. they said its not good if your going there monday.. coz too much people. but if you come early they allowed you to go inside of the building for your safety.. goodluck to your medical.. drink sterilized milk.. it will big help..

Thanks for the day tip! Maybe I should get Tuesday or Wednesday then. Was it fast when you did yours? Will it really take 2 days?

What's the sterilized milk for? I'm thinking Bear Brand here.

Hi guys! We (me and my 5-month-old) are having our medical exam done this week! Most likely 2 days from now. Any last advice?

What time should we arrive St. Lukes Ermita (Manila, Philippines)? I called in earlier and they say they open at 6am. Should we still come in earlier tho? I am so nervous cause it's not easy bringing a baby along especially when you're expecting a long wait / long day ahead.

I think you will find this thread helpful:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/221658-st-lukes-medical-exam-walkthrough/

GOOD LUCK!

Hi. I went and paid at the BPI Branch near us 11:30AM. I tried scheduling an appointment now (almost 6pm) and it shows me this error message:

No service fee can be found for the entered request number. Please validate your request number is correct and you have paid the correct amount for the visa you are applying. [873XXXXX]

I have the copies of the receipts (I paid for my sister's tourist visa P6,020; and my K1 visa P15,050 fees).

The branch I went to is using the new system--computerized queue system--wherein you input data on a computer before being given a customer number.

The teller didn't even ask for my Case number (MNLxxxxxx) and just took my passport. I asked about that since that's what I read from the instructions and he said it's okay and that's all he needed.

It is your NOA1 date. The date written on the NOA1 hard copy.

I see.

Which one? Notice Date or Received Date?

Thank you very much!

Hi. I was filling up the form to schedule an appointment in ustraveldocs website. I understand that the Case ID is the number that starts with MNL (for Manila, Philippines) right?

How about the Priority Date? I included a screenshot of the form I was doing:

It's a required field. It won't let me proceed to the next step.

MURA KA UG NAMALENGKE!!! gikan ko sa Mindanao. Sa Malasila, Makilala North Cotabato ko nagdaku, human ning balhin ang among pamilya sa Asuncion Davao del Norte, sa pagkakaron ang akong ginikanan nagpuyo sa Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. Sa Mindanao ko gadaku pero sa kalooy sa Ginoo buhi pa man hangtod karon ug wa man ko makaagi ug g'yera sa akong pagdaku sa Mindanao.

Ang ako lang ika-ingon sa imoha ayaw paghukmi ang tibuok Mindanao kay dili tibuok nga Mindanao gubot nga lugar. Ang imong pagtrato sa mga babae diri sa Pilipinas mura ug Palengke. Mura ka lang ug muadto sa palengke ug namili kung unsang klase nga karne or isda ang imong gustong paliton...ing-ana ka mubo ang imong pag tan-aw sa amo-a. Pero imo ra gihapon gilamon ang imong garbo kay diri man ka ningkuha ug babae para imong asawahon. Bisan asa ka adto nga lugar kung oras na nimo...wa kay mahimo. Bisan sa sulod sa imong mans'yon daghan gihapon ug peligro, mahimong mahulog ka sa hagdnan or madalin-as ka sa imong banyo. "KUNG ORAS MO NA, ORAS MO NA"

Anyway when you are looking on the website you can see in the girls profiles where they live, along with a lot of other information.

Seemed like a strange thread to me too Sounds more like shopping...

"Avoid the ones with XYZ in the serial number. Those include a manufacturing defect!"

I am comparing bulk buying to that of America, cases of canned goods, cases of water, etc. Those I could not find..... Gallons yes. but that is not "bulk" items.

(Yamy replying)

We do have those in the Philippines but maybe in the particular area where your fiancee lives, they don't. Wholesale stores (or those that really sell bulk) like Puregold Duty Free, Makro or Uniwide are found usually in business districts. Although, most malls do offer bulk. It's just not wise to buy those there.

Being Filipina, I still find those that you mentioned "new" or surprising for me.

If you're going with Gretchen to her medical exam or embassy interview, you could explore the metro together. I suggest Makati (nearer to NAIA) and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig if you would like to see places that are different from what she's used to. It would be nice for her to see these places in the Philippines before she leaves for the US. It would be fun.

I guess it is safe to say that the Philippines is just as diverse as people are saying the US is (or any other country, for that matter).

Follow-up question related to this.

Can't you bring copies of these documents and bring the original for them to compare?

I think you can submit the copies as long as they can compare it with the originals. Then they'll keep the photocopies in your file.

I read a thread similar to this...

...here it is!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/306180-original-documents-required-for-k1-interview-usem-manila/

10-packs of American brand cigarettes

I saw eggs packaged inside reused cigarette cartons, which by the way weren't refrigerated. I don't think I had ever seen non-refrigerated eggs before then

...well I had... they were just on a farm, not a grocery store!

if our visa will be approved this year,we'll have the wedding in the US. if not,feb of next year we'll join the mass wedding of the catholic church. nothing fancy but very solemn. no reception afterwards.

Good luck to you! I hope you get it soon so you can be together!

We had a catholic wedding in Vermont.. We did the preliminary interview and pre-cana seminar in the Philippines, and had the documents shipped to the diocese in Vermont, and it went great! We had sponsors, and the candle, coin, veil and cord ceremony as well. I blogged about all the planning here, and also made a wedding website. Enjoy wedding planning, and more importantly, have a great one!

Hi! Thanks! Wow, been reading your blog and I couldn't agree more. Things are indeed relatively more expensive in the US! It's a much complicated planning too to do everything being miles away!

I enjoyed your site! I love your photos too! They make me all excited for our day.

We're currently updating our site too

Congratulations, Tim & Steph! Stay happily married!

Congrats! Our wedding is also set for 11/11/11 !!! Can't comment on differences between countries as I'm a Canadian-American (born dual) and my love is Australian so cultures

are very similar. But wanted to say hello and congrats as we'll share the same wedding day!

WOOT!!! Thanks! Congrats too! Hahaha. High five on our wedding day! Wishing you the best on the wedding day as well as the rest of your lives together!