Derbo/Yamkins

Alongside preparing for our K1 visas, I know that most of us are planning for our wedding day as well. This is just out of curiosity. How are you planning/did you plan your wedding?

I noted a lot of differences between the wedding traditions of the USA and the Philippines (for example, primary sponsors, secondary sponsors, etc.)

We are still planning our church wedding come this November 11th. Yup, 11/11/11! Ours will be a Catholic one so it adheres to a set of guidelines governed by the Church. Even if that's the case, weddings in the Philippines (even if in a Catholic procession) differ a lot.

So how will yours be?

also interesting that the guys in the back pass their money up through 2 or 3 pairs of hands and the driver seems to get the money and you get your change

HAHA, yeah! As Americans, the only time we feel comfortable passing money around in public is to buy a few hotdogs at a baseball game

Well, the same with us in the Philippines.

We have everything (properties and all) and the consul gives us this reason, "It's not yet time for you to go to the US."

Seriously, what the hell do they care when I wanted to splurge money?

Been denied twice.

(Yamy replying)

Traveling overnight by ferry in economy class. I was the only kano.

In our case, attending a Catholic mass and he's the only "kano". Every one is looking at him like he's an apparition.

Fish heads in soup.

Hahahaha. I remember him saying something similar to "Why are the fishes looking at me?" or something similar to "They still swim." It was in good humor.

-Large fences and walls everywhere. Not common to see parks or open grassy areas.

wealthy people loves their privacy. beware, behind those gates are security guards with shotguns too

Indeed! I have to tell our private guards to enter stealth for him. He had to recover from shock for visiting the mall that day.

(and of course, I'm kidding )

And with Michael and Ivy mentioning fishes and their bones, I have to add that I made Deren try Tawilis (Freshwater Sardinella) from Tagaytay! For those who don't know, you eat Tawilis with the bones.

To those who have received the "new" NBI clearance, what remarks are indicated? Is it still "No record on file", "No derogatory record". etc?

Yes, mine says "No record on file". Still green for international purposes.

The differences are: the thumb mark is now digitally printed on the form and there is a 3D barcode next to it. The purpose is also more specific now than "Travel Abroad". Mine now says, "Travel to USA".

I had such a good time reading the other thread about what your fiancee / wife thought about life in the States, that I decided to turn it around a little bit.

When you or your spouse first visited in the Philippines, what was most shocking to them? Here is our list!

-Security guards armed with shotguns and automatic rifles. Checkpoints before entering malls, even cities.

-Toilet paper must be purchased in public restrooms, and absolutely NOT flushed.

-Traffic is chaotic and disorderly. It takes hours just to drive a short distance.

-Spoons are the most common utensil. Even for cutting!

-Large fences and walls everywhere. Not common to see parks or open grassy areas.

-Stray dogs and chickens wander everywhere!

-Churches are always full no matter what time of day.

-Medicine can be bought without a prescription.

-Beautiful skyscrapers RIGHT next door to dumping grounds.

-Power lines are a tangled mess... even in urban areas.

First of all, congratulations!

I would suggest getting your NBI clearance while its still early because of the 'new' system & may cause further delays in the end. I applied for my NBI last July 7 & releasing will on the 27th so I had to reschedule my interview.

Like what Inky said, you can wait a week or 2 & call NVC to get your MNL # so you can go ahead with your medical exam.

Hi! Thanks!

I just got mine today. It took 3 hours.

Thread to that: (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/320237-nbi-clearance-manila/page__gopid__4795014#entry4795014)

Did you file yours in the province? Anyhow, I think it would cost another fee to reschedule if ever you can get one earlier. The ones in Manila offer same day release (given that you don't have anyone with the same name as yours with conflicting records).

Just got my NBI today! Very fast processing (relative to other areas in news) in Ever Gotesco Mall, Cinema 1 (Morayta. Intersection after FEU and PRC). I arrived 9am and was given the number 127. I finished 12nn.

Later, people started adding in from the main offices (Taft, City Hall and, if not mistaken, Quezon City). They said they were forwarded to Ever Gotesco because of the low flow of traffic there.

NBI Clearance costs P115.00. There were seats available since it is in a cinema.

According to the officer, provincial units usually take a month to process since they process applications manually. So, better call your local/provincial offices first before traveling. I called the Pampanga office yesterday and they told me about 1 month processing which costs P150(? ...maybe it was P115). They even advised that if thinking of going to the main offices, have to be there and reserve queue by 1AM!

Good luck to everyone!

I don't know if it will hep but have you tried checking the NBI office that we have near the Capitol Building? I am from Pampanga too.

Yhang, just called the San Fernando, Pampanga office, they said they do manual processing and will take 1 MONTH to release!

With Manila, you can get it instantly but have to wait hours (even fall in line very early in the morning). They say Manila only limits 500 applicants per day.

Filed mine in an SM Business Center. Took 2 weeks. Am going to get mine tomorrow.

After months of waiting and feeling desperate because the other people (who filed in the same date and after us) have been getting their NoA2's except us, we finally got the SMS!!!

My fiance was discussing with our realtor about the house we wanted to purchase. He was about to sign the papers when he got an SMS saying our petition has been approved! He had this face the whole time in front of the realtor and his dad. Hahahaha!

I posted yesterday about getting an NBI clearance. Looks like I have to move fast then! Woooot!

So, we need to wait for the NVC document with our MNL case number and instructions right?

Yay so happy!

Cheers to all of us!

I don't know if it will hep but have you tried checking the NBI office that we have near the Capitol Building? I am from Pampanga too.

Not yet. I was trying to be sure before I travel there. It takes almost an hour or more for me to go there since I won't be using my car (broken) and I'm from another city (3-4 jeepney rides to get there for me! GAH!). Maybe I could try calling their office there tomorrow. Although, the advisories and news are saying that people from provinces are going to Manila to get theirs. Hence, the long line.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I hope they efficiently address the issue soon!

Right now, it looks like I'm off to Manila then. It looks like a surer and better option than traveling an hour to San Fernando Capitol (and just being advised to get it in Manila).

By the way, since this is a new system, any idea on how much it costs now?

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks for the feedback, giamimigio and RenCor!

http://www.nbi.gov.ph/Clearance/Advisory.htm

I wonder if the LGUs would accept non-residents of their area. The closest to me among those in the list is Bulacan.

Not really a good time to be changing systems!

Hi! We're currently waiting for our NoA2 to arrive. While waiting, I, the beneficiary, decided to compile all our needed documents for the interview (CENOMAR, Police Clearance, etc.).

The only document I haven't applied for yet is the NBI Clearance (I have a previous certificate but it is expired.).

I watched the news from ABS CBN's TV Patrol 2 nights ago (July 17, 2011) regarding NBI's "problems" relating to its technology/processing (dispute with previous IT contractor and new one). Also, I read this article today (July 19,2011):

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/226666/nation/long-lines-for-nbi-clearance-give-vendors-heyday

I would like to ask if it's true that satellite offices of NBI no longer exist? Should we all go to Manila to acquire a clearance certification? I also heard they transferred offices. Where? How long does it take to get a certification? It used to be fast but according to the recent news, it isn't.

I am from Pampanga.

Thank you very much for all your suggestions.

Your woman makes them take you so your eyes don't wander too much. I'm not joking either, my wife tried that sh*t with me when I wanted to go out by myself. I have friends who travel to my wife's country and we hang, so I don't need my wife's brothers as chaperones. Probably the same in your case. There are lots of women that like Americans there, she's just scared to lose you to some younger, hotter woman.

I don't think so. Yes, they may feel protective of their daughters / sisters, but they escort you places for a reason other than that. Your safety.

I was instructed to send a SMS with the license plate of any taxi I might need to ride while alone in Manila. Didn't make me feel comfortable riding taxis alone at all

It was not accurate at all for us.

It is an estimate time of everyones personal input VJ timelines. Some people don't update their timelines and some people don't even fill them in. It also does not include any of the 1000s of others going through the process not on VJ.

In the back of my head I'm thinking the date provided might be accurate for the NoA2, based on the 3-5 month wait and data I've seen elsewhere. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone knew specifically when their application would be reviewed? Hehe oh well, back to waiting!

Thanks for your input Inky

Hello everyone, this is our first official post here

I noticed under "view my timeline," it gives an an estimated date for the process:

"Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between *x and x*".

For those who have been approved already, did you notice if this date was anywhere near accurate? I'd hate to keep getting our hopes up each day I see the date get closer and closer. *keeps fingers crossed*

Thanks, and best of luck to all!