CMAGR8DX

Hi everyone! Our case was completed on Jan 5, 2012... I was hoping to find others completed around the same date to get an idea of how soon we get our interviews scheduled.

I had a lot of friends who worked for DODEA on the bases in the Philippines, got married back in the day, and eventually returned to the Philippines to retire. In almost all of the cases, being away from the country made the wives realize how backwards, inefficient, etc. that things in the PI really are. You don't recognize the water that you are swimming in until you've swam in some other water. None of these women were arrogant or had bad attitudes. They just came to expect more from people than is often available in the Philippines.

Most also still helped their families as much as possible. But they were tougher about it because they now realized how much work that western money cost. It wasn't growing on trees anymore once they had seen what it was like to earn a living in the west.

That said, i think that what you are describing is also these people's chance to show their old friends how important and big they are. In the west, they are probably not special in the least. But with dollars in their pockets, they seem to think that they've grown a great pesonality.

Well said!... They've grown a great personality AND an ego to match...

It depends on the situation you have. In the Philippines Law if you are annulled you should have the sole custody of the child.

Thanks... we're still together... i'm in the US.... just trying to figure out what I need to do. (on my end) so they won't run into any problems getting here.... hope fully soon... gotta think positive

Well, I haven't' seen anyone here getting travel permit just to take their kid/s for a Boracay vacation. So I say yes.

ok.... Thanks

Yes. Nobody cares where your child is going all over PI as long as he/she got an adult company.

Thanks for the reply...

Ok... so he only needs a PERMISSION TO TRAVEL LETTER if its an international flight... right?

Permission Letter to Travel....

My wife and son will be travelling to the Manila embassy for his CRBA interview soon. I know that minors need a permission letter to travel if only one parent travels with them... but does that include domestically? (from Tacloban to Manila)

("can I borrow"?, "I like it. Give that to me..you have plenty"!, "where's my pasalubong"? "I'm asking for Pasko!", "I'm shy to ask but I have an emergency" "You are mabait so I know you will help me", "I'm so happy we found each other again..I need to ask a favor", "halot", "koriput" .phew....on and on and on)

WOW!!! You just described my "after Thanksgiving chat" with some of the fam....

omg!... were you there too?!

It maybe the culture, but I've also noticed that not only do they (Filipinas) talk openly about how much possessions cost, but they also freely discuss how much they and their husbands make for a living. Americans generally NEVER discuss salaries and such, keeping these details private.

Sooo True

Can you give an example?

when some people forget or refuse to associate with their "less fortunate" friends now that they have money.... just because others may be less fortunate, doesn't mean you should treat them with less respect.... especially when they were in the same boat not too long ago. They become what some people call "others".

I'm fully aware of the show off mentality that many pinoys have... to each his/her own... It just bother's me when their attitudes change towards their old friends and they have that "I'm better than you" attitude.

We tried that. She don't get to drive for a while. I haven't replaced the last car yet.

All my relatives, friends, and even former teachers who live or have lived abroad say the same thing. Filipinos, who are already quite superficial and arrogant when they're here, become even more superficial and arrogant when they step on foreign soil. My friends, whether they're in Australia, Holland, the UAE, or the US, tell me one of the things they've observed is that the reason Filipinos invite other Filipinos to gatherings is so they can show off. Fellow Filipino immigrants have asked them questions along the lines of, "I've bought this and this. What about you? What have you bought?" I'm proud of my friends because they seem pretty grounded. They now refuse to attend events hosted by Filipinos because they refuse to compete.

I see evidence of this need to show off on Facebook. An acquaintance goes to a Western country, buys a Louis Vuitton or an Hermes soon after he/she starts working, and posts pictures of the acquisition on FB. My Holland-based friend tells me about a Filipina acquaintance in Amsterdam who cleans floors for the purpose of acquiring enough money to buy an Hermes bag. I find it both interesting and embarrassing. But to each her own, right? If one's sole purpose in life is to buy an Hermes, then let her buy her Hermes, I guess. This need doesn't appear to be exclusive to Filipinos, though. It seems common among people from third-world countries that were colonized by Spain.

I bet the bags are knock offs...

I don't go to the Filipino events anymore, but the wife does. She made me promise I would stay for an hour at the next event when I pick her up. I am bored with videoki and being forced to sit like a peacock. It would not be so bad if I could drink, but somebody has to be sober enough to drive home.

maybe she should drive sometimes, so you can drink

Yes, indeed...this is true! I have seen it several times and it's not only for Filipinos! I think it is because of the nature of man. That's why it is best to put into practice what we have learned and believe in Christianity. We need to live with Christ in our hearts. The fruits of the holy spirit will abound / manifest us through being kind, humble, compassionate, loving, forgiving and understanding. A true practicing christian -- you see him / her being so humble and kind to everyone. God bless to all of us

It's easy to end the vicious cycle. When you travel back to the barrio, give the kids the whole bag of chocolates each, and, no hand-me-downs! New clothes with the label and price tag still attached.

you're soo right!.... We gotta start with the kids....

I believe the children are the future.... We should teach them well,... and let them lead the way

Show them all the beauty they possess inside

I actually don't mind boastful people provided that they are really great, I see what they are talking about and they really have something to show. I am good at "pambabara" (bursting ones bubble) if I get irritated and I don't care to offend.

I just can't stand liars just to show off. You know they broadcast everyone, they have this, they have that, they met this celebrity and they're close, they paid this very expensive stuff with cash just to find out it's all half truth half lies.

lol.... EXACTLY!

The same thing happens in other countries as well including Belarus. My wife has friends who immigrated to the US well before she did, and she said they turned out to be complete pompous arses when they returned home for a visit. She got the feeling that they looked down on everyone like they were superior than other Belarussians.

I guess it really depends on the person and their upbringing,.... when I was living there for a few years, I saw it quite a bit and found it silly... and embarrassing quite frankly, coming from the states myself. I understand some people want to keep their guard up from used... but you shouldn't be a jerk about it... just sayin'.

1. Arrogant, pompous or boastful is what you call someone you don't like. What arrogant to you maybe just be fine ok, fun, confident or simply intimidating to somebody else.

2. They may have been surrounded by "pompous" people t oo and kinda adapted that attitude.

3. Because when they come back to the Philippines, people here kisses their a$.

4. It could be a defense mechanism because they avoid money bloodsuckers.

Unless your relatives are also well off, then there's not much to worry. When you come for a visit, they are really sincerely there to see you and not after your pasalubong but if you are the only loaded one, expect plastic people that if you are not giving them something anymore- you suddenly become arrogant but some months ago, you are their hero.

I agree... there's a huge difference between confidence and arrogance.... I just find that unfortunately many choose to be the latter.

I couldn't agree with you more ... it sad to see when people forget where they come from...

I'm an American citizen by birth, but my parents are both Filipino, who immigrated to the U.S. many years ago. I'm fully aware of all the opportunities and privileges I've had growing up in this great country. My parents have always been humble and in turn, have also instilled in me humility, gratitude, and appreciation for those who struggle to make a better life for themselves and their family by experiencing first hand what my parents have gone through.

I love my Filipino culture and I've been to the Philippines many times throughout my life and lived there for 4 years. But there's one thing I've noticed that really bothers me… Why is it that after Filipinos immigrate to the U.S. and finally come back home to the Philippines… their attitudes change, and act like they're so much better than everyone? I'm not saying all Filipinos… but in my experience, I've noticed that many "americanized filipinos" come back with this arrogant, sometimes pompous, attitude like they are above everyone.

I'm curious to what others may think... Any thoughts?

don't rely on the email... u should try calling them.

Awesome news! congratz!

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... 2 thumbs up! Mr. Fancypants

You need to be married to file for DCF. You can apply for K1 visa...