Jim&Gracey

This is my experience yesterday, August 12, 2013 at CFO Office in Manila. I just wanna take note that each applicant has a different case from the others, oh well of course! That's why I am sharing what I have noticed from my seminar yesterday to correct some thoughts of negativity of how counselors are like during the seminar (they said they are terrors, oh well NOT) and how easy to pass the one on one interview.
Metro Manila was under storm signal #1 yesterday LOL.. me and my mom stayed for a night at Eurotel, Pedro Gil St. Manila. I was first in line at the ramp for US-bound applicants when we arrived at the CFO office around 3:30am but of course there were already people in line for Canada. Thanks GOD, though it wasn't raining during the waiting time outside, the wind was strong and it was so cold. Around 5am, all of us (the US bound applicants) were told to fall in line outside the ramp. How I wish we didn't listen to the street vendor! We came back at the ramp, and this time I was 5th on the line. It doesn't matter anyway, atleast I am sure I am one of the first 15 applicants LOL. So, at 6:30am they allowed us to go inside and will ask to present 2 original and photocopies of 2 valid i.d's with photos. I submitted my original and photocopy of my NBI Clearance and showed my passport plus submitted a copy of it's bio-page. The guard gave me a form which is downloadable on www.cfo.gov.ph (Pre-Departure Registration Form) and white I.D with pink "F" and number on it. Applicants bound for other countries has different colors of I.D's.
If you already completed and printed the Pre-Departure Registration Form online, no need to fill out the form given by the guard. Just wait for the instruction on what time they will ask all US applicants to go to the 3rd floor for documents verification.
Time check - 7:30am. We used the stairs going up to the 3rd floor, it was dark and creepy LOL. This time, the receptionist has given us a another form with same questions like in the pre-departure registration form, the only difference are the additional much detailed personal questions for both parties (fiancee and petitioner) So make sure you know everything about your fiance including his educational background and his mom's maiden name.
After completing the form, give it back to the receptionist. This time, she will verify all the docs needed. She will first review the 2 forms, will check and ask for photocopies of passport bio-page and visa, she will ask for a photocopy of your I.D and ask you few basic questions about your fiance. Please take note about the correct visa number! All of us with visa already, put a WRONG info about the visa number. IT'S NOT THE CONTROL NUMBER ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER. IT'S THE COMBINATION OF LETTERS AND NUMBERS IN RED INK.
After verification, next is picture taking. That's for the GCP Certificate. Then she advised us to go back at 9am for the seminar. Take note, go back at 8:30am because the counselor who will do the seminar will start calling applicants for a one on one interview. My interview was so easy. She only asked me three questions: "how I met my fiance, how many marriage he had and asked me to tell her all things I know about him" After a very detailed short story, I was waiting for her to ask for pictures and other documents but she didn't ask anything.
After we were all finished and overheard other applicants experiences during their interview, I noticed that the counselor will ask you many things and will try to dig deep if your petitioner has been married twice or thrice before. Same with if you are 25 below and also, if your fiance has a previous marriage with a Filipina.
We were all 17 applicants LOL. The guard messed up with the number of allowed applicants for the morning session. We have one guy with us. He is only 19 yrs old. His petitioner, a female american missionary in the Philippines, 33 yrs old. We noticed that the Counselor didn't ask him too much questions during their one on one interview. We all doubt he will pass the embassy interview scheduled for him today, August 13. But who knows! And who are we to judge his case LOL. Well, it was a rare one.
So, after 2 and a half hours of discussion about marriage (brainstorming) proper savings, domestic violence, and departure checklists, we were asked to complete the feedback form and asked us to go ground floor and pay 400 pesos. After 5 minutes, got my sticker and GCC stapled at the very last page of my passport. We were also given brochures (departure checklists)
The counselor (Erlinda) that we had during the seminar was so serious but very professional at asking questions. She will talk to you in tagalog during the one on one interview. And was very good during the counseling. She will try to make fun at things (just to break the ice LOL) and also tell stories about failed Filipina-American relationships due to violence and abuse. Oh geez.. it all scared us hahaha.
Anyway, just follow all the instructions and make sure you know all the answers on the form, then you will be fine! So easy.. sometimes too much reading at the forums specially with negative experiences will only stress us out! LOL

I passed the medical yesterday. Rob&Ann was right about people coughing without covering their mouth on the 2nd floor UGH
Had 4 shots yesterday and till now I feel sore. Anyway, I saw some k1 applicants who were on the pulmonary evaluation area, good thing my lungs are healthy Thanks God.. med exam is over!