x-racer

I gave up pizza for Lent.

now what?

Lol....and I gave up religion for lent when I was 17.

So their solution is to de-fund a national security in treat instead of coming up with any semblance of a plan themselves to actually FIX or IMPROVE the current status?

Yup...sounds like the Grandstanding Old Party to me!

I don't care who fixes it, just do YOUR DAM JOBS!

I just booked one way for my wife on Travelocity. I know that part of the issue is the travel tax that must be paid in the Philippines. I believe it is 1620php.

I got 1 free bag with my ticket, plus carry on.

If someone knows just where to pay the travel tax, though, it would be helpful so I can let my wife know where to go in the terminal to do so.

Never has there been such a noble and brave man in office since President Bill Pullman and Capt Will Smith killed all those aliens on Independence Day!

BTW...just to be clear..."space" aliens. Don't start sending hate mail. Lol

I will second "LINE". Have used it for many months and works well depending on the strength of the signal. Voice or vid call free. Also send photos, smileys, etc.

Also very glad just a couple more weeks and I won't have to use it anymore.

We so no information from either 2go or ultratraveldocs the entire time from after my wife's interview until she picked up her passport. I wouldn't rely on those sites to much.

Finally, officially, my wife has her visa packet in her hands! 13 days from approval to reciept. She called her local branch in Butuan and was able to pick it up in the afternoon.

She received a text from 2go on Saturday the 24th, but the lady at the Butuan office told her that that text comes from Manila. I guess it takes a couple more days to get the package to the province.

Yes. Never changed from "ready" on CEAC.

Unfortunately, the heavy weather kept the delivery being made today, so she will have to wait until Monday for the packet.

Just very glad to know the long journey is almost over. Ticket is ready and we are both very excited. Thanks once again to VJ for the assistance.

My wife received the text from 2go today, 1/24 they will deliver to her today.

Approval was the 14th.

Someone needs to explain exactly what we get from our "relationship" with the country of Israel. Do they import our goods, export valuable goods to us, supply enegry, offer any positive services other than a place to park a few ships and airplanes?

Really, what do we, as a country, get out of it?

Certinaly not stability.

Hypothetical question anyway. Griping out loud.

The response was "we'really experiencing heavy traffic and we will text you when your delivery is ready"

Soooooooo...sit on it, is what I'm hearing. Lol

Wife will try a little later today and see. I hope it happens as flights seem to be getting more expensive this week for some reason.

I see the same when I try the passport number. Was thinking it was just because I had not signed up an account, but this makes me think 2go has it! Ours changed on ceac yesterday.

The only change on my wife's file was the date changed for the last update. While it still says "issued", the updated date is now Jan 21, 2015 instead of Jan 14tth.

Hoping that might indicate the file has gone to the delivery company, but not sure.

ATM will charge you 200 pesos for a transaction and your bank/card may add an aditional charge. Some ATM'so allow up to 20,000 pesos and some just 10,000.

Not sure how much the changers charge.

I just went through terminal 3 the other day as there is a desk for the CFO. If you turn left when entering the terminal from the street, it is to the left side all the way down by the end.

There was someone there last Saturday noonish.

I'll throw my hat into the ring on this thread...

Interview for my wife was Jan 14, approved and changed to "issued" same day.

Still waiting on a text. CR1 delivery to northern Mindanao.

Interview for my wife was also on the 14th. I was happy to be able to attend with her, as I saw just a few USC husband/fiancé there.

The ds260 form that is needed is the top sheet with the 2 bar codes on them. They also want the first page of the interview appointment letter, so have both ready.

I felt the Filippino interview was more judgemental than the US consular interview. Since I stood with my wife, several of the questions were directed at me. I got the feeling the US consular was not too worried as I was there to help represent my wife. She was approved with no problems. We got in at 6:30 and were out by 10:30am.

Congrats on other approvals! This has been a stressful process and I will be so glad to finally have my hunnie come here next month.

Just done with my wife's interview here in Manila with a big thumbs up! Visa approved and will be delivered in a couple weeks.

Thank you VJ for the guidance to get us through a long complicated process.

My wife stayed at Casa Bocobo and liked the small room i booked her. It is a bit of a noisy area, but find me someplace in metro Manila that ain't!

We are here in Manila now for her interview tomorrow the 14th. We're staying at the Rothman Hotel and it's a decent place. It might get more interesting later this week, though.

LMAO! I'm learning that myself. It's 15deg in Kansas City and my wife tells me over the phone all the time "It's cold!". Lol.

We start the day tomorrow with a midnight high of 12 and drop all day to 2 above.

Thanks for the info. Our interview is the 14th and I am sooooooo glad to be getting away from the snow and ice for a bit.

I was wondering about a nice place to take my wife after her interview. We'really staying in the Malate area and I'd like a romantic place to celebrate the anticipated approval.

Thanks for the info!

One funny little tip that no one ever told me about that would have been very useful on my first international flight...

Bring a ball point pen with you!

lol. It may sound simple, but you must fill out a declaration card to give to customs on entry. They give you the card on the plane, but won't supply anything to fill it out with and people seem to be weird about loaning out their pen.

It's a looooooong flight. Be sure to drink plenty of water as they tend to keep the plane dry.

You will LOVE the Philippines! Enjoy the trip!

I have bought both my flights through Fareboom. They seem to be at or near the cheapest most every time and I have never had issues dealing with them, even when I had to make a flight change.