jimmynug

I understand where you are coming from because I flew over last year from LAX to Manila and I knew we were going to be over because my wife was taking alot home for her family. So I had to pay extra at LAX because one of my bags was 4 pounds over, and could not redistribute it to another bag. I then had to pay more for our bags for our flight to Davao as well, so I was pretty mad to say the least.

The reason why you had to pay more on the domestic flight to CDO and back was because you paid for budget economy that is the reason why you were charged so much. When I flew over and I had to pay extra I was flying Premium economy so the sticker shock was alittle less than yours.

My question is why were you flying so heavy on the way back? We flew heavy on the way there because we were taking stuff for family and friends. So we didn't have that much stuff on the way back and did not have to pay for extra on the way back.

Coming back, we were not really that heavy, 48 kilos between 4 of us, and most of that was dried fish and other items friends wanted. The whole point on coming back is that someone at Philippine Airlines tried to charge us for double the weight that we really had.

This is just an FYI for anyone that is going to be in the Philippines in the future. We just got back from the Philippines today and had quite a shock on baggage fees with Philippine Airlines. Going over, we flew Korean Airlines and had an allowance of 2 bags per person at about 22 kilos each. Flying Philippine Airlines from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, we were allowed 1 bag a person at 10 kilos. We were packing very heavy going over, so we new we would have to pay extra, however, to say that we were shocked at the amount is a slight under statement. According to Philippine Airlines we were 100 kilos over and had to pay 200 pesos a kilo for a grand total of 20,000 pesos. And to add insult to injury, we were told that it was our fault and that we could have only paid 50 pesos a kilo if we had paid more than 24 hours in advance. So the lesson here is to weigh your bags in advance and pay in advance. I guess I didn't do enough research and didn't read anywhere about the difference in paying in advance.

Now, flight back from Cagayan de Ore to Manila, I had learned my lesson and thought I had everything covered. We didn't have much at all (gave just about everything away including most of the wife's clothes and shoes, yeah I know it will cost me now) and even left some of our suitcases in CDO. We were allowed 40 kilos, and just to be safe, we paid in advance for 40 more kilos, total of 80 kilos. Haha, their not going to get me again. Well, I really should have know better. At the ckeck-in counter in Cagayan de Oro, we put the bags on the weight machine and it showed 82 kilos (no way they weighed that much) however i could live with that. Now it starts to get interesting when the clerk looks at the scales, they jump to 92 kilos out of the blue, nothing added from the 82 kilo reading. At this point I start to question the whole thing and am quickly told to just carry-on one of the smaller bags (they allow a smaller amount I think like 7 kilos for carry-on). If I had not questioned anything I would have paid and extra 6,000 pesos, yet no charge when I question the weight. Amazing!

Once in Manila, we check-in at the Korean Airline counter, weigh ALL of our bags and the bags that weighed 82-92 kilos in Cagayan de Oro weighed 48 kilos in Manila, nothing taken out or added (which was about right). So with nothing added or taken out, our bags coming back weighed a total of 82 kilos at one time , 92 kilos a short time later, and then 48 kilos after our flight to Manila. The math will always confuse me in the Philippines, just like the guy that rented a car to us that got mad at me for not washing it before turning it back in, this after it had a tire blow out and he would not reimburse for the tire I bought because the tire was holding air when I got the car (it was a defective tire and not anything that I had run over or hit).

Anyway just watch the weight of your bags and send as much as you can ahead of time, or get ready to pay.

All Philippine green card holders are exempt from the travel tax, however, they have to pay 200 pesos for an exemption certificate that most airlines look for when you check in at the counter. Also, the terminal fee is included in the cost of the ticket only at Manila. If you fly out of other Philippine airports, you still have to pay the terminal fee separate. I also have a big beef with baggage fees that I will go into separate as to not change the topic of this thread.

Being a white/black relationship, I can see where there would be more stupid looks and comments than with white/other races, and most of this is always kept at the front by the media. However, most people won't give it a second thought because they really don't care. I would just warn her ahead of time that it could happen and help her work thru it when it does happen. Now guessing at your age, if you decide to have children, that is when the fun really starts and you are the one that has to be really for it.

If the co-sponsor filed a joint return, then a copy of W-2 forms for them are also required even with the tax transript being used. This is a new requirement, along with the new 5 page I-864A.

Have her return and seek a supervisor if she is told the same thing. She should bring a friend along with her and the two of them be strong and get the right answer. Just my opinion.

I agree with this in principle as being the right thing to do, however, even though things are getting better than they were 10 years ago, a few extra pesos is what usually gets the quickest results. As far as being legal, the peso is usually what decides what is legal. Now don't get me wrong, i love the philippines, and have been there many times and now have four relatives here from there, however, it is what it is. A filipino standing up to someone who thinks they have a little authority and let it drag out forever, or pay the price and be done with it.

With the K-1 there have been cases of the embassy asking for a new NBI when it's over 6 months, last time that happened was only a few months ago, which is why we mention 6 months

Hank, i can assure you that I don't doubt you at all on the embassy requesting new ones. And it certainly won't hurt anything to get a new one if older than six months. My only point was that if it is not expired, they wlll not ask for another one just because of the date on one. If they have any questions at all as to the accuracy of the document, they will request another one regardless of the expiration date. This applies to any documents that come from the NBI or NSO. They will also request the agency to send them a copy straight to the embassy without the applicant handling it to ensure that it has not been altered. They just use the date as an excuse to keep from having to tell the applicant that they want to verify the accuracy of the document (much less possible trouble this way).

Also Hank, while not exactly on topic, I have read many of your replies and I must say that I have never seen you give what I would consider bad advice to anyone (where were you 10 years ago when I was petitioning my wife and didn't have a clue). My hat is off to you on this, and thanks for helping all the people that you have.

As for the NBI, my brother in law just passed his interview in April 2014 and his NBI was issued on Aug 07, 2013. My father in law on the other hand had interview two days after his NBI expired and the CO told him that he missed it by two days. As long as it is not expired yet, the embassy accepts it, Don't know for a fact on CENOMAR, but i'm betting that as long as it is not expired and everything else looks ok, that you would be fine with it too.

With the rfe, you should have one page that states that it must be returned with the requested info and on top of everything else sent (National Visa Center Case Number Barcode Cover Sheet) Do not mess with the barcode here.. Use the checklist sent with the rfe to gather everything/make corrections as asked for. If you made a mistake on the I864, send another complete one, just make sure that everything is exactly as the first one except for the corrections asked for on the rfe.. The barcode to use on the new I864 is the one on the new I864 which is generated as you type in the info on the new I864 (if you download the form from the gov't). You must send in a new complete one, otherwise the barcodes on each page of the I864 won't match. If you already sent in W-2's and tax returns and they are not asked for on the rfe, don't send them again. Remember the cover letter you use is the one sent with the rfe. Do not make your own.

Fed Ex contracts with another company to make the actual delivery in the ph. We just sent a package Monday that arrived in cdo on Saturday, however very expensive.

The parents agree that you can marry her, so marry her in the Philippines with their blessings, and then do whatever you both want.

Well it really depends on what you mean by not moving? If you are talking about regression, I'm really suprised that it hasn't changed much since several months ago when it became current. Just my opinion, but in the coming months, I see it starting to regress again. When it became current and has basically stayed there for awhile, it probably caught many people by surprise, and as they get their petitions going full speed, then the date will start regressing again. Just as an example, we have a petition that was sitting at the NVC waiting for a current date for us. Based on past timelines, we were looking at a year to two year wait and were in no hurry to get the documents that we needed for NVC. Then all of a sudden, it goes current and we are scrambling to get everything we need and get it submitted. If we had been ready to start with, then it would probably have already been finished at NVC and almost to the interview at the embassy. So if you have a petition at the NVC, you are probably okay for the next few months, however, it you havent' started one, it will still sit at the service center for a year, so the current dates really mean nothing.

That's total BS. My wife was given a hard time in Detroit by a wicked witch when she came here for the first time, even with me there, but this stuff is unbelieveable. I'd like to say that I don't believe it, but really it doesn't surprise me anymore.

Pls tell the rest of us what the method to the madness is,,,how do you "drive like a filipino"?

have a blatant disregard for the safety of others and absolutley no common sense?

because thats the charcteristics I see when I'm there

Well you see the first method is that the bigger vehicle has the right of way if it wants it. Traffic signs/lights mean nothing. And one thing that is very un American is that you really have to pay attention to what is going on around you, outside of the car! Always expect and anticipate the unexpected. There are many other things that you can pick up if you really look. Now Americans on the other hand tailgate at 70 mph, usually while talking or texting on the phone, kill each other to the tune of 90+ a day, spend over 2.5 billion annually on accident costs, and from surveys at least, everyone thinks they are the safest drivers alive. Shoot, in Texas alone year to date, there has already been over 2200 people killed in traffic accidents, wonder how many injured? And that's with the latest safety techology available. As far as the blatant disregard for safety of others and no common sense, I see it every day going to/from work here in the U.S. So yes, I still think it's funny when we talk about how crazy the drivers are in the philippines, I haven't seen anything crazy there that I haven't seen here. Just a different way of doing things.

I think it's funny that we all talk about how crazy the drivers are there in the philippines, however, how many wrecks do you actually see there. In ten trips to CDO, i have only seen a couple and they were minor. On the second trip I started driving both motorcycles and cars, and haven't even came close to any problems. However, when I'm there I drive like a filipino, not like I do here in the U S. There is a major difference and if you don't understand the method to the madness there, then you really don't need to drive while there. Like others have said though, if you do drive, just remember it will cost you much more and usually be your fault if you are involved in an accident. Now with all that being said, I have never drove in Metro Manila, and have no plans to.

I really don't mean this in a mean way, but anyone that doesn't think there is still bribery, or that it has slowed down in gov't offices, well they must be looking through rose colored glasses. And it is not getting better, it is getting worst. At different times during the last 10 years, I have brought my wife, her father and mother over here, and am currently working on bringing her brother. 10 years ago, we didn't bribe anyone, however, I went with her to the CFO and once they saw me, they left her alone. With her father first, and then her mother, it kept getting worst. Now with her brother, it is totally crazy. We have not even got to the CFO yet, we are still trying to get through the DFA for his passport. Her parents didn't want to bribe, so i read every single requirement on the DFA website for his passport, and have gotten all of them, but guess what? Every time the sister in law takes him there, they have some new requirement, not listed and not told to her the prior trip there. The last time, they even told the sister in law that they needed her NBI, even though she has signed, notorized, and authorized papers from the Philippine counsulate in LA. So we can pay 1000 pesos in a bribe and get the passport, or spend the next month playing their little game. We paid 500 pesos for my father in law to go the the CFO, ask for a certain person, and then wait sitting out front for the guy to get his certificate without him having to do anything at all except wait (we called in advance and set it up this way). I could go on with many more examples, however, I think that is enough. In the U S, if I would go in and raise cane if it happened that way, in the phillippines, i would be thrown in jail. So others can stand by their beliefs, and that's their right, but I'll play their little games. If the authorities in the philippines really wanted to stop it, it wouldn't be that hard, without trying to put the blame on the people paying the bribes. I'll bet there is not one person on this forum that wouldn't gladly pay an extra 500-1000 pesos to speed up the process by a month or two whether they admit it or not. And don't even get me started on customs and civil registrars or whatever they call themselves.

Yes, I have looked at the pinned Hotel topic, but didn't find any cheap (less than P1500) hotels. A couple were mentioned, but when I checked their websites, they were a lot more.

Just looking for a clean room with CR. Don't need or want wifi or other extras.

Any suggestions near SLEC?

Thanks

Soriento Hotel is right down the street at about 1700 pesos, and there is another one (don't know name) right across the street almost, that will be cheaper, but a shared CR. Not many others in the price range you want.

It depends on the airline and where you buy the ticket. My wife had to show copy of credit card and my authorization for the ticket with Cathy Pacific and Philippine Airlines even on domestic flight, bought straight from the airlines, this was after we were married and she was U S citizen, but her name was not on that card. However, I bought a one way ticket from BT store for her mother to come here on Philippine Airlines and she didn't have to show anything but the ticket. Just check with where you buy the ticket and they will let you know for sure.

Okay i'm having a dumb moment here and hoping someone can help. My father in law (green card holder) petitioned his son (15 yrs old) from the philippines. Just got approval from service center and happened to look at the August visa bulletin showing all F2A are current? I have looked in the past and it was taking 2-4 years. What am I missing?

Thanks!

My question would be is it 10k u s dollars or 10k pesos? If it's 10k pesos, i'd send it, but be careful what you start. If it's 10k u s dollar, then there is no way i would send anything. You are being played big time. Not saying your fiancee or family is involved, but someone is trying to get rich off of you and I wouldn't fall for it for one minute.

Hi to all,

I just got my citizenship this year and I would really love to petition my parents. Could anybody help me here whoever did it already before? My parents don't speak good and much english, would that be a big problem? Also, im worried about my mom, she is really sick(lung problems) but never smoke or drink in her life. I wonder and worried she might not pass the medical.

If anyone from here did it before please share the step by step i have to do.

Thank you all in advance!

You are welcome to email me by PM

Not speaking good english or any english for that matter will not be a problem. Also, there is not a requirement to provide proof of medical insurance once she got here. As long as she doesn't have any disease that can be passed on to another person, she should pass her medical. So there is no reason from a requirement point of view that she should not be able to come here and it is not really that hard to good through the process. The big question is if that is what you really want to do.

I, like you don't have a lot of family left, and I was fortunate that they didn't have any problems with me marrying a younger filipina. However, I can tell you that if they hadn't liked what I was doing, they could have planted a big kiss on me where the sun don't shine. If someone doesn't like my wife, that's their problem, not mine. If my wife is not welcome somewhere, it's easy, I'm not welcome and won't go. I'm sorry, but my immediate family is more important to me than the rest of the family, even though I still love the rest of the family. I'm sorry, but to me it's a no brainer, but to each there own. Good luck!

Any suggested clean pensions or hotels that can be recommended in Ermita near St. Lukes and embassy? We have been there around Ermita, but on vacation with vacation kind fo budget. Fiance needs to stay for two weeks and we need to be budget conscious this time. Don't need or want a dive. Just something that will do. She will be alone and wants everything close by.

Teh links and suggestions online can be somewhat dated so looking for some fresh ideas!

It really depends on what you want to spend. Most of the hotels listed will be 40-50 dollars a night or higher and will be acceptable by most American standards. Now if you don't want to pay that, you can get a room with a shared comfort room for 800 pesos(under 20 dollars) a night almost right across the street from St. Lukes, however while most filipinos will think it is fine, most americans won't. There are other places like this too which won't be listed online.

BTW Cebu is a very nice visit and big city also. Lots of Americans. I recommend the Radisson Blu if you visit there. Cebupacific airlines has very cheap fares all around the region..

A year ago, a yellow metered cab from the airport to Lotus Garden was under 300 pesos with tip, the cheapest I had ever had. On the ride back to the airport, we used the same taxi and it was about the same. Lotus Garden is also a safe, easy walk to both the embassy and St Lukes.

You can google map it and see it is not far.

Right. The poster of the 40 page link could show me his astuteness by pasting the part on the document that okayed stopping the medication that was prescribed for TB.

The point of the post is that most people on here don't have a clue of what they are talking about, or the desire to learn. They just want to spit out whatever comes to mind. I am not trying to show anyone my astuteness on anything and if you had read my post, you would have known that. I don't try to say that I know much about it, but I am not to lazy to try to do research to become more informed. "Juliet and Steve" know what they are talking about, but I bet he has done plenty of research also. Vic20r, it was posted for those that might want to read it, and assuming that they could find other info on the sight that would be useful also. However, you do prove my point perfectly. Thanks.