Balamban

18 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Look into China Telecom.  They are coming into the Philippines in March and are offering a 200 mbps line for 1500 php a month.  They are a new player that Dueterte threatened to bring in if the local internet providers didn't up their game.  Now PLDT is making some offers but require a long term contract.  

Good for Duterte!  So many monopolies, duopolies and lack of competition in RP.    In Balamban we pay 1500 and I think it's PLDT, it's fairly good and supposed to be 4 gps down, but we get about 2.  There is that omnipresent "you get up to" which reminds me of the used car salesman who advertised "up to 60%" off but when you go, it's really only 2% off the price as those others are always long gone.

If China T comes what would be really nice would be a stable 2 Gps for 500 peso, then many families could afford to have internet.  Even 1500 is quite a lot for most. 

I had 200 Gps (Verizon Fios) last year and it was so sweet, currently my provider (in Massachusetts) Spectrum gives me 92 down and 12 Gps up for $38, that's enough for me.

If she has globe LTE at the house or knows someone who does and it has a strong signal I'll bet that the best bang for the buck would be  Globe Tattoo E5573CS 4G Pocket WiFi Router (Black) for 1879 delivered to your SO from lazada.com.ph.  I've ordered several items from them with the order originating in the US and delivered to Balamban, Cebu and have always been pleased.  You might look for a 1st purchase discount code also.  I'd expect it to arrive in a couple of weeks.  YMMV

https://www.lazada.com.ph/globe-tattoo-e5573cs-4g-pocket-wifi-router-black-30246347.html?spm=a2o4l.searchlist.list.6.61011692gg6QeT

Signal strength measured at her house is usually a good indicator.  In Balamban tattoo was pretty good but take it just one mile south and nada, but nothing else worked either.  I'd suspect that Liloan has excellent LTE signal and tattoo will drop to and through 4g if necessary.

Keep in mind that I'm American and am sort of guessing as there are so many variables, but then I've been fighting with finding inet in Cebu on and off for 4 years.  We have a great connection now in Balamban (2M down) (not hard-wired either) it's wi-fi, maybe from a nearby pole and though I was told such a connection was not available--it was, though it took quite a lot of pestering my partner to call, and call, and call....  So nice to have a solid signal.  My SO will take the tattoo out into the backwaters of Toledo and it works fine there.  (Rain can smack the signal though, but that's true with our main inet because it's wi-fi from (I imagine) a nearby power line pole.

Try this for load:

http://www.pinoythinking.com/2017/06/new-globe-dsl-and-broadband-plans.html

Consider greasing the palm if you want a hard-wired connection, if you can find the installer.  $10 or $20 US might give you great returns.  I suspect that the installers are overworked and underpaid but oh they do know some tricks.

geowrian you wrote:

  (since NOA2 -> NVC is taking close to 2 months now). Just give yourself enough of a margin between interview and getting & sending the documents.

I thought NOA2>NVC (Philippines) used to take a few weeks, am I crazy or have things changed considerably.  I may be relating to ~2012 when I first read about the process so I guess my knowledge is outdated.  Thank you for the answer.

Receiving the NOA2 had dragged out 1.5 months longer than was predicted (Philippines) so now another delay.  Am I surprised....no.  But it looks like it'll go through near the end of this month.  Darn, I thought she could do the St Luke exam within a month or so...so now it's more like 11 weeks?

Thank you. Yes, I'm still dead-ending with your sub-links to 403 errors.  I'll send you a PM with details, perhaps it's my computer.

Thank you both.

 FI Guy.  Yes, we knew about the CFO, do you have any idea how far out they are booking in Cebu?

Hank:  I’m sending my fiancée with her Aunt, so it’s airfare x 2.  I’m wondering if attempting to do the medical then as soon as possible doing the interview works, rather than two round trip flights for 2 people.

Here’s a hypothetical case, assuming no med issues.

Arrive Monday in Manila with medical scheduled Tues/Wed (is it possible to schedule the days the applicant wants?).  What then is the process to get an appointment for the interview?  Would it be possible to have them wait, staying in a hotel, hoping for a Friday interview, or even the following Monday?   Even 5 or six days food  and lodging for two is probably better than a return to Cebu, and then go back to Manila a week or two later.

I’ve looked and it’s probably her someplace but I cannot find the “how to schedule an interview” process once the medical is done.

We expect to receive our NOA2 the first week in January.  I get that it'll take several weeks to a month to set up and attend the medical at St. Lukes.

But what happens next?  What's the timeline from finishing the medical (assuming no TB issues) to the consulate interview?

I take it that if she is from Cebu then there will be two trips to Manila.

Thanks

Thank you for the guide.  Our NOA2 will likely arrive early January, so it's time to read as you say: "till my eyes hurt." 

A quick newbie question: She goes from Cebu to Manila for the medical and then things get foggy for me: How soon after the medical does the interview occur?  I know that in some embassies the interview can be the very next day; apparently this is not so in Manila, so that obligates a second trip to Manila, is that correct?  How soon after the medical (assuming no TB+) will the interview be?  Maybe I have not read till my eyes have hurt enough...?

Thanks for the financial info, I'd rather know ahead and be prepared.  Three grand may seem like a lot to many but considering fees in the USA, it's really not very expensive for all that gets done.  Gosh, the medical alone in America would cost thousands!  I just did an annual physical, got a pneumonia vac and a few lab tests: ~$700, and that was less than one hour. 

On 10/17/2017 at 10:05 PM, Chris Duffy said:

I wouldn't get married very quickly  Spend about 60 days together and then move toward getting married.  I have seen more than one person go back to Philippines during the 90 day period.  It so much easier sending a person home vs having to divorce and sending them home for both parties.

 

Then you always the handful of people who get married and take years to submit AOS paperwork, so they can get an extended trail.

I heartily agree and have seen that, for various reasons too.  Even 30 day's is better than right away.   What do you mean: "so they can get an extended trail?"

This is rather old but still.

Greenbaum you state: " I would like to advise what is allowed if your Filipino wife completed working 40 months in the USA "

I think you may have meant 40 quarters which is 10 years, not 40 months, am I incorrect?

Most likely because the intermittent regime requires DOT (Direct Observation).   That means 12 visits to an "approved" direct observer.  Like it or not RP (Republic of Philippines) is a third world country (note: this can have + or negative connotations) it it does seem plausible "cheating" could take place easily there.  If a person lived next to St. Lukes and agreed to do the 12 week DOT regime then they would likely make an exception except for one thing:  USA government doesn't make exceptions.

TB is a huge problem, and coming back into focus after many years and is taken very seriously.  I believe that the longer regime also is easier on the body, if not, in this case, on the relationship.

Ewok, I've been told that the G-325a's no longer required that it's now in the I-129f?

Thank you.

Thank you both, if she doesn't know everything that's in the application something is wrong.

Nice to know about CA.

That'll save me shipping a packet which is not cheap.

Hi, Our I-129f was accepted and shunted to California, which I thought strange since we're in MA but no matter.

I had used the "K-1" Guide and later found that there is so much misinformation I should have never used it.

On the guide the "next" step is to send her an "identical copy" of everything in the I-129f but someone told me no, that really the only thing necessary for her to have is the bio sheet.

Would someone kindly tell me what, if anything, to send to Cebu for her file so she's got everything she needs come November/December for the interview?

Crazy expensive.  Actually I've sent stuff to the Phils with good luck.  But I have a "method" that seems to work well.  Instead of sealing the envelope, simply close it with a smallish piece of Scotch tape.  In other words make it very, very easy to open and just as easy to close.  My theory is: They'll open anything to see if there is something of value.  If it gets ripped or torn they throw it in the trash.  But if it's easily opened (and closed) you get it.

I need to send my fiancee a copy of the K-1 packet.  Does anyone know if I can simply send it USPS first class?  I really don't need Priority and surely don't need Express.

I'll second Lazada.com.ph.  I've used it a couple of times, it takes a week to 10 days to ship a package to a rural area such as Balamban, Cebu but it gets there.  I've bought a phone and later an iphone 6 battery, very reliable, my Philippine Amazon when purchasing from America to send in the Phils.

Keep in mind that in rural areas portable wifi hotspots may be useless, and so may iphones or any other phone for that matter though texts always seems to go through.  Once we were essentially without a phone for 14 days...sweet. Haha...

Let's see, our K-1 is all ready to mail out.  But we have a letter of intent to marry (hers) without a wet signature and now I see we need a "wet signature" so back to the printer.

She did mail me a G-325a with a wet signature about 6 weeks ago.  Now I find that the K-1 guide here is hopelessly outdated and so the G-325a is not necessary.

But when she did send me the G-325a with a wet signature I told her ORDINARY mail, NOT registered!!  Naturally the post office fellow convinced her that the American was wrong and that the letter must go registered at 4x the price.

That registered letter never arrived (it's been 6+ weeks now) so she sent an ordinary mail letter and that did arrive about 3 weeks later.

Is there any reasonably priced way to mail a letter from Cebu (Balamban) that arrives, say, in a week or so?  Or is it best to just send it ordinary mail and wait?

Thanks

And what I would humbly suggest in that Visajourney throw away the K-1 Guide!

Flame away but for crying out loud:

"

Ouch...the G-325A bio is no longer needed?

Someone really, really needs to edit the K-1 guide....

My I-129f is "expires 8/31/2018 so that appears to be current.  How can the fiancee's G-325A be in the I-129f, she does not sign it,

Our K1 package is all done and ready, G-325a hand signed and mailed to USA, but now, ouch, I see I only have a scanned signed Fiancee letter of intent.

I see mixed comments: Ok, definitely not ok, copy ok with "fiancee will sign at interview."

Send in and then send hand signed copy to be added to file hoping to circumvent a RFE?

What's the current point of view?

Thanks

I agree with Suss&Camm, 10-20% is perfect, neither too low (0% has a negative effect) nor too high, above 20%, and more so above 30% hurts the score.

Prior to last year utilities and rent had no effect UNLESS they turned an unpaid bill over to collections in which case, if the bill collector reports to one or all of the big three, your score will plummet.

" Payment history with cable, cellphone, electric and gas bills generally aren't reported to credit bureaus and aren't traditionally used in credit scoring models, but they are the basis for the new FICO score."

The "new" FICO score will be the score that, for instance, determines is you are offered 7.99% versus 14.99% or 19.99% on a credit card.  The "new" FICO score will also be the one that automobile and house insurance companies will use in determining how much you will pay.  It is not uncommon for a person with a ~690 score to pay a few hundred dollars more each year than a person with a ~790 FICO.  It this age of electronic surveillance it is becoming more and more important to have a perfect record, though you may never know how much a lower score can hurt you.  Last year my house insurance rose tremendously, I squawked and threatened to find another agent.  A week later my bill was reduced from $1600 to about ~$1400 because "of an excellent credit score."  Thus even my local insurance agent utilized my FICO score, she found that the insurance company had a discount for a high credit score, and so in that case, I scored.

Rent generally has no effect unless, (as a current ex-tenant of mine is about to find out) the unpaid bill is turned over to a bill collector AND a small claims action is started.  A court case against you hurts big time, in the credit world you are guilty, period.  Even proving that you are not guilty will not do anything to recover the drop that the litigation creates.

I have a bill that I paid late last year, a very unfair bill, in my opinion.  I was hospitalized last year for 5 days.  A nice fellow came by chatted a bit, and oddly asked me: "Do you think you need a short stay in a rehab hospital."  I was confused and laughed commenting, "I just hurt my back, I didn't have a stroke, so no."  Later I learned why the fellow stopped for about 5 minutes: $375 bill for "psych services."  In my opinion this fellow is a predator who judged me based upon my looks.  I was unable to stand for more than a minute for 5 days prior to going to hospital and so could not shave.  But I have paid the bill because otherwise it would hurt me.  Each month I write him asking for doctor's notes, the reason why there is a charge and asking for medical records allowed by HIPAA, each month he ignores my hand written letters.  Shortly I will pay $40 and start a small claims action.  If he even shows up I'll bet that he'll state "I never received any notes."  But surprise, surprise, instead of sending them certified, or by traceable mail, they appeared untraceable but if he utilizes that very common method of denial, at that point I will give the bailiff the three "certificates of mailing," and I will prevail.  So I pay even wrong or unfair bills, and sort them out later, my FICO is just too important.

HopefulDiva yes, you can make more than one payment each month and I've read that paying bi-monthly increases your score.  Again, the "machine" wants consistency.  To pay an extra payment occasionally may be a bit helpful but to pay twice a month consistently is actually much better.  It shows that you are on top of things.

The guide states:

So many opinions.  Do some research, it's available on the web.  Search for: "How to build and improve my fico or credit score."

1. Is there an easy way for me to build a credit score, or at least, what would be a good way to start?
2. If my wife sign up for the AMEX card and get a free second card for me, will it help and build my credit score as well?
3. My last question is: Is it necessary for me to have a credit score, since my wife has a good one? I mean, if we want a loan to buy a house later, will they only use her credit score, or mine as well?

Assuming your wife has a score ~780 (~720 to 780 makes a big d ifference, 780 is close to excellent, 720 is often a lower tier):

1) Yes.  Open a checking account; open a savings account; pick up a few "store" cards (JC Penney, etc. which are easy to get).   See if you can get the bank to loan you some $, even if it means you pay a high rate and buy something little, like a piece of furniture) (and never, ever miss a payment).  Which leads into #2:

2) Yes, if your wife puts you as a signor on her credit card much of her score absent any negative stuff will pop your score up.

3) It is necessary to have a good credit score, period!  Car insurance uses FICO credit scores and other credit scores. This means that my insurance for the same car may be $250 less a year than you would pay.  "Unfair," well fairness does not enter the machine's minde.  When you apply for a credit card the rate they give you often goes like this: "If approved you will be given a rate of 7.99%; 12.99% or 15.99% based upon your creditworthiness."   Twenty years ago it was not so important, today one must be absolutely squeaky clean.

If you can buy, for instance a refrigerator on credit then do so.  Never miss a payment, pay two weeks early, and pay more than minimum each time.  For instance:  Buy a $900 fridge, and pay $50/month for 24 months, your score goes up.  Buy a $900 fridge and pay $101.00 per month, your score goes up more than the prior method.  Buy a $900 fridge, make two $50 payments and then pay to zero: Surprise > Your score does NOT go up.  The machine wants consistency.

Credit scores are a mindless machine.   It looks at (not necessarily in order of importance)  1) Length of time you have had credit. 2) Length of time you have lived where you live.  3)  Job, what you earn, how long you have been with that company.  4) What credit you have and what percentage you use.  For instance you have 3 credit cards, each has $3,000, so you have $9,000.  If you pay off each month, dynamite.  If you owe on these cards $1000, excellent.  If you owe$2500, not so great.  If you owe $3001, your score drops!   Anything negative will wallop your score, though today late paid medical bills affect score less than say, a late payment on a car, but either will hurt you.

IMHO, Amex sucks because usually there is an annual fee.  I think Amex should be the last card you look at and then only looked at when your score is so good they offer you $250 (cash or perks) to join.  They are "cherry-picking," and my friend (due only to your short credit history) you are not a cherry.  (Or become an authorized user on your wife's card).

Actually the Infopass may be an excellent idea.  Thanks.  It's just a bit of information and I'd think they'd have access to it.  If nobody comes forth with a better idea I'll try that one.  I never thought of an Infopass.

Yes, I can narrow it down to a year but that makes me very uneasy.  It certainly seems that there "should" be a way to recover such info.  Thanks but "might be good enough" doesn't thrill me.  Perhaps someone knows a better way?