Raquel first contacted me in the middle of July 2003 thru Yahoo Instant Messenger. Conversation first started out light with both of us just looking to be friends since neither one of us thought due to distance that it would lead to more. As time went on and contact became on a regular basis, we both began having deeper feelings for each other. It wasn’t until January 29th 2004 that either of us could admit to each other that we had fallen in love and that we loved each other. I have attached part of the instant messaging logs Raquel and I have had with each other. The first 2 months are missing due to a computer crash and additional logs on other computers were not included. We have used Yahoo Webcam on a regular basis and have sent scanned in photos of each other back and forth. I sent Raquel my digital camera along with a care package for her and her officemates the first part of February 2004. Since then Raquel has been able to send me higher quality photos of her and her family and friends.
We both realized that we have taken the relationship as far as we could thru instant messaging (see attached logs), voice over the internet using Skype, Cards (figures 1-4), and weekly phone calls and needed to take the relationship to the next level and meet in person. Due to my work schedule at the time, I could see no foreseeable time in the near future that I would be able to plan a trip to visit her in the Philippines. Raquel started paperwork to obtain a B-2 Tourist Visa. We knew there was a slim chance in obtaining one, but at the time we thought it was worth a try. The next 3 months went quicker than expected. I was hoping for the best and expected Raquel's VISA to be approved on May 20th 2004. During this same timeframe, my sister Theresa and her children began talking with Raquel through instant messaging. Strong bonds were formed between Raquel and my family, so it was a big disappointment for everyone to here that Raquel was denied a VISA and would not be coming for a visit.
At this point there was little option for us. I would have to go to the Philippines to visit Raquel. My plane ticket to Las Vegas was booked and hotel arrangements were made in anticipation for Raquel’s arrival, so instead of the ticket going to waste my dad suggested that I just go ahead on to the Philippines from Las Vegas. I did some checking and for $1.00 more I could reschedule my return flight so I could have time to visit Raquel in the Philippines. I booked my airline ticket from Las Vegas to Manila on Philippines Airlines departing on June 3rd and returning on June 20th (Figure 5). It so happened that there was a lull in my work schedule and there couldn’t be a better time to go.
Since the hotel was booked I talked my sister into joining me for a brief stay in Vegas before I went on to the Philippines. I left from Vegas on June 3rd, 2004 and arrived in Manila in the early morning of June 5th, 2004. Raquel’s friend Mel accompanied her to the airport to greet me upon my arrival. From there we went to City Garden Hotel Makati (Figure 9) where we stayed from June 4th thru June 9th. We were both so excited to see each other. While in Manila we met Raquel’s friends for various outings such as lunch, dinner, and a tour of Fort Santiago and Rizal Shrine and Memorial.
We left Manila one day ahead of schedule due to the urging of Raquel’s sister Jocelyn due to a pending typhoon that was due to hit Samar. The closest flight was with Cebu Pacific (Figure 6) to Tacloban City and then a 5 hour van ride on the roughest road I have ever seen. We made it to Raquel’s sister’s house, referred to as the city house, in Calbayog City around 9:00 pm. We stayed in Calbayog City from June 9th till June 15th. During that time I visited the rest of Raquel’s family at her parent’s house, referred to as the country house. We made daily trips to the country house for visits with her parents resulting in four visits over my stay there. On June 13th we had a family outing at a local beach where I was able to meet some of Raquel’s Aunts and other extended relatives. On my visit to the country house on June 14th I was able to ask Raquel’s parents for permission to marry Raquel. I explained our plans and gave them a general time line of what to expect.
On June 15th, Jocelyn , Raquel’s sister flew with us back to Manila on Asian Spirit (Figure 7) where we stayed at The Heritage Hotel (Figure 10) from June 15th thru the 20th. During our stay in Manila we took a day trip with Jocelyn and Mel, Raquel’s friend, to Clark Freeport and Subic Bay to visit Raquel’s nephew, Joseph and to see Ocean Adventure. The following day we took a day trip to Tarlac to see Raquel’s brother, Benito Jr. Unfortunately the day came that I had to travel back home and leave my beloved Raquel. The visit became a bitter-sweet moment for us. We look back on all the fond memory we had together and will cherish them forever, but now that we know what it is like to be with each other the separation, while we wait for the VISA process, will be only be that much harder to bear. We both only hope that this next step will go quickly and smoothly so we can be back in each others arms forever.
