Falcon Cara

tried to collect on it once . . .  learned my lesson.

This lady is a true snake in the US society.  Trump has warned us about people like her already. 
 
She needs to be ran out of office, she is nothing but a cancer to America.

My exact thoughts as well, they will find some BS excuse why not to pay if there is an issue

I've always deleted it. 

Use the SML index.  I'm guessing that it is at least 7 San Miguel Lites.
 
Sort of a lost opportunity cost evaluation...

I delete it.  I figure the chances of ever being paid are about zero should I have an issue.

IF directly asked, don't lie.  Otherwise MUM is the word .. do not mention it.

So we got to the Embassy at around 30 only to find out that ACS is closed for the day.  In the website,  it was not stated prominently that First and Third Wednesday of the month are Consular Training Day hence, no services.  I indicated that i had called the previous day and was instructed to walk in by the person I talked to.
 
The guards told us to go into non-immigrant entry building to so that they can call inside to state my case (the non-immigrant section was open).  Since we were early, and ACS does not officially open until 7:30, we waited as the guard tried to call every few minutes if anyone would answer.  After a few tries, we were told to step outside and just wait and they will call us when they get someone on the phone.
 
At 7:30, someone finally answered the phone and I was asked what the emergency was as well as the details.  The Filipina on the other end was very polite and pleasant.   She asked if we had all the complete documents for passport renewal (we did), photos and most importantly, exact change of 115 usd or 6210 in pesos.
She said she would consult a consular officer first and ask me to hold the line.  After about 2 minutes, she asked me to give the phone back to the guard and instructed the guard to tell us to come back at 9:30 with exact change.
 
Off we went to Coffee bean to wait until the appointed time.  
 
At 9:20 we entered the embassy and proceeded to the ACS Section #4 window.    We were the only one in the ACS section.  After a few minutes of waiting, we were pre-screened by a Filipino officer and again asked the reason for our emergency.  After verifying our docs, I was given a slip to take to the cashier for payment.  The SSA section was open on the other end of the building.  
 
After paying, I handed the receipt and was told to wait.   About 15-20 minutes later, the consular office asked us to take the oath and proceeded to review our documents.  After review, he indicated that he will go ahead and issue an emergency passport and we just have to wait while they print it out.
 
After about 45mins, we got the passport in hand and complete relief!
 
Bonus!  The Emergency Passport looks like a regular passport but with only about 4-5 pages.  It has a validity of 1 year from date of issue.  Here's the bonus, if we renew to the regular passport while the emergency one is still in effect, the renewal fee is waived!  
 
In conclusion, I can't really say enough about the professionalism and excellence that each person we interacted with yesterday.  From the guard all the way to the consular officer, it was a refreshing breathe of fresh air amidst the chaos of Philippine living.   As many reviews of the consulate posted here attest, the US Embassy in Manila exudes excellent customer service and dedication throughout the process.
 
 
 
 

I was asked if I had filed my US taxes for last year when I entered with my K1 fiancé.  I found the question very odd

Knot tied today at Chapel of Love - Mall of America.   

Did we give it away recently?

Not sure anybody wants it.

With your past history of overstaying and having a VAWA case pending, I wouldn't travel outside of USA until it is completed.

The immigration process doesn't stop you from living