Russ61

Get the chat text on your screen as you wish to see it, then hit "PRTSC" (the print screen function) then open a Word document and "paste". A picture of your screen will appear on the face of the document, just as you saw your screen. This works fine for logs and example chats from any program.

That's what I did to connect the dates of the chats with the actual host unit's website. Over the course of the past 190 days, I've chatted with my fiance 183 of them, most averaging 1-2 hours, some significantly longer in duration. It would be strange, I think, to drop 100-lbs of chats on a desktop. I compiled our phone records which have tapered off considerably since we started voice chatting a few months ago. It seemed silly to pay phone fees when we can chat nightly over VOIP. FWIW, I've also used audacity to record some of the shorter chats (saved as .wav files) when we are discussing K1 details, of which I will initially file later this month once all the paperwork has been gathered. Not sure if the audio recordings would be of any use to an interview but I would think it couldn't hurt just to have them around on a CD just in case.

Agreed. Truth be told, as spotty as both their records are with Manila police, I suspect the last thing they want is to bring attention to themselves so I think they are hoping her desire to get her Visa outweighs her common sense to just simply ignore them. I'm trying to tell her that be that as it may, if she doesn't get her Visa, to relax...I look forward to meeting her family, who have embraced me warmly and are thankful that I am looking out for their daughter by addressing this madness. I do have to admit however, that I am much less optimistic about her getting the B2 than I was before I submitted this thread. I guess it depends on whom actually does the interview as I'm sure the decision to grant her the Visa is determined by that one individual. I suppose, truth be told, the applicant must "sell themselves" to the interviewer; otherwise the word "boyfriend" uttered during the process would end it right then and there.

Fingers crossed!

Pushbrk, you're assuming any attempt to file for the Visa isn't worthwhile because, as you say, "That she's visiting her US Citizen boyfriend/fiance is enough to kill her chances." I respectfully disagree and don't think the end result is as "cut and dry" as you claim. With that in mind, we return to the original premise of the thread which questioned the usefulness of writing a letter to the embassy asking them for their advice on how to proceed in manners of this nature. My effort here wasn't to qualify her through this website; rather to ask those who might have some knowledge of these type of shenanigans if it's something I should take seriously or brush it off as something the embassy pays no mind.

If indeed, she doesn't get her VISA, I want it to be for reasons not related to such extortion attempts. I would hate to do nothing and find out later she very well might have been approved had it not been for unsubstantiated accusations given consideration based on their submission alone.

Any letters by I or other family members will probably just draw unwanted attention to the process and I think, as another pointed out, it's best left to my girlfriend to explain the situation if the embassy feels it warrants a question or two.

Since this sister and hubby are well known for their illegal activities, and they also know about this latest attempt, why not have several of the people that know this write a letter to the embassy. If the question comes up at the interview she can show them letter after letter. Also, is there a way to obtain a police report on this couple as well?

That she's visiting her US Citizen boyfriend/fiance is enough to kill her chances at a B2 visa. What would these letters say that would overcome the assumption of immigrant intent. No need to over-think this.

I understand the difficulty but with a child enrolled in school, a lease on a condo, three business' with one of them earning 50,000 per month profit; I think if the embassy is inclined to grant a B2 to a single Filipina, the case can be successfully made that she does indeed, have compelling reasons to return to her country. I'm not saying they will. In fact, we're both rather pessimistic based on historical results but I think it's worth a shot, especially since the duration of her stay is only three weeks. Whether or not that short a stay will help or hurt the decision-making process will be dependent on the duration of the interview and the direction it takes. I know it's not impossible Pushbck and I agree with your earlier assessment that the odds are probably no better than 50:50 but certainly those kind of odds are worth our effort; hence my initial reservations about her sister's extortion attempt. I do appreciate your honesty though and by and large, our Plan B seems to be gathering steam as a result of it.

The question is how can these two relatives ruin a B2 visa application? A B2 visa application is usually sponsored by a company in the US.

A B2 is a tourist visa as so far as I know. Perhaps you're referring to the B1?

oh yeah the first post says she has no money and then later on she is owner of a high end botique and owner in two other small businesses....missed that...good catch.

Actually, if you go back to the post you refer to, I did not write, as you implied, she "has no money." I wrote she has "none to give." IOW, no desire to reward such contemptuous attempts. Also, on another matter, I wrote "These two extortionists have been....what is the word....cast from the family" so I can't fathom how anyone could imply my girl was cast from the family; that would have meant she was trying to extort herself. Just thought I'd clear these two issues up but Pushbrk I think, nailed it and thus I will pass on any correspondence with the embassy and will let things play out. In all likelihood, they are bluffing and if not, I'll let her explain things if it comes up during the interview.

Thanks everyone for your input!

I prefer to take statements at face value and interpret literally when interpretation is needed. As such, I think the above two posts reflect "misinterpretation" of what the OP wrote.

With the odds of obtaining a B2 visa as low as they are, I see the result being both no visa and no extortion money paid. However, this same issue could come up again at the K1 visa interview where third party correspondence can cause significant delays or worse.

Thanks for your reasonable critique that perhaps the original wording was confusing to some but you understand the situation. I agree, and we have discussed, the inevitability that in all likelihood, she will not get her B2 approved and thus we've got a plan B well in place. I will be taking a K3 route if the relationship continues on its wonderful course between us. I'm certainly in no hurry; having closely avoided rushing into things back in January as another correctly noted. There is an instinctual thought that perhaps a subsequent attempt will be

made to try and get some money out of her if and when the K3 is begun following a potential marriage.

Appreciate the input, even from those who reminded me to always write clearly so as to not be misunderstood.

Edit: Lady Jane, definitely the "me going there" is our "Plan B" and all the reservations and accomodations have been planned. I intend to visit her several times but I figured we should at least "try" to see if she can secure a B2. The effort is certainly worth a few fees and some time. Certainly worth the effort as I told her....one never knows! Also, I agree, having a business is by no means a guarantee that she has money but she's done very well for herself and by all accounts, does have most of what is "suggested" for any attempt so we'll give it our best collegiate effort, so to speak.

Yo Russ!

What happened to Jan 2008 pinay with the 2 year old? Keep on trolling!!!

Took the advice from some "livingincebu" members and hired a PI to check her out and thank God I did. I saved myself a lot of topics in this particular forum I believe. Troll? Not hardly...just someone trying to avoid some of the horror stories I've been reading in here since joining.

if the sister has been cast from the family, how does she know whats going on?

The sister who is trying to extort is the one cast from the family. The entire thread wouldn't have made any sense otherwise. Maybe the syntax was off.

Thanks for the responses....a brief history. I know the girl VERY well. She runs a high-end boutique in the metro-Manila area and also has ownership in two other small business'. I paid significant money many moons ago and EVERYTHING checked out. Her sister and her sister's husband have a history of "trouble with the law" so I'll just leave it at that. My girl has an established residence in the area, a six-year-old son enrolled in school and a decent amount of money in the bank. These two extortionists have been....what is the word....cast from the family (which is rare on the islands) so remove any thoughts in your mind about this being a family scam, there is too much criminal history with those two to support her legit worries. In addition, I've got friends in the area who have verified ALL of my questions. This is a valid concern on my part but I'm wondering if I will only cause more harm to get directly involved or shall I put my confidence in the embassy that they will see any effort as silliness and simply weigh the B2 application on its own merits.

Red flags have all been attended to at this point folks and she really is the real deal...an accomplished woman (25) with a degree and a strong head on her shoulders but she really is worried that despite all she has done, it might not be enough to get the Visa and worse, not at all if they receive such correspondence and simply write her off with a "why even bother with an interview?" scenario.

Thanks Charles!

Just a quick question for the experienced or knowledgable regulars here. The sister of my girlfriend and her husband are threatening to contact the embassy with some assorted fabrications in an attempt to hijack her B2 application. Because I am American, they assume I must be rich so they are demanding monies from my girl, who has none to give.

I have contemplating contacting the embassy directly to warn them of any possible interference but is this something I should simply dismiss...to trust my embassy to examine her application on its own merits? I can't believe they would accept any undocumented letter as "factual" but I don't want the effort to even have a 10-second shelf life without at least attempting to contact my embassy beforehand.

Has anyone ever heard of families doing this in the Philippines? I can't fathom how someone could do such a thing, though I suppose I'm being naive.

Thanks for any input.

As a retired military man, I've been fortunate enough to have traveled to more than 60 countries. I've seen women so breathtakinly beautiful it defies description but without hesitation, no place on earth has as many women who fit this observation than the Philippines. What makes Filipina women so beautiful and in my girl's case, so dangerous? I ask the latter because apparently, according to her family, my Filipina has on two separate occasions, caused an automobile accident when men drove past her while she was simply walking down the street. I'm sure there are many wives/girlfriends of members here who could likewise, cause such commotion.

Aside from their obvious beauty, I think their attractiveness comes from their purity of soul and warm heart. Filipina women, despite conditions that would drive others to tears, always seem to be smiling. But if we're talking visual beauty, I'll paraphrase Lord Byron, who sums it up for me personally when it comes to my girl:

Around her shone

The nameless charms unmark'd by her alone.

The light of love, the purity of grace,

The mind, the music breathing from her face,

The heart whose softness harmonized the whole,

And, oh! those eyes were themselves a soul.

I don't want to assume anything here but have you met in person? If I'm not mistaken, one can't choose the K1 route until they've actually met, which forces YOU to visit HER since the odds of her getting a B2 seem small...much like what I'm going through. I wanted our first "in person" meeting to be here in the states and THEN I would subsequently fly to the Philippines but she is a woman with very limited resources and doesn't have much that couldn't fit into a suitcase. I doubt Manilla is going to give her more than several seconds of conversation before they stamp her request "are you kidding us? Go home." As a result, I'm already planning the visit and in all likelihood, a K1 filing for marriage here in the states. We'll do "some sort" of romantic ceremony for her family and friends.

Russ, when you land there just get a motel room by the embassy and the next morning go for the capacity to marry certificate, it only takes about an hour. Then apply for your marraige certificate the same day if you can. 21 days is plenty of time to get married.

You bet...that's exactly what our goal is. I'm flying her to Manila so we can meet there, resolve some preliminary documentation (capacity to marriage certificate) and I definitely want her to get a feel for where the embassy is for when she'll have to return. I'm trying to get a feel for where would be the best place to stay while there. Apparently, there is a hotel not far from the airport that is run by an American and his Filipina wife so that looks to be a logical choice. One thing I'd like to know (sort of off topic) is what kind of fees should I expect to pay above and beyond the cost of flying from Manila to Bacolod City? According to Philippine Airlines, the ticket cost one-way is 288 PHP for the days I have selected but that seems crazy low. There's got to be some hidden taxes or fees in there somewhere. I swear, my brain is fried from all the research I've done lately, which in her own adorable way, she seems to think is cute. She knows how hard I'm trying to make sure we do this legal and correct, which is what led me here, of course but I am encouraged by the advice, especially about perhaps going with the K1 over the K3. Maybe we'll skip the civil ceremony in the PI (or have what I would call an UNOFFICIAL one for her friends and family) and remain officially engaged so I can work the K1 angle.

FWIW, this site has been a Godsend. I've visited others where individuals have reported "I skipped my seminar just by throwing a few PHP at the right person" or "didn't have it because we went through a civil ceremony" yet every "official" site I visit does not make the distinction of civil or church ceremony as a determining factor for the seminar so I'm inclined to think at least three of my visitation dates will be reserved for obtaining the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage in Manila and attendence of the seminar. It wasn't my goal to visit the Philippines until AFTER my girl came here to the states but I'm really getting discouraged by what appears to be the inevitability of a B2 denial because of past infractions from exiting Filipinas/Filipinos who remained stateside on their B2 or student visas.

This girl, albeit living in Bacolod City which enjoys a healthy reputation from what I have gathered, leads a very simple life and does not have all the professional ties one might desire when applying for a B2 Visa. I'm sure, despite a 2-year-old being temporarily left behind during her travel plans, any embassy representative, if so desired, could make a case that my girl has no compelling reason to return though honestly, I can't comprehend such a declaration when a woman has a two-year-old child.

Nonetheless, I do appreciate the experience of those who have already gone through this process. She understands the possibility that we may have to go the K3 route and this entire journey could take 2-3 years. So be it. Better to cross the ocean for the right girl than cross the street for the wrong one.

I'm only going to be there about three weeks. We've discussed it ad naseum...the possibility of her not getting a B2. We originally wanted her to come here for visit BEFORE we marry but it appears with all that I've read, getting a B2 might be terribly difficult for someone who owns no property or is not a business owner...even if her visit is only for three weeks and does not include marriage plans. That is why we felt marriage in Philippines was probably going to be the most logical route, followed by K3 process. However, I don't want to cut it so close that our civil ceremony literally is on the tarmac while my plane is taxing on the runway en route back to Manila and the states. I could of chosen to pursue a Filipina with a college degree or business owner with more ties to her country than one could shake a stick at but I fell in love with a girl who supports her entire family (father is deceased) by working at a fish market and truth be told, I wouldn't change one thing. I can hear this woman's footsteps from the other side of the world, that's how much I love my girl. It's going to make it more difficult for us to be together based on the sparsity of her ownings but given enough time, even the most stubborn mulberry leaf turns to silk.

It is required to take a family planning seminar.

Isn't this a requirement for a church ceremony only? Thanks for the help and info!

Fantastic website and a wealth of information...thanks to all for your contributions. I have a quick question that the search engine can't seem to resolve. Once I submit my Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage to the registar's office in the city of my fiance (Bacolod City), it is written that there is a 10-day waiting period before a license is issued. Does this mean I have to return to the registar's office to pick UP the marriage license or will they mail it to her address? I'd much rather pick up because I will only be in the country for 21 days and I'm nervous that I won't get the license in time to actually have our ceremony.

We're trying to make contingency plans to have the ceremony there in case her B2 is denied. She does not have property ownership (though she pays all the bills for her family including rent, utility, etc) but does have one small child (two-year-old). I would like to think a 20-day visit to the US while leaving a child behind proves strong ties to return to the island but who knows? I want her to come here for a visit but NOT to marry. We'll do that with either a K1 (here) or K3 (marry there).

Any comments on either case above? Thanks everyone!