Completely

My husband lives in Murphy.. Texas is nice but the humidity is high as well in the summer. same thing in the middle east.

try www.divisoria.com . I order TAGALOG DVD's in this website..they ship it from Philippines to here.

Some people works overseas to get ahead and its not a bad idea at all. Thousands of americans is having a good life here in the middle east. No taxes, free furnished apartments, car, what else can you ask for? Maybe you and your husband should consider working overseas just to get ahead, pay off the billX, have some savings then go back in the USA. Just a thought.

This a free forum and everybody will say whatever they want to say.. This is not trying to bash the OP but we are talking about reality here.

As you see some people still love to bash, even in this topic...., meaning we can not control their mind on how and what they will post in this forum.

The bottomline is, if the topic does not interest you or to others, and you think you cant help and will not say anything good.. dont answer or say anything at all.

I want to list here the food that I like but he doesnt want to taste (or taste ever again)...

1. Isaw (chicken intestine ...one street of the popular street food here in the PI)...he tried kikiam and fishball though

2. Dinuguan (or what he called chocolate meat) he tried one sip but he said it tasted like iron

3. Fish belly (the best part of fish...especially for bangus (milkfish))... he just didnt like the soft texture and the black color of it

4. Tuwalya (ox tripe)...in kare-kare he just puked when he tried one bite...didnt the chewy texture

5. Balot...(a fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell-from wikipedia) ...he tried it the second night he was here...oh and I saw him all green and he was about to puke...

How about your fiance/fiancee?

Other things I noticed... they don`t eat full meals for lunch...and no (heavy) snacks (e.g. spaghetti, pancit, burger, etc) between meals. Hotdog is not a breakfast. No hotdog on spaghetti (but he likes sweet spaghetti, he even tried Jollibee spaghetti). They don`t use spoon to eat rice but they use fork instead.

One thing I can tell you is you have to learn how to eat their food as well...Marriage is a compromise.. Learn how to cook their food as well,

Goodluck.

i just think that this post make sense.

For me, I dont have any problem when I married my husband as English is our second language in the Philippines. I was working for a foreign company in the Middle East when we met. So language is not a problem at all.

Sometimes you dont choose the person you love, you will just feel that he/she holds a special place in your heart. Now, as far as to make the relationship work, they need to do what they have to do in order to make it work..

Look at the deaf person, I know several couple that are deaf and married for 15 years, they dont talk at all but they can communicate through their feelings.

Hello guys , here i am again,..I was thinking sending some of my important stuff from PI to USA.. i am from cebu , i just dont know what shipping company to use..and how much would it be to ship things from Cebu,Philippines to Arizona, USA. Some of my things that i will ship are my teddy bears, books and some clothes. Anybody here who try to send things from Pi to USA? pls I need some info, what shipping company who handle this kind of shipping and also the cost...thanks in advance

im sorry but how important those things to you? As you can buy those things also in the US.

Maybe you can bring some but not all.. Shipping this to the US will be expensive, and it varies by weight.

na c.s kc ako nong nanganak 1 year ago, may nbasa akong forum d2 sa vj na c.s delivery they will not let to travel abroad anymore. true? next month n kc medical ko it makes me worried.

Thanks!

huh? where you get this info?

Dont worry too much, you will be fine.

I don't care for tattoos either but I still love my fiancee. Her tattoo is not that big. It's simply a ankle bracelet design which she got when she was much younger. I just spoke with her and the pyschiatrist wouldn't tell here anything after the sesson except to call back tomorrow morning at 9am. Her interview at the embassy is next Tuesday. She lives in Cavite so assuming she passes her medical she'll have to return for the 4th time to Manilla for her immunizations and then of course again next Tuesday. We're both kind of dazed by this turn of events. How can a tattoo reflect on one's mental stability? If it were that bad then millions of people all over the world would be in mental institutions.

Good luck to all!

Grace & Steven

They just sometimes make it complicated even tattoos is not really a big deal.. Well just hope for the best..

I am just really glad I did not process my visa in the Philippines whenever i read post like this..

I am just amazed on the process as even the passport needed to be notarized for CRBA process.. I did everything in the Middle East and processed my kids passport and I never encountered any process like this here.. I guess they made it difficult there because of huge amount of american-filipino relationship..

Why people cant just be happy and live with it???

I guess tattoos aren't liked in the Philippines. My fiancee was called back today for a pyschiatric evaulation because of a tattoo around her ankle. I'm waiting now for her call but is this a legitimate reason to fail the medical examination? Are people with tattoos seen as mentally deranged there? Any others that have had similar experiences please let me know how it turned out for you.

Thanks!

Grace & Steven

Tattoos is not really accepted in the Philippines, but no one can stop someone from having it.. I personally dont like tattoos, my main reason is I will not be able to donate blood. but as far as psychiatric evaluation, I dont think having tattoos will goes that far.

Maria and I finally were approved for a Fiance Visa today at the US Embassy in Manila. My NOAH 1 was May 27, 2008, so it took over a whole year in the coming. Good luck to everyone else, and thanks for everyone who helped us understand things here on VJ.

Carl and Maria

Congratulations!!

Yeah, it is winter-time in Argentina too!

Does the Department offer help to spouses who wish to naturalize?

A: Yes. The Family Liaison Office assists Department of State family members eligible for expeditious naturalization under Section 319(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which exempts certain spouses of U.S. Government employees from the otherwise-applicable residence and physical presence requirements of naturalization. (Naturalization under Section 319(B) does not exempt applicants from other requirements of naturalization, such as good moral character, knowledge of United States history and government, and English language skills.) For a Department employee's spouse to qualify under Section 319(B), the employee must be a U.S. citizen "regularly stationed abroad" as part of his or her employment. Additionally, the applicant must be in the United States at the time of naturalization and make a good faith declaration of intent to take up residence within the United States immediately upon the termination of employment abroad by the U.S. citizen spouse.'

Religious/Missionary work does not count as government service. I think you must have the ability to understand what you read. If not, this is a free service for you. Youa re welcome.

Why are you here anyway?

The foreign spouse and the American citizen spouse have to live together and reside in the US at least for 3 years since becoming a permanent resident to be able to file for naturalization. That is my understanding. Living overseas disqualifies your application.

wrong. I never lived in the US and I did become a USC under Article 319b of Immigration nationality Act. This act waives all the physical presence required in naturalization application..

Maybe if my guess is right they rejected your application as you have used your address overseas.

When I filed my application, I put the US address, even we are living overseas. Your case is different somehow, but missionary thing falls also under 319b.

My question, did you include all the information regarding this missionary thing you are involved?, did you ask for any letter that prove that this is a US organization? Any article of incorporation that prove this organization?

When you send your application this time, include cover letter that explains your job, the FP cards and use your US address in the N400 Application. A letter from your ministry that verifying that you or your husband is working for a missionary and state how long he will be there.

I guess it is none of your businesss to ask me why I am here..

Per article 319b...

• Your U.S. citizen spouse must be “regularly stationed abroad” as:

o A member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

o An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. government;

Page 2

FAQ – 319(B) of the INA

o An employee of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General;

o An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States;

o An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or

o A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States.•

I guess this explains a lot...

My luck strikes again.....

I am unable to reach anyone in US Manila Embassy after purchasing pin#, the line is silent after the automated answering check for the PIN # and ask to press 1 for K1 visa.

Is this normal, anyone else had the same experience?

Also when purchasing ($18) pin # it say it valid 3 times, if nobody answer is that counted ?

Because if that is the case, i must already have used because I made 3 different attempt just tonight alone in the US, Monday Morning Phil time.

This really sucks big time.....

so I am going to spend as much as a TRIP to the Philippines just trying to reach the stupid EMBASSY.

Sorry for the rant, but i am loosing my patience.

Please any advice on how to reach the EMBASSY ((from HELL)) ???

Thanks for your replies

I am really glad, we did the process overseas. we avoided a lot of headaches.

You're a US citizen, so no problem.

But do they ask any questions like where do i reside and how long ive been out of the country for?

NO.. You are a US citizen already.. if you have a passport, the immigration wont ask, it is none of their business.

No worries.

They will ask was it business or pleasure, what countries have you been in since you left the US, what did you do, what did you buy, etc. It is Homeland Security's business. Just in case you were doing any funny business.

Mela what countries did you go to before coming back to the USA?

They did not ask me, i guess it depends, whoever officer in charge.

Hello All:

I need to submit certified/notarized copies of my passport as documentation for our CRBA. Where can I get this done ? I live in Orlando, FL area.

Thank you

At your bank and its free of charge or go to UPS they do it there.My daughter had her CRBA too,my husband went to UPS to had his passport copy notarized.He didn't know before that he can do it at his bank for free.

Good luck!

notarized copy of passport? why this should be notarized? I am glad I did not process everything in the Philippines.

You're a US citizen, so no problem.

But do they ask any questions like where do i reside and how long ive been out of the country for?

NO.. You are a US citizen already.. if you have a passport, the immigration wont ask, it is none of their business.

No worries.

The foreign spouse and the American citizen spouse have to live together and reside in the US at least for 3 years since becoming a permanent resident to be able to file for naturalization. That is my understanding. Living overseas disqualifies your application.

wrong. I never lived in the US and I did become a USC under Article 319b of Immigration nationality Act. This act waives all the physical presence required in naturalization application..

Maybe if my guess is right they rejected your application as you have used your address overseas.

When I filed my application, I put the US address, even we are living overseas. Your case is different somehow, but missionary thing falls also under 319b.

My question, did you include all the information regarding this missionary thing you are involved?, did you ask for any letter that prove that this is a US organization? Any article of incorporation that prove this organization?

When you send your application this time, include cover letter that explains your job, the FP cards and use your US address in the N400 Application. A letter from your ministry that verifying that you or your husband is working for a missionary and state how long he will be there.

Is is really common for PI families to send money back home? Is it expected of them? Curious.

In most cases, yes, especially if you married the bread-winner of the family. Financial matters should have been talked about before getting married though. In my family, as long as you are single and working, you need to at least help with some expenses especially if you still live with your parents. And then if you get married, you are not oblige to help in the family anymore since you need to build your own family... but also you are not supposed to be helped by the family since you chose to start on your own. In my case though, since I was one of the bread-winners and all of my siblings are married, I took the responsibility (or should I say my husband did) of taking care of my father. My husband and I discussed this matter many, many times so it's not something that we have to argue about.

Actually it is not an obligation, we just know how to look back on those people who needed our help, and that is our family back home..THis is a voluntary thing,, they never ask for it. But we need to know our limitation when to say NO.

they did discuss it, but it seems to me, that this is a never ending..

Her husband should have adjusted her status, so she could find a job and help him, so he will not have a say so, if she is sending some money for her kids back home..

Unfortunately, when he married the OP she have baggages, and he need to accept it.

Communication plays a very important role in relationship, learning how to compromise is the second.

Is is really common for PI families to send money back home? Is it expected of them? Curious.

In most cases, yes, especially if you married the bread-winner of the family. Financial matters should have been talked about before getting married though. In my family, as long as you are single and working, you need to at least help with some expenses especially if you still live with your parents. And then if you get married, you are not oblige to help in the family anymore since you need to build your own family... but also you are not supposed to be helped by the family since you chose to start on your own. In my case though, since I was one of the bread-winners and all of my siblings are married, I took the responsibility (or should I say my husband did) of taking care of my father. My husband and I discussed this matter many, many times so it's not something that we have to argue about.

Actually it is not an obligation, we just know how to look back on those people who needed our help, and that is our family back home..THis is a voluntary thing,, they never ask for it.

My husband and I discussed this matter many, many times so it's not something that we have to argue about.

Good for you. We did too. And there were tears because I said some things that were difficult for her to accept, but that were exactly true.

The most difficult matter for Fillippina-Americano marriages is to on the one hand fulfill the cultural obligation to help, but on the other hand not interfere in the incentive for them to work.

If you are not prepared to accept this cultural imperitive from your wife - then you have no business marrying her. They are my family too and I love them. I built them a house, actually - a little one. I am a builder so I do not mean "buy" a house. I built it with her father. I am not going to have my family living in a shack.

My wife does not earn income. But wow is my life better with her here. Well, except that I have gained 35 pounds. Every time I turn around she is handing me a plate of food.

Everything should be discussed before getting married especially on financial matter.

LEGAL RESIDENT. WHAT WILL I DO? I AM OUT OF HIS HOUSE NOW....

I feel sorry for what happened to your marriage.. Financial should never be an issue in the relationship..

If I were you, I will just go home, you can manage it well if you are in the Philippines, slowly but surely.

hi there..pa join.....hehehehe..im 19 weeks pregnant now and i can also feel my baby moving as early as 17 weeks..malaki siguro lakas ko kumain ng kainin eh....sa dami ng pag lilihihan kanin pa...hehehe..

anyways...some questions lang po....is it normal to have brown discharge? once in a while kc im having brown discharge but no cramping or anything..no itchiness or burning sensation....

syempre pag first baby nakaka kaba talaga....sabi ni doc dont worry to much...it might be because my uterus is streching..and brown discharge menas old blood but still sometimes di ko maiwasang mag worry....

anyone whos having the same experience?

thanks...

You may want to get check. as sometimes brown or pink discharge is alarming and this is a sign of any minute you will be going to labor as uterus cervix is expanding. I am not a medical expert but things like this, dont need to be ignored.

I will share you my experience..

I was a conditional resident and became a USC only last year. I gave birth to my son in the Middle East and reported his birth in the US Embassy here. He is a USC but at the same time he is filipino citizen.. It was our decision to apply for a Filipino passport for him as his mother is Philippine citizen. When he reach 18 years and is joining the US army, our son will need to choose his citizenship.

As for your wife, when she took the oath of allegiance in the USA as per:

SECTION 1 OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH ACT 63, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP MAY BE LOST OR REACQUIRED", STATES THAT THE FILIPINO CITIZEN MAY LOSE HIS CITIZENSHIP IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. BY NATURALIZATION IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY;

2. BY EXPRESS RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP;

3. BY SUBSCRIBING TO AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY; AND

4. BY RENDERING SERVICE TO, OR ACCEPTING COMMISSION IN THE

ARMED FORCES OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

Even if her Philippine passport is still valid by the time she were ssued a US PASSPORT, it is already deemed cancelled. After she subscribed to an oath of allegiance to the US, she is no longer

considered a FILIPINO CITIZEN and therefore cease to be under the authority of the Philippine Government, which is the issuing authority of the Philippines Passport.

SECTION 3, ARTICLE 4 OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION STATES THAT "PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP MAY BE LOST OR REACQUIRED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW".

IF she want to apply for the reacquisition of her FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP, she need to contact the nearest embassy at your state and submit the following documents:

1. PHILIPPINE BIRTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND AUTHENTICATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN MANILA;

2.ORIGINAL AND COPY OF YOUR OLD PHILIPPINE PASSPORT;

3.VOTER'S AFFIDAVIT OR VOTER'S IDENTIFICATION CARD;

4.ORIGINAL AND COPY OF YOUR US PASSPORT;

5.ORIGINAL AND COpy OF YOUR CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION;

6.5 PIECES OF 2X2 ID PICTURE;

7.DULY ACCOMPLISHED APPLICATION FORM (TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE EMBASSY); AND

8.OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE EMBASSY

She Will have to secure an appointment for interview and to take an oath of allegiance thereafter.

Mga mommies I have a question.

Who among u here got an occasional head ache?

Meron ba dito?

headaches is just normal for other people especially for those who works full time like me.., as you dont really get enough sleep when you are pregnant due to frequent urination.. But I will still consult my doctor as maybe this is connected to your blood pressure, either high or low.