FCH

here's my very own experience at st. luke's extension clinic aka SLEC.
december 15, 2008
arrived at SLEC at 7am. guards checked my NVC letter, appointment letter and passport. told me to have the NVC letter and appointment letter photocopied. went across the street to have this done.
tip: do not listen to people outside telling you what to do. if you have a question, ask the guards or any SLEC employee.
returned to the guards and gave them the photocopies. told the guard i was a K1 applicant.
he gave me the personal data sheet form to fill up, gave me a priority number and stamped my hand with the SLEC seal.
filled up the forms.
tip: black ballpen. dont forget!
went up to the reception, had my picture taken for SLEC security purposes.
SLEC people checked my papers. then told go to pay the fee. it was 10, 454.50. might change day to day.
tip: bring pesos. dollars not accepted.
then off to the xray department. handed over the forms. waited for my name to be called. xray done.
next was the blood test.
gave my papers to SLEC people. they had me sign a waiver and wait to be called in for a blood test.
next step was the vital signs. the longest of all procedures.
tip: since this one takes a long time in between, its a good time to grab a bite. if you have food, eat. but dont let the guards catch you. if you have to leave the premises, ask the people in the counter if you have time to run out and get lunch or brunch. i brought a sandwich with me but had to duck when the guard drops by. i didnt want to go out and miss my name being called. oh and bring a bottle of water!
so my name was called for height and weight records.
another long wait, then eye exam.
another very long wait, vital signs.
another horrible long wait, time for physical exam where you have to disrobe completely for a doctor to examine you.
once approved, i moved on to the immunization area. was interviewed for the vaccinations i had done.
tip: bring your records if you have one. if not, get a note from your doctor. if they ask you if you want your extra immunizations at SLEC or in the US, always say you want SLEC to provide them because that is included with the fee. you paid for those immunizations. and its probably gonna be really expensive if you get them in the US.
i was told to come back the next day for my immunization vaccines and for releasing. time check: 4:30pm.

december 16, 2008
as written on the forms, 1:30pm appointment at the immunization area. went to the counter and gave them my forms.
a long wait again for my name to be called. very long wait. im talking 2 - 3 hours of waiting.
tip: again, bring snacks. i had cookies to discreetly munch on. and a bottle of water to keep me sane from the dreadful long wait.
named called. immunizations done. i had three shots. ouch.
was told to go to ground floor for releasing. so i passed!
waited again for my name, which again took a long time. went up to the counter when called, listened to last few instructions left. and was told all my papers will be forwarded to the embassy in preparation for my interview.
mission accomplished. time check: 5pm.
last few tips:
always ask guards what the heck is going on. if you ask the person next to you, chances are he or she is applying for new zealand, australia or canada. or might be as clueless as you. or maybe a US applicant but in another category. if you must, ask the people you think are on the same file. like ask a fellow k1 applicant so you would not be so lost after all.
bring extra 2x2 pics. i left mine at the hotel on the second day and they asked for it at the releasing counter. luckily, the told me i could bring them to the embassy and submit the photos there.
have an extra photocopy of the appointment letter for them at the releasing counter. this i forgot. but then again, i was told to i could submit them at the day of my interview at the USEM.
bring a coat. the airconditioning could be very cold at some floors.
bring water.
bring snacks.
i would suggest not to bring a book or an ipod or anything. cos you have to attentively listen for your name. and SLEC's paging system isnt the best. you might miss your name called while listening to music or reading an interesting book. just stay awake.
tell the truth. some applicants lied about things - example... last time one had sex. that can be determined at the physical exam. and frankly, why lie? but i dunno. one applicant was told to come back after a month when the doctor found out she had sexual contact that day.
do not go to SLEC if you have your period.
recall the latest date you had your menstrual cycle. if you dont remember, make a really good guess. dont make it up though, they will still know in a way.
wear comfortable clothes. do not wear heels. you have to run up and down the stairs.
do not bring your fiance to SLEC. well you can, but they cant go inside. no one can go in, only applicants. so ask your mom, friend, fiance or family, etc to wait for you at the hotel or at the mall or somewhere else. but not along the humid and dusty streets outside SLEC. remember, its a whole day wait. make that two days.
on a scale of one to ten. ten being the highest. it was a 7 for me.
the waiting was terrible, but once youre called, they get on it right away.
theyre clean. they know what theyre doing.
place is packed always but chairs are sufficient enough to let everyone sit.
SLEC people are not so nice really. some look strict or mean. but for the benefit of the doubt, tired with probably over 100 applicants a day, i wouldnt be the friendliest too.
i guess thats it. im glad i passed.
hope this experience can at least guide you all.
good luck!!!