Kevin-n-Merlaine

would be nice but no

I didn't think so but we have a pretty creative community here

We've sent a pretty decent amount to the family over the last year and I wondered if anyone has found a way to claim it on their taxes? I haven't found a definitive answer on here but did read online that only citizens of the US, Mexico and Canada can be claimed as dependents. Is there any other way to claim that expenditure? No big deal but it would be nice

Postal service is much slower than if he'd used Fedex or UPS. It takes a while, I wouldn't worry yet

I've flown to Vietnam and Manila and flew on China Air both times (not to be confused with Air China). I couldn't have been happier really. They had great service and great food and both times they were actually the cheapest. They offer some pretty flexible schedules from both SFO and LAX as well. I missed my departure on my return and was forced to buy new tickets for all of my US connecting flights but China Air didn't charge me a dime, just rescheduled me

I sent a lot of items back and forth while my wife was still there. If you are sending something you don't mind losing (a card, a letter, etc.) then it's much cheaper to send it USPS. Like the poster said, it's not the USPS that's the problem but once it hits the Phils mail system it's a ####### shoot. 1 in 3 of my cards was never delivered and it can take ages to get there. I used FedEx once and UPS once as well. Neither of those companies have offices or workers in the Philippines though. The immigration forms I sent via FedEx were delivered but not by the delivery guy. Apparently he got tired of looking for her, asked some kid if he knew her then handed the kid the package and told him to take it to her . FedEx uses Air21 as their forwarder and UPS uses Delbros so, again, no one is all that "accountable" once it's there. I only use DHL now. They have offices all over the world and have their OWN employees on the ground. I think the last packet I sent was about $30 and it was a large document envelope about half full.

Yup, what they said This is Merlaine's 2nd winter starting and it's a little easier than the first (not much tho). Scarves have helped her a lot, along with all the other stuff listed here, because she can pull it up over her face too if needed. She wears the thick cozy socks with her fuzzy lined boots and that works pretty well. There's just not really any way to get used to it really, I've been here all my life and I wanna go back to the Phils every winter too

As I was typing this she got up to get ready for work, turned up the heater, put on thermals and grumbled "hay nala"

Are you sure there are not lots of Pinoy's in Cleveland? Here in Maryland, on the surface it may appear there are not a lot of Filipino's here but there are TONS of you guys here...granted, I was married to a Filpina for 30 years, so I know many many because of that, however once you network and meet one or two local Pinoy's and the big thing is going to Filipino party's....BINGO, you're in.

You know how Filipino party's are, they have them for this, that and the other thing, hahah...always having birthday party's for the kids, and its also a social Filipiono get together, sharing food, friends, and good times.

My wife and I live in Wichita, Kansas and there are a LOT of Pinoy/Pinay even here! I met quite a few before she arrived and since she's been here we bump into someone new constantly. There are a LOT of Filipinos EVERY where in the US. Granted there are far more on the coasts but there are a lot more Kano on the coasts too!

I found these 4 links on the very first page after I googled Filipinos in Cleveland...I'm sure there are a lot more too. It's hard I know but If she has Rebtel for a phone call anytime she wan't to make one, skype for anytime she's homesick and can find even ONE Filipina here to talk to on occasion, it will make both of your lives much easier. Rebtel+Skype=

http://blog.clevelan...heast_ohio.html

http://www.cleveland...ino/filip1.html

http://www.thefilipi...oresinOhio.html

http://www.cleveland...no/filipino.htm

Just over 2 years for me too but they got me for a pound or two over weight. If' they're that particular about the weight then I'd imagine they will be on size as well...better safe with a few extra dollars at hand

I've flown on China Air twice and was very happy on both trips. The first was to Vietnam and then to the Phils most recently. The food is great, free drinks, decent leg room, no baggage fees, good entertainment selection, nothing I'd complain about at all. They transfer planes in Taipei from either LAX or SFO en-route to Manila. It's a nice airport and easy to get around in. Only unnerving thing is the welcome sign and the end of the jet-way - "Drug trafficking in the ROC is punishable by Death". On my return from the Phils I completely blew off my departure date missing and not rescheduling my flights. All of the US carriers charged me huge fees (It was cheaper to buy new tickets) but China Air didn't charge me a dime and let me reschedule whenever I chose.

I just searched it for a week from now on Kayak, one way MNL to JFK and there are some really good prices - Delta and Continental.

Some airlines want to see the card that the ticket was purchased with when you check in. Have your fiance check with the airline, then if necessary, photocopy the front and back of the credit card used to purchase the ticket and send you the copy. My wife already had her card from our joint account and Delta never asked to see it but I've heard that some do.

Here's the info from the Phils Bureau of Immigration website. There's a link at the bottom to download the forms and a FAQ section that answered all my questions. After naturalization it looks like a good idea to go to the nearest Philippine Embassy and submit the docs and take the oath. I guess it could be done if and when you went back to the Phils but I'm guessing it MAY be a bit easier to do stateside.

http://immigration.g...d=163&Itemid=83

Very good info...thanks to the OP for bringing it up and thanks to all of you for helping to clear it up

That's what I thought Tahoma, that as long as you renewed your Philippine passport and didn't let it expire you never fell off the radar so to speak. I may be wrong but I could swear I'd read that in the guides or on the state dept website, or the Phils DFA website...I dunno, I'll start digging again..lol Won't be long and it will be AOS time so I'd better find out for sure myself

The US doesn't recognize "dual citizenship". As far as their concerned you're either a US citizen or you're not. That's not really relevant though because it's not them you're concerned about. Once you have US citizenship, you're one for life...it's the citizenship in the Phils that you're concerned with. The Philippine government DOES recognize and allow dual citizenship. I'll have to re-read but It was my understanding that you really didn't need to do anything at all. You never technically give up your Philippine citizenship, you only acquire US citizenship...did I read or understand wrong??

I've used Xoom off and on for the last 2 years or so, never had any problems at all.

Shoes are a little hard to find (she wears a 5) but she can find a few that AREN'T hello kitty in the children's section. The children's section of most stores have clothes that will fit but most are pretty child specific. Forever 21 is a good choice Deb, Charlotte Russe and Maurices are her favorites I think but most all of the mall stores carry small sizes (my wife's a 0). Hollister, American Eagle and A&F all carry petite sizes.

Also, if you have a Gordmans there they carry a lot of small sizes. She's found a pretty good selection of jeans and dress pants there.

Never had a problem with the BB boxes and were in Kansas. There's actually a couple of different people (Filipinos) here in town that can ship them for us. It does take a while, about 6 weeks, but it's only $125 from here to their door step in Tacloban, Leyte. Star Kargo - ABS/CBN - Villamayor enterprises is the shipping company.

you can choose also manila airport hotel its really near in the international airport its just a walking distance near at mall of asia and sm sucat. and its near in the police station in the airport. im from that place and all my family still living there till now and my brother and siste are working in international airport.

That would get my vote too. I stayed there with my soon to be wife and made the reservations online then confirmed over the phone. We only stayed one night but it was pretty nice, clean and has a KFC attached. It's literally a rocks throw away from the international arrival ramp.

Rebtel has been good for us.

Yah, Scott told me about Rebtel over a year ago...been using it ever since and couldn't be happier really

If you paid a fee to Air21, that's for the delivery of your visa...yes, you're approved

Having the tests done ahead of time could bite you too. My wife caught a nasty cold about a month prior to her medical so she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed with TB and started on the meds. She was so upset, having come so far in the process, that she nearly decided not to go on with the process. She did go on, went to her medical, kept her mouth shut and passed with flying colors. Come to find out, 2 other members of her family have been misdiagnosed with TB over the years. A LOT of undue stress - I don't recommend it. What St. Lukes says is all that matters. So while it's bigtime stressful to not know ahead of time, It can be worse

The packet I sent my wife for her interview weighed 12 lbs according to DHL., They looked at 4 or 5 photos and that was about it. I honestly believe that being prepared, the way you're dressed, the way you carry yourself and how professional all your documents are prepared has more to do with the outcome of the interview than the actual documents do. They already have most of the documents she'll take to the interview anyway

My wife's been using Pinoytvshow.org. Her sister in the Phils turned her on to it and she's loved it so far. She's a GMA addict and they have the latest series and shows uploaded the day after they air over there.