Tito Jorge

Here is a list I keep posted at my website of Hotels in Metro Manila ...

1616 A. Mabini St., Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.laspalmashotel.com.ph/

Palm Plaza Hotel

526 Pedro Gil cor M. Adriatico St., Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.palmplazahotel.com

Executive Plaza Hotel

1630 A. Mabini Street, Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.executiveplazahotel.com

Dakota Mansion

555 Gen. Malvar cor. M. Adriatico St.,

Malate, Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Telephone No: (632) 521-0701

Fax No. : (632) 521-8844

http://www.mansiongroup.com.ph/DakotaSite/

Tropicana Apartment Hotel

1630 Luis Ma. Guerrero Street, Malate,

Manila, Philippines 1004

http://www.tropicana-apt-hotel.com/

Cherry Blossoms Hotel

550 Jorge Bocobo Extension, Ermita,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.cherryblossomshotel.com.ph/

Lotus Garden Hotel

1227 A. Mabini corner Padre Faura Sts.

Manila, Philippines

Telephone: (632) 522-1515

Fax: (632) 522-0768

http://www.citygardenhotels.com/lotus/main.html

Miramar Hotel

1034-1036 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila

Telephone: (632)5234484

Fax: (632)5261866

http://www.miramarhotel.ph/

Casa Bocobo Hotel

1000 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita

City of Manila, 1000 Philippines

Phone: (632) 484 5284

Fax: (632) 484 3468

http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/

Rothman Hotel

1633 M. Adriatico St., Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone: (632) 523-4501 to 10

Fax: (632) 522-2606

http://www.rothmanhotel.com

Riviera Mansion Hotel

1638 A. Mabini St., Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone: (632) 523-4511 to 25

Fax: (632) 522-2606

http://www.rivieramansion.com

All of these hotels are reasonably priced and in walking distance of Robinson's Mall in Malate and a short 5 minute taxi ride to the USEM ... I think you may want to stay at Casa Bocobo for the best prices ... but check at a few different places as you may find a good promo rate at any of them ...

Good luck!

-- George

You're going to save money buying in the Philippines ... and no problem bringing them back to the U.S. ...

Just dont try to bring back 25 wedding gowns and you will be OK!

-- George

WOW!

-- George

Congratulations! That was a quick process.

Yeah it was ...

And getting the approval notice and the green card on the same day was BIG surprise!

-- George

Canton

R.R. Enriquez or Valerie Concepcion

-- George

Wow is right ... that IS a good price!

And Señora Bonita's husband is correct ...

China Air's flight attendants look muy bonita ...

-- George

Do you dip the chicharrones in suka with sili Uncle Jorge? I do. Sarap!

I like to dip in Sri Ratcha hot sauce! Sarap!

-- George

Woo Hoo !!!

Belinda found her approval notice in the mail today ...

And if thats not enough ... there was another envelope from USCIS that contained her 10 year Green Card!!! Yehey!!!

Here is Belinda's I-751 timeline ...

• 08/17/09 - Sent I-751 package to California Service Center

09/02/09 - Received NOA 1 (Receipt notice)

09/11/09 - Received NOA 2 (Biometric Appt notice)

10/02/09 - Biometrics appointment at USCIS in Seattle

10/20/09 - Received Notice of approval

10/20/09 - Received Green Card in U.S. mail

I have also posted this timeline at:

So if anyone wants to track other timelines or add a timeline of their own ... you are welcome to do so ...

-- George

I'm with those who said Oregon coast ...

I spent a long weekend at Seaside Oregon last month ...

Cant wait to go back there again!

Here is a link that may be of interest ...

Shilo Inn Oceanfront Resort

Yup ... the Oregon coast ... gotta love it!

-- George

My wife eats very healthy and is a good influence on me, but she sometimes craves her favorite junk food.

Her Filipino favorites are Oishi Prawn Crackers, Boy Bawang garlic-flavor Cornick, and Nagaraya Garlic Cracker Nuts. She can still buy all of these here in Seattle. She also has some American favorites like potato chips, beef jerky, and the greasy french fries from the local drive-in. Oh, and I almost forgot...Coca Cola. She can eat and drink all she wants without ever gaining a single pound.

On the other hand, I am the junk food King...chips, fries, baked goods, and anything chocolate. It's all good. My favorite is Nacho Cheese Doritos with baby smoked clams.

How about you?

~ Tahoma

Pork Skins!!! (A.K.A. Chicharron) ...

YUMMY!!! YUMMY!!! YUMMY!!!

It's not really junk food ... more like mana from haven ...

-- George

Hot and Spicy ... hmmm ...

Now thats an idea!

But where to find that ...

-- George (maybe in my signature?)

Just today I bought plane tickets to Manila and we're pretty happy we'll see each other in 2 weeks, since we are waiting and waiting and waiting for NOA2 and have no idea if 3 months or 4 to 8 years....

Then came the shocker! SMS and Email from USCIS - WE'RE APPROVED!

Next stop on the Iris&Norman love train - Visaville baby...

YEHEY!!!! Good for you!

-- George

Yes ...

Tax transcripts will do just fine ...

-- George

I want to thank everyone who has been so helpful walking me and my husband through this process. Without your help, things might have been so difficult to take to the next notch.

I have met few good fellows here ever since I became a member,and there was a friendship that sprung.

Thank you everyone! to my cousin,(her display name is bratikicks) who have rendered me with untiring support and assistance!

Thank you guys!

Yehey!!! Congratulations LÜvtechwifey!

-- George

and i thought that hotel would have been great location-wise since it's right outside the mall

Just FYI ...

All the hotels I posted earlier ... are within a 5 minute walk to Robinson's Mall ...

They are all clustered in that same area ... I particularly like Las Palmas ... but Executive Plaza and Palm Plaza are equally nice ... and just as close to the mall as well ... Tropicana is another place worth looking at ...

If you already have reservations at Cherry Blossoms Hotel ... stay there ... its a nice place ... not the best ... but it is clean and safe and very close to the mall ... I think you will be happy there ...

-- George

hello everyone who has knowledged about the old green passport!!!!

my question is, it is true that we cannot use the old green passport now even it's not expired yet???

The old green passports are no longer being issued ... but if you have one ... it will continue to be valid ... until its expiration date ...

Many travel agents in the Philippines are spreading rumors that the green passports are no longer valid ... as they are also in the business of renewing passports for a fee ... they want you to pay them to renew your passport ...

Dont worry ... your green passport is good until its expiration date ...

-- George

I was looking at the members timelines here. I noticed that fiancee visa applicants have short/shorter timelines. Some even got their visas within 5 months tops from the day they sent I-129.

Keep in mind though that K1 visa holders still have to apply for work authorization and adjustment of status once they arrive in the US. Immiediate Relative immigrant visa holders get their green cards right away once they enter the US. So, if you're going to compare the lineline of a K1 applicant with that of someone who went the I-130 route, look at the timeline from the date the petition was filed to the date permanent residency was approved by USCIS or the consulate.

jsnearline makes a good point ...

CR-1 visa holders get a SS card in the mail within 2 weeks after they arrive in the U.S. and the 2 year green card follows shortly after ... they are able to work right away ... and no need to apply for EAD ...

-- George

hello guys

just recently received congratulations! letter says i need to wait within 60days before i received 10yrs gc.

Questions..

is that necessary need to 60 days to received 10yrs gc.

after receiving congtz letters what the next step

thanks

Yehey!!! Congratulations Jarl!

You dont have to do anything else now ... just wait for your 10 year card ... it probably wont take 60 days ... it could come much sooner ... just wait and see ...

-- George

Hi vjers, Thank you so much for all your advices, it helps a lot..

and thsi morning, i just passed my inetrview at US embassy in MAnila..

Im here now in Cebu and im eryu very happy! thanks for all your help!!!

-God bless us aLL..

Congratulations Mc and R.kid!

-- George

I am so thankful to everyone here on VJ for all the pointers and opinions.

I got the approval very quick. hehehhehe I was lucky the CO was so nice and approved my application.

hehehhehe

I will be flying to US this month.

Congratulations Ginalisa!

-- George

Here is a list of Hotels in Metro Manila ...

1616 A. Mabini St., Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.laspalmashotel.com.ph/

Palm Plaza Hotel

526 Pedro Gil cor M. Adriatico St., Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.palmplazahotel.com

Executive Plaza Hotel

1630 A. Mabini Street, Malate,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.executiveplazahotel.com

Dakota Mansion

555 Gen. Malvar cor. M. Adriatico St.,

Malate, Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Telephone No: (632) 521-0701

Fax No. : (632) 521-8844

http://www.mansiongroup.com.ph/DakotaSite/

Tropicana Apartment Hotel

1630 Luis Ma. Guerrero Street, Malate,

Manila, Philippines 1004

http://www.tropicana-apt-hotel.com/

Cherry Blossoms Hotel

550 Jorge Bocobo Extension, Ermita,

Manila, Philippines

http://www.cherryblossomshotel.com.ph/

Lotus Garden Hotel

1227 A. Mabini corner Padre Faura Sts.

Manila, Philippines

Telephone: (632) 522-1515

Fax: (632) 522-0768

http://www.citygardenhotels.com/lotus/main.html

Miramar Hotel

1034-1036 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila

Telephone: (632)5234484

Fax: (632)5261866

http://www.miramarhotel.ph/

Casa Bocobo Hotel

1000 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita

City of Manila, 1000 Philippines

Phone: (632) 484 5284

Fax: (632) 484 3468

http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/

Rothman Hotel

1633 M. Adriatico St., Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone: (632) 523-4501 to 10

Fax: (632) 522-2606

http://www.rothmanhotel.com

Riviera Mansion Hotel

1638 A. Mabini St., Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone: (632) 523-4511 to 25

Fax: (632) 522-2606

http://www.rivieramansion.com

All of these are reasonably priced and located close to U.S. Embassy and St. Lukes ... my favorite is Las Palmas Hotel ... but all are a good value for the money ...

-- George

YEHEY!!!!

-- George

My Filipino friends and your loved ones,

What's behind your VJ display name? Please explain the significance or reason why you chose that display name.

For example, my display name is simply my common title in Spanish or Filipino as a single woman plus my first name. How about you?

My name is George ... Filipino or Spanish spelling is Jorge ...

I have three nephews ... 2 here in USA and 1 in Philippines ... Tito is Filipino for "uncle" ...

So I am Tito Jorge ...

-- George

What do you see will be the difference between this new site and BNN?

What do you see will be the difference between this new site and ASAWA?

What do you see will be the difference between this new site and WOF?

Different than BNN ... no flames allowed ...

Similar to WOF or ASAWA ... but without any "Rose Colored Glasses" ...

I want it to be a friendly place ... grounded in reality ... and not all the fluff and fairytale like nonsense that many of the penpal sites use to sell their "product" ...

Filipina are women ... human beings ... not some product to be sold over the internet ... they have feelings ... emotions ... they are individuals ... some make wonderful wives ... and some do not ...

I want it to be an informative place ... where guys with no experience can get advice and information from others with lots of experience ... or can learn about the Philippines and its culture directly from Filipina ...

Anyway ... if you are interested ... you are welcome to join us ...

Cant connect from work, Web sense gives me this :

This Websense category is filtered: Potentially Damaging Content. Sites in this category may pose a security threat to network resources or private information, and are blocked by your organization.

There is no damaging content on Ang Buhay ... why it was placed in that category ... I can not say ... my best guess is "your organization" just blocks anything they dont really know much about ... better safe than sorry attitude ...

-- George

I want to invite everyone to a new forum about Fil/West relationships and marriage ...

• **

Ang Buhay - Living the Fil/West Life !

Ang Buhay is a friendly forum dedicated to all topics of interest to Fil/West couples ...

We're just starting out ... so come join us!

Thank you for your consideration ...

-- George