NinJones

Believe it or not, mine hardly changed at all .. I've been a sucker for American comfort foods back in the Phils to start with, plus I grew up cooking a lot of Filipino foods - so it all comes down to how persistent you are on gathering your ingredients, specially the veggies, whether you buy it or grow it. We live in the country and we take advantage of the land to grow our own produce that provides us quite the harvest, we even built a green house to grow the plants I can't live without, such as - AMPALAYA! (bitter gourd)

Plus, as time goes by, you'll learn how to get around places where you know you could get the things you need.. If it's hard to find or when the cravings attack and I find it inconvenient to go to the nearest asian store (here, it's an hour drive), I usually make it homemade, such as embotido, tapa, tocino and longganisa.

But yes, fresh fish is hard to find, oh! how I miss our public, stinky, slippery wet markets!

One thing I loved the most when I got here - Barbecues! All of it! Thank God for Pitmasters! NO MORE grilled duck fetuses and chicken heads -- ugh, honestly, I don't like those!

St lukes no longer keeps the passport

Correct, one of the few changes that has been implemented since I started this thread; the other one would be a slight increase on the medical fees..

okay .. time to message one of the mods and see if I could edit my post, for some reason, it won't allow me to edit my original post

when we did our CRBA, we filled up forms strictly matching everything ... just to be on the safe side. Our girl's NSO reads "Maria Gracia Policarpio Warren" (NOT her real name), same as yours, Maria Gracia is her first name, Policarpio - middle name, Warren - surname.

Her CRBA reads the same

Her US Passport reads the same

Her SSN card reads the same

Some call her Maria, some call her Gracia - point is, fill em up as it is and don't try to go otherwise you'll find yourself confused. It doesn't matter if it's US or PH naming conventions - be safe, get her CRBA done once and for all and worry about how your kid will choose to write his/her name later on

:thumbs:

Yeah saw one said, 'don't dig old thread'

Fortunately, you don't have to dig this one because it's pinned.

If your GF lives around Metro Manila, it's fine to go on with her medical even during her period, although she'll not carry on to have the physical exam and immunizations - it wouldn't be much of a hassle to just come back in a few days or so until she clears up and have the rest of the medical done. Yes your timeline will be delayed a bit but it is what it is.

But if she has to travel long to Manila, and to go to her medical while on her period would still end up that she'd still have to wait and/or come back, kill the day and stay in a hotel, alone and around an unfamiliar place, so save yourselves the trip, hassle, expenses and of course the time, go when she doesn't have her period and get everything done once and for all

Good luck!

3 Most important things:

- Be honest

- Be very confident - if you know your man, your know your papers, you know your answers - you'll never worry about whatever question the CO would throw at you

- Don't beat around the bush

3 Worst things

- Lie

- Get confused and give conflicting/inconsistent answers against what your papers show (they will not correct you, they'll just give you a poker face)

- Lie

I remember the day I sat down for my interview and the CO indeed asked if I prefer English or Tagalog - I said English ... and to my surprise, this young, probably 30'ish, handsome looking American spoke in straight Tagalog "Ayaw mo ng Tagalog? Pwede naman Tagalog" (you don't want Tagalog? Tagalog is okay) - I giggled but I can't help to have that "oooooh-kaaay?" kind of look on my face - but I politely insisted that I prefer English. (and take note, English is English - not TagLish)

.... so, whatever the situation is, the CO may act very friendly or funny, but don't let that get ya, a CO is a CO and your future is on their hands. Show confidence and professionalism and you'll be fine.

Sure there's been a few if not a couple changes since then.. The price went up a bit and passports are being returned[?] at the end of the process for example.

And thanks to mcmom for posting an update. That's what people really need.

Anything left on my original post that are still accurate is welcome for editing, and so are the pictures if someone would plan of making another Med Exam Walkthrough (unless the floor plan changed and a spa or a poker room has been added somewhere in the building, the fact that we have to wait an eternity, sometimes I think that would be a great idea!)

Perhaps it all depends on how busy the clinic is.

From whoever she got the info about going back to st. lukes for additional *cough*required*cough* shots AFTER the VISA PACKET is either an idiot or a proud know-it-all son of a beach resort!

Don't let this get ya, get your girl right here right away!

My wife had never seen Star Wars either, So we had a movie marathon. I got her to watch all the good movies, Starwars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, and more! She really enjoyed them , i guess star wars wasnt a big deal in the philippines

True. Except for the fanatics of course. Most of them would rather see those movies with adolescent vampires. :|

Journey to the Center of the Earth and it sucks!! ... but the moment with him was precious! always is!

hmmm... well I already drive in the PI (manual) before I got here, so when I did - I went ahead to our drivers bureau ofc, got and read that 'rules of the road book', paid close attention to everything on it like reading a favorite novel although not exactly - I mean, I know it's a serious thing. also did a lot of observing when I'm with my husband driving. The gas and the brake on the automatic trans. didn't seem rocket science at all. After about 5 months of living here, we finally managed to get me a car, so I got myself a permit and practiced for two days around our neighborhood and nearby roads then took the driving test on the third day and passed.

The best thing about here is every rule (and I mean every single bit) has to be followed - the lights, the signs (specially), the lines, giving way to the emergency vehicles (totally the exact opposite in the PI! Pffft!) - everything! I LOVE IT! .... or else! and the last thing you wanna get is a ticket from an officer that you know you can NEVER bribe! (that's one thing I don't miss about the Philippines, it's no laughing matter and it's something we're not really proud of)

Basically, everything you need to know is on that handy rules of the road book. Take it by heart and you'll learn to drive like a breeze.

Welcome back!

Yeah that is one of the bigger changes, is returning the passport.

Thank you! Hah! You noticed! hehe Since we moved out here to the farm, I can't really explain how I managed to live by w/o internet. Imagine that! Thanks to Hughes net (probably not the best, but better than nothing ) - internet on our neck of the woods!

I'm done with my medical. Everything went great. I read here that they will keep your passport and forward it to the embassy, but they gave me back my passport including the vaccination records and x-ray cd. The girls (I met them at SLEC) that I was with that day also got their passports back.

Yes, this has been the only change in the procedure that I noticed so far.

I just looked at the St. Luke's website and the fees are up to date, the flow chart seems to be the same and everything else. I'd definitely be contacting one of the mods one of these days to have that little part changed on this thread.

when you find any changes that need to be made, maybe a mod can help with the edit.

yes, that must be the only way, heheh thanks much!

Yes, they will take your passport. It's a good sign And, if at the U.S. embassy they don't return your passport - it's still a good sign (VISA here it comes!)! You see, all these take-your-passport thing is actually the good news here. So don't worry, right there and then at St. Lukes, everything is taken care of

Ok ... I guess this part has changed. I read they no longer take your passport.. sorry if I misinformed you, but like I said, this is two years old.

Right now I'm reading as much as possible for the latest updates regarding the medical procedure. I'll find out as much as possible as I can.

The thing is, I couldn't seem to edit any of my posts in this thread --- mmmm .. I'll go figure.

Refer to my timeline re: CRBA.

1) You're child is automatically eligible to apply for a US passport and Citizenship, regardless!

2) Do not even think about applying for a visa for your child -- or even ask. Go straight to CRBA process!

3) Get your child a PI passport as well, by this you'll no longer have to apply for an "exit permit". Why? bec. if your child only holds a US passport, he/she is considered an "alien" staying here in the Phils. So to avoid that hassle, might as well get a PI passport. It's easy it's cheap and it's the safest way to go.

_____

*edit*

well, shoot that! I didn't realize I don't have my CRBA timeline on my sig. Anyhoo, here it is.

10.20.09 - Packet obtained

11.11.09 - Packet forwarded

11.18.09 - Appointment notification

12.08.09 - CRBA Approved!! Thanks 'Bro'!

12.16.09 - Teezer's CRBA & US Passport on hand

Great info here and appreciated.. I have a couple questions for somneone who know's the process?

- Does your fiancee have to go for the medical by herself or can you accompany her on this long adventure?

- As far as Vaccinations go, sounded likealong list of possibles but maybe not all are needed even if no proof of having previous shots. My fiancee has records of a few shots, but her first name is spelled wrong,last name is her father's which isn't her last name and her birthday is wrong. So don't even want to bring that messed up document. Any advice??

Thanks! A lot of people go by themselves (I did), company is discouraged unless you're pregnant, disabled, or coming with a baby who's part of the medical process to help you take care of the child otherwise.

As far as vaccinations go, they'll know which ones to give her, bring the 'messed up' document anyway just in case, I don't think all the typos has anything to do to affect her results or tell the physicians of what kind of vaccines to give or not to give her.. If they think it won't hurt her to give her all the necessary shots for assurance, they'll do it regardless anyway.

hello i read ur medical experience and thank u for ur info ..maytanong ako diba they keep on asking y about ur menstruation...1st and and last yong sa aking kase hinde normal yong menstruation ko.mak apekto ba yun ng approve ng medical ko....salamat God bless u

Doesn't matter if you have an irregular menstrual cycle, just remember your LAST period: 1st and last day, it's the only info they need - they really won't ask you "when's your next?" and expect you to answer them whether you have a regular period or not, so don't worry. Need not be accurate either, if you can't remember exactly what day/date, just assume, but please make you're not pregnant!

... and NO, it won't affect your results in any way.

---------------------

I know this thread is 2 years old, and so am I since I came here in the US.. I plan to make a research about the latest changes on the medical procedure and keep this topic as accurate as possible, there might have been changes already that I'm no longer aware of, so any updates from you guys would be very much appreciated. Like pieces to a puzzle, let's keep this thread whole and a reliable source

Hello, can you tell me if they take your passport at the medical? Cause one person stated they take your passport at the medical and send it to the interview location and another said to bring your passport with you to the interview...Im so confused...dont want to give passport up for nothing and I wasnt supposed too...thanks

Yes, they will take your passport. It's a good sign And, if at the U.S. embassy they don't return your passport - it's still a good sign (VISA here it comes!)! You see, all these take-your-passport thing is actually the good news here. So don't worry, right there and then at St. Lukes, everything is taken care of

Ninjones, im late to read it... i just read it now lol.. thank u so much....... (F) (F)

You're welcome

My fiance just finished her medical and St. Luke's kept her passport. They said that they will forward along with the results to the embassy. Is this normal?

Yes. That's the process. You're on track.

@tinegary - On my guide, I also provided links to two topics about nearest hotels from St. Lukes.

yes that true.... its about i do not know if i can take vaccination if i have allergies cold. i have doctor result here for my allergies cold :crying: i really don't like this also. but its sick can't stop it. its body reaction cos my immune is weak actualy its our family history....but this is not a transmitted diseases and its common i just really worried.. Maybe they wanted to treated first before i could past the medical??? :help: :help:

god bless and more power.. thank u ninjones....

You'll be fine, sis! They would ask about certain allergies you have, yes ... but all you need to do is tell them so they'll know what to give you, but as far as everybody is concerned, it's not an issue.

:innocent: i have question.. can i take medical exam even i have alergy cold... pls anyone can answer me.. I will appreciate god bless and more power...

:innocent: i have question.. can i take medical exam even i have alergy cold... pls anyone can answer me.. I will appreciate god bless and more power...

Of course you can! It doesn't matter. I don't think allergies would be a problem. TB is.

Congrats Jordantoni! I'm glad my topic helped! Good Luck on the rest of your VJ!

Congratulations!!