Glenn & Anne

I do not know if this is common knowledge because I searched for info on tracking your visa and tried everything I read. Successful with everything except the 2GO tracking. Tried the UID number and passport number with no luck. I called USEM and the rep there told me to use your MNL case number for the tracking number. I tried that earlier this evening and was successful.
Just wanted to put this out there for anyone who is wondering or who may search later for the proper tracking method with 2GO.
Mods feel free to add any appropriate tags if I did not think of enough.
Good luck to all. As for me and mine, she will have her visa today!!

... the troll is at it again...

The title says it all! We are approved this day!! I am so very happy! We are so very happy!! I want to thank all the VJ members whos advice and patience were instrumental in a well prepared interview packet and a well prepared fiancee all along every step. Thank you Hank, RobAnn and as they say at the award shows, too many to mention. Which really means I can't remember your names, but you know who you are if you are one of those here who is willing to answer a question or offer advice.
Soon I will have baby ko in my arms again, never to say goodbye again, but only good night. Hehe.

Run away! Run away!
Monty Python.
Seriously, I see more than red flags, I see flashing red lights and sirens, men in uniforms holding up their hands and screaming HALT!
Just my opinion tho.

TB is not inherited from your parents. It is something you get infected with, so your mothers death from TB has no impact on you as long as your x-rays are clear.

Wow!! That is the best elucidation of the reasons I fell in love with a Filipina that I can recall reading. You hit the nail right on the head! Repeatedly! Point after point is roght on the mark.
Bravo. (Insert standing ovation here)

1) Economics. This is a multi-pronged subject. Filipinas have a cultural mandate to be a bastion of support for the family. A woman over the age of 25-30 in RP (Philippines) is considered "old" related to finding/keeping a job. This blatant age discrimination in RP affects men too, but perhaps not to the same extent. Even for Filipinas under the age of 25 job opportunities are rare. Thus the mandate to be able to support the family is difficult. Foreign lands offer less age discrimination. Foreign men, especially those who can travel to RP offer economic support. These men are also likely to be able to keep their career intact with no or little age discrimination.
2) At the risk of drawing the ire of some, Filipino males have an undesirable (broadly speaking--of course there are exceptions) set of mores. Mores are cultural/moral values. The machismo attitude runs deep in RP culture. It likely comes from RP's Spanish heritage. It is common for males to woo young females, impregnate them, and then dump them as now being worthless. Philippine men cheat. Again, though there are exceptions, the cultural mores come into play. A male who has the resources to me married and have children and who decides to maintain a second household with a kabit (mistress) is not looked down upon. Though not openly admired, most even within the family will tolerate this, and some will even clandestinely admire the male. Filipina's on the other hand rarely cheat. The book "Lust in Translation" tells that only Tibet and Ghana has women with this level of fidelity. We can ignore Ghana as a male who finds his wife cheating might kill her--a good reason to be faithful. This leaves RP's women very desirable in the eyes of many Westerners who find the mores of Western women with their "Sex in the City" attitude and their lack of fidelity undesirable.
3) Filipinas want white! It is utterly ironic that most Western women admire and try to emulate through tanning the skin color of many Filipinas. Western men enjoy women who are not pasty white--we like all shades of Filipina. Filipinas want their babies to be white and they are smart enough to know how to attain this.
4) Many Americans are culturally adaptable and most are polite and considerate (and indeed, there are exceptions). This runs in opposition to other nationalities such as the Koreans and Chinese. I apologize to those of Korean and Chinese heritage who might be here and realize again, there are exceptions--but having traveled a bit the Koreans and Chinese unless you are friends with one seem by and large simply rude and inconsiderate.
5) Filipinas crave stability. Young men, worldwide do not offer the type of stability--but older men do. (same 'ol caveat--a generalization) Filipinas are age-difference tolerant. In 1972 I remember reading an article that said that the average American woman desired a male partner 2-10 years older than them. Today if that article would be re-written the statistics would likely indicate that American women now want male partners 2-10 years younger than them. This creates a situation where RP offers what American men want, and had until the feminist movement changed things. I, at my age, am, generally speaking, not what American women want and they, especially from their attitudes/morels/mores are not what I want. And I, at my age, value a woman who wants a lifetime relationship and have found one.
6) As others have pointed out: America is a melting pot. Everyone can fit in. America has its share of problems these days, but it's still a wonderful country to move to.
7) American men want sumbissive women. Oops...who wrote that--not me, where is the erase button.
Indeed, this is a loaded subject and all too often misunderstood. To some "submissive" means that a Filipina might become a sort of slave, or second class citizen, kept barefoot and penniless down on the farm and be subjected to the sexual whims of the dominant male. Yet I believe that though this concept might exist--it is rather rare, and really not what most American men desire.
I prefer to remove the word "submissive," and as another poster here has done--interject the word "feminine."
Back in the '60's most women in America stayed home and raised kids while the husband worked. The husband made the decisions. This is far from the case today, in America most women work--indeed most have to work--such is the economics of today. But what it's really about is that the women of the sixties at least seemed happy to have a nice home, a loving husband and happy children. Women of today in America, at least to me, all too many have become "independent," or rather beyond independent. They don't need a husband--in fact millions are better off with no husband to worry about. America's nanny state gives a single mom quite a lot. Subsidized or free housing; free medical; free education (college) and oftentimes even assist the single mom in buying a car. In my opinion America's changed to where marriage is a negative thing and as girls become women in their fatherless environment--the need for keeping a husband around has taken on less importance. For me the close family values that the Philippines espouse is a treasure. That a Filipina is more likely to be happy with the basic necessities of life is a refreshing alternative to the last two American women who I dated about 5 years ago. Both, after a nice dinner, as I walked them to their car said exactly the same thing: Smiling each said: "Oh, which is your car?" I responded: "the older blue Honda Accord." Both reacted the same--there appeared an odd look on their face that might have had a bit of disgust in it. Neither asked: "Why do you drive such an old car?" (Note: It looks nice to me and runs quite nicely, but it is 11 years old) Had either asked, my answer would have been: "I don't place much status value on having to have a new car--I'd rather not have $400 a month car payments (or $800 a month with two cars) and I prefer to pay off the mortgage on my house or use the money for investing. Though I had a nice time with both of them--neither responded to further calls or emails. Sadly--if you don't have a new car in America, a large percentage of women will write you off. It's a terrible thing too as so many men become so stretched out on debt to maintain the supposed status of the new car and big "dollhouse," (a big fancy house) that eventually it is this very economic loop of debt that destroys their lives and their relationships. Filipinas tend not to be particularly materialistic. They seem to be happy with a nice house and a car that runs. I like that.
8) Filipinas don't smoke and don't like smoking. This is not the case of way too many American women.
9) We American males are astounded at how beautiful all the Filipinas are.

I planned on sending her mother with her for added safety, even tho she is 30 years old. Safety in numbers ya know. Plus her mother is really excited, never been to Manila and never flew on a plane. Sending her mother with her is for added safety and peace of mind for me.

We got our NOA2 on June 19th, March 8th NOA1 and we are VSC.

I just got the email a few moments ago. We are approved!!! Thank you God. We are March filers and I was expecting more time to save extra money but I don't care. I am so happy! i am actually doing the happy dance. I sympathize with those who are still waiting and hope but I am still wondering if it is real myself. I am waiting a few more minutes so it will at least be 7AM and then I am calling my honey.
I thank all my fellow VJ'ers for all the help and information you so willingly spend your time to share. I will have more questions now that the moment of truth is here.
Good luck to all.

I just got the email a few moments ago. We are approved!!! Thank you God. We are March filers and I was expecting more time to save extra money but I don't care. I am so happy! i am actually doing the happy dance. I sympathize with those who are still waiting and hope but I am still wondering if it is real myself. I am waiting a few more minutes so it will at least be 7AM and then I am calling my honey.
I thank all my fellow VJ'ers for all the help and information you so willingly spend your time to share. I will have more questions now that the moment of truth is here.
Good luck to all.

To love and be loved is a risk at any age and in any culture. You risk being hurt. I searched for almost 5 years to find the right woman, a woman with a wonderful and heart, beautiful on the inside is so much more important than outer beauty. It is just a bonus that she is beatiful on the outside also. No one can ever say they truly know the future but I have no doubts about my fiancees intentions or most especially her love. Yes, we all have heard the stories about those who are scammers or not marrying for love. Perhaps you even know someone personally that has been hurt like that. I have met others on the road who are happy together, married for years and years. There seem to be many more succesful Fil-Am marriages than those of the domestic variety. Some of what other people may think is only jealousy anyway, have you considered that?

DITTO!!

First off let me correct you, I am the petitioner, not the beneficiary. It is obvious that this is your opinion on this issue and maybe even the views you were raised with. I will assume you found someone who is closer in age to yourself than those you snub and degrade in your post. You can't make a blanket statement about all Filipinas even if you are Filipina yourself. You make it sound very mercenary, like there is no way a Filipina could possibly be happy or ever consider being with a older man unless the financial equation makes it worth it to her. I see on here quite a few who ask questions because they barely meet the poverty guidelines to file for a visa. What do you think the reasoning is for the Filipina who will marry someone who is not well off or wealthy?
I am sad to see that you can believe such things about every couple with a large age gap. It brings to my mind questions about what you are expecting from your marriage to a USC.
I am not trying to start anything here or insult anyone either. Just amazed that you would drop such a blanket statement into the discussion dispariging all Filipinas who marry with a larger age gap than you.

To love and be loved is a risk at any age and in any culture. You risk being hurt. I searched for almost 5 years to find the right woman, a woman with a wonderful and heart, beautiful on the inside is so much more important than outer beauty. It is just a bonus that she is beatiful on the outside also. No one can ever say they truly know the future but I have no doubts about my fiancees intentions or most especially her love. Yes, we all have heard the stories about those who are scammers or not marrying for love. Perhaps you even know someone personally that has been hurt like that. I have met others on the road who are happy together, married for years and years. There seem to be many more succesful Fil-Am marriages than those of the domestic variety. Some of what other people may think is only jealousy anyway, have you considered that?

Not handsome?? What do you mean not handsome. Please don't tell me fiancee...she doesn't know! My mother said I was handsome and you must believe everything your mother tells you! Haha.
Thanks for the positive email and the good wishes.
Good luck to all here who are truly, madly, deeply in love. Yes, I stole that from Savage Garden. Haha.

Have faith Glenn, moved on from all the negative feedback!! You are so blessed that you are not handsome and not young still have a young women fall on you, should be proud
I know not all women think that way as I once dated a men who are 18 yrs elder than me and that time I only 22 yrs old, he divorced men and he is so gentlemen, I always look for mature man because they really know how to respect women, and I have the sense of security when with mature man, especially think on when I 40 yrs old, he alrd 58 and I still attractive to him! Especially to the girls who don't have "Father's love" in childhood.. oh my father still alive but in Chinese's Culture (Typical and traditional type) they only love son, and threat daughter is liability
Don't worry what others' view, priority is yourself, if you love her, just go ahead and don't bother the ignorant's feedback here!
My man (American) only highschool graduated but he a shy guy and he very mature + he very tall & handsome it's true
All of us just human, and everyone of us have different gifts, I'm sure you have certain gifts that by GOD and that gifts attracted your wife!! (Imagine not all old man are attractive although they rich or educated or fit!!!)
I wish all of you have a happy marriage with your loves one, regardless what is their race, age, background and culture! All the comments here meant to encourage one another!!!

DITTO!!

To love and be loved is a risk at any age and in any culture. You risk being hurt. I searched for almost 5 years to find the right woman, a woman with a wonderful and heart, beautiful on the inside is so much more important than outer beauty. It is just a bonus that she is beatiful on the outside also. No one can ever say they truly know the future but I have no doubts about my fiancees intentions or most especially her love. Yes, we all have heard the stories about those who are scammers or not marrying for love. Perhaps you even know someone personally that has been hurt like that. I have met others on the road who are happy together, married for years and years. There seem to be many more succesful Fil-Am marriages than those of the domestic variety. Some of what other people may think is only jealousy anyway, have you considered that?

Every relationship has motives - ulterior or not. What is the basis of a relationship? You might argue love. But one-way love is not a relationship. A relationship requires 2-way love. So then what is love? Some type of feeling perhaps. What is the basis for that feeling? You might say the inner and outer beauty of my partner gives me that feeling - that feeling of love. But you don't have a relationship unless your partner loves you back. You give love and receive love in a relationship.
We all give and get things in a relationship - some tangible, some not. We are sources of happiness and pleasure to one another. We provide support, comfort, understanding, care, affection, beauty, trust. We give to each other what each of us wants and needs. Is it wrong for someone to want financial security from a relationship? Do we sometimes compromise in choosing a partner - because no one is completely perfect. If someone has a warm heart, bright eyes, and a glowing smile - everything you want in a person perhaps, but is not your ideal body type, you might still fall in love. If someone is strong and successful with a dynamic personality, but only a 6 out of 10 on the attractiveness scale, you might still fall in love, because other traits are more important to you than looks. If someone is attractive, kind, has a great sense of humor, financially stable, but 20 years older than you, you might fall in love - because those other traits are more important to you than age.
My fiancee is kind and sweet - beautiful on the inside and outside. We have fun together. We make each other laugh. We care for each other. I am 27 years older than she is. Do I mind if one of the things that attracts her to me is a desire for financial security - not really. It's part of who I am - just as much as my personality and the way I look. Does she mind that one of the things that attracts me to her is her beautiful face - I doubt it. It's just one of many things about her that I love.
What matters is how the two partners in a relationship feel about each other - not what the rest of the world thinks.

Wow this topic has really kinda gone places I didn't expect. We have one young lady here saying quite bluntly that in her culture it is NOT acceptable for a young woman to LOVE an significantly older man. That is interesting as there certainly seem to be many looking. Be that as it may, my fiance and I have a significant age difference and I have struggled with this since the start. My heart lead me a different direction then my logic. My primary reason for finding an overseas wife was twofold. First is the culture in the Philippines frowns on divorce, an option here all to common in the US of A. Second I truely love the Philippines and will be retiring there in a few years. If I had any doubts about her love for me I would not be filing a K! visa. I have met her whole family from Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Brother, and Sister. Not once did they indicate there was an issue with our age difference rather they were very accepting and charming.
To all of those here truely IN LOVE, there are no guarantees in life but LOVE is a blessing. To all those devote Catholics who frown upon us, ask your Priest how old Joseph was and how young Mary was.
God bless everyone here and may the Heart lead us all on our own journies.