My Taguig City trip report

[robert angel]

Sounds great Kfc--loving the reports and pics. Sounds like you've done your homework, but double check what paperwork you need to get done on that end, such as the USCIS bibliography form, etc., so you can bring it back here. It could save you some pricey fed ex expenses down the line.

Glad you're getting outside Manila a bit. There's so much more than Manila--Manila really doesn't represent the 'true' RP that the other 80 or so million Filipinos live in.

Keep having a great time man--it's a little like us being there by catching your experience from here!

[Dave H]

One thing that I notice in most of the "upper brand" stores which I didn't really care for is that most of the sales ladies are buried in make-up. Their natural beauty are all covered-up. Most of them are dressed the same way, same hair style - just the color of the clothing/uniform are different.  It is quite different in the other stores.

Hey thekfc,

Very true! Many Kanos who hang out at the mall to look for a nice Filipina will be disappointed. It is like the sales ladies are wearing the same kabuki masks! I have been to many weddings in the Philippines. I wouldn't recognize the bride under all of "those makups" (plural in Philippine English), if she wasn't wearing a wedding gown. I almost don't recognize my own daughter when she is a flower girl!

Also entering in most of the Malls or bigger shopping stores - people had to go thru security at the door to ensure that no one is bringing in any weapons, etc,.

Security always lets me through the check point at the local mall with only a quick glance. At the movie theater I may get a quick pat down. Nobody really wants to check yo see  if the Kano is carrying a little squirt gun or a  44 Magnum!  

Dave

[Ray]

Hey kfc,

That’s great that you got to see the countryside so you could contrast that with Metro Manila.

Baguio is one of my favorite places in the PI, but I hear it is very expensive to live compared to other areas. The biggest attraction is the cooler weather. They market Baguio condos here in San Diego, mostly to retired Filipino Americans.

That’s weird that you didn’t like the pancit. Pancit is one of the traditional dishes virtually always served at parties and birthday celebrations. Pancit is popular with most non-Filipinos I know, along with lumpia and chicken adobo. There are many different varieties of pancit, so don’t write it off yet. Maybe you got some made with patis, that stinky fish sauce(?)

Yes, having the marriage license in advance would be a big help, but you are correct. The license is only good for 120 days. I don’t think the affidavit of legal capacity to marry from the embassy has an expiration, so good move picking that up while you were there.

Good pics!

Ray

[thekfc]

Ray, today Ahya sister cooked some pancit & it smelled differently - so I tried it & it was different. The pancit that I ate at the restaurant did have fish sauce so maybe that is why I didn't like it.

Baguio is great, I love that area. The temperature is like a nice warm spring day. Ahya & her cousins all had a light jacket because it was "cold" for them. While we were there I would say that the temperature felt like it was in the mid to upper 70's. There were also some beautiful houses in Baguio City.
The only thing that I do not like about Baguio City is the drive getting there. Those winding road on the mountain top gives me the shivers.
There were also those huge dogs in Baguio City - Didn't get to take any pics of them - low battery, oops I mean low bat   

[thekfc]

What is up with filipinas walking out of the house with wet hair. I notice that Ahya, her nieces & a few other ladies would be going out & their hair is not completely dry.

[thekfc]

Hey kfc,

Are you thinking fiancée visa or are you going to plan a wedding over there?

If a K-1, there is some paperwork and stuff you will need to bring back with you.

Ray

Going thru the archives & reading else where I am a little confuse.
I think that my situation will call for a K-3 visa as I will be getting married in The Philippines sometime in late June/early July (we haven't picked the exact date yet).

This is what I have gathered - correct me if I am wrong:
I will need form I-130, the $355 filing fee & cetificates - then sent them to USCIS.
If approved - Form I-129F, evidence of marriage & form I-130 receipt to USCIS.
If approved then for I-134 & documents for interview in Manila.
If approved - she comes to the USA.
Then form I-485 to USCIS and so forth.....

My main question is:
Do I wait until after we are married before I start any paperwork processing/submission?

[thekfc]

Security always lets me through the check point at the local mall with only a quick glance. At the movie theater I may get a quick pat down. Nobody really wants to check yo see  if the Kano is carrying a little squirt gun or a  44 Magnum!  

Dave

Same here, most of the places they let me in without a search while the others just give me a "touch".

[thekfc]

We went to VFP today.

[thekfc]

at VFP

[thekfc]

A flag used during WW2.

[thekfc]

A few more pics with Ahya, her sister Ruth, Ruth Husband & a cousin.

[thekfc]

More pics

[thekfc]

A few more

[thekfc]

More pics

[stevjulietb]

Cool pics KFC and congrats

Steveb

[Capstone]

Going thru the archives & reading else where I am a little confuse.
I think that my situation will call for a K-3 visa as I will be getting married in The Philippines sometime in late June/early July (we haven't picked the exact date yet).

This is what I have gathered - correct me if I am wrong:
I will need form I-130, the $355 filing fee & cetificates - then sent them to USCIS.
If approved - Form I-129F, evidence of marriage & form I-130 receipt to USCIS.
If approved then for I-134 & documents for interview in Manila.
If approved - she comes to the USA.
Then form I-485 to USCIS and so forth.....

My main question is:
Do I wait until after we are married before I start any paperwork processing/submission?

KFC,

I am really enjoying your trip reports - keep them coming.

As far as the visa goes you may want to look into pursuing the CR-1 instead of the K-3. The CR-1 means that your wife would get her green card almost immediately after arriving in the US where as with the K-3 she would have to Adjust Status to a permanent resident before she receives her green card. The adjustment of status process takes anywhere from 2-6 months and costs $1010. The K-3 used to be a good option because the processing of a CR-1 took much longer but today both visas are being processed in just about the same amount of time. Another thing is the visa fee for all K visas is probably going to be raised within the next month or so. Here is a break down of the costs associated with each:

K-3:
I-130 fee: $355
I-129F fee: NONE
Consulate Visa fee: $131 (soon to be $350)
AOS fee: $1010
Total = $1496 but soon to be $1715

CR-1
I-130: $355
NVC I-864: $70
NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)
Total = $825

No matter which spousal visa that you decide to go with (K-3 or CR-1) you have to wait until you are actually married before you can submit any paperwork.


 

[Dave H]

Hey thekfc,

Thanks for posting the GREAT pics!

At the Philippine airports I get the full treatment. The local airport is not very high tech. They stop just short of a full cavity search. I'd like to think that the guy who usually pats me down and I have a "special" relationship. 

Dave

[Jeff S]

Great pics, thanks thekfc!

Dave - just remember you're not gay if you're the pitcher, or is it the catcher? Anyway, look out for the shortstop.

[Ray]

What is up with filipinas walking out of the house with wet hair. I notice that Ahya, her nieces & a few other ladies would be going out & their hair is not completely dry.

Filipino hair dryer: step out into the tropical heat and your hair will be dry in a few seconds. If it's night, it might take a few seconds longer.   

[Ray]

Going thru the archives & reading else where I am a little confuse.
I think that my situation will call for a K-3 visa as I will be getting married in The Philippines sometime in late June/early July (we haven't picked the exact date yet).

This is what I have gathered - correct me if I am wrong:
I will need form I-130, the $355 filing fee & cetificates - then sent them to USCIS.
If approved - Form I-129F, evidence of marriage & form I-130 receipt to USCIS.
If approved then for I-134 & documents for interview in Manila.
If approved - she comes to the USA.
Then form I-485 to USCIS and so forth.....

My main question is:
Do I wait until after we are married before I start any paperwork processing/submission?

You have the gist of the process there. Nothing is filed with CIS until after you are married.

After the wedding, get some certified copies of your marriage certificate.

After your honeymoon, return to the States and file the I-130 petition for your spouse.

As soon as you receive the filing receipt for the I-130, you may file the optional K-3 petition on Form I-129F. The purpose of the K-3 is to allow your wife to come here while the I-130 is being processed. It used to take 9-12 months or more to complete the I-130 processing.

There are some definite advantages to the CR-1 visa over the K-3 as Cap mentioned. She will receive her permanent residence upon arrival, she can work right away, she can apply for a driver’s license right away, and the wait for removal of conditions and US citizenship will be shorter.

Since the K-3 has no filing fee and the required documentation is virtually identical to that of the I-130, I would definitely file it anyway. It at least serves as insurance in case the I-130 gets hung up. You can still proceed with the I-130 processing for the CR-1 Immigrant Visa if you choose to, then you still have the option to use whichever visa processes first.

I can give you a documentation checklist if you like.

For starters, make sure you have a certified copy of your birth certificate or proof of US citizenship. She can also start working on her papers if she likes (NSO birth certs, Passport, CFO seminar, etc.). You could also help her with her G-325A biographic data form while you are there.

Ray

[thekfc]

Thanks Capstone & Ray for the info.
I may be leaning towards the CR-1 over the K-3.

Yes Ray, I would love a checklist.

Ahya already have her Birth Certificate & Passport. She got her passport because she was thinking of visiting her brother in Bahrain. 

I have my US Citizenship papers handy - actually I have all my documents handy except my birth certificate but I believe my passport & US Citizenship paper will do.

[thekfc]

We had lunch today at FoodLink in Landmark Food Court Ayala Makati.
Me & Ahya had the Mega platter - roasted pork, squid, bbq pork, Bicol express, sisig, salad mango with alamang sauce, extra rice  , plus on the side extra roasted & bbq pork, orange juice, ice tea & bottle water. Everything came to 419 pesos ($9 us).

[thekfc]

Afterward we went shopping at the SM t in Makati.
We bought 1729 pesos ($37) worth of groceries & product If we were to shop for the products in NYC - it would cost me well  $500.

Someone metion before that Filipinos love to shop in small & single quantites - they sure do.

Ahya would choose an item & put the small package in the basket, soon as she turn her back I would put it back & get a bigger or biggest size carton/container. 

[thekfc]

Scenery Pics

[thekfc]

more scenery