Don
Sorry I saw your post down below and thought I would respond up here so you would be sure to see it.
My wife and I were remarried in Cebu last January, I am catholic which gave me a leg up on you so I don't know how accurate my info will be for your situation.
I had to get an updated copy of my baptismal from the church that I was baptized, I met with the pastor at our church who gave me some forms which needed to be filled out and signed by our priest (he was very helpful). The forms need to be completed by friends or family members here in the US that knew both me and my wife and signed by them. 2 forms each and easy to complete.
You have to be confirmed and you need to make confession before they will marry you in a Catholic Church there. It's funny, I was never confirmed and had to do so in Cebu. there are certain days that they confirm people and there are huge lines of people lined up out side the doors of this huge church waiting to be confirmed. When you finally get to the alter the priest completes the confirmation with a slap on your face.
We were very fortunate that the nun that we visited happened to be the principal at wife's grade school when she was growing up, she had no idea that she would run into her there so it made the event extra special, Sister Rosa even referred us to a wedding planner that arranged for everything from flowers, wedding handouts (you just have to have some wedding handouts), photographer, wedding video (Highly recommended) right down to a roasted pig in the reception hall. She really saved us a lot of time, effort and money.
I guess my first suggestion would be to talk with the priest at your local catholic church and explain your dilemma, hopefully he will be as helpful as our priest was. I don't know what it takes to convert but the church in the Philippines (at least in Cebu) will not allow any shortcuts. And that civil marriage you had here in the states will not help you there. Oh! by the way, there is this marriage class you will need to take there as well, I know you will enjoy that. All in all the whole experience will bring you a little closer to God which is a good thing, and the reception will bring you closer to the family.
Were is your wife from, if Cebu my wife can explain were to go to get things done. best of luck.
Don J and Chele
