You are right. I was speaking only of the time required get approval of the petition, not the total time required to receive the actual visa. My friend's PETITION was approved in 40 days. Then it took a couple more months to actually get the visa. My complaint is that, after 100 days, the INS still hasn't even looked at my petition...

This particular case was an American man with a Russian wife. The husband hired 2 lawyers, one for her and one for him. He also got an interpreter for her legal consultations (the interpreter works for me, so this is how I know about this case.) Without her own lawyer and without an interpreter, she could always claim in a divorce court that she did not understand her rights before signing the pre-nup. Well, her lawyer did a great job in advising her. He advised her so well, that she knew exactly when to file for a divorce and how maximize her profits. The judge ruled that the I-864 took precedence over the pre-nup, so this fellow ended up paying alimony and sharing quite a bit of his retirement benefits with her. My suggestion ... don't get a pre-nup and keep your wife blissfully ignorant about divorce proceedings in America, then hope for the best. In the long run, if you marry the wrong woman, you're screwed! I just filed last month for my fiance's visa, but we have been together for over 2 1/2 years, so we both know what we're getting into.

I don't know about prices of the particular tools you have purchased, but most everyone is aware of 110v vs. 220v in the RP. There's virtually no chance that the power standard will change, but appliances from all around the world are available in the RP. Filipino shoppers take it for granted to check the requirements of each appliance they buy and sales of 110v appliances don't suffer at all. Transformers are cheap and plentiful.

Your description of your attorney's concern about defending a prenup against challenge in court only underscores the reality that any prenup can be broken if the litigants have the stamina and right attorneys. My ex-wife had such stamina and was able to get average attorneys (who could smell money) to stick with cases until she had wrung every possible dollar out of unsuspecting victims: 1. A radiator shop had to pay her off around $3,000 (plus legal fees) to get her radiator replacement complaint dropped; 2. A bar owner had to pay a settlement of about $60,000 in a wrongful death case of ex's brother, who was burned up in a bar when he was locked in (as a sleeping janitor). 3. A $50,000 cash settlement from working in a soup factory after she produced evidence that her muscles were all screwed up (B.S., but she got the money). She now manages a crew of landscape guys. 4. A hefty property settlement and lifetime alimony from me. She even asked for tuition to a gourmet cooking school and replacement of an IRA of her's that I had cashed out to salvage a business. If anyone wants to marry this woman, I can promise you that a prenup won't help you in the least, because she'll destroy it in court.

anyone ever been to Punta Bulata in Cauayan,Negros Occidental? I was there this weekend and my god! its a very beautiful beach!! I wish I could have gotten to swim there tho...didnt had enough time. Only slept there for the night and had to leave early for an activity. If anyone gets to go to the south of Negros please don'e forget to go to this BEAUTIFUL beach. It's a white sand beach with a spectacular view of the sea!!

I hope you friends can help me- I am looking for tactical navigation charts ( i.e.those used in planes) plus charts/maps prepared by the the US Defence Mapping Agency (tho I think its changed its name ) for my area 10.24 degrees lat north/125.12degrees east long -I guess you will all see it's not far from Tacloban.i think I know where to get TacNav(Bluewater) but the others are defeating me at the moment.I have all the Namria charts but these are are old and inaccurate particularly using my gps.

Orey, your tools and charger will work in the RP if you plug in a suitable transformer ahead of the charger, to convert the RP 220 volts to 110. Check the amount of current (amperes) drawn by the charger (on its nameplate), and purchase a transformer that will deliver AT LEAST that amount at 110 volts. It should draw half the amperes from the 220 volt lines. (This applies to ANY 110 volt appliance, and even to a power bar, IF the total current of all appliances plugged into the bar is used to select the transformer to purchase.)

As an offshoot of Orey's dilemma about 110 volt appliances, has anyone considered purchasing a large transformer to use in a new or existing house, and running separate circuits for 110 volt appliances brought from the other side of the pond? I am thinking of doing this, and am wondering where one might obtain such a transformer, and what its cost might be.

As a few people know I talked to privately before I went to the RP last July, I went because I had a lot of problems with Annalyn. I came back this past June to find a job and go back to work. I would have liked to stay there but lost too much in the market to last me till I can get SS. I think I gave it my best shot and I gave her many chances to straighten up and she just cant do it. I am glad I made the decision to go and find out before I got her visa. I talked to a couple attorneys there and they both said I could get a divorce here faster and cheaper and if I got it registered with NSO there it would be accepted. I will make an appointment here next week and see what I need to do. I was seeing a girl there after we separated and will probably get her here on a fiancée visa after I get everything done. I am going to take my time and not get in a hurry this time. I believe this new girl would be good to me and faithful. She worked for the DR. ( My condo owner so I knew her for some time before Anna and I separated). I am putting her sister through collage. I still wanted to give Anna another chance but my info from a friend there that I had follow Anna, is that she is living with her boyfriend and she is not pregnant, was telling me that so I would send her money. So time to bite the bullet and move on. I know how some of the guys feel that have had problems and if they need any help, I will do what I can.

Recently there was much discussion on scams with particular attention to Penfriend companies. Would the honorable members care to share their experiences in meeting their partners?

Well lets say we don't want to hear about anything even remotely like mail order brides. That is illegal in RP and US INS has strict rules against it as well. But how about the couples that met without the aid of even chat rooms or media of any kind.

Soliciting and running a business which collects Filipina ladies names, photos, and addresses for the purpose of introduction to foreign men is illegal (I've read). What about all these Filipinas in the internet Chat rooms, chatting away with men (some foreign, some domestic) who are obviously interested? When do these type of activites become illegal (according to Philippine law)? For instance - a local Filipina ask me if I know of an American who might like to met her? Is that illegal - if I were to give her his name and address, or email? A USA friend of mine - says he would like the email or address of a Filipina and I help him? Is that illegal - if I were to help? There is a chat site where Filipinas and Foreigners chat together. Does that necessarily become illegal? Even assuming No direct fee is charged to the participants, but they are subjected to numerous Internet advertisements and such. Who is breaking the law? The introduction service? All of the individuals who use the introduction service? How about an internet café - that knowingly permits it's clients to use an introduction service or chat room? As I am not interested in Promoting illegal activities - please do not give specific names or contact information for various web sites, or introduction services.

My wife and I met 29 years ago and have been married for 27 years. I was working in Manila and a friend was dating her friend. Both girls worked at Mabini Bowling Alley and were going to college. I was with my friend when we went into the bowling alley to see his girlfriend. Norma was working at the time and came over and started talking to us. We ended up dating and, two years later, married. Actually, we dated for a year and then I came back to the States and lived in L.A./San Pedro area for year and dated quite a few women here. I kept comparing the women here to Norma and found that I had much more fun with her. So, I went back there and lived for a year and a half. We got married and eventually came here. She has been a manager for the same department store chain for 20 years now and we have raised 2 daughters. It has been a fairy tale for us, for the most part. She has put up with me and I have learned, over the years, that my way and/or the American way of doing things is not necessarily the best way. And, as I approach my 50th birthday, I am hoping to someday learn that I am not right about everything. But, you can't expect everything to happen overnight.

I think it's better to know the woman you are going to marry before you actually marry her and save yourself the trouble of going thru divorce and worry about pre-nuptial agreements.

This particular case was an American man with a Russian wife. The husband hired 2 lawyers, one for her and one for him. He also got an interpreter for her legal consultations (the interpreter works for me, so this is how I know about this case.) Without her own lawyer and without an interpreter, she could always claim in a divorce court that she did not understand her rights before signing the pre-nup. Well, her lawyer did a great job in advising her. He advised her so well, that she knew exactly when to file for a divorce and how maximize her profits. The judge ruled that the I-864 took precedence over the pre-nup, so this fellow ended up paying alimony and sharing quite a bit of his retirement benefits with her. My suggestion ... don't get a pre-nup and keep your wife blissfully ignorant about divorce proceedings in America, then hope for the best. In the long run, if you marry the wrong woman, you're screwed! I just filed last month for my fiance's visa, but we have been together for over 2 1/2 years, so we both know what we're getting into.

It's not too early to begin planning for tomorrow. Mita and I will try to be on 1800 through 2200 MDT Saturday night. That's0800 through noon Sunday morning. So far we've never had more than 8 in the chat room at once.. the room will hold many more. For thos reading this in email, just go to the LinP Group on Yahoo and sign in, then select Chat from the left hand menu. It may load a little slow the first time but in works for almost anyone if you giv eit enough time. If you computer screen has nothing but a gray box after a long wait, then try selcting Chat a second or third time.

I agree. If I were to chat or answer a pen pal ad from a girl in California it would be considered an ""internet romance"". If I answer an ad from a Filipina or Thai lady from an internet ad then it becomes something ""BAD"". I think this is a valid topic of conversation. Where are the lines here and who draws them?

Personally I would love to hear how some of the guys meet there wifes. I don't care to here that anyone meet via a Internet Dating Service myself, we all know what these are, some have had success and some haven't. I know that some of you went to the Philippines single and I'd like to hear how you guys found your wifes? Or did they find you? I'm guessing that it must have been an adventure for some. I know everyone has a differant story. Why not share?

Those are my feelings too but some people are very concerned about their assets and what might happen to them (their assets) if the marriage doesn't work out. Fortunately for me I don't have that many assets to worry about. In fact I'm more concerned about adding my wifes name to everything so that in the unfortunate event that something happens to me - she will be taken care of. She is the one that left her home and family to move to a new and strange country to be with me and she is the one who is making all of the adjuments and sacrifices to her life in order to fit in to life here in the US and so I just want to make sure that she is ""covered"" in case something happens to me. I may be naive but my best guess is that since I'm 15 years older than she is, I will probably ""exit"" first. And I pray to god that she has everyhing she needs to continue her life without undo hardship. These are just my feelings on the matter and they are not meant to offend anyone who has or is considering a pre-nup.

My advice is that everyone be careful. I had a gf for two years with four visits to her. Although she was an great woman, she couldnt keep her stories striaght. And after a horrible accident to her, only then she confesed of her lies to me. She is still a great woman but with a problem that she cannot correct. I met her through an ad she had placed. She claimed to get 2000 replies and finally entered an ad without a picture. That is the one I replied to. So it is what it is.....some who are truely looking for a better life and soulmate and many who seek the all mighty dollar. As many have told me before....seek the provinces and if they have a cell phone or internet experiences, be aware...........Daniel steveboyles wrote:Well lets say we don't want to hear about anything even remotely like mail order brides. That is illegal in RP and US INS has strict rules against it as well. But how about the couples that met without the aid of even chat rooms or media of any kind. Has someone met spontaeously at a mall,beach, church or disco in RP?

I'm looking for information regarding a high speed passenger boat from Cebu to Dumaguete City, and vice versa. My flight arrives in Cebu August 28 at 11:30AM. I then need to go to Dumaguete City. Any information regarding how, when, and where to catch a boat will be much appreciated.

I met my wife in Singapore. She was my maid from Jan 93 to May 96 when I left Singapore. Spent a year in Philippines and married her in May 97 in the local Catholic church (despite having been divorced and being Anglican protestant till the day before the wedding!). So I knew her very well before we got married. She's given me a beautiful daughter and, now in my fifties, it's like starting all over again. Yes, you only live twice! :-)

Actually I met mt wife in London when we were both there on Business three years ago, she was working in the Philippine Senate as an attorney I was there at a spring convention for the National Electrical Contractors Asociation. We didn't hit it off right away , her being from a conservative family and society, and me being a ""too forward"" american but over time all barriers melted away and we were married less than a year later. When I first met her I was like where the hell are the philippines ?? Been there several times and have fell in love with the people and some of the countryside, gonna ""snow bunny"" it there starting in January, this year when I retire, we have an apartment in Makati and some land in Bohol where we are going to build.

I am very aware of and in support of the ban on this list in disucssing the illegal activities of advertising RP women. I have thought abut the ethical and moral implications quite a lot since I met my wife through such a device. A fair amount of the ocnsideration relates to exploitation, especially for sexual purposes and particularly for children and young women. The desparate need for money combined with the Filipino commitment to family is a major aspect of this despicable practice. A track however, that seems to skirt the concerns above lies in the earnest efforts of RP administration to increase revenues of the country by out of country workers, family members living abroad and by tourism. It is commonly mentioned that OCW's are the countries leading revenue source. Though I have not seen it in print, I suppose those foreigners who live in the RP also contribute significantly to the RP economy. Those who support themselves and widely extended families with totally out-of-country monies. I noted a couple of days ago a report by an RP newspaper that cited 120,000 Americans living in RP and 2,000,000 Filipinos living in US. Presumeably, the 120,000 Americans and maybe 100,000 non Americans in RP contribute financially through support of their wives, children, wives families, and other sponsored souls. Noble, desireable and important. (The newspaper article rated Asian countries by income generated from tourism... RP was close to the bottom of that list for last year with 1.2 million dollars. Assuming the 200,000 foreigners living in RP are spending at a rate of $1,000 a month, by my poor math, that would be about 2.4 million dollars a year). It is common practice for RP folks living in US to bring their families and extended families to the US as soon as possible. (I have heard that the immigration process can take up to 12 years for parents). Its probably a safe bet that the RP families living abroad are sending a fair amount of money back to the RP. Finally, its clear from newspaper reports quoting RP senate members that the dual citizenship bill will likely pass and will pass in fair part with the intention of increasing revenues to the RP from Filipinos living abroad. Back to the tainted subject at hand- the odius and criminal activity of advertising RP women. It would be very interesting to be able to trace the pathways taken to achieve the income generated in country and out of country. I for one, having admitted my part in a criminal activity- though at the time I wasn't aware that it was a crime... I for one, would pay the penalty many times over- my wife is that important to me. I also feel no shame for the money we send to her family. I feel a sense of rapport with those who comment on this list of sending people to school or helping them in a business. I suppose all of my comments are a way of saying that I am proud of my wife and family and of myself for landing in such an enviable position in spite of the route taken. I am supposing that there are many on this list who can echo my experience- past criminals all. There ought to be a way to punish the truly criminal elements of this process while still allowing for the rich and wonderful opportunity for those like myself to find, love, and support mates found in RP.

I have been reading with great interest the last day or two the posts that many have sent regarding marriage to women in the Philippines. With so much bad luck in finding the right person to spend life with, I wonder if many might just be looking in the wrong places. My home is in Masbate province and from what I can see the ladies are so painfully honest about everything that it is quite surprising. I guess I am just one of the lucky ones. My wife and I met while she was working in Manila. Due to financial need, she had been working (an honest and legel job) for many years away from her home province of Masbate. It is such a relief to have someone in life that I can trust 1,000% in all things. I never did like having to deal with financial matters etc. My wife of six years now, does a fantastic job at it and even insists on keeping a running record of every expense down to the penny. I only go the the main island of Masbate once a month or so just to look around the shops and have a snack at a restaurant and go home again. But when in Masbate I always have so much fun visiting with the people there. So many women and girls there know that I am quite happily married so they are always offering their photos to me and asking me to find them a husband. Naturally I tell them that to do so is not legal and that I will not break the law. But it is always interesting to me that the women are not looking for $$$ or a one way trip to America. They beleive that foreign men will treat them better and be faithful in marriage. Because the vast majority of the men there are playing around anywhere they can. (It's too bad that their opinion of us is not always right.) For myself, I feel it is the best thing I've ever done and would do it all over again in need be.

The wiring system used in rural RP areas is only 2-wire: one hot at 220 volts, and one ground wire. They may use the redundant neutral wire in urban areas, but don't count on it. If you see a three-prong receptacle, the ground wire is (or should be) connected to both the ""big"" pinhole and one of the blade holes. However, the blade poles are not polarized (one bigger than the other), so you cannot trust that the setup is correctly wired as it must be in N. America. In North America, 220 volts comes to the house circuit breaker - two hot wires and one ground wire; each hot wire shows a 110 volt potential to ground, but they are at opposite phases in the alternating current cycle. Therefore, each hot wire goes to one-half of the circuit breaker box, and if you want 220 volts for water heaters, stoves, A/C's, and clothes driers, both hot wires are used (they have a 220 volt potential against each other). If you want to run any 110 volt appliance in the RP, you MUST have a transformer from the 220 volt lines. I'll repeat my question to those in the know - what about large, system transformers to run a few 110 volt circuits in a new house?

i think maybe this has taken a wrong turn. below are the laws to cover ""mail order brides"" d) Mail-order Bride Scheme - is the process of matching for a fee, profit, or any material and economic consideration, Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals through the use of various recruitment and advertising activities or techniques, utilizing various platforms for communication such as tri-media facilities, information technology, and even personalized marketing or direct selling. b) Mail-Order-Bride Scheme - is the process of matching for a fee, profit or any material or economic consideration, Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals through the use of the postal services, tri-media, new information technology and various modes of recruitment and advertising activities, and as defined under Republic Act No. 6955 (b) Mail-Order-Bride Scheme shall refer to the process of matching for a fee, profit or any material or economic consideration, Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals through the use of the postal services, tri-media, new information technology and various modes of recruitment and advertising activities, and as defined under Republic Act No. 6955

The decision whether to ship appliances or anything else should be based on a number of factors rather than a snap decision. If you are shipping by container, divide the total cost, door to door, by the volume of the container (usually 1000 cubic feet) to get the cost per cubic foot to ship. Determine the cost to ship the item in question, allowing sufficient space for the expected packing and carton. (1 cubic foot = 1728 cubic inches). For example, I have a 27"" TV in excellent working order. My shipping cost will be about $10 CAD per cubic foot. The shipping box would be about 17 cubic feet, which would cost me $170 CAD. Can I buy a new 27"" TV in the RP for less than $200 CAD ($125 USD)? You tell me. The other things I have to consider include whether or not I will have room in the RP to either use the item or store it temporarily, how old and worn the item is, do I really like it, etc. Dave, one thing you might want to check out is the easy availability of propane gas stoves in the RP. They have them in all sizes. You should check the availability of larger propane bottles and/or tanks, however, as constantly changing the little bottles can be a nuisance. My wife and I have purchased several refrigerators over there, and found them to be quite satisfactory - and a lot easier to move around! (They make the cabinets out of plastic - a lot more sensible than steel, I think!)

1. Is it illegal for a Filipina to submit her name, photo, and biodata to a penpal or similar introduction service NOT based in the RP, and if so, can she be arrested, charged, fined, or imprisoned for such participation? 2. Is there any risk to a foreign national on RP soil, having used such a penpal or introduction service, NOT based in the RP,to meet one or more Filipinas, i.e., could he be arrested, charged, fined, or imprisoned for such participation?

I have been reading with great interest the last day or two the posts that many have sent regarding marriage to women in the Philippines. With so much bad luck in finding the right person to spend life with, I wonder if many might just be looking in the wrong places. My home is in Masbate province and from what I can see the ladies are so painfully honest about everything that it is quite surprising. I guess I am just one of the lucky ones. My wife and I met while she was working in Manila. Due to financial need, she had been working (an honest and legel job) for many years away from her home province of Masbate. It is such a relief to have someone in life that I can trust 1,000% in all things. I never did like having to deal with financial matters etc. My wife of six years now, does a fantastic job at it and even insists on keeping a running record of every expense down to the penny. I only go the the main island of Masbate once a month or so just to look around the shops and have a snack at a restaurant and go home again. But when in Masbate I always have so much fun visiting with the people there. So many women and girls there know that I am quite happily married so they are always offering their photos to me and asking me to find them a husband. Naturally I tell them that to do so is not legal and that I will not break the law. But it is always interesting to me that the women are not looking for $$$ or a one way trip to America. They beleive that foreign men will treat them better and be faithful in marriage. Because the vast majority of the men there are playing around anywhere they can. (It's too bad that their opinion of us is not always right.) For myself, I feel it is the best thing I've ever done and would do it all over again in need be.

I plan to visit Ticao and Masbate on my next trip in December. Last year I kind of circumnavigated them going to Samar,Leyte,Cebu,Panay and Luzon. I was a bit disappointed that even Samar which was fairly bucolic if not downright remote in much the countryside generally gave way to the usual cacophony of small vehicles and generators in most towns of any size.

After giving some thought to you question. I remember a story, which concerns the 5th circuit court of appeals. This is the question that was placed before the court. ""Is being a thief a crime?"" The court answered no, being a thief is not a crime. Being a thief is no difference than being a plumber. Only the act of plying this trade (theft) Is a crime? Lawyers write most laws. In my opinion I think the first thing they look for is whether or not there is a loophole. If not they rewrite it till there is. About Filipina summating her bio to one of these sites. Would she be committing a crime? Probably conspiracy, by entering into an act with another person to commit a crime. The crime being the collection of a fee for her address. SEC. 5. Penalties and Sanctions. - a. Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum period and a fine of P300,000.00 unless the victim is less than 18 years of age for which the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period and a fine of P500,00.00 shall be imposed: Provided, that if the offender is a foreigner, he shall immediately be deported after serving his sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country again, which offense is non-probational: Provided, further, that any foreign national found to have violated Section E) of Art. 4, shall be punished in accordance with this law, if a bilateral agreement for extradition is enforced.

Hi gene I have been interested in the masbate area, I am planning a move to the philippines and would more information about that area could you kindly mail your e-mail to me directly as I would like to ask you questions.