CR-1 Visa Case Interview Experience of Coney at U.S. Embassy Manila Philippines

My wife who lives in Caloocan City Metro Manila left at 4:30 AM and carried along this two inch three ring binder full of documents and pictures.

She  took the Light Rail Transit to commute to  the US Embassy at Roxas Boulevard, Manila and arrived at the US Embassy around 5:10 AM. Upon arriving, she found the queue of people intending to enter the US Embassy to be long.

The U.S. Embassy rent-a-cop opened the gate for Applicants at 6:00 AM. Upon checking the Appointment Letter, the guard issued a Form document which will be filled out by Applicant and returned at a window counter at a later time.

The queue for Tourist, working visa, and Immigrant visa applications were separate.

The number was called out four times at four different counters. The manner in which the number was called out was not in sequence rather in a random fashion.

At around 6:45 AM, a clerk called my wife to the first Counter and took some information regarding our petition case. The Clerk checked our Appointment Letter, Petition Case; verified that the Appointment Letter had a stamp from St. Luke's Clinic signifying that a Physical/Medical exam was performed; fingerprint card; and checked my wife's Philippines Passport . She was issued a number and was instructed to take a seat.

Some of the Applicant who queued early at the Embassy were not finished with their Interview when my wife left the US Embassy. A piece of advise is, make sure the Applicant eats a packed breakfast, something for breakfast prior to entering the US Embassy.

At the second window, a Filipina clerk interviewed my wife in Tagalog about our petition case and details of our relationship, marriage.

At the third window, interview was conducted by a young American lady Consul. Interview questions ranged from: What is the profession of your husband? What is the Profession of my wife. My profession is an Engineer. My wife's profession is a Registered Nurse. The Consul's remark is, there is so much demand for Registered Nurses in the U.S. , your husband probably will stop working when my wife is fully employed. My personal response to that is, not in California with the high cost of living in this State, gotta have a two income family to make ends meet. She was asked whether my wife intends to work in the United States to which she replied yes.

Other questions were, details about us both such as our birthday and age. Question such as: why was the wedding conducted in Hong Kong, who attended our Wedding ceremony. At that point , the Consul asked for a picture evidence of the wedding event specifically a group picture showing witnesses i.e. relatives attending the event.

Other questions are whether I had previous marriage to which my wife replied yes. Whether I had children (which is yes) and whether my wife had children as well (which is no). Whether my wife was in a previous marriage prior to our marriage (to which the reply is no). Question was asked about the name of my ex-wife and where is she currently residing.

Question was also asked as to how I became a US Citizen to which her reply is being a child of a U.S. Serviceman in the 50's and 60's, that  I inherited my US Citizenship through my father. Question was asked as to how long I lived in the United States.

Questions was asked as to how and how often did we communicate;  how long have we known each other prior to marriage to which the reply are: through SMS Text messaging, Chat sessions using Yahoo Messenger, Facebook chat, Skype chat with Webcam, frequency is daily if possible, by Letter and greeting cards on special occasions.

The interviewing Consul handed my wife a pamphlet about domestic violence. She was instructed about what to do in case of domestic violence in the home and how to report the case. She was instructed that her status will not be affected if domestic violence happens during the conditional period. My wife replied that the she already attended a Seminar about Domestic Violence conducted by the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, an agency of the Philippine Government.

My wife's impression is that the interviewing Consul felt that her replies to the Interview questions were sincere and the she didn't give her a hard time. She noted that the experience of other applicants were otherwise, that the Consul was skeptical to other applicant's replies and documentation.

At fourth window, my wife was asked to surrender the form that was initially issued to her at the U.S. Embassy entrance. This form asked information as to the address where the Philippine Passport with approved CR-1 visa will be sent to.

She left the US Embassy around 9:30 AM. Since food was not allowed inside the Embassy, she ordered a Burger for brunch at some fast-food joint along the way home, and took the Light Rail Transit going back home.

Spring has come, My arms await you

Spring has come, and I can't wait to see you.

Can't to be in your Company,

To be in the same roof, to tackle every challenge that come our life

The long Winter has passed,

with it the long wait , the countless online chats and text messages

Summer will be here shortly,

and I'll be waiting at the Airport for your arrival

this will be the sweetest Summer of my life

You , myself and Iove, are like water and sunshine which makes plants grow

dear Coney,

You know, meeting you in person changed my expectations,
my goals in life, my aspirations.

A year ago, it used to be that my goal was to find a special woman
that I can share my life with. Someone whom I can trust and
confide my successes, failures, hopes, dreams, and frustrations.
In return, someone who can trust me as well.

When I met you, I knew I found that special someone that I was looking for.
Suddenly, my goal in life changed. Now, its not about finding someone special
because I now found you :-). Now, its about establishing a love relationship
and commitment with you. To earn your trust and confidence.

I know confidence and trust is something that takes time to grow and develop.

As we communicate daily, I pray to God that our Love will grow like a plant.
As plant grow with water, adequate sunlight, and nutrients; likewise, love will make
us grow in-love to each other.

I love you my dear.

Love,

Julius

A special Someone comes into my life ...

So many things have occurred in my life since I was last active in this Blog. That was well over a year ago. Life moves so fast, so many event in life have transpired and I've failed to take a moment to capture or mention things about them.

To me, capturing those moments its not just a way for me to tell the world what's on my mind, but also a way for me to come back to someday and recall that event in the past.

Since I'm more inspired about life, I'll become more active in this Blog again.

Well, let me share something special. In the month of mid-September to early October 2013, I went home to the Philippines for several reasons. But the most important reason for my vacation is to meet Coney Rolloque. Meeting her was a very special moment for me. Though only three weeks, every moment I spent with her was special. I cherished meeting such a loving woman, someone who made me complete. Finally.

For seven years, I've agonized about the notion that I was on my own. Not that I've left my kids, I was always there and continue to be there for them. I learned to be on my own, to take care of myself. Well, I've turned a corner in my life. From here on, I will no longer be alone. I have Coney in my life that I'll share my love and be loved. Someone that I'll share my agonies, my triumphs, my failures and victories in life.

I'm glad to have Coney into my life.

The Autumn Leaves

dear Coney,

Autumn is here, the leaves are falling,
the golden hues abound.
Winter will come and Spring too.
Seasons will pass, but my love for you will always be true.

Wipe the tears from your eyes
Months will pass
The day will come
When you will be on my arms
Our love will grow
We'll be here for each other for life ever after

love,
- Julius

Autumn Leaves

The falling leaves
Drift by my window
The autumn leaves
Of red and gold

I see your lips
The summer kisses
The sunburned hands
I used to hold

Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I'll hear
Old winter's song

But I miss you most of all
My darling
When autumn leaves
Start to fall

Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I'll hear
Old winter's song

But I miss you most of all
My darling
When autumn leaves
Start to fall

Welcome back to California sons

August 9, 2012

I picked up Trevor and Justin from
Los International Airport (LAX) last night
from their almost two months vacation
the Philippines/ Baguio City.

There was lots of potential
obstacles for them not to make it
though this trip.

There was massive flooding in Manila,
the past weeks. Justin and Trevor's
trip from Baguio City accompanied by Gloria
was uncertain and could have taken hours
to bypass the flooded areas just to reach
Ninoy Aquino international Airport.

Thanks to the persistence of Gloria, Justin,
kuya Dick, they made it to the Airport in
time for the flight.

Arrival time at LAX was one hour late around 8;10 PM.

When the boys finally got out of the US Customs
and at the passenger arrival area, I was glad to see
the two boys safe and sound. They looked tired from
the trip but I was glad to hug them both.

On our way back to San Diego, I took them to
an In-N-Out Burger Joint by the Freeway.
I figured a juicy double-double Burger would be appealing
after two months of being out of the country.

Summer Vacation's almost over but I'll try to squeeze
in activities that are worth doing before School starts
again.

Welcome home sons.

-Julius

Dear sons ...

July 13, 2012,

Dear Sons,

When i write sons, I meant Justin and Trevor.
Who else, he, he. How are you both?

I hope all is well with your vacation
there in the Philippines.

Please say hello to KC as well and Mom as well.

I miss you both and KC.

I hope you're enjoying your vacation, and recharge
your energies since once the New School Year starts
it will be all hard work with books, homeworks,
curricular activities.

I love you all.

Sincerely,

Dad