so here goes my CFO experience

[Eternal Love 2]

I really can't wait to be interviewed and finally be reunited to my wifey!! So without my original passport and visa I took the chance to go to SMEF-COW in Quezon City and finally have my counseling session.

1. I arrived there at exactly 7:30 coming from Pasig- had to beat the traffic from Manggahan going Ligaya to get a jeepney bound for Cubao.

2. at the waiting area, names are called one by one to register. I presented my orig birth certificate, 2 IDS and copy of passport, paid 250.00, we signed registration form for counseling a few second pause in front of webcam for the digital shot, and we were sent to the viewing room on the 2nd floor at exactly 8:30for the orientation - explaining the rationale about the purpose of the counseling, the background of SMEF-COW/CFO, ETC.

3. The focus of the TV viewing is on domestic violence experienced by women.

4. By 9:30, we were sent to another for group counseling by country of destination but we were only entertained after 30 minutes of waiting for the volunteer counselor. ( Thanks God, the old lady is nice.) Here, domestic violence is reiterated, after which you are allowed to ask a question or clarification.

5. Kinds of visas were also explained one by one.

6. travel advisory was also explained. ( copies were given out, though )

7. haaaaaaaay, after an hour, the one-on-one session was given. ( FYI: the lady counselor is so particular about middle name of fiancee/fiance, all you need to do is to fill-out correctly and completely the registration form they give you. After that yo will be asked some of the items you have filled-out.

8. Finally, i had my Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance. I went down stairs to submit the counseling registration form filled out earlier with the certificate ( for the complete name to be printed on the form ).

9. need to photocopy the attendance certificate in duplicates. ( FYI: PHOTOCOPY MACHINE IN THE CENTER IS OUT-OF-ORDER, SO ONE NEEDS TO CROSS THE BOULEVARD TO GET TO THE NEAREST PHOTOCOPY SHOP, around 50 meters )

10. yay!!! we have to beat 12 pm break. We ran to the CFO to pay again??????????? 400 ( prepare the exact amount ) for another certificate to secure the CFO STICKER.

11. FINISHED!!! I will be back after my visa is issued for my sticker!!! please pray for my interview on the 7th of February! I WAS STARVING SO I BOARDED THE FIRST JEEPNEY THAT STOPPED OUTSIDE THE CENTER BOUND FOR CUBAO. I treated myself with vegemeat courtesy of BODHI and spinach... he he he he he

F Y I again:

Don't forget to photocopy all the documents required for you to bring.

( i told you their photocopy machine is not functioning - just need to be sure )

[Jasman0717 9]

Nice post, thanks for sharing. Claudeth spent the entire day, almost 12 hours, when she did her CFO in Cebu. ugh

[ILoveJoy 0]

Joy just completed her CFO "guidance and counseling" session at PRISM. After they grilled and tortured her almost to the point of tears, they finally gave up on trying to ruin our relationship and issued her certificate.

Apparently because of our age difference, and the fact that I was divorced from a Filipina last year, the CFO "counselors" ("Gestapo" is a better description!) were convinced that I MUST have been a wife beater or worse. So, they went on and on and on, ignoring Joy's pleas that she really knew me well, that I am a lawyer with an unblemished reputation, and that my former Filipina wife deserted me for her Filipino boyfriend shortly after I helped her get US citizenship (I even gave Joy a copy of my ex-wife's citizenship certificate). Finally, the "counselors" gave up on their intimidation and mental torture techniques, and agreed to give Joy her certificate if she would sign a "letter of assurance," which is her statement that she knows me well.

I think it is a good idea that the Philippine government requires fiance(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals to take some sort of seminar to provide information they may need if, among other things, the partner turns out to be abusive or worse. But who are these people to pass judgment on individual relationships, and to interrogate the Filipina endlessly in such a cruel fashion? Perhaps there is a bit of a twinge of envy on the "counselor's" part that they are not the ones who are emigrating to a new country with someone they love.

Forgive me for venting, but I am just so angered by anyone who would make my sweet wife-to-be cry out of fear of a possible roadblock to our beginning our life together. Thank God that this torturous experience is over for her.

Marc

[Eternal Love 2]

Joy just completed her CFO "guidance and counseling" session at PRISM. After they grilled and tortured her almost to the point of tears, they finally gave up on trying to ruin our relationship and issued her certificate.

Apparently because of our age difference, and the fact that I was divorced from a Filipina last year, the CFO "counselors" ("Gestapo" is a better description!) were convinced that I MUST have been a wife beater or worse. So, they went on and on and on, ignoring Joy's pleas that she really knew me well, that I am a lawyer with an unblemished reputation, and that my former Filipina wife deserted me for her Filipino boyfriend shortly after I helped her get US citizenship (I even gave Joy a copy of my ex-wife's citizenship certificate). Finally, the "counselors" gave up on their intimidation and mental torture techniques, and agreed to give Joy her certificate if she would sign a "letter of assurance," which is her statement that she knows me well.

I think it is a good idea that the Philippine government requires fiance(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals to take some sort of seminar to provide information they may need if, among other things, the partner turns out to be abusive or worse. But who are these people to pass judgment on individual relationships, and to interrogate the Filipina endlessly in such a cruel fashion? Perhaps there is a bit of a twinge of envy on the "counselor's" part that they are not the ones who are emigrating to a new country with someone they love.

Forgive me for venting, but I am just so angered by anyone who would make my sweet wife-to-be cry out of fear of a possible roadblock to our beginning our life together. Thank God that this torturous experience is over for her.

Marc

oh, i am sorry for the experience but there's no such thing like that in SMEF-COW. The lady volunteers their were all nice and accomodating!! All they need for a fiance/fiancee whoo had been divorced is proper documentation...

[bluebelle 0]

thanks for sharing your experience in detail. this will surely help others including me with this experience. Congratulations as well!

[Roserick 0]

Thank You guys for sharing your CFO experience.. This is very helpful..

BTW what is SMEF-COW or PRISM?

What is the difference?

You guys think they would give my wife a hard time? I am filipino and speak the language, no past marriage just the current, and our age is only 2yrs apart and we have a daughter together.. We have been married going 3yrs now..

Advice pls..

[mikeandlani 0]

thanks for sharing your interview experience. i plan to go after i get the visa so i can attend the counselling and get the stamp all in one day. is there available parking in the area? do i get you right that total fees amounted to 650? wow! 2 years ago when i was planning to amend my passport, i was told you only pay 100 for the seminar and stamp...i should've gone then when it was a lot cheaper... hehehe!

[vsmtghdy 2]

Thank You guys for sharing your CFO experience.. This is very helpful..

BTW what is SMEF-COW or PRISM?

What is the difference?

You guys think they would give my wife a hard time? I am filipino and speak the language, no past marriage just the current, and our age is only 2yrs apart and we have a daughter together.. We have been married going 3yrs now..

Advice pls..

SMEF-COW = St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) is in Quezon City

PRSIM = People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc. (PRISM) is in Manila

They both conduct the guidance and counseling program to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals. It is just a matter of where your wife is nearer to attend the guidance and counselling (Yellow Certificate). The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) issues the guidance and counseling certificate (Green Certificate) to clients who have satisfactorily completed the guidance and counseling requirements at SMEF-COW or PRISM.

Since you've been married for almost 3 years, your wife will not have that much problems. I attended the counseling seminar at PRISM and it only took me less than 10 minutes with my one-on-one counseling. We were married for a year, and she didn't even ask for my husband's divorce decree nor about our age difference (which is 12 years). She just ask about my husband's job and what I'm planning to do when I get to the U.S.

SMEF-COW are run by nuns and some nuns do the conseling and they may be like "gestapo" with their querries and scrutinizing the applicants and to make sure the relationship is "legit". Sometimes they can be more scrutinizing than the pre-interviewers at the US Embassy. Also more if the applicant is young like in the early 20's and much more if she's less than 21. They will be asking for a written parental consent before they will issue the certificate.

[Roserick 0]

Also more if the applicant is young like in the early 20's and much more if she's less than 21. They will be asking for a written parental consent before they will issue the certificate.

Well my wife is 25.. She actually 2 yrs older than me.. I hope they don't give us problems.. All we want is to have a happy family that stays together..

Thank you for the great advice...

[prettyfacenbody 0]

dont worry, your wife will do fine. when it comes to CR1 or IR1, the people from the SMEF-COW or PRISM doesnt give the petitioned spouses a hard time. the one on one interview will be fast and smooth. just remind your wife to photocopy some important documents bcoz sometimes they are asking a copy.

goodluck!

Thank You guys for sharing your CFO experience.. This is very helpful..

BTW what is SMEF-COW or PRISM?

What is the difference?

You guys think they would give my wife a hard time? I am filipino and speak the language, no past marriage just the current, and our age is only 2yrs apart and we have a daughter together.. We have been married going 3yrs now..

Advice pls..

[Roserick 0]

dont worry, your wife will do fine. when it comes to CR1 or IR1, the people from the SMEF-COW or PRISM doesnt give the petitioned spouses a hard time. the one on one interview will be fast and smooth. just remind your wife to photocopy some important documents bcoz sometimes they are asking a copy.

goodluck!

Important Docs like what?

Passport? NSO BC, MC,?

Please verify..

[Eternal Love 2]

Thank You guys for sharing your CFO experience.. This is very helpful..

BTW what is SMEF-COW or PRISM?

What is the difference?

You guys think they would give my wife a hard time? I am filipino and speak the language, no past marriage just the current, and our age is only 2yrs apart and we have a daughter together.. We have been married going 3yrs now..

Advice pls..

yes, there is parking area inside...

[Eternal Love 2]

Thank You guys for sharing your CFO experience.. This is very helpful..

BTW what is SMEF-COW or PRISM?

What is the difference?

You guys think they would give my wife a hard time? I am filipino and speak the language, no past marriage just the current, and our age is only 2yrs apart and we have a daughter together.. We have been married going 3yrs now..

Advice pls..

THE ONLY HARD TIME YOU CAN EXPERIENCE IS WHEN YOUR DOCUMENTS ARE INCOMPLETE. BE SURE TO FILL-OUT THE FORMS CORRECTLY. PLEASE DON'T FORGET YOUR FIANCE/FIANCEES BASIC INFO LIKE B-DAY, MIDDLE NAMES, ADDRESS, COURSE TAKEN, OCCUPATION, CONTACT NUMBERS, ETC.

[Ken & Marife 0]

I really can't wait to be interviewed and finally be reunited to my wifey!! So without my original passport and visa I took the chance to go to SMEF-COW in Quezon City and finally have my counseling session.

1. I arrived there at exactly 7:30 coming from Pasig- had to beat the traffic from Manggahan going Ligaya to get a jeepney bound for Cubao.

2. at the waiting area, names are called one by one to register. I presented my orig birth certificate, 2 IDS and copy of passport, paid 250.00, we signed registration form for counseling a few second pause in front of webcam for the digital shot, and we were sent to the viewing room on the 2nd floor at exactly 8:30for the orientation - explaining the rationale about the purpose of the counseling, the background of SMEF-COW/CFO, ETC.

3. The focus of the TV viewing is on domestic violence experienced by women.

4. By 9:30, we were sent to another for group counseling by country of destination but we were only entertained after 30 minutes of waiting for the volunteer counselor. ( Thanks God, the old lady is nice.) Here, domestic violence is reiterated, after which you are allowed to ask a question or clarification.

5. Kinds of visas were also explained one by one.

6. travel advisory was also explained. ( copies were given out, though )

7. haaaaaaaay, after an hour, the one-on-one session was given. ( FYI: the lady counselor is so particular about middle name of fiancee/fiance, all you need to do is to fill-out correctly and completely the registration form they give you. After that yo will be asked some of the items you have filled-out.

8. Finally, i had my Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance. I went down stairs to submit the counseling registration form filled out earlier with the certificate ( for the complete name to be printed on the form ).

9. need to photocopy the attendance certificate in duplicates. ( FYI: PHOTOCOPY MACHINE IN THE CENTER IS OUT-OF-ORDER, SO ONE NEEDS TO CROSS THE BOULEVARD TO GET TO THE NEAREST PHOTOCOPY SHOP, around 50 meters )

10. yay!!! we have to beat 12 pm break. We ran to the CFO to pay again??????????? 400 ( prepare the exact amount ) for another certificate to secure the CFO STICKER.

11. FINISHED!!! I will be back after my visa is issued for my sticker!!! please pray for my interview on the 7th of February! I WAS STARVING SO I BOARDED THE FIRST JEEPNEY THAT STOPPED OUTSIDE THE CENTER BOUND FOR CUBAO. I treated myself with vegemeat courtesy of BODHI and spinach... he he he he he

F Y I again:

Don't forget to photocopy all the documents required for you to bring.

( i told you their photocopy machine is not functioning - just need to be sure )

[Ken & Marife 0]

I really can't wait to be interviewed and finally be reunited to my wifey!! So without my original passport and visa I took the chance to go to SMEF-COW in Quezon City and finally have my counseling session.

1. I arrived there at exactly 7:30 coming from Pasig- had to beat the traffic from Manggahan going Ligaya to get a jeepney bound for Cubao.

2. at the waiting area, names are called one by one to register. I presented my orig birth certificate, 2 IDS and copy of passport, paid 250.00, we signed registration form for counseling a few second pause in front of webcam for the digital shot, and we were sent to the viewing room on the 2nd floor at exactly 8:30for the orientation - explaining the rationale about the purpose of the counseling, the background of SMEF-COW/CFO, ETC.

3. The focus of the TV viewing is on domestic violence experienced by women.

4. By 9:30, we were sent to another for group counseling by country of destination but we were only entertained after 30 minutes of waiting for the volunteer counselor. ( Thanks God, the old lady is nice.) Here, domestic violence is reiterated, after which you are allowed to ask a question or clarification.

5. Kinds of visas were also explained one by one.

6. travel advisory was also explained. ( copies were given out, though )

7. haaaaaaaay, after an hour, the one-on-one session was given. ( FYI: the lady counselor is so particular about middle name of fiancee/fiance, all you need to do is to fill-out correctly and completely the registration form they give you. After that yo will be asked some of the items you have filled-out.

8. Finally, i had my Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance. I went down stairs to submit the counseling registration form filled out earlier with the certificate ( for the complete name to be printed on the form ).

9. need to photocopy the attendance certificate in duplicates. ( FYI: PHOTOCOPY MACHINE IN THE CENTER IS OUT-OF-ORDER, SO ONE NEEDS TO CROSS THE BOULEVARD TO GET TO THE NEAREST PHOTOCOPY SHOP, around 50 meters )

10. yay!!! we have to beat 12 pm break. We ran to the CFO to pay again??????????? 400 ( prepare the exact amount ) for another certificate to secure the CFO STICKER.

11. FINISHED!!! I will be back after my visa is issued for my sticker!!! please pray for my interview on the 7th of February! I WAS STARVING SO I BOARDED THE FIRST JEEPNEY THAT STOPPED OUTSIDE THE CENTER BOUND FOR CUBAO. I treated myself with vegemeat courtesy of BODHI and spinach... he he he he he

F Y I again:

Don't forget to photocopy all the documents required for you to bring.

( i told you their photocopy machine is not functioning - just need to be sure )

hello!!!

I dont have original Birth cert now..is xerox copy ok? do i need to bring Cenomar?what are some documnets that you bring?...

marife and kenny