Incompetent people at CFO seminar

[Robert E Lee 0]

Just wanna share my experience about my CFO seminar today 11/03/08.

Then, she told us...."we can't release your certificate today because our computer crashed coz of the virus. It crashed last friday so they are just working on it now and it will done on THURSDAY!" (mind you THURSDAY! just for a single certificate which doesn't even have a code!) "and if you are thinking to go to other counseling site, it wont work coz they'll see that you are registed here" (what a dictatorship!)

the Idiot CFO should not go visiting PORNO sites....he would not the virus in the first place....or open e-mail from people he/she does not know...LOL

Eros, ya been visiting them porno sites again? How'd ya know you get a virus from them sites, Bubba?

[angela920 0]

Just wanna share my experience about my CFO seminar today 11/03/08.

My visa packet arrived today at noon delivered by delbros. As soon as I got it, I hurried my ### to go to Taft Avenue to do the CFO seminar. I got there between 3:30-4:00PM. (in front of DLSU BDO bldg.)

1. I paid P250 for registration and gave me papers

2. lady at the registration told me to go to room S3 to watch the documentary about Filipina girls being abused by their foreign husband. I sat there for like 10mins and It's all done! (i guess didn't see the entire video). So I asked the nice lady there... what to do after this? she said "ohh are you goin to USA?" i said.. "yes mam" she said.. "ok go to ____ " I forgot the room number. There, she told us where to go if being abused, what numbers to call, what to do after your marriage and what papers we need to apply for the green card.... just basic info.

Then, she told us...."we can't release your certificate today because our computer crashed coz of the virus. It crashed last friday so they are just working on it now and it will done on THURSDAY!" (mind you THURSDAY! just for a single certificate which doesn't even have a code!) "and if you are thinking to go to other counseling site, it wont work coz they'll see that you are registed here" (what a dictatorship!)

3. One-on-one interview... ask me how we met, how long we been together, how often hes been here.. etc etc... just all about my fiance. She took my divorce paper copy and told me to photocopy one picture. Then she asked me a very weird question.... "What is your fiance's middle name?" so i said... "Rowling, thats his middle name" then she said.. "no what is your fiance's moms maiden name?" I was like "huh? they dont carry it, the name that i gave you is just a name not a last name of her mom" Well its a good thing I know his moms maiden name coz we do genealogy... I didn't argue with her.. so i told her.

4. Then after the interview, she signed the receipt for the release of my certificate on thursday 1:30PM. (I really should hope this time they have it all ready coz I just paid $150 for rebooking and cancellation fee!)

I know I'm not supposed to book yet.. but my fiance didn't know that this seminar is MANDATORY. He said its a complete DICTATORSHIP, what kind of country wont allow their citizen WITH VISA to not live WITHOUT this seminar?

Tell me what you think about the CFO seminar. Thank you. Good luck to all of us!

Hi Melissa/Martin! What a dictator indeed that lady at the CFO seminar where you went to. I also went to that place in front of the De La Salle University in 2007. And that woman whom I had one on one interview also asked about my mother in-law's maiden name. I gave her my husband's middle name. But she said it was his first name. So I had to call my husband in the middle of the night just to ask him what is his mom's maiden name. Crazy huh! But it's either that or I don't get a CFO certificate.

CFO is a waste of money and a waste of time. They give loads of misinformation. I guess you just do what you have to do and let what they say go in one ear and out the other.

thank you for agreeing with me! I thought I'm alone on this matter! Yea.. my fiance also thought that it's a waste of time.. I mean.. yea counseling is good. It is a very good thing to offer to teach our people but it should not be MANDATORY! like its a matter of THEM versus YOU and you CANT LIVE the country WITHOUT their permission. Isn't having a VISA enough to live the country?

I believe CFO SEMINAR has a good intention.. I agree with some of VJ'ers that it's needed.. but like I said.. shouldn't be MANDATORY.

[angela920 0]

Just wanna share my experience about my CFO seminar today 11/03/08.

Then, she told us...."we can't release your certificate today because our computer crashed coz of the virus. It crashed last friday so they are just working on it now and it will done on THURSDAY!" (mind you THURSDAY! just for a single certificate which doesn't even have a code!) "and if you are thinking to go to other counseling site, it wont work coz they'll see that you are registed here" (what a dictatorship!)

I am sorry to hear about your bad experience...don't let them get to you..get your sticker and look forward to the time you will reunited with your loved one.

Just one comment....

They should have called me...i get the computer VIRUS free in less then 4 hours....

Second comment...

the Idiot CFO should not go visiting PORNO sites....he would not the virus in the first place....or open e-mail from people he/she does not know...LOL

hehe thanks! Yea I should have called you! I'm really hoping to get my certificate this THURSDAY, even though, she signed the receipt that says "claim the certificate on THURSDAY 11/06/08 at 1:30PM" I don't trust them anymore.

[nickoftime 0]

I had my seminar at Prism and everything went smoothly. But I also think it's a waste of time. For one thing, why give the seminar after the visa was issued or after the marriage with a foreigner? Isn't that too late already? I think that CFO certification is nothing but another way of milking people some money.

[angela920 0]

I had my seminar at Prism and everything went smoothly. But I also think it's a waste of time. For one thing, why give the seminar after the visa was issued or after the marriage with a foreigner? Isn't that too late already? I think that CFO certification is nothing but another way of milking people some money.

you got it right! Same thing my fiance's been telling me.. but we cant do nothing but to OBEY their rules. It's our corrupt government's agenda. They are not even connected to the US EMBASSY! (i think, coz if they were.. US EMBASSY should have told us that we cant get a VISA without a CFO seminar first!)

Edited November 5, 2008 by melissa/martin

[john & jean 37]

I had my seminar at Prism and everything went smoothly. But I also think it's a waste of time. For one thing, why give the seminar after the visa was issued or after the marriage with a foreigner? Isn't that too late already? I think that CFO certification is nothing but another way of milking people some money.

you got it right! Same thing my fiance's been telling me.. but we cant do nothing but to OBEY their rules. It's our corrupt government's agenda. They are not even connected to the US EMBASSY! (i think, coz if they were.. US EMBASSY should have told us that we cant get a VISA without a CFO seminar first!)

YES A MILKING FOR SURE. THEY WILL MILK YOU AGAIN AT THE AIRPORT, DEPARTURE TAX AND AIRPORT USER FEE!!! HURRY AND GET ON THE PLANE BEFORE THEY ASK FOR MORE!!!!!!

[eros_EX_Plumber 0]

Just wanna share my experience about my CFO seminar today 11/03/08.

Then, she told us...."we can't release your certificate today because our computer crashed coz of the virus. It crashed last friday so they are just working on it now and it will done on THURSDAY!" (mind you THURSDAY! just for a single certificate which doesn't even have a code!) "and if you are thinking to go to other counseling site, it wont work coz they'll see that you are registed here" (what a dictatorship!)

the Idiot CFO should not go visiting PORNO sites....he would not the virus in the first place....or open e-mail from people he/she does not know...LOL

Eros, ya been visiting them porno sites again? How'd ya know you get a virus from them sites, Bubba?

LMAO....you know...they wont take me on Southern Comfort street...u told me about.....

[MactanLove 0]

I had my seminar at Prism and everything went smoothly. But I also think it's a waste of time. For one thing, why give the seminar after the visa was issued or after the marriage with a foreigner? Isn't that too late already? I think that CFO certification is nothing but another way of milking people some money.

you got it right! Same thing my fiance's been telling me.. but we cant do nothing but to OBEY their rules. It's our corrupt government's agenda. They are not even connected to the US EMBASSY! (i think, coz if they were.. US EMBASSY should have told us that we cant get a VISA without a CFO seminar first!)

How much is the CFO? I think before this process is all over, it's going to cost about $3,500 including my airfare to USA!!!

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

How much is the CFO? I think before this process is all over, it's going to cost about $3,500 including my airfare to USA!!!

Here is the website: http://www.cfo.gov.ph

I think I paid about 400 pesos in 2007.

Good luck.

[CuriousGuy 0]

IS it possible to take the CFO and get it out of the way BEFORE you're granted a visa????

[Gumbolette 58]

IS it possible to take the CFO and get it out of the way BEFORE you're granted a visa????

You will be receiving 2 certificate and a sticker. All in all.

One would be from the Seminar (peer counseling) this is for people who doesn't have the Visa yet. And also required for married pals for renewing their passport for their married name.

For pals who has visa already, after getting the certificate from (PRISM, or St. Mary's) you can proceed to the main CFO office to get another certificate (this looks like a check) and also you can get your passport sticker.)

Edited November 24, 2008 by my_panacea = Greg

[Completely 3]

It is sad to say why only in the Philippine we do certain things like this.. This is just one of the example of graft and corruption in the country..

We can never predict the future, what happen to Juan does not mean it will happen to Pedro.. I know this is a security awareness, but in my own opinion, we are the one who responsible for our action.. If something happen to us, does the Philippines can do something about it? Nothing... so this kind of certification is kind of useless for me as they are just ripping off people and add more burden to everyone..

I processed my visa overseas and nver had to go to CFO seminar.. American get jobs overseas but they just do security briefing and sign in to the US embassy website. The process is pretty quick and easy...

Edited November 24, 2008 by Completely

[ManilaIdaho 2]

IS it possible to take the CFO and get it out of the way BEFORE you're granted a visa????

Hi,i have just attended the required counseling seminar at PRISM this afternoon,i dont have the visa yet so i'll just come back to get the sticker for me and my son so you'll be fine

[greatblackbeauty 0]

i personally think the seminar is helpful for all of us. it serves as a guide to those leaving for another country to know what they can do when they are being abused. i know it's kinda boring and they sometimes tells us thing which we already know but mind you, we never know what's in store for us wherever our destination may be.

some are lucky, some just aren't..

so more or less, this seminar is enlightening to all that WE have somewhere/someone to run to when we need help..

and lastly, let me point out that jose rizal was right when he said:

..a lot of migrants haven't been inside an airplane much more travelled abroad...

this serves true to many, so again, i think the seminar is a good way to educate everyone..

there are just some people who doesn't understand its value for now..(no offense)

:thumbs:

it is very important my dear! because b4 when i remember i attended PDOS before my departure as a OFW its a lot of knowledgeable things that they discuss.

congratss and have a safe trip.

[CuriousGuy 0]

You will be receiving 2 certificate and a sticker. All in all.

One would be from the Seminar (peer counseling) this is for people who doesn't have the Visa yet.

For pals who has visa already, after getting the certificate ...proceed to the main CFO office to get another certificate (this looks like a check) and also you can get your passport sticker.)

So, she CAN get the boring day long seminar DONE and out of the way. All she'll need to do is provide the certificate from her attendance, THEN she can get the sticker for the passport. THANKS so much for the clarification.

Does anyone know what the IDS is, which is outlined as a requirement on the CFO site?

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

"Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary (for USA bound emigrant);"