CFO Cebu - SMEF - St. Mary's Euphrasia Foundation

[Book Em Dano 2]

Hello,

I'm wondering if I could get some assistance for my fiance who is scheduled to travel to Cebu to attend the required Counseling Session. I thought both of us carefully read their website to ensure she has all the required documents but now she's getting conflicting information. She called and they told her that the session is a full day session...8 hours. Our understanding was that it was only a 2 hours session offered Monday-Friday from 10am-12 noon on a first come first served basis. Her understanding is that she has to go to two separate facilities on Cebu. First at the SMEF building to attend the counseling session and then travel to the CFO office at separate locations.

We'd appreciate some input from other members.

Thank you.

[easyriders2011 14]

Hello,

I'm wondering if I could get some assistance for my fiance who is scheduled to travel to Cebu to attend the required Counseling Session. I thought both of us carefully read their website to ensure she has all the required documents but now she's getting conflicting information. She called and they told her that the session is a full day session...8 hours. Our understanding was that it was only a 2 hours session offered Monday-Friday from 10am-12 noon on a first come first served basis. Her understanding is that she has to go to two separate facilities on Cebu. First at the SMEF building to attend the counseling session and then travel to the CFO office at separate locations.

We'd appreciate some input from other members.

Thank you.

My wife just went through this with St. Mary's in Cebu.

#1 - If she can go to Manila, I would have her go there. Go to PRISM instead of St. Mary's.

#2 - If she can't, then make sure she takes all of her documents, especially stuff that concerns you. (your divorce decree, info on why your previous marriage(s) failed, dates, etc.

The nuns at St. Mary's are a bunch of b...s, and I mean that. I studied their charter and mission statement as my wife was being grilled and it didn't say anything about trying to convince the girls not to marry the foreigners (but they did it anyways, with ZEAL!). It didn't say anything about needing this document or that document even though they list certain documents on their webpage. (Their caveat is 'any other documents the counselor needs') Well that is a very open ended statement and they TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THAT CAVEAT, in order to harass the ones they choose to single out as their example.

My wife was singled out because I have had divorces before, and she was the only one (at least who admitted it). They harassed her for several hours,she had to keep contacting me from an internet cafe for more info. I would provide it, and she would return and then they would harass her for some new information. They did this 3-4 times and eventually she ran out of time and had to return the next day. This caused her to incurr extra expenses we hadn't planned on, nor needed.

Next morning she went back and 'poof' she zips right through and she even gets her GCCertificate from the CFO in just a few hours total. What was the difference???? I don't know. Perhaps a different counselor? a non-pms day? since we were already married and they had harassed her for a day already and the horse had already left the barn, (we were married, not engaged)? I DON'T KNOW.

My wife said the first session is a group session, then after lunch they will counsel you individually.

Another forum has stated about St. Mary's that they have a habit of pulling this stunt, and they were adament that I should have sent her to PRISM in Manila.

This is far and away the more highly recommended CFO counseling center.

[KKJJ 16]

She is right and it takes a day for the seminar but it depends how many people are there. And t. mary's is fine as long as she knows all about you.. your information and the relationship.

[Book Em Dano 2]

Hello,

Would you kindly direct me to a link or where on the CFO or SMEF website that states it's an 8-hour (full day) session? It's not that I disbelieve you, rather I'm simply curious where it's cited for the possible benefit to others. I saw on their website that it's first come first served and offered on particular dates and/or countries where the person is traveling to. Thankfully she didn't have any difficulty providing them answers about our relationship and myself.

Thanks

She is right and it takes a day for the seminar but it depends how many people are there. And t. mary's is fine as long as she knows all about you.. your information and the relationship.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Website simply states no less than 2 hours, The also are vague on what documents they will require and the CEBU CFO plays it to the hilt from all I have read.

[Book Em Dano 2]

Hi Hank/Amy,

Agreed...that's what their website says. I think my fiances confusion lie in the fact that she was referring to the TOTAL time the SMEF counselors told her...full 8 hour day. What they didn't explain was the one on one counseling after breaking for lunch and then waiting for the remaining processing to finish. Start to finish was indeed close to 7 hours. Initially I was steamed thinking the actual session was 8 hours but it lasted 2-2.5 after all. I asked her just continue to smile, smile, smile and comply with them since they held sway over her getting the sticker allowing her to actually leave the Philippines.

I think your assessment about SMEF playing it to the hilt is true; my fiance said they were quite strict with her and while not overt, she felt like they were trying to dissuade her from leaving the Philippines to marry me. Ultimately the good news is that she received the sticker.

Thank you for your input.

Website simply states no less than 2 hours, The also are vague on what documents they will require and the CEBU CFO plays it to the hilt from all I have read.