Passed the CFO seminar

[actob99 156]

My fiancee passed her seminar yesterday and it tookntwo days. Let me start by saying that this step in the process has given me the biggest heartburn and has made me mad. I'm hoping the new changes coming September 15th will do some good.

After she passed her medical on the second day, she ran over to St. Mary's at about 100pm. She did the seminar and then had her interview/counceling session. They asked

her alot about our relationship and I. She said they weren't mean but not nice either. She was asked my mothers

maiden name and she forgot it. They also asked her for two phone numbers of neighbor's at her place, my landline number, and how long I was in a relationship with my ex-wife, all of which she didn't know due to her leaving her cell

Phone at the hotel. So they told her to come back the next day with all this info.

So that evening we got in a pretty good heated argument over this seminar. I already had my mindset that this is a BS deal as I have had many friend's both filipino's and foreingers attend this seminar. She started telling me about 3 cases they viewed about the filipina having issues abroad with their new husband's, nothing crazy. I just listened. Then she told me all about her friend's friend in the province and her story, which wasn't good, about her troubles with a husband abroad. Then I got the, " it's so hard to have a relationship with a foreigner " response and that's where It got heated. I told her," as long as we have known each other, been together, lived together and all the time we have together, you're going to let some stranger that talked with you for a few hours change your view of me, maybe even if only for a minute"

Then she asked me about swinger's and if I knew any or are there any in my area. Apparently their was a girl there marrying a guy from a country, she couldn't remember which country, that is known for being all swinger's. And she needs to be very worried because she might be forced into this kind of situation. I then hit the roof. This damm person who has no first hand knowledge, never been to this country, probably never left the Philippines is giving this woman the picture that she is going tona country that is full of swinger's and that she will likely be forced into this lifestyle. What a way to enjoy the experience of leaving the Phils and going on an adventure to a new country. I can't believe it.

So we went back and forth, me saying there is a hell of alot worse things that go on in her country, and her saying, " that these cases are true amd its just to make the filipino aware of the world." Long story short, luckily she is a very smart woman and we laughed a bit in the end, not over what was said above..

I understand what the seminar was designed to do and I'm notbsaying its bad or good. I think its good that they tell you how to go about getting help if need be. I know there are bad people out there and there are some seriously bad incidents that have happened in the past, and it should make us all think. But this happens all over the world and this is'nt the time to be bashing your fiancee's/husband or wifes country that your excited about going to. Or that matter to go tonworknas all filipino's are required to take this seminar. Enough said for now.

So she went back the second day gave them what they wanted and she received her competion paperwork. They informed her after her visa she can come back there to get her sticker until Sep 15th because after that locations will change.. I still thing we should have went to Hong Kong on a small vacation and then States bound, and see what happened..

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

My fiancee passed her seminar yesterday and it tookntwo days. Let me start by saying that this step in the process has given me the biggest heartburn and has made me mad. I'm hoping the new changes coming September 15th will do some good.

After she passed her medical on the second day, she ran over to St. Mary's at about 100pm. She did the seminar and then had her interview/counceling session. They asked

her alot about our relationship and I. She said they weren't mean but not nice either. She was asked my mothers

maiden name and she forgot it. They also asked her for two phone numbers of neighbor's at her place, my landline number, and how long I was in a relationship with my ex-wife, all of which she didn't know due to her leaving her cell

Phone at the hotel. So they told her to come back the next day with all this info.

So that evening we got in a pretty good heated argument over this seminar. I already had my mindset that this is a BS deal as I have had many friend's both filipino's and foreingers attend this seminar. She started telling me about 3 cases they viewed about the filipina having issues abroad with their new husband's, nothing crazy. I just listened. Then she told me all about her friend's friend in the province and her story, which wasn't good, about her troubles with a husband abroad. Then I got the, " it's so hard to have a relationship with a foreigner " response and that's where It got heated. I told her," as long as we have known each other, been together, lived together and all the time we have together, you're going to let some stranger that talked with you for a few hours change your view of me, maybe even if only for a minute"

Then she asked me about swinger's and if I knew any or are there any in my area. Apparently their was a girl there marrying a guy from a country, she couldn't remember which country, that is known for being all swinger's. And she needs to be very worried because she might be forced into this kind of situation. I then hit the roof. This damm person who has no first hand knowledge, never been to this country, probably never left the Philippines is giving this woman the picture that she is going tona country that is full of swinger's and that she will likely be forced into this lifestyle. What a way to enjoy the experience of leaving the Phils and going on an adventure to a new country. I can't believe it.

So we went back and forth, me saying there is a hell of alot worse things that go on in her country, and her saying, " that these cases are true amd its just to make the filipino aware of the world." Long story short, luckily she is a very smart woman and we laughed a bit in the end, not over what was said above..

I understand what the seminar was designed to do and I'm notbsaying its bad or good. I think its good that they tell you how to go about getting help if need be. I know there are bad people out there and there are some seriously bad incidents that have happened in the past, and it should make us all think. But this happens all over the world and this is'nt the time to be bashing your fiancee's/husband or wifes country that your excited about going to. Or that matter to go tonworknas all filipino's are required to take this seminar. Enough said for now.

So she went back the second day gave them what they wanted and she received her competion paperwork. They informed her after her visa she can come back there to get her sticker until Sep 15th because after that locations will change.. I still thing we should have went to Hong Kong on a small vacation and then States bound, and see what happened..

Where will she need to go after Sept. 15th? What is the location? My wife did her CFO 6 months ago, but will not receive her visa until after Sept. 15th.

[actob99 156]

She didn't ask as we will hopefully be married in the states by sep 15th. Someone attached a link to a previour thread about all of the chsnges ansd I think I seen them on the CFO weebsite.

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

She didn't ask as we will hopefully be married in the states by sep 15th. Someone attached a link to a previour thread about all of the chsnges ansd I think I seen them on the CFO weebsite.

Ok....salamat, thank you. I will check out the CFO website.

[actob99 156]

Ok....salamat, thank you. I will check out the CFO website.

I just checked the website and the information is there. Good luck..

[Shawn C 11]

Right now we are planning for my fiancee to take the seminar at the CFO office instead of PRISM or SM-COW because I'm hoping they will be less of a mentally abusive place. I agree 100% that people should be aware of possibilities, and have a way out in case of an emergency. I do not agree with some of the ways I have heard they present this.

Do bad things happen? Yes.

Do they happen to everybody and so you should give up on any chance of happiness and go back to the province where you belong and stop having these silly dreams of living with somebody that truly loves you? NO

[Hank_ 9,174]

Where will she need to go after Sept. 15th? What is the location? My wife did her CFO 6 months ago, but will not receive her visa until after Sept. 15th.

I believe you will have to go to the main CFO office.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140#ThirdA

[RK_and_Inday 10]

My fiancee passed her seminar yesterday and it tookntwo days. Let me start by saying that this step in the process has given me the biggest heartburn and has made me mad. I'm hoping the new changes coming September 15th will do some good...

...So she went back the second day gave them what they wanted and she received her competion paperwork. They informed her after her visa she can come back there to get her sticker until Sep 15th because after that locations will change.. I still thing we should have went to Hong Kong on a small vacation and then States bound, and see what happened..

I am very glad to hear that your fiancee--and you--were able to finally "check off the box" for this guidance/counseling part of CFO requirement. Be glad to know that getting the "sticker" is relatively painless. Took Inday about one hour at the office to obtain the sticker. However, we still scheduled flight to U.S. well after the day of obtaining sticker just in case! Best of continuing luck and success to you and your fiancee!! --RK and Inday

[newbster 4]

Wow this sounds awful. If anyone takes CFO at the main office instead of SMEF-COW or PRISM please let us all know that it's possible to do it there and if it is better and nicer there.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

The only reason she had to go back a second day was because she forgot her CP. If she had it with her, and could have called the OP, all would have been well, most likely. I say this because it happened to us when they asked Roxane for something she forgot or didn't know. She just called me, asked, passed the info on, and moved on with the seminar.

Sorry it was such a pain for you guys. Is it necessary? No. Does it inform the Pinays/Pinoys of potential dangers? Yes. But in the end, does it matter? I doubt it. How many got that far in the process, listened to the propaganda, and quit the process??? I'd imagine somewhere between none and a couple. Spouse abuse, pornography, warning her not to sign papers blindly (might be divorce papers)... these things were brought up to Roxane during the seminar. Not bad advice, as there HAVE been problems, I'm sure. But did it slow her down? Only an hour or so...