Guidance counseling and CFO

[AlaMike 231]

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa.

Once she was checked in and the session actually started that is when the problems started. We has assumed there would be 2 different sessions; 1 for people with Visa's and 1 without. But that was not the case. They put her in with the ones with Visa's? I guess to consolidate? 

The person running the session proceeded to tell her that she had wasted her time by coming and and would have to return anyway. So, why did she even show up and that I was stupid for scheduling without the Visa.

She said they were very rude and kept insisting that since I had been married before and had no children that I "must" have have problem with having children. They also told her that most men in the US are womanizers and abuse their wives, that's why they have so much divorce. 

The counselor told them that murder of US men's wives was common and to expect to be treated like a slave. And told of several instances where Filipino's were murdered by their husbands.

They even went as far to tell her that after she gets her Visa, she will get an envelope that says. "Do not open". But to to open it anyway to see whats inside!

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

Is this common for the session and has anyone had this type of experience?

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Wow. Sounds more like scarring people to not leave the Philippines.

[AlaMike 231]

Yes, that's what I told her. I can understand them wanting the person not to have doubts before they leave. 

But the outright lies are whats troubling. Especially about the package from the Embassy.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Ive read about stuff like you described before so it does happen sadly. Im going to ask for the mods to move this to the regional forum as the CFO is only for PI. You will get better answers and advice there

[Greenbaum 12,259]

43 minutes ago, AlaMike said:

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa....

CFO has been known to disseminate bad information and to intimidate the participates. Some even have asked for payment "under the table" to pass them and others have just outright declined the individual from receiving their CFO. Of course without the CFO certificate they can't leave the country. Those who were declined I recommended that they visit another location and redo the CFO eventually passing and receiving the CFO certificate. I advise those who attend CFO to expect this kind of treatment and to be strong and not be intimated. The Manila location is the worst. Cebu and Clark are easy peasy to pass.

 

 

[Fogi 91]

3 hours ago, AlaMike said:

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa.

Once she was checked in and the session actually started that is when the problems started. We has assumed there would be 2 different sessions; 1 for people with Visa's and 1 without. But that was not the case. They put her in with the ones with Visa's? I guess to consolidate? 

The person running the session proceeded to tell her that she had wasted her time by coming and and would have to return anyway. So, why did she even show up and that I was stupid for scheduling without the Visa.

She said they were very rude and kept insisting that since I had been married before and had no children that I "must" have have problem with having children. They also told her that most men in the US are womanizers and abuse their wives, that's why they have so much divorce. 

The counselor told them that murder of US men's wives was common and to expect to be treated like a slave. And told of several instances where Filipino's were murdered by their husbands.

They even went as far to tell her that after she gets her Visa, she will get an envelope that says. "Do not open". But to to open it anyway to see whats inside!

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

Is this common for the session and has anyone had this type of experience?

 

My fiance did the CFO prior to visa interview, was no big deal. She had a completely different experience than your partner, no scare tactics.  We did live together in Manila for ~4 of the last 5 years, and we have a kid, so our process has been a lot easier than others. Still doesn't seem right. 

[GEEPEECEE 12]

Wife did the CEBU seminar. It was easy peasy. 

[Hank_ 9,174]

3 hours ago, AlaMike said:

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa.

Once she was checked in and the session actually started that is when the problems started. We has assumed there would be 2 different sessions; 1 for people with Visa's and 1 without. But that was not the case. They put her in with the ones with Visa's? I guess to consolidate? 

The person running the session proceeded to tell her that she had wasted her time by coming and and would have to return anyway. So, why did she even show up and that I was stupid for scheduling without the Visa.

She said they were very rude and kept insisting that since I had been married before and had no children that I "must" have have problem with having children. They also told her that most men in the US are womanizers and abuse their wives, that's why they have so much divorce. 

The counselor told them that murder of US men's wives was common and to expect to be treated like a slave. And told of several instances where Filipino's were murdered by their husbands.

They even went as far to tell her that after she gets her Visa, she will get an envelope that says. "Do not open". But to to open it anyway to see whats inside!

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

Is this common for the session and has anyone had this type of experience?

 

I would like to get the name of the person that gave that counseling session.   That is not normal.    

 

CFO can be a bear, but not out of the gate, usually it isn't until the one-on-one that they act that way.

 

https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo.html

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

17 hours ago, GEEPEECEE said:

Wife did the CEBU seminar. It was easy peasy. 

Same...My wife really liked it. She made friends that she still talks to today....

[jm302music 25]

On 11/17/2019 at 8:14 AM, AlaMike said:

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

 

 

So sorry to hear about her terrible experience!  And thank you so much for sharing that so I can let my fiancee know to be ready for it.  And based on what some of the others here have said, we might just try Cebu instead!

 

Joel

[Hank_ 9,174]

There is a CFO office in Clark also and I have not heard any bad reviews.

 

 

Do be prepared   https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo.html

Edited November 18, 2019 by Hank_

[Jfresh26 23]

On 11/17/2019 at 10:14 AM, AlaMike said:

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa.

Once she was checked in and the session actually started that is when the problems started. We has assumed there would be 2 different sessions; 1 for people with Visa's and 1 without. But that was not the case. They put her in with the ones with Visa's? I guess to consolidate? 

The person running the session proceeded to tell her that she had wasted her time by coming and and would have to return anyway. So, why did she even show up and that I was stupid for scheduling without the Visa.

She said they were very rude and kept insisting that since I had been married before and had no children that I "must" have have problem with having children. They also told her that most men in the US are womanizers and abuse their wives, that's why they have so much divorce. 

The counselor told them that murder of US men's wives was common and to expect to be treated like a slave. And told of several instances where Filipino's were murdered by their husbands.

They even went as far to tell her that after she gets her Visa, she will get an envelope that says. "Do not open". But to to open it anyway to see whats inside!

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

Is this common for the session and has anyone had this type of experience?

 

Was this in Manila? Sounds terrifying 😧 I am so sorry you had that kind of experience. I want to warn my fiancee now and possibly look at other places. Did your fiancee have to provide an affidavit of single status for you?

[AFCF 273]

I'm sorry she had to go through this. Was she able to get the person's name? That is so not right. I'd understand if they were just trying to tell her about what happened and what might happen but that wasn't even the case. I've read stories like this as well, always in Manila though...

[AlaMike 231]

No need for proof of single status. There is no such thing since I am USC. Just proof of any divorce.

5 minutes ago, chxakx said:

I'm sorry she had to go through this. Was she able to get the person's name? That is so not right. I'd understand if they were just trying to tell her about what happened and what might happen but that wasn't even the case. I've read stories like this as well, always in Manila though...

 

[AlaMike 231]

At least the Guidance part if done. She just has to return when she gets Visa and get the CFO stamp.