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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on May 28, 2009: |
Aimee and Albert
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Everything went fine with the consulate officer. Except that it was a long wait period. There were so many people there. I arrived 715am., and I was done with the process at 1215pm. So to all of you having an interview in the Manila US Embassy, allow yourself probably 4-5 hours of total wait and processing times.
There was a pre-screener who was more meticulous than the consul. The pre-screener asked for our evidence (emails, chats, pictures, etc.)The consul pretty much asked me questions from our forms like he was using them as a guide. Pretty much information from our biographic forms.
Oddly enough, the pre-screener didn't ask for our other original documents. But, that's not to say that you should not bring them. It's still a good idea to bring those documents because you might encounter a pre-screener or consul who is different. In other words, just come prepared.
My overall experience was that it was tiring. Just a long process. But it was worth the wait.
On another note, there is a number system that doesn't seem to make sense since the numbers that are posted on the number indicators were displayed randomly. So you would have to keep your eyes open so as to not miss your number being displayed.
There may be two instances for you to be called. For the Pre-screening, your number will flash. For the fingerprint scan, your name will be called. However, your number will be used for the entire process.
For the fingerscanning, the machine had trouble recognizing my prints because it was too cold in the US Embassy. So bring a jacket or sweater. 
After the interview, I had wait to be released and receive my pink slip. Which took for about 5 minutes.
They gave me the evidences back and instructed me on how to pay for the visa courier.
Overall, a long wait. Just be prepared to wait 4 or more hours.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #4465