Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: General Review
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
August 2, 2013 |
| Embassy Review : |
Had my interview yesterday, August 01, 2013 (my lucky day!) USEM called me a week before the original schedule I made online, July 31st. They cancelled the appointment and luckily August 1st is available.
My mom and I stayed at Best Western La Corona Hotel the night before my interview. Had only 2 hours of sleep LOL, then got dressed at 5am. Ate a little, and of course had a cup of coffee to help me get through the day. Called my fiance and told me to do breathing exercise before I go hahaha (breathe in and breathe out)It helps I swear!
At 5:45am we arrived at USEM. Took a taxi from the hotel and gave the driver 100 (genorisity in the morning - good vibes!!) WOW.. I was really surprised when I came to USEM, the line was crazy long! I asked people around for K1 applicants line. Then a street vendor assisted me to a line near the footbridge and gave a me chair, some brochures and asked me to pay 30 pesos! My mom stayed on the other side and mingled with other chaperons. Gave her my cellphone and perfume and made sure I have no candies on my bag LOL.
It was almost 7am when we were asked to proceed near the checking area. The greeters in blue shirts checked on our DS Forms and gave us a plastic ziplock for our passport. Then went through a scanner machine to check our things, then to the ticket booth where we were given a number. Inside the waiting area, all K1 applicants were asked to occupy one area. The greeters advised us to double check our DS Forms and make sure not to leave any blanks. For DS 156, question 40, if you prepare it yourself, you should out your details and sign it, instead of putting N/A. And for DS 156k, do not sign yet the form. I asked one of the greeters if I can sign it, and she said yes. Then after few secs one of them announced that we should not sign it yet UGH!!!!
The greeters get all the forms and gave it to Window 39. After 2 and a half hours I was called for biometrics. It was an American Consul, he's so nice and greeted me happy birthday haha! For Biometrics, you should say your full name and birth date. Then do the finger scanning (first 4 fingers of the left hand, then first 4 fingers of the right, then last, both thumbs)
After 2hrs again, I was called for Pre-Screening. But before that, we were all asked to go inside the building. On window 19, it was a male Filipino consul who did the pre-screening. He was so serious, he first asked for my name, birthday, then asked for my pertinent docs and affidavit of support. Then, while checking on my papers, he asked me how me and my fiance met, When was the last time we've seen each other and how many times he came to visit me. Lastly, he asked for our photos. Gave him my album and he checked every pictures. I was waiting for him to ask emails and other eveidences like money transfers and itineraries receipts but he didn't. He gave me back my album and told me to take a seat.
While waiting for my final interview, I heard some K1 applicants who messed up with their pre-screening interview. Someone said a wrong number of his fiance's children and when she realized it was wrong she tried to correct it but the female filipino consul rejected her explanation. Another K1 applicant forgot to bring the form I-134 and it seems like she really don't know about it.
At 12noon we were asked to take our lunch break. i went outside to see my mom and I felt sorry for her. She was so hungry like me haha. We went to Slice and Dice and ate for only 30minutes because we were asked to go back at 12:45noon.
At exactly 12:45 I was able to get inside the building and noticed some people didn't take their lunch. Wheee.. While waiting, the american consul at window 34 raised his voice over a male k1 applicant and accused him of fraudelent act. The guy lied about his tourist application year 2007. Aw! That's not good..
Around 2pm, finally my number was called for the american consul interview. I was smiling already when I get near his window. He said, "its a very long day huh" LOL.. So, after oath taking, he asked me how we met. Geez.. It such a wonderful moment talking to him. It feels like I was talking with my clients when i was still working (I used to be a sales agent/telemarketer and customer rep. in 5 BPO's in Pampanga and Makati) Our conversation went so smooth, he was laughing at me when I explained how my fiance fell inlove with me. Then, after few minutes he asked me to take my seat and gave me a brochure for domestic violence. I asked him if I was approved, he said "not yet" I insisted and said "
Me: I should know
American Consul: Why (he's smiling)
Me: Smiling too.. LOL "its my birthday tomorrow"
American Consul: "oh wow, its my daughter's birthday too tomorrow, happy birthday!!"
Me: Thank you sir!
American Consul: "hmm, okay you are approved! happy birthday again!
Me: Almost in tears, and didn't noticed iw as talking loud already " thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I took my seat and tried to hole back the tears haha, when suddenly my number flashed on the screen again, same window. But I just ignored it. Then after few minutes, it was flashed again, SAME WINDOW!! I hurriedly run to his window, and got nervous, thought he changed his kind LOL. But to my surprised, he said" oh hi, you're still fine, i just wanna see you again and greet you happy birthday!"
Oh Geez! I was so thankful to GOD, Iloveyou LORD!! After my name was called for the releasing window 72, I went outside running to my mom and tried to hold back the tears..
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| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0