just want to share my CFO seminar experience... i attended the seminar as a requirement for the renewal of my passport... i went to CFO website to check on the time schedule for the seminars... and ive decided to attend the 1:30pm session.. http://www.cfo.gov.ph/.
in the CFO website i found the nearest place for me to get the seminar from... since im from quezon city, ive chosen SMEF-COW which is located in Araneta Avenue Cubao.. its infront of PSBA school and along St. Bridget School, and just beside the katipunan LRT station... both near Katipunan area ( where ateneo, miriam, and UP are nearby located ) this is their website... http://www.smef-cow-phil.org/ (location so easy to find)i got there 20 minutes before 1:30pm last august 23...
as soon as u enter the good shepherd convent gate, there's no way that you'd missed their building since its just behind the gate, its the first thing that you'd see as u enter the gate... i hurriedly went inside and they let me filled-out some forms (had my ID's and old passport photocopied) and paid 250.00 pesos.. then, after filling out the forms (make sure u know ur husband's address, phone numbers, educational attainment, job and all that), they asked me to stand infront of the webcam to take my picture for the certificate that will be given later on.... then after that... went upstairs to watch a film showing about domestic violence... took maybe around 15to 20 minutes, then had a 30 minute discussion afterwards...
then... after that session, they asked us to go to the respective rooms (depends on the country youre going) to have the seminar proper... group discussion about american culture, adjustments, visa's and everything that you need to tackle moving to the US... then the one on one session follows....during the one on one... they asked how we met... how long have we been dating before marriage... if he's divorced, what are the reasons... even asked a copy of divorce decree.. good thing i brought it with me... the counselor is very accomodating... a little bit strict but, she jokes around once in a while....then, after that she will give u ur information sheet that u filled out earlier and give it downstairs to the lobby... their they will give you your blue certificate...
then you have to photocopy the certificate, and go to the CFO office just behind their building... in the CFO office, you will have to give your photocopy of blue certificate, copy of your visa (if you already have your visa), your passport and your payment 400.00 pesos... then you have to wait til they give your passport back together with your receipt and your green/yellow certificate and will be asked to sign their logbook... for me they said that a photocopy of that certificate is what i need for the DFA requirement... and that i have to go back when i already have my visa so they can put the sticker in my passport!!!! (that is the most important thing!!) i just have to show my certificates... fill out another form from the SMEF-COW and give it to CFO, and a copy of my visa!!!! that was it!! finished the same day at around 5pm...
was so hungry after, so better come with full tummy for the entire session!we were around 10-15 people at the film showing, and trimmed down to 7 in the seminar proper... they can accomodate so much more than that, so no need for appointments... just be there on time!!!
the seminar is very informative, im sure you'd pick up some tips from them when it comes to luggages, what to bring and not, how much weight and dimensions...and so many other things!good luck to you all!!! God bless you!!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
august 23, 2007... my cfo experience...
Our Very Funny Wedding Day!!!
Quezon City Memorial Circle
Our journey was never easy…like most of us here… it all started in a very unexpected, yet so ordinary way… yes, we may find acquaintances and even a start of a very lasting friendship online, but a few brave ones would go on for the lasting tying the knot kind of relationship…. Yes, like what you guys did! We tied the knot…
After 2 years and 5 months of getting to know each other, hi hello’s , my likes and dislikes, unstoppable imissyou’s and iloveyou’s, we tied the knot!! Yes! We did!!
That day when he came back to the Philippines after a year of our first meeting… We both know that this is the moment we’re waiting for.. this is it!!!he always say… YOU’RE IT!! We are in it! We prepared all the necessary papers needed for our civil wedding, the very next day he landed, after catching up with lost times of not being together of course (wink)… it was all worth the wait… but you know how it feels when you haven’t been with your love for the longest time…. ITS NEVER ENOUGH!!! Hahahhaha… yeah, was never enough!
July 05, 2007 – woke up early morning… got ready… butterflies in our stomach… we went straight to MAX’s resto in Quezon city circle ( to have the wedding and reception at the same time… so no need to go anywhere!! ) we waited for our ninong’s and ninang’s (witnesses) and the minister… one by one they came… and so the ceremony began…say I do’s… the funny part in that wedding was…. LOL… we were caught off guard.. we know that it’s a very very simple way of saying I do’s…. and we never expected that the minister would ask us say our own VOWS to each other… we were like looking at each other laughing… giggling… so I started…i told him my love.. my care till death do us part.. even remember saying that made everyone laugh…. “NO DIVORCE OK?!” hahahha… and the witnesses were saying at the background!! Oh yeah Go grace!!! No divorce!! My husband was laughing, I know he was just trying not to blurt the LMAO kind…but at least so happy to see him smiling J…. He was never really prepared for the vow… he doesn’t like being caught off guard.. all I can remember him saying is that “I love you sooooo much… and will always be there to take care of you…”awwwwwe…. So short yet touched my heart in a very special special way….
Well… the main blooper of our wedding was when the minister stopped in the middle of the ceremony just to say…. “Ahhhmmmm…. I just want to tell you that there’s another 5000.00 pesos fee for the paper works…” (what the heck??? I was like in shocked!! My husband was so afraid to say NO thinking that the minister will stop the ceremony… geeeeeeeez… if only looks could kill.,.. man… that minister is sooooooo dead…anyways… after paying him another 1500.00 which was the agreed payment at first… we paid 4000.00 again.. geeeeez.. we had bargained for a thousand less) that was a total ripped-off!!!
But at the end of it all!!!! We’re married! And that’s all that matters… we paid max’s around 4thousand… so much food… even had doggy bags.. J only 10 attended our wedding but its all worth it.. pictures were taken (of course!!! Very important… proofs remember???) well… enjoy some of the pictures below… and may our love story inspire you guys out there who are in the same boat as we are...
More to come… wedding was just the beginning of our married life… and now we are… Husband and Wife….
“Love Never Fails”
