US Embassy Manila Interview

Last February 16, I accompanied my father for his interview at the US Embassy. He is scheduled at 8:30am. Below are some tips:

1. Do not come very early. It is advised that you come at least 15 to 30 minutes before your schedule. Remember, even if the line gets too long, being there at that time of your interview is what matters. Everyone will be accommodated.

2. Senior citizens can be accompanied inside the embassy. Upon presenting the DS-260 and the interview letter, the person at the gate will ask if the person who will be interviewed, specially senior citizens, have someone with them and the reason. Allow the person to be interviewed to answer the reason.

3. Upon arriving outside the embassy, you might be lured at sitting at the available chairs outside. DO NOT. Each one pays P30 for it. I wonder why the police or security guards outside the embassy are not warning the interviewees. Kickback, I guess.

4. Upon arriving at the embassy, there may be some people who will approach you asking if you need assistance. DO NOT entertain them. I saw a man having his photo taken by one of those people. I guess he thought he brought the wrong picture. They charge a lot. I also overheard a man not having a DS-260 and was asked to pay P450 for it.

5. The vendors outside the embassy will act as if giving instructions and reminders to the people in line. Ignore them. If you have any questions, approach a US embassy employee who roams once in awhile to organize the lines. They may seem busy but they respond properly when approached.

6. One DOES NOT need a pen or any writing material inside the embassy. I saw a man being lured to buy a ballpen because he was told by a vendor that sign pens are not accepted inside.

7. DO NOT bring any gadget inside. One will not be allowed to enter. There may be some people outside who will offer their help in safekeeping your gadget. The asking price is P300 up.

8. DO NOT bring food inside. There may be stores inside, but I only saw a donut kiosk.

9. Bring all the necessary document. Do not worry if you do not have the same documents like the other applicants. Remember, each applicant is different. Do not compare your documents, it's not safe.

10. Follow instructions and be attentive.

11. Fall in line all the time. I remember being able to sit only at the last step.

12. Check the embassy website for any advisories or announcements. Come to the interview with the needed information, not only about the possible questions that may be asked of you, but also about the documents that you should bring.

When I became a mom...

1. When I became a mom, I felt more complete. My search for life's meaning led me to a clearer path. Happiness before depended on having material things, spending time with friends, and being able to keep my job. That was before. Now, everything is simple--spending time with the kids, serving them, taking care of them, loving them...

2. When I became a mom, I appreciated my mother more. How I wished she's still alive looking after her grandkids, and somehow telling me that I've been doing the right thing. When I lost my mother, I lost myself. Now, with my kids, everything went into place.

3. When I became a mom, I learned the value of sacrificing. My father has worked for almost 30 years. He left when I was about 2, and I didn't really cared about him when I was growing up. When my mother died, I thought, 'why her?', and now I've found the answer. My father's now 71 and still healthy. His presence has made me realized how important a parent's sacrifice is to his child. It is only then that I felt lucky and how I started to care for what I have now.

4. When I became a mom, I became more concerned with my health. Having three ceasarian operations and a laparascopic cholecystectomy have always left me thinking about my presence for my children. Who will take care of them when I'm gone?

5. When I became a mom, I tried my best to do the right thing in all aspects of life. I do not strive for perfection but I'm trying to be a good example to my kids. It's a continuous struggle.

6. Lastly, when I became a mom, I decided to give my love more without the fear of not being loved in return. Though, I worry about how fast my kids have been growing up, I 've realized that worry is useless. Hence, I must make the most of it. I must give them my time, support, and love.

'A mother's love is infinite, it goes beyond death, it has no limitations. 

A mother's love should not be questioned, should not be forgotten.'