BECOMING a PERMANENT RESIDENT of CANADA

How I miss updating this blog..I can't think of anything to update..and busy schedule on my job can't get me here but now I'm trying my best.. and as long as we are happy with what we are doing..thats it.. this is life! I certainly believe that if you want to be grateful for everything that you do and for how far you've become you will reflect on it regularly. I have had a quite ride in my journey here in the land of Maple Leaf, been lots of ups and down.. adapting to a new culture and to a new country takes a lot of patience, adjustment and time..but this is my Canada Dream.. 
how my Canada dreams come true, and how I become a Permanent Resident in Canada?

Canada is one of the country that every Filipino's dream of, a country with lots of opportunity..yes its true..because no matter what you are.. regardless of your age, your appearance, even though you have disability as long as you can work in other words as long as you can do the job, as long as your body can..work is not hard to find( don't be like choosy though😄)..After your hard works you have lots of money to pay off your bills and send to the Philippines! Yeheee..

For me applying in Canada is not that easy. Especially in Philippines that Canadian Embassy is very strict in terms of screening applicants.. but we cannot blame them though they only wants what is best for there country. In Canada everything should pass by right procedure. You have to be true to the government, lies and violations is not allowed, otherwise you will be banned and deported to your country of origin. 

Some says that the easiest way to come to Canada is to marry a Canadian Citizen..absolutely true tayo jan..to make the story short I got my Permanent Residency through my husband which falls in a Family/Spouse Sponsorship category. Because I unexpectedly meet my Canadian husband the love of my life, now I'm a Permanent Resident of Canada. I met my husband online through Singles Around Me..for 8 months knowing each other He came down in the Philippines to marry me. And It takes us only 6 months for the entire process for me to get my VISA.. lots of hard works and patience but its worth the wait. We applied for Sponsorship April of 2016 and was approved October very early to what we expect.. Below is the summary of our entire process.

THIS IS MY TIMELINE
AOR-Acknowledgement Official Receipt, SA- Sponsor Approve, PPR- Passport Request,
PP- Passport, CEM- Canadian Embassy, DM, Decision Made, VOH- Visa On Hand, IP- In Process

Visa on hand by October of 2016 but I decided to fly to Canada on February of 2017, a week before the expiration of my visa. Thank God for all the Blessings. God has been more than a kind and I am grateful for all the joy, experiences and learning it has giving me in making my Canada Dream comes true.

Experience with IOM Manila Health Center

After 3 years of being away with each other, We are now decided to process my application prior to  my coming to Canada. To start of we prepare all our needed requirements including our pictures and conversations from the start of our relationships. Its a kind of stressful though but it is worth of happiness after accomplishing everything.
One of my requirement is to have my e-medical certificate to go through to our whole application process. Citizenship and Immigration Canada provide a list  of  Panel of Physician. Since  I am new to all of this process I have to search online if what is the best place to have my medical. I decided to go to IOM Manila Health Center, 15th Floor, Units A&B Trafalgar Plaza,105 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, 1227

I will share with you everything you must do and everything you must not do before during and after the medical examination.

NOTE: That only a Panel of Physician authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada can do the Medical Examination

 

Make an appointment with IOM  

You have to make an appointment by calling them or by email. Since I'm in Iloilo I made an early appointment just to make sure I can get the schedule for the day I will be in Manila. I send my e-mail to IOM on January 24, 2016 they send me a confirmation  for my scheduled appointment January 25 with requirements needed for medical examination    

• Landline numbers:  +(63 2) 883-9333/ +(63 2) 511-8770
• Smart mobile: +(63 2) 0919 993 4667 
• Globe mobile: 0917 593 4688
• Fax number: +(63 2) 883-9377
• E-mail address: mhc.can@iom.int 
  

Before you go to IOM please bring with you all the documents needed

•  Request letter from Immigration Canada (CIC) that requires the client to undergo medical exam
•  Valid and original passport
•  2 Government issued I.D. 
•  NSO Birth Certificate
•  1 photocopy of each requirements
•  5 recent passport size photos
•  pertinent medical report if applicable

NOTE: If you will go with the upfront medical examination, the first requirement is not needed anymore

        FEES:
              Php 7,500 - for 15 years old and above
              Php 3,500 - for 11 to 14 years old
              Php 2,500 - for 0 - 10 years old
                
Tip: Please bring extra cash with you because sometimes they will ask for additional test. Mine I paid another 400 for creatinine, this happen when your Blood Pressure is high. Thanks God! it turns back to normal  when the Doctor check it again.. but feel so sorry coz I paid it already.. so relax and feel comfortable...
                    
NOTE: Please print a copy of confirmation that IOM send you and bring it with you on your schedule of medical..

 Here is why..
 
At the Day of Medical
  
Hubby and I go to IOM Manila Health Center early in the morning at 6:30 am just to make sure we can get a priority number so that we will finish early. The guard can't find my name on the list  because the staff  who received my e-mail forgot to put my name on the list. I'm glad that I printout a copy of my confirmation so I handed it to  him , the guard instructed us to go inside the clinic and wait. Since the clinic will open at 8:00am we go down for a while to have our breakfast. When we're back at the clinic the guard gave me my priority number ...its already number 70.. very upset! but the lady next to me says its OK your still close because the number for Canada start at 60 already.

There are two reception area once you get inside the clinic on the left side right next to the door is for UK and on the right side opposite to the entrance is for CANADA 

Finally my number was called in the reception area I handed all my documents. Please bring pen with you because you have to sign a couple of documents and finally they took picture for their data files.


Note: No fasting is required and no specimen sample to be bought

Medical Procedure based on my experience ( you just have to wait because they will call your name)

1. X-ray
2. Urinalysis ( urine sample)
3. Blood extraction, checking of vision, height, weight, and a few questions about medical history 
4. Physical Examination by the Doctor( checking of eyes, ears,throat,tongue, stomach, and checking of chest using stethoscope

 Medical Examination Done.... What's Next?
  
The whole procedure finished at around 11:30am. I went back to the reception area, and the person assigned said that my x-ray was OK then he gave me a piece of paper with numbers to call if I want to follow up my medical result after 7 days. He then informed me that the result will be forwarded directly to the embassy within 21 days if there is no problem with the examination result.


So far so good... The staff are very nice, my experience with IOM is fine...
I don't have any problem with them...Good luck Everyone..Feel free to ask...

BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS 2016

Getting older is fun when it is done with awesome people

This past year of my life has been so meaningful in many ways..

personally and spiritually.. with family and friends who stick on my foot through thick and thin. I learned  a lot about myself  during this year.. 

I learned how hard it is to walk away from people and even those who wrong you or tie you into the knots of their life. I learned a lot about communications and love. I learned about the value of commitment for everything. And most of all I learned that I am much braver and stronger than I am ever been. I want to take a moment to thank God for everything that He have done,

been and ever will be. It was a great year that change my life, and I know that it can only improve and better with age. 

Life is all about God, Family,  and dreams at the moment.

This another  year of my life is a year of renewal...a year of growth and

a year of enlightenment..I wish for this next year of my life full of surprises

with the lots of happiness and smiles. I hope I can find another year plenty of sweet memories to cherish forever. I just want to thank everyone and to let anyone knows how wonderful it is to have you all in my life. Thank you so much for the kind words and wishes on my birthday! I really  appreciate it so much. Thanks hubby for making my day so special even though we are thousands of miles apart.. God is good.. It will be the best gift ever...soon.

A Tongue Has No Bone But It Can Break a Heart

"Thinking is difficult...that is why most people judge"

"Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity,
      Say only what you mean" 

"Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others." 

"Use the power of your mouth in the direction of truth and love."

"Not all words fit to their meanings.
     Sometimes what is said is not what is meant,
         and    what it meant is left unsaid " 

"I can't take back the words I never said."

"Words don't have the power to hurt you,
     unless the person who said them means a lot to you."

"You can't take back words you've already said,
      and you can't take back someone's tear that already shed."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,
       people will forget what you did, but people will never forget
           how you made them feel"  by Maya Angelou  

"Who are you to judge people without knowing them ." 

"Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out."

"Don't try to fix me I'm not broken." 

"Ignore those people who's always talking behind your back
      That's where they belong, just behind your back." 

"If you cannot be positive, then at least be quiet."  by Joel Osteen

"You cant expect to live a positive life around negative people."

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word
     the same is a perfect man,
        and able also to bridle the whole body."  book of James 3

"The tongue is only a small parts of the body but busteth great things."

"You learned the two greatest things in life, 
      never rats on your friends, 
         and always keep your mouth shut."  by Robert De Niro

" Be careful with words. Once they are said,
       they can only be forgiven, not forgotten."

"One of the most beneficial things Ive ever learned
       is how to keep my mouth shut."   by Eric Clapton 

"We have two ears and one mouth so that 
       we can listen twice as much as we speak."  by Epictetus

"Why did God give me two ears and one mouth..
      so that i will hear more and talk less."  by Leo Roste 

"Don't mix bad words with your bad mood. 
     You'll have many opportunities to change a mood, 
         but you'll never get the opportunity
              to replace the words you spoke."

"Be careful with your words. Once they are said, 
      They can only be forgiven, but not forgotten."

My CFO Guidance and Counseling Experience

Fiances, spouses and partners of foreign nationals are required to attend A Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling seminar in order to secure a Guidance and Counseling certificate (GCC) and  a registration sticker. The (Commission on Filipino Overseas) certificate is one of the requirements for applying a new passport or if you want to renew your passport using your husband's surname for the first time. 

I set an online appointment from the website one month earlier just to make sure I can get a 9:00 am slot for March 3, 2015. Fill out everything and follow the instruction and then they email me my appointment schedule with Bar Code to print out. Bring the bar coded form with you during your seminar. If you wish to know the slots in your country of destination  schedules are available here. 

Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) location : Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue cor. Osmeña Highway (South Super Highway), Manila, Philippines 1007

CFO provides a   LIST  of  their requirements however, I brought with me additional documents such as photo copies of our birth certificates, and my 2 IDs  using my husband surname, photocopy of my husband legal capacity to marry from the Canadian Embassy, photos of us together for good measure. 

Note: Student driver license is not accepted.

I went to CFO with my hubby. We travel from Malate going to CFO in a hurry because I want to be there early but heavy traffic ruined my day. My hubby is not allowed inside so, he just waited outside until I finished. 

Upon arrival, I head straight to the security guard and handed my requirements and he told me to go to the reception area where a staff  validate my appointment schedule. He ask me one valid ID and I gave my Postal ID. I was given a pink ID with a letter F on it. I'm not sure what it exactly signifies for. He told me to proceed to the 3rd floor.To make it fast I used the stairs instead of elevator. 

On the 3rd floor I enter the room next to the stairs I give all the requirements to the lady original and photocopy since I only have 2 IDs with my hubby surname and since I already give my postal ID on the reception area then I use my student permit but sad to know they did not accept it, so i ask if its OK that I will give my SSS ID with my family name as single since I didn't update it yet to my married status. I'm quite  relax because they accepted it. Then the lady handed me a form to fill out. Then after I finish handed it back to her. He ask me some few questions like my husband s name and birthday. The lady had picture taken digitally and told me to proceed to room 2. 

I was in doubt because the room number is 2 but the name posted outside the door is Europe  when I enter the room there was 10 people already when I came in and to make sure if I'm in the right room I ask the person behind me and yes I am.

We were 15 in the actual seminar room with only one man in attendance; the rest were women. I know everybody is nervous when a person who enter our room to conduct the seminar looks like very strict and he admit he is but for me he is nice though. He start calling out names from a handful of forms he was holding and handed the form back for some corrections. The lecture start almost 10:00 am already and started by introducing oneself. The seminar is very useful and discuss lot of topics, the Do and Don't which you can apply when you arrive in your country of destination. Some are only after for the certificate but i think both are very important.

After the lecture we go for a one-on-one interview. He ask me 4 questions. Some of the questions are base on the information that I wrote on the form

     1. What dating site did I met my husband
     2. Did we talk with my husband that he will not divorce me
     3. Where did we get married when and where?
     4. Name of the judge who did the civil right

After the interview he told me  to proceed to the payment and releasing area at the ground floor.

Since we have registered beforehand, our documents have been forwarded already to the cashier for further processing while we were attending the seminar. Once the fee is paid, and an official receipt is issued, wait for the Certificate of Attendance to be released.

,

                                           My CFO certificate

Birthday Prayer for Myself

Its another year of my Life... What makes this day so special...

Is it because I am one more year older?

Is it because I survived one more year of my Life?

or Is it because I consider myself one more year wiser?

I am Blessed enough for I have a  God who always

guide me..everyday of my life.

I have a very loving husband..even though we are not together now..but he always put a smile on my face every time we talked.

I have a very supportive brother and sisters who always with me through thick and thin..I am very thankful for the bond we have.

Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful siblings.

My good friends and family who always there through out my life. Thank you for all the people who remembered me today by sending prayers and good wishes. Thank you for all the experience of this past year; for times of success which will always be happy memories, for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness and of my need for you, for times of joy when the sun was shining, for times of sadness which drove me to you. Forgive me for the hours I wasted, for the chances I failed to take, for the opportunities I missed this past year. Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet, and through it to bring good credit to myself, happiness and pride to my loved ones, and joy to you. Amen.

I am grateful to God for the gift of life, I am void without him. Also thankful to my earthly parents for nurturing me into the better person I am today.

Be An Inspiration

What is really inspired us?  There are lot of things that can gave us inspirations--
seeing our friends and families accomplish great things and overcome adversity in Life..In other words be happy for your family and friends..for what they are, and where they are now..

Think Positive.. be an Inspiration...

I believe that if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you're grateful, you will see God open up new doors..