STEP ONE: Filipino-French Wedding Procedure in the Philippines

Initial Step

It's very hard to live away from your loved one.  I've known my soon-to-be husband since over two years ago.  He is from France but is currently working in Martinique Island (French West Indies). We first met personally in 2010 and now we have finally decided to tie the knots this year God willing. 

We know that it is not going to be easy to get married to a foreigner.  It's not even nearly possible for us to get married in France so we decided to do it here in the Philippines because it's easier but it's not really that easy at all.

We have done the first step on our long vacation at the beginning of this year.  We both went to the French embassy which is located at:

16th Floor, Pacific Star Building

Corner Gil Puyat and Makati avenues

1200 Makati City

Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a long time.  We waited just a few minutes before my fiancé's name was called.  We met the lady in-charged for wedding procedures, Miss Audrey HUI BON HOA-CHAN.  She explained to us the wedding procedure.  She gave us some forms to fill-out, my fiancé's in French and mine in English. 

One of the most important requirements for a wedding with a foreigner is his/her Certificate of Legal Capacity to marry which will be issued by his/her embassy.  Miss Chan gave us the list of required documents to compile so that my fiancé will be issued with the said certificate.  She advised me to forward the documents personally to her at least three months before our planned wedding date. 

These are the following documents required for the Certificate of Legal Capacity to be issued:

For the French National:

1. A duly accomplished questionnaire from the embassy
2. A recent (less than 3 months) full text of Birth Certificate
3. Copy of National Identification card or Certificate of Nationality or Biometric passport
4. (If previously married, a court decision of divorce; if widow/er, a certified true copy of death certificate of spouse)
5. Proof of residency or copy of consular certificate if applicable

For the Filipino National:

1. A duly accomplished questionnaire from the embassy
2. Authenticated copy of the full text birth certificate (NSO and DFA)
3. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by NSO
4. Copy of CFO certificate (Commission on Filipino Overseas)
5. Proof of residency in the Philippines
6. Photocopy of 2 ID cards
7. (If previously married, mention of annulment decision on duly authenticated marriage certificate and certified true copy of judgment of marriage annulment; If widow/er, authenticated copy of death certificate of the spouse, Copy of birth certificate of illegitimate children duly authenticated.

My fiancé will compile his documents and I'll do the same for mine and then hopefully we can have everything flowing smoothly.

The rest of the procedures will be posted in the next posts.  If this topic interests you, feel free to follow.

Gratitude...

Three years went rather fast....a lot of things happened and i met many beautiful people and good friends/colleagues and yet just like any other parts of a story, this chapter of my life officially ended today. I wanted to give my appreciation to those who gave my stay at the company a memorable one and this is the least i can do. A BIG thank you to the supervisors i had who supported me, listened to me and showed appreciation to my efforts (you know who you guys are). I wasn't really a "Saint" at work, I talked back to "some" of my superiors, somehow guilty of not giving them good stats at times and even showed attitude too....I'm really sorry but I took the chance I was given (which I am very thankful of) and I won't forget my experiences. It's been a very colorful chapter of my life's story, many ups and downs, many unforgettable conversations, arguments and laughters that still even resound in my head. I've been really busy lately but i took this moment to lay these things down while they are still fresh and while i still have the gusto to let it out :)

To my dearest friends who listened to my stories that are sometimes even repeated, who comforted me and shared with my joys and supported me with my decisions, who made me laugh and sometimes cry out of laughter....thank you guys, I got a long list :) And to those who didn't like me and still don't like me, CONGRATULATIONS you won't see me again but your life won't be the same anymore, damn I'm not there to make your day "MISERABLE"!!!! ***evil laugh*** I'm sure many will miss my red lips (lmao)! Oh! I'm gonna miss the PCM's, SCM's and AU's too and even the persistent TP's, especially those who say "I'm not a happy camper" right at the start of the call!!haha...

I still love Chase!!! and i'm doing its slogan, Chasing what matters!!!!

Thank you everyone!!! See you when I see you :) Hasta la vista!!!

Even Just For Christmas

In just a few hours the world will be filled with exchanged greetings and wishes, fireworks, parties, Noche Buenas (though not for all) and well, people who are at work though they wish they aren't -just like myself, my Dodong Owen and my Fabrice. In over five years that I've been working in a contact center I have almost "always" spent Christmas at the office, I'm not saying there's something wrong with that...just that I wish I can spend it at home with the family, all happy and filled with love and peace. There were a few Christmases like that since I've grown up, yes just a few!

I remember back then when i was a little girl...Mama would always be busy preparing for food, no matter how hard it was to earn she had always made sure there will be a Noche Buena to be shared for Christmas Eve. Nanay was still with us, I still didn't know how "unfair" life can be. Even if Papa has already been in bed I still felt like "we're all happy". Then I grow up.

I don't want to sound unfair and so negative, just a little nostalgic. There are MANY things and blessings to thank for. Change is just being itself, so constant. I can't help but feel the longings of those who i wish can be around or can still be around for a celebration.

It's the second Christmas without Nanay and many years since I have spent Christmas with Titing....oh how i miss that brother!!!!!! Dodong and Fabrice are not here either...mais, c'est la vie.

Sometimes I think of Santa and my wish list:

Even just for Christmas I wish Papa can be healthy again.

Even just for Christmas I wish all my brothers and my sister can be around without any issues.

Even just for Christmas....

I am looking forward for better years with more blessings of good health, love, peace and harmony in the family. Thank God for ALL the countless blessings, the love of the people who care for me and the love i have for them is more than enough to thank for.

Though this Christmas won't be one of those joyfully celebrated Christmases for me and for those who are like me, I wish with all my heart that those who are lucky enough to spend this with their loved ones will enjoy it to the fullest. Even if i'll be at work, in my heart I am joyful because of the gift of good health, love and peace for me, my love ones and good friends.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! May the blessings be shared with the needy...a healing for those who are in pain, a comfort for those who experience loss, peace for those at war, faith for those in doubt, guidance for those who are lost and strength for those who had tragedies. God bless us.