Monday, August 31, 2015

Tips on how to pass the US tourist visa interview

From Hollywood sign,  Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Golden Gate, Las Vegas neon, and the White House to Apple computers and Levi’s to Coca-Cola and hot dogs—these are the images of the United States of America that are familiar everywhere.
 
For EJ  Relampagos no trip 
to New York City is complete 
without a visit to the Statue
 of Liberty—or a ride on the
 Staten Island Ferry or Circle
 Line to ogle the "lady in the
 harbor" from a distance.
 
Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin
steps into style and
sophistication at the
birthplace of New York City.
But before you can see the spacious skies, the shining seas and the gorgeous cities in the beautiful America, you need a visa.
 
For many Filipinos, going to the US even just to pay a visit is the realization of a lifelong dream. Sadly, many Filipino applicants have experienced frustrations and disappointments when trying to obtain a US tourist visa.  
 
If you really want to go to US, then here are some tips on how to pass the US visa.
 
“I have only three tips,” says fashion icon EJ Relampagos, “you must have complete requirements, relax during the interview and smile.”
 
Beauty queen Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin says, “When your turn comes, stay focused, walk towards the assigned window quietly with all documents in hand, greet the consul, listen intently to what he is saying and give personal information and answer questions only when asked.”
 
Leah Tirol-Magno
at San Francisco’s
Lombard Street:
 "The crookedest street in
the world."
Vera Villocido with Eireen
 Ruth Tungol-Navarro at
the Hollywood Walk of Fame
in California.
The Consul will ask basic questions like: ‘What will you do in the US’? ‘How many days you will intend to stay?’ and ‘Where you will be staying  in the US?’
 
Be confident. Nervousness will bring you nowhere so you must act cool and poised.  
 
UB Registrar and accountant Leah Tirol-Magno shares: 1) Fill-out visa application firm properly, clearly, neatly and honestly. Be sure to provide an itinerary of your visit to the US, including the contact person's info, 2) Do not volunteer any information or documents if not asked for, 3) Answer questions honestly and confidently; 4) Be sure all the documents needed are in original or authenticated forms.
 
“Be prepared with proofs,” says Vera Villocido, a documentation specialist.  “Though there are some consuls who would not even take a look at the supporting documents of an applicant, but it is still recommend that you bring documents that will prove you have strong ties in the Philippines to be back.”
 
Your VRS at the Hollywood Sign (formerly the Hollywoodland Sign)
on Mount Lee, a world famous sign and American cultural icon in
Los Angeles, California. 
Here are the US visa application tips from Dustin Bradshaw, Foreign Service officer of the US Embassy in Manila courtesy of GMA News:
 
1.Be honest.
2.Have a good purpose for visiting the US.
3.Have a strong reason to return home to the Philippines.
4.Do not join visa seminars.
5.Visit the US Embassy’s official website.
6.You don’t have to bring your bank documents and land titles.
7.The embassy does not discriminate in choosing applicants.
8.There is no quota per day for number of applicants.
9.It’s easier to be approved for a US visa if you have been to other countries.
10.There is no dress code but applicants should wear decent attire.
11.Be at the embassy 15 minutes before your interview.
 
***
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AR dela Serna joins Misters of Pilipinas 2015

“I want to represent Philippines in the International runways if given the chance. And I know that I'm supported by great people who are with me towards my goals in life.”

Boholano model AR dela Serna is vying
for a title in Misters of 
Pilipinas 2015. Contributed Photo/Dennis Natividad Photography
Thus said AR dela Serna (real name: Alberto Rodolfu), the son of Alberto and former Poblacion 2 barangay captain Glorivic, on his decision to join Misters of Pilipinas 2015, the local pageant that’s responsible for selecting the country’s representative for four international male beauty contests--Mister International, Mr. Tourism International, Mister Model International and Mister Globe.

The 22-year-old model said he felt elated when his name was called during the final callback on July 25 at the Activity Center of Fisher Mall in Quezon City.

“It actually felt relieved and amazed when my number was called during the final screening,” AR told VRS.

According to AR, the screening process was tough.

“It was tough but thank God that I am one of the official candidates for Misters of Pilipinas 2015,” he said.

A month-long activity awaits the candidates in preparation for the big night. 

What are his preparations? “I have received a lot of critics about my physical features. I exert extra efforts in working out. I am also preparing mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually,” he shared.

And how about his diet? “My gym friends are helping me a lot in my dietary plan. I have chicken and a lot of water lately,” said AR.

AR dela Serna (with Mister International 2014 Neil Perez)
on joining the Misters of 
Pilipinas 2015:
 ‘I want to represent Philippines in the International runways
 if given the chance.’ 
Contributed Photo
He said his modeling and acting workshops helped him become more conscious, confident and disciplined-traits he believes can help him in the competition.

AR said he will do his best to represent Bohol in the pageant.

“Lately, I'm inspired by the support of the people around me. I'm just astonished by how people could really help you when you need the utmost help,” he said. “I know that in this journey, as I represent the people of Bohol I have really the support of Bohol.”

He already joined other male beauty pageant in previous years. He won the title Mr Generation East 2013  of  Sta. Lucia Generation East Model Search. He was also declared first runner-up in Mr Philippine Youth in 2002 but he replaced the dethroned Mr. Philippine Youth 2012 Leo Angeles Flores of Parañaque in Nov. 2012.

AR will be competing with other 30 hunks and gorgeous men in the 2015 edition of the Misters of Pilipinas slated on Sept. 13 at Resorts World Manila.

***
Gian Ale wins in The Voice Kids battle rounds
Gian Ale wins in The Voice Kids battle rounds.  Contributed Photo 

Popstar Sarah Geronimo chose Gian Ale of Tagbilaran to move on to the next round of The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2 last week after the intense battle rounds of her team in which Gian Ale defeated Rock Opong and Krystle Campos.

The trio performed the OPM classing song Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.

Lea Salonga chose Gian, while Bamboo Mañalac voted for Rock Opong.

Sarah was left with the difficult choice of keeping one and sending the other home. However, she picked Gian Ale as the winner in the three-way battle.

Gian will move on to the sing-off rounds.

***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

‘Unang Gugma’ is all about poignant love ; ‘Old Warrior’ releases new book

• ‘Unang Gugma’ is all about poignant love
• ‘Old Warrior’ releases new book
 
To start off, what young people today don’t know is that, while the names of the Visayan troubadours Max Surban and the late Yoyoy Villame were making waves in the music industry, there was Boholano singer-composer Emil Loseñada, who made his name in the music world singing Tagalogand Cebuano songs, in--demand for concerts during his younger days in the same way that the likes of Daniel Padilla, Sam Milby and company are today.
 
Emil, who is also known as Milyo Nario, has been in the music industry for six decades yet he remains very relevant in our lives.
 
Emil Loseñada ,Glee Orcullo and Atoy Cosap
 have teamed up to release a new album “Unang Gugma.”
Recently, Emil is now back in the limelight and collaborating with broadcasters Glee Orcullo and Atoy Cosap for their new album Unang Gugma (First Love).
 
Singing is his first love that eventually turned into a lifelong passion. Emil’s top selling albums were Sa Aking Pagbabalik, Its 5am, Ang Iyong Dangal Sayang/Hilo Hilo na Ako,  Matud Mo and Mag-Playing Playing Ta. His major hits were Pasawaya Ko Day (with Dulce), Dolor, Mingbalik AKo, Guhit ng Palad,  Inday, Ikaduhang Bathala and  May Kahati Pala Ako.  Emil also has written songs for other local Philippine recording artists like Max Surban, Willy Garte, Verni Gonzales, Roel Cortez, Butch Ilagan, Del Horest, etc.   His songs were later adapted to films like The Rookies and the Mighty Kids (1987), Ang Nusog at Tatlong Itlog, Bodyguard: Masyong Bagwisa Jr, Boy Tipos and Mga Parung-Parong Bukid.
 
In Unang Gugma, Emil sings Unang GugmaHoney, Uminit Na and Oh Babes.
 
Who knew dyRD’s news anchors Glee and Atoy could sing, too? It shouldn't come as a surprise to us, really, that some of our media friends also happen to be good singers. 

Glee and Atoy are
 gifted with a pretty good singing voice, but can keep an audience glued to the radio just by talking.
 
Glee is no stranger to singing. She showcases her vocal chops when she was a TV host in Cebu City. In Unang Gugma, she writes and sings Ayaw Nagbalik, Bakit Ba and Bakit Ganon Glee sounds as if she’s singing you to sweet slumber with sadness in her heart and caressing you with every word of every line of the songs. Well, all about love and heartaches. Ouch! (Her boyfriend left her for another nilalang, right Sir Peddie B.?—LPU)
 
Atoy has floored listeners with his gentle yet poignant melodies in Unang Gugma. He writes and sings Pahiri , Samtang Nagpitik ning KasingKasing and Kon Sala Man.
 
“The songs we chose for the album are based on our experiences,” Glee told VRS. "Easy listening tunes that most talk about love and heartaches."
 
Unang Gugma album is available at dyRD News Room. You may text/call 0910-135-7858.
 
***
I welcome the month of August with positive notes, high hopes and inspirations. After all, life is beautiful.
 
I have to thank whoever gave me a copy of Old Warrior and Other Poems last year. I opened the book while caught by boredom and I couldn‘t put it down. I was inspired to finish the poems by Dr. Nestor Maniebo Pestelos, a long-time resident of Bohol.
‘Old Warrior’ Dr. Nestor Maniebo Pestelos has released 
his book “Old Warrior’s Poems and the Bohol Quake Assistance Story.”
 
In case you didn’t know, the book’s Foreword will remind you that Nestor didn’t grew up surrounded by books as Emily Dickinson and many other poets were. Neither did he have highly educated parents nor did he have any formal education in poetry. So how do the precise words and phrases seem to flow so effortlessly from his neurons to his pen or to his laptop screen?
 
Dr. Nestor Pestelos earned his Master of management Degree from the Asian Institute of Management under the UNICEF scholarship and pursued successfully a doctorate degree on educational management at the University of Bohol. He organized the Bohol Local Development Foundation (BLDF) to serve as partner of government in implementing programs and projects under the theme poverty reduction and sustainable development.
 
According to Nestor, his poems assumed another dimension as it paved way to build more core houses to benefit those rendered homeless by the quake on Oct 15, 2013.
 
Last month, Nestor has released the book “Old Warrior’s Poems and the Bohol Quake Assistance Story” with Australian-based writer Milwida Sevilla-Reyes, a former classmate of Nestor at the Quezon National High School in Lucena.
 
The 227-page book, twice the size of the previous “Old Warrior and Other Poems,” has added a part two which documents the experiences of BLDF, the non-government organization headed by Nestor. Publication of the new book was made possible through a cash donation by Corazon Maxino Verzosa, a realtor in Metro Manila.
 
Proceeds from the sale of the book will help enable BLDF implement its new initiative, the youth livelihood and drug rehabilitation project.
 
Copies of the book are available at Crescenia Café, Baclayon Food Station, in Poblacion, Baclayon and Darunday Manor in Tagbilaran City. You can call Florencia Gilay-Pestelos at (038)- 540 9327 and 09173041484; Email: fgpestelos@yahoo.com;  Lorena Sensen Balala- 09353635241; and Romulo Pasco- 09173066158; Email: glennmoli@yahoo.com.ph).
 
Oops!!! Before I get carried away, let me share with you some entries (only the printable ones) from Old Warrior and Other Poems:
 
In Old Warrior he writes:
Gone are the trenches
Gone are the nightly vigils
Gone are the songs to occupy poem-bullets.
 
In Silence he writes:
I remember the silence of roses in your eyes
And this longing you wrap it like a shawl
Around your frail body
In rain or sunshine.
 
In Afternoon Rain, he writes:
Yes, as raindrops disappear
And the sky seeks a new reason for being
The afternoon remains puzzled
In these desperate moments of missing you.
 
Anyway, the poems are introspective and insightful.  As I said, it will make you think that life is beautiful.
 
Thank you, Sir Nestor for sharing your poems!
 
***
 
They happen about…once in a blue moon
 
Boholanos living in some parts of Bohol missed out on Friday night's full moon, but some residents of Tagbilaran City had a spectacular view of the 'blue moon' as it lit up the sky briefly.
 
Wet and cloudy weather was to blame in Visayas region, where the Pag-asa said the blue moon began at 6:45pm.
 
The Blue Moon was briefly seen in Bohol province.  Photo  by Leo P. Udtohan


Tagbilaran was also predicted to miss out due to bad weather, but the moon was pictured revealing itself through rain clouds for some minutes before it disappeared.
 
Like other sky-gazers, Glendon Villagonzalo, 14, a grade eight student of Cogon High School enjoyed the unusually brief blue moon.
 
“I thought I could not see the moon because of the bad weather but I am very happy I got a glimpse of it,” said Villagonzalo.
 
Joshua Galleros, 16, a grade six pupil of Booy South Elementary School in Tagbilaran missed tonight’s celestial phenomenon. When he went outside to check the moon, it was covered with clouds.
 
Blue moons aren’t actually blue, but they are as rare as the saying goes.
 
Each month has one full moon. But, every once in a while the cycle of the moon and our calendar match up to give us two full moons in a month. The second full moon in a month is commonly referred to as a blue moon—this July, the first full moon was on July 2, and the second full moon is on July 31.
 
 The famous phrase "once in a blue moon" means rare or seldom.  It’s not because of the color of the moon, but because of how often you see two full moons in one month, according to NASA’s National Space Science and Data Center.  
 
The next blue moon will be in January 2018.



***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

BOHOL CHRONICLE, AUGUST 2, 2015 ISSUE