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CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Most Filipinos believe that their ticket to success is to go abroad and one of these
countries is the United States. Through the years, Filipinos have dreamt and acquire
visas. The unstable economic and political situation in the Philippines is one of the
reasons why most educated and highly skilled Filipinos prefer to work abroad.
In order to visit the United States a visa is required. A visa document that has
been seen"[ is a document issued by a country giving an individual permission to formally
request entrance to the country during a given period of time and for certain purposes see
and usually stamped or glued inside of a passport, or sometimes issued as separate pieces
of paper.1 If you’re a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you’ll need a visa to enter
the United States. A visa doesn’t permit entry to the U.S., however. A visa simply
indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an
American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you’re eligible to
enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S.
Department of State.

This is what applicants must do when they apply for visitor visas:

• Complete and sign the required application forms;


• Bring evidence that their visit is temporary and that they will leave the United
States after their legally authorized stay; and

• Undergo security clearance procedures2

1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_(document)
2
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/whatis/index.html

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Background of the Study

During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the rise of
urban tourism in the United States represented a major cultural transformation wherein its
concerns are urban space, leisure, and commercialization. By 1890s, New York,
Washington, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco attracted a large number of tourists. These
large cities have experienced a dramatic increase in residents.

In 1915, Urban Tourism became a profitable industry as the number of tour agencies,
guidebook publishers, railroad passengers, and travel writers grew at a fast pace. Soon,
the development of hotels with leisure complexes has become popular development. The
revolution of air travel between 1945 and 1969 contributed greatly to tourism in the
United States.

Presently, the tourism in the United States is a large industry that serves millions of
international and domestic tourists yearly. Tourist visits the United States to see natural
wonders, cities, historic landmarks, gambling avenues, and theme parks. Americans seek
similar attractions as well as recreation and vacation.

In order for a tourist to visit the United States, they should acquire first their visa.
United States Visas are used by foreign nationals visiting every year. There are different
kinds of visas; however we shall deal with Tourist Visas only.

A visa may be denied for a number of reasons, including (but not limited to) if the
applicant:

• has committed fraud or misrepresentation in his or her application


• has a criminal record or has criminal charges pending
• is considered to be a security risk
• cannot prove to have strong ties to their current country of residence
• intends to permanently reside or work in the country she/he will visit if not
applying for an immigrant or work visa respectively
• does not have a legitimate reason for the journey
• has no visible means of sustenance
• does not have travel arrangements (i.e. transportation and lodging) in the
destination country
• does not have a health/travel insurance valid for the destination and the duration
of stay
• does not have a good moral character
• is applying on short notice
• had their previous visa application(s) rejected and cannot prove that the reasons
for the previous denials no longer exist or are not applicable anymore

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• is a citizen of a country with whom the host country has poor or non-existent
relations
• has a communicable disease, such as tuberculosis
• has previous visa/immigration violations
• has a passport that expires too soon
• didn't use a previously issued visa at all without a valid reason (e.g. a trip
cancellation due to a family emergency)

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Statement of the Problem

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Significance of the Study

This study shall benefit the following:


 College of Hospitality and Tourism Management College-
 Future Visa Applicants-
 Travel Agencies-
 Tourism Students-

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Assumptions of the Study

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Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study focuses mainly on tourist visa applicants only and also the number of
co-researchers is limited to five different respondents.

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Definition of Terms

Co-researchers-
Insights-
Profile-
Eidetic Analysis-

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CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND STUDIES

New Guidelines on dual citizenship out soon-BI


US Embassy using biometrics system for
Visa applications
Tips for obtaining a visitor’s Visa
Obtaining a Visitor Visa: the application procedure
State Department promises to be fair and respectful
to visa applicants.
How to handle your visa interview

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CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

Research Approach

Qualitative research is used in this study. Qualitative research is a field of inquiry


that crosscuts disciplines and subject matters. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-
depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior.
Qualitative research relies on reasons behind various aspects of behavior. Simply put, it
investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, and when. Hence,
the need is for smaller but focused samples rather than large random samples, which
qualitative research categorizes data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and
reporting results. Qualitative researchers typically rely on four methods for gathering
information: (1) participation in the setting, (2) direct observation, (3) in depth
interviews, and (4) analysis of documents and materials.

The term qualitative research is most often used in the social sciences in contrast
to quantitative research.

In its most basic form, phenomenology is the study of the consciousness from a
first-person perspective, as opposed to, but not exclusive of, a third-person perspective
like the neurological perspective. It is the attempt to reflect on pre-reflexive experience to
determine certain properties of, or structures in, consciousness.

Co-researcher’s Description and Selection Techniques

The Process of Gathering Lived Experiences

Interview Guide:
1. Why did you apply for a visa?
2. When did you apply for a visa?
3. How long did you plan to stay in the u.s.?
4. Where do you plan to stay?
5. Do you have any friends or relatives there?
6. What about your work? Did you leave your work behind?
7. How did you feel when you were interviewed?
8. How long was the interview?

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9. What did they ask?
10. Were you denied for a visa? If yes, how many times? And what was your initial
reaction and how did you feel?
11. How many times have you applied for a visa?
12. Do you know the reason why you got denied?
13. Have you ever thought of staying for good in the u.s.?
14. How long did it take for you to acquire your visa?
15. In your opinion was getting a visa as hard as they say?
16. Did you hire an agent to help you? If yes, how much did you pay for it? If no, why
not?
17. Do you think it helps when you hire an agent?
18. Did you happen to make friends with other fellow visa applicants?
19. Was your expectation high that you'd get a visa?

Intersubjective Validity

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CHAPTER 4 REFLECTIONS ON STORIES OF APPLYING FOR A TOURIST
VISA

The Narratives of Co-Researchers

Co-Researcher Myra

Jen: So, Ma’am Ramos when did you apply for a visa?

Mrs. Ramos: I applied way back, *pause* My first time to apply was way back in 2001,
I was denied.

Jen: How many times?

Mrs. Ramos: The second time that was 2002, I was again denied, then the 3rd time I
applied again in 2007, so that was the time I was given a 5 year visa, I applied 3times.

Jen: But, you were denied two times?

Mrs. Ramos: First two times, yes.

Jen: So, What was the reason you applied for a visa?

Mrs. Ramos: Well, the 1st time, honestly all my family were in the States so they asked
me if I could apply for a tourist visa. And then afterwards I was going to look for a job
and if ever I found the job, I would stay there, if not I would go back to the Philippines,
that was the main reason for the 1st two times, for the 3rd time I applied, It was because I
want to visit my mom because she was sick, so that’s my reason, maybe that’s why they
have given me the visa.

Jen: Where did you plan to stay to visit your family?

Mrs. Ramos: My family was in the East Coast particularly in New Jersey, so I was
planning to visit them; I also wanted to visit my friends in West Coast, California.

Erika: Ma’am, did you apply for a visa twice in a year?

Mrs. Ramos: The 1st time was 2001, or 2002 maybe the 2nd one the following year.

Jen: How long did you plan to stay in New Jersey?

Mrs. Ramos: The 1st two times I was planning to stay for 2months and then this last time
I only stayed for 2months.

Jen: So, when you we’re being interviewed in the US embassy how did you feel?

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Mrs. Ramos: Of course I was nervous, because you didn’t know what to expect, so it’s
kind of intimidating, the place was intimidating, so I was kind of nervous.

Jen: So after you interviewed, how did it go, like what did they asked? What questions
were asked?

Mrs. Ramos: Well, for the 1st interview, she didn’t even asked a thing, all she asked me
“where is that school your working with?” I said “AMA computer college…”, they didn’t
know it. That was the only question.

Jen: What about the 2nd interview?

Mrs. Ramos: During the 2nd interview the consul was kind of friendly, he’s a black
American, and he asked me questions like, what about my family? My work? Etc. etc.
but he still denied me.

Jen: Why do you think did he reject your Visa application?

Mrs. Ramos: He told me to travel in another country first then I should come back, he
told me that if there’s a stamp in your passport you can come back.

Jen: So, what was your reaction when you found out that you have to travel abroad before
u can travel to the US?

Mrs. Ramos: I told myself that I will not apply for a visa again because the 1st time was
kind of traumatic but then my sister was kind of mad because all of my relatives were
given a visa, I was the only one who were denied, my sister, my mom, my aunt, all of
them was given a visa except me.

Kai: Was your expectation high that you’d be given a Visa?

Mrs. Ramos: Yes, for example, compared to my cousins I have a better job, for the 2nd
time I was really disappointed, and I didn’t apply again, I applied after 5 years.

Jen: How long did it take the interview to last?

Mrs. Ramos: For the 1st interview it was just 5 minutes or 10.

Kevin: Ma’am kapag nag apply ka gaano katagal bago ka mag apply ulit?

Mrs. Ramos: 6 months daw, after 6 months you can re apply again but ang sabi nila you
need to improve your staus, ibig sabihin siguro, yun nga you have to travel, you have
earned enough, kasi you have to prove that … ganito kasi yun ehh, *pause* During the
interview as a tourist you are required to go back to your home country. Sabi nila, I have
no proof that I will go back to the country because of my socio economic status. I have
no enough proof that I will stay or go back to the Philippines because, let’s admit,

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Philippines is a 3rd world country most of the Filipinos who are applying for a tourist visa
wants to stay in the US, during the time all my family members are in the US, there were
just two of us who are here. My brother is a soldier so kami lng dalawa, bakit namn akoh
magstay dito kung majority ng family ko andun, so yun, I needed to prove daw na babalik
ako because I don’t have a stable job during the time, because I was just starting during
that time so last year when I was interviewed I showed them, what do you call this?
*pause,thinks for a while* a working experience. So nakita nya na 10 years na ko
nagwowork and I stayed in Trinity for almost 5 years so nakita nya na that’s enough
basta maganda yung experience mo and I have a husband to go back in to parang ganun
kasi before I was single so ayun. Yun lng tinanong nya eh
“do you have a husband?” Sabi ko “yes” sabi nya “how long?” (During that time) “2
years” “Do you have baby?” Ang joke ko nga ehh, we’re “working on it” *smiles fondly*
Parang ano nya, babalik ako tapos tinanong nya kung ano sakit ng mom ko sabi ko she’s
under chemotheraphy in the US, I just want to visit her. The interview lasted for about 5
minutes lang. Ganun ka bilis, matagal maghintay, ang sabi nya sakin the only thing that
worries her was I might overstay so yun. Afterwards okay na.

Jen: During your past application, when you were denied, Do you know the reason why
you were denied?

Mrs. Ramos: Actually, syempre ang reason nila poor ka lang wala kang proof na may
pang travel ka. 1st A.M.A. Siguro hindi nila alam kasi syempre Amerikano sila. Sumunod
ditto, more or less kilala nila ang Trinity kasi katabi ng St. Luke’s, ang hospital kasi ng
ambassador sa St. Luke’s. So more or less siguro nakikita nila tsaka University na ehh
kya ayun.

Jen: When you arrived in the US naisip nyo po ba na mag TNT?

Mrs. Ramos: No, this time? Last year? No... Kasi may husband ako eh, pero kung single
ako oo… actually tama sila ehh. If you were single mag overstay ka na, mag TNT kana,
pero kapag may asawa ka na you can’t do that baka hiwalayan ako ng asawa ko. *smiles*

Jen: So, it never occurred to you to lengthen your stay in the US?

Mrs. Ramos: No. actually I was given 6months I just stayed there for 2 months

Jen: So, all in all how many years before you apply again?

Mrs. Ramos: Almost 5 years to get a visa, maybe that’s why they have given me a visa
because after the first 2 try I didn’t re apply again.

Jen: So, in your own opinion was getting a visa as hard as they say?

Mrs. Ramos: uhm, if you’re not qualified its hard. If you were qualified you will be given
a visa. I think They have a standard like if you have a solid job or work you will be given
a visa, if you are earning enough you will be given a visa, if you have a reason to go back

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in the Philippines you will be given a visa, if you have a reason not to overstay in
America you will be given a visa, so I think because last year I was ready to go anywhere
because I had money, I had properties on my own I have my own saving during the time,
Magagaling sila eh. Nakikita sa mata. Yung una Korean, may kasabihan sya sa embassy.
Yun kasi unang nag interview sakin ehh, pag daw yung Koreanana na yun ang nag
interview sayo hindi sya nag aaprove, she didn’t even look into my eyes, alam mo yun
prang kinakatok ko sya eh.
Sabi ko pah nga sa kanya “Here are my papers.”
“No, No, No” sabi nyang ganun.
Ayaw na nyang kunin siguro pag kita pa lang niya dun sa application ko bagsak na so
ayun. Yung 2nd gusto nya akong ipasa ehh pero alam nya na wala pa akong pera hindi pa
nga ako nkakapag travel ehh. I think yung 3rd binigyan nya akoh kasi may travel na ako
sa Japan. So ayun ang isang reason. Kasi may access sila sa info ehh. may access din
siguro sila sa immigration kasi yung sister in law koh ininterview sya immigrant na, wife
sya ng American pero ayaw nyang mag pa naturalize pero no choice sya ehh kasi
nagaarala na yung mga anak nya so gusto nya samahan yung mga anak nya pero ang
gagawin nya mag tu-tourist muna sya. Wala pa syang US visa na formal kasi ano lang sila
sa Saipan pero ang asawa nya at mga anak nya American passport, gusto lang nya sa
Saipan lang. Sa Saipan naman kasi as long na asawa ka ng isang American ok na eh let’s
say na kahit wala ka pang American passport. So nag apply sya without even telling na
may American passport mga anak nya sabi sa kanya ng consul “ok, you just wait for your
papers” Ayun, nakita sa computer na nag apply sya for naturalization so mabilis.
Husband ko naman nag apply kasi babalik na yung mom ko for chemotherapy sa US
hindi na ako pwedeng umalis kasi hindi na ako papayagan ng Trinity nung nag apply sya,
nakita doon na may visa na ako. So, na-deny sya valid din ang reason nya. Ibabalik lang
nya ung mom ko sa US. Inuwi ko kasi ang mom koh dito eh. So balak naming ibalik,
unfortunately she died…*pause* Pero ang point is: Na-deny yung husband ko.
Bakit daw hindi na lang ako ang magbalik eh may visa naman daw ako?
Sabi nya hindi pwede kasi hindi na ako papayagan ng school.
Bakit daw hindi na lang ung kapatid ko na American citizen ung mag hated? Yung mga
tipong ganun, alam nila ehh matalino ang mga consul.

Kai: How much money po yung ipinakita nyo sa bank account?

Mrs. Ramos: Show money? Ang show money ko the 1st time is 250,000.00 pesos pa nga
eh. Hindi naman nila tinignan. The 2nd time around 150, 00.00 pera ko na talaga yun tapos
na deny pa rin ako… Nung 3rd time lam nyo ba kung mgano? 50,000.00 lang pero na
approve kasi kaya naman yun lang ang prinepare ko kasi before hindi naman nila
tinignan. Alam nyo ba 6 months kong ginagawa yung money kasi gusto nila may in and
out yung print out hindi yung bigla na lng nagkaroon ng money. So what I did was mag
wiwithdraw ako dun sa isang account pero ibabalik ko same bank pa rin naman palitan
lang… para Makita nila na may activity yung bankbook ko. Tinignan lang nila ang
application ko.

Kai: is there a fee when you applied?

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Mrs. Ramos: Before it was only $30 then last year $100 now yata is $130

Jen: So Ma’am did you ever hired any agents?

Mrs. Ramos: No, I didn’t. They’re telling me to hire an agent but I didn’t, because you
don’t need one, Wala syang palakasan, the agent will just tell you what you need, what
questions to expect, ganun lang hindi komo may agent kasi diba yung iba they’re
spending so much money for an agent? So ayun.
Jen: ma’am do you have any plans on going back to the US?

Mrs. Ramos: Maybe, we’re planning to go back this December para ma experience yung
winter, hindi pwede yung asawa ko eh wala kasi syang visa yung kapatid ko sana, kaso
she doesn’t want to apply anymore its kinda traumatic sa kanya.

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Co-Researcher Coi

Kai: Hi Ma’am, we have gathered that you applied for a US Visa? Can you tell us about
it?

Ma’am: Yeah, I did. That was in year 2003.

Kai: Was it a tourist visa?

Ma’am: Yes, it was a tourist visa.

Kai: Why did you apply?

Ma’am: Well, I applied because I wanted to visit my nephew, niece, and of course my
mom who was there during the time. And I was bored with my job already. I was working
For 6 full years I didn’t have any vacation, so I decided to give myself a treat. February
was my birthday so I applied in January.

Kai: How long did you plan to stay in the US?

Ma’am: I don’t plan to stay there for good. I just wanted to I want to see how it was there,
how the standard of living would be like, how the opportunities will be for me. During
that time I could stay or I could go back to the Philippines. That was my mindset before.
So when I went there I applied for jobs I got interviewed, a lot. And at the same time I
traveled in the East Coast, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, West Coast and then,
yeah, that’s it. I traveled and at the same time did part time jobs to provide money for my
travels.

Kai: So, you basically didn’t stay in one place?

Ma’am: I stayed for a while in New Jersey with my family and then I went to L.A. and
California with my friends.

Jen: So, what about your work? Did you have any work here at that time?

Ma’am: Well, I did have a job in Abbott Laboratory before. I was in ? department but I
had to resign because they couldn’t give me a proper vacation and at the same time I was
working before my previous job before in Abbott Laboratory, so I was offered a job while
I was in the US by a company that was based here. So I had, you know... I had a job
while I was there that is based here so I just do it thru email and then at the same time I
worked there for a while. Just for a while.

Jen: So when you were applying were you ever denied?

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Ma’am: No, I wasn’t ever denied, I applied twice actually. The first one was in 2003-
2004. And then, the second one, because my visa was expired already, so I had to re
apply in July 30. I got approved again. I just don’t know how many years because I still
have to wait for some papers coming from the US. From CIS, CIS is…*pause* I forgot
what that is.

Jen: So how did you feel when you were being interviewed?

Ma’am: Well, because my job actually is interviewing people, I’m with Human
Resources what I do is that I interview people a lot, which that I know how to... I mean, if
I’m the one that’s interviewing I would want to have people believe in a certain way, so if
say for example you guys are applying to me, I want you to act in a certain way such that
I would know that you’re going to be accepted in my company... So what I need from the
interviews are confidence and second is the ability to explain or justify yourself and at the
same time, you know being there and to be honest, as that person can be, it doesn’t matter
whether that person is not really good with what he does for as long as that person is
honest enough to tell us the truth about things that we ask, so not lying about, so during
that time I was not afraid. I was confident because I just wanted to be with my family, I
wanted to try out opportunities but of course I wouldn’t tell them that. It didn’t tell them
that, It isn’t as if I lied. So, during that time, when I was interviewed they asked me “Why
I wanted to go there”

I told them the truth: that I wanted to visit my family, I wanted to travel, I was so tired for
working during that time and I had money.

They didn’t ask me if I would look for a job there and if they ever asked me that’s
something I could’ve answered honestly. “no I wouldn’t be looking for a job, but I would
be looking for their lifestyle, I was just going for a visit there”

Kai: How long was the interview?

Ma’am: it was short, it took maybe two minutes.

Jen: So, do you recall what questions were asked?

Ma’am: They asked “Who was paying for the trip? “And then I said I was. “Where did
you get the money?” Well, I had a lot of money. I got it from my income from my
previous company and at the same time I was working so I had money. And then they
asked me what my plan was and I said I wanted to be with my family, to visit friends, I
want to travel I want to be able to experience everything that I haven’t able to experience
while working, I just wanted to relax. That’s what I said. And then they asked about the
company that I was working with, what I was doing there, and then I told them. It was
just questions revolving around that aspect.

Kai: So, you never thought of staying there for good?

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Ma’am: I did because I actually signed a lease for a townhouse unit with a friend. It was
really great because it was brand new. It was located in the cit. but I thought that if I
would say there. I wont stay there as a tourist. If I wanted to have a job I wanted to do it
the right way.

Kai: How about your 2nd application? How was it?

Ma’am: They asked Why I wanted to stay? and I said well, my travel is not enough and I
still have money, so I gave them my bank account, itinerary, the leave permission because
I was working here remember? With my former boss, so I ask a letter from them saying
that I was being allowed to have a vacation, that’s it, so, it’s all about establishing that
you are coming back to the home country, and I was able to establish that, I was able to
establish it well but I have a fund to stay their at a long, long time, so I planned to go
back.

Jen: Well, how long did it take for you to apply for a Visa?

Ma’am: First it did not, because, example it was December 2003 it was Christmas and I
was so lonely for my family, well, I had my sister back then but you know I wanted to be
with my mom and my other sister, I applied first week of December and I got, ahmm, I
got a schedule around February cause I sent a, hmm, an application for re-scheduling for
February 08 and it was granted, it took about a month, because, I applied December 12 I
think, and then I was interviewed January 05.

Jen: In your opinion, was getting a visa is hard as they say?

Ma’am: Well, it really depends on what you want to accomplish with the visa, if you
want to get a visa, ahmm, I mean everyone wants to get a visa and work in the US, it’s
difficult if you don’t have a stable job in the Philippines, they don’t have the funds, I
mean, even if you do have the funds, you have to show them where it came from you
know, a really stable job and its just not a borrowed money, so you have to establish that
you can finance your job, like for example during that time I was working for a multi-
national company it’s Abbott Laboratory which is actually based in the US so I have no
problem because it’s multi-national company and I was employed and the people in the
embassy know that the company is really stable and that they give high salary, you have
to establish that you can afford the trip, or even if you cannot afford the trip, someone
would able to prove it, I mean fund it, like for example a relative, to have a affidavit of
support and if say for example, you’re single it will be a bit more difficult because you
need to establish that you don’t intend to stay there, so you have to tell them, you don’t
need to be wealthy. Because I know some people like for example my dentist before is
wealthy, she has a lot of, you know, properties, she had a car, her family is on the States
but she was denied, like 3 times, you know why? Because she doesn’t have any reason to
stay, because she is a dentist, she can work on her own, she is not attached to any
company here, so she can actually go there and she has a lot of money, she can stay there
if she wants to, and it’s something. The thing is you just need to establish that we do not

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become someone that the U.S would be a liability, will become a liability in the US.

Kai: So you never hired an agent?

Ma’am: No, I did not, because after all, Example if you’re going to hire an agent it should
be for a very good reason, say for example you can’t write, you can’t read. So someone
has to do it for you, because there is some portion in the application that says that “if
there’s anyone who has filled out this application for you…” so, hmm, usually you use an
agent if you don’t have time to do it yourself, and at the same time you use an agent if it’s
going to take a lot of your time, but usually it’s about, you know, you being able to make
time for yourself, you just go there, to effort actually is much more appreciated I think, if
you do it by yourself, and at the same time you would know what the application would
look like, because I know, because my mom use to, I use to have friends, they applied for
U.S visa and got denied because they used agent’s like travel agent, you know why?
because the information that these agent fill out were wrong, in the application form, it
was, I mean the application form were not shown to the people, I mean to the applicants,
to the interviewees, that the applicant didn’t know what to say, you really need to know
your application form, example you just pay off what ever it is that we need to pay off
that to make sure everything is okay but the thing is we forget that we need to know
about the application form, before you fill it up they were going to ask you, example I am
going to ask Kevin, Kevin what do you do for a living? If the travel agents were in there,
that you are a businessman and you’re not a businessman, you’re a student that’s where
things go wrong.

Kai: So, from the very, very start your expectation to get a visa was very high?

Ma’am: Well, the truth is I know a lot of people that I expected to be issued visas and
granted visa, and you know what? my mom is a principal before, automatically she was
given 10 years visa and there was a woman who works from my mom, Fely she earns like
5000 a month, she got accepted, she doesn’t speak good in English, she was granted for
visa 10 years, you know why, because that person is really, really truthful with her
intentions of going there, and she said “I’m fifty. I work for the government; my family is
not here anymore I want to be able to reward myself.”
She was granted for visa that should be an inspiration for you guys, it happens. She was
granted a visa. And during that time my mom had friends, wealthy friends that got denied
for a visa. She was asked “how are you going to pay the trip?” she said “well, I live
nicely but I don’t spend too much, I don’t have any expenses, I just buy the basic stuffs.
that’s why I was able to save a year’s salary ”

Jen: Do you have a plan going back to U.S?

Ma’am: I’m going back to U.S to visit again and I’m doing very well here in the
Philippines, I don’t think I would like to stay there, the life we have here in the
Philippines is much better, so if you do have a family and you want to give them the best
education, the best life, you can live there. But if you’re single and you have a really
good life here and you have friends, why stay there? In the US you will be alone, I’m not

20
saying alone, alone. You see pictures of people, when they are there, they travel all the
time, but in between their travels they work hard before they get to travel, there is a long
life of hard work. I mean they work really hard to pay for their travel expenses. And here
in the Philippines we’re relaxed, there, you need to really work hard to pay for
everything, here in the Philippines you don’t need to pay for a month.

Kai: Did you stay in New York?

Ma’am: I did stay in New Jersey, but I was in New York every weekends, I have friends.
So, we could go in New York. We could, you know, during that time I was applying for
job, because I got interviewed, there is a lot of, you know, employers would go for
Filipinos because Filipinos are hard workers and at the sane time they had really good
credentials... I got interviewed, urban planning I think, in New York, and I was told that
they wanted me but I don’t have any visa during that time, I was young 27.I mean, during
that time 27 is young for them, I was still there, I would travel, I would go alone, down
town, time square, everywhere. Are you aware of Bryans Park?

Kai: umm, no...

Ma’am: Bryans park actually the venue for fashion week in New York.

Kai: So, is it more like in the movie, sex in the city, is it like that?

Ma’am: Yeah, it’s like that. There are really nice park there. Say, for example I went there
one spring, there’s a lot of beautiful people there, but I didn’t know that they were gay,
we took pictures, it’s really fun, if you’re there don’t expect to get good job, expect for
fun. If you really will be able to go there in the US alone you can go back here, and then
you can do the same thing. Because all the things that we enjoyed there, everything, you
can enjoy here already, example cell phones, clothes. Say for example during that time,
there was a was a time when I moved out my sister and my mom’s house, I went to
California by my self I got a flat, it is fun, it was dream came true, but then again it was
2004 right? 5 years later I was able to get everything here in the Philippines, if you’re
young you can go there have fun but don’t stress on it, don’t push to hard. What they
really need there are people from Asia. The nurses, not, finance people, I.T people, you
can spend like may be 5 years here, don’t rush things, when you get there and youre not
really prepared then there’s going to be a lot of problems. Like for example my friend,
there was this friend went there without any prospect. She ended up working as a clinical
assistant or something, she’s still there. She’s still working on it. May be 18 hours a day
and then studying, you can just imagine how hard her life is. But then again when my
sister went their, I mean my sister is now U.S citizen, she went their, she spent maybe 5
years here, she went their for a while and then she was able to get a job, nice job here in
the Philippines, it’s just a matter of you being able to conquer. You have to have special
skills.

21
Co-Researcher Teresita

“I Will cross the sea to be with thee.”

When did you apply for a Visa?


-Nag apply ako last year mga June, 3rd week yata ng june. Hindi koh na maalala yung
exact date eh. Pero mga June yun.

Why did you apply for a Visa?


-ahh, kasi I’m going to visit my girlfriend in L.A. Anniversary kasi namin 25 years na
kasi kami eh.

Where do you plan to stay?


-Sa Los Angeles kasi nkatira yung girlfriend ko pati yung family nya andun na lahat sila.
Inaaya nya na nga ako na mag migrate na sa L.A. ehh kaso hindi ko pa maiwan yung
trabaho ko pero baka pag nag retire na ako susunod na rin ako dun.

How did you feel when you were interviewed?


- Syempre ninerbyos ako noh kasi hindi ko alam kung anong itatanong sakin.
Actually, sinabihan na ako nung agent sa mga example na itatanong nila sakin. Like
kung ano bang gagawin ko sa Amerika at kung sino ang bibisitahin ko doon. Mga
ganun, pero nakakanerbyos tlaga kapag andun ka na para akong na mental block eh
pero luckily na approve naman agad yung visa ko swerte lang tlaga.

Were you ever denied for a visa?


- Hindi pa kasi yung 1st try ko na approve naman ako ka agad eh.

Why did you apply in us not in other country?


- Kasi nga gusto ko bisitahin yung mga kaibigan ko tsaka, kasi galing na ako ng
Dubai nung 2006. Nag bakasyon din ako dun eh kasi yung kapatid ko dun sya
nagtratrabaho andun na pati yung pamilya nya kya dinalaw ko naman sila doon so
yun nga kya sa amerika naman ako.

When you arrive in the U.S naisip nyo bang mag TNT?
- No, kasi nga may trabaho akoh dito sa Philippines eh isang buwan lang ako dapat dun
sa L.A kasi nga 1 month lang yung leave ko sa st. lukes ehh.
How long did it take for you to acquire your visa?
-Sandali lang yun kasi nga nung 1st try ko pa lang nag apply, na grant na agad yung visa
ko. Siguro mga 1 week lang nakuha ko na agad

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In your opinion was getting a visa as hard as they say?
-Uhm, ano ba? Siguro oo pero kasi nung 1st try ko pa lang nga na grant na nga siguro
nakita na may travel na ako sa dubai kasi nga kapag may tatak na yung passport mo
siguro malaki yung chance na mabigyan ka ng U.S.Visa.

Is it advised to wear a semi formal outfit when applying?


-Oo kasi sabi nung agent ko mag damit nga daw ako ng semi formal kya nung nag apply
ako nag semiformal outfit ako.
Did you hire an agent to help you? If yes how much did you pay?
-Yes, nag hire ako ng agent. Nag bayad lang ako ng 4thousand ayun lng ang binayaran ko
sa Northstar Travel Agency. Worth it naman kasi nabigyan agad ako agad ni visa.

Co-Researcher

23
Reflections and Profiles:

The Real Me

I’m Maria Jennifer C. Emmanuel. I’m 20 years old. My birthday is on July 22,
1988. I was born in Kuwait since both my parents worked there. My height is 5’7” and I
weigh 50kg. I’m a half Filipino/Pakistani. My mother Helen Carolino Emmanuel is a
Filipino and my father Emmanuel Rehmat Masih. Supposedly my family name should be
Masih, but due to Pakistani tradition the name of the father becomes the last name of the
child. My mom works as a Clinical instructor at Jahra Hospital, Kuwait while my dad is a
pastor at National Evangelical Church in Kuwait. I have 7 siblings including me;
particularly 4 are girls and 3 boys. I’m the eldest in the family. We are actually based in
Kuwait but since college is very expensive there, the four of us had to come here to study.

I took up tourism because I’ve always wanted to be a flight attendant, to travel in


places I haven’t seen yet. It is actually my passion to be a flight attendant since I was in
prep so I wanted to pursue it.

I love to sleep, eat a lot, and traveling. Its like its hard to stay in one place like at
home and actually do nothing. I usually travel alone to visit family members in north
Luzon and meet friends in southern Luzon. I actually traveled by land, water and air.
While traveling I learn the cultures of the people, their accents and languages.

I used to play basket ball. I was a varsity player here at Trinity University from
year 2006 to 2008; I stopped due to some personal problem. I love playing basket ball
specially being with my team mates. Usually after training we would go out eat and talk
about our training for the day and our plays, we laugh about the mistakes we did the
scolding we get from the coaches. Then, every Saturday we would bond like go to a team
mate’s house and drink, talk about the things that happened the usual laughter never goes.
Even though there is no team any more we would all still meet up and have fun. The
connection never goes.

People get the first impression that I’m mean, they actually don’t talk to me coz
they think I would snob them, but that’s so not true. But actually I’m really nice, talkative
and somehow funny once they get to know me. I like making friends.
Others find me mysterious, hard to understand. That’s not true I just like to make my
personal life private that’s all. I mean they don’t need to know everything about me basic
information is enough. Only people close to me knows me very well, who I really am.

I live life to its fullest, whatever happens so be it. We get to learn from the mistakes we
make. And I’m proud from the mistakes I made at least I learned from it.

REFLECTION:

24
Ma’am Myra Ramos was the first co researcher that we interviewed. It was
awkward since we get to interview a professor who used to teach us. I felt a bit nervous
of course but as we conducted the interviewed we started to feel comfortable and feeling
asked questions we wanted to find out.

I thought it would be easy after conducting the first interview but once we got into
her office we felt really nervous, shy of course. We started our interview by introducing
ourselves and then asked questions. She was very inspiring and really good at speaking
English of course because she works in a call center as an HR, but she really was good
and a very successful woman. It’s like after interviewing her I felt inspired to do hard and
work really soon.

Reaching My Dreams

25
My name is Majesty Dumbrique, my nickname is Jeng but my friends call me
Mahj. I am now 19 years old going to be 20 in November 02, 1988.I am an only child in
my family. Others says that I I’m so lucky to be an only child well yes in a way because
you always get what you want but still I want to have siblings I wanted to have a younger
sister but I guess that’s not going to happen because my father is already dead and my
mom has no plan to get married again so I have to accept the fact that I will never have a
younger sister forever. Well that’s fine with me because I still have my cousins with me
so I’m not sad at all.
I am a 4th year student in Trinity University of Asia taking up Bachelor of
Science in Tourism. I took up the course because I want to travel in different places here
in the Philippines and of course abroad, my dream is to be able to travel around the world
and to become a tour guide not an ordinary tour guide but a linguist tour guide I want to
learned foreign languages so that when I’m traveling at least I can understand what they
saying something like that but of course before I become a tour guide or a linguist I
should finish my study first and when I’m done with my studies maybe I should get a
visa to travel abroad and work there well it’s good that our research is about experiences
in getting a visa I learned many tips based on the interviews we conduct so if ever I’m
going to apply for a tourist us visa at least I know what are the qualifications in acquiring
a visa.

Reflection

Getting a visa is as hard as they say but after I experienced interviewing some
recipients and asked about what is their experience on getting a US visa I learned that
getting a visa isn’t arduous as they say, if you were qualified you will be given a visa, if
you passed their standards you will be given a visa, if you have a reason to go back in
your home country you will be given a visa and if you have enough reasons not to
overstay in America you will definitely be given a visa. That statement is from one of
our recipients whom we interviewed, when we are asking about what is their story in
getting their visa we were so glad that they sharing their experiences on us and also we
were learning something about them and of course the steps they take in having their visa
they sharing their disappointment when they were denied and told us that it was a very
traumatic experience for them yet they still doing their best to acquire their visa also the
happiness they felt when they know that after they done their best on applying, finally
they will be acquiring their much awaited visa, after learning their experiences I have
also learned that upon applying for a visa you have to have patience enough and be
qualified in order to be given a visa.

“Ironies in life just makes it complicated, all you have to do is to is to step aside and do
not add things on the list”

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Hi! My name is Erika Zulita Pajamutan. I was born on the 28th of July year 1988.
I was born in Nagano Ken, Japan My Parents’ names are Ryoichi Goto and Jeanette
Pajamutan. I obtained my mother’s surname because they never got married.
I love reading books, and I don’t enjoy socializing with other people which
sounded ironic when I took up BS Tourism as a college course. When I was in grade 1 or
2, I remember vaguely that my mom used to leave me in National Bookstore so that she
can go grocery shopping. I didn’t really mind since the bookstore meant heaven for me
back then. I love the Harry Potter series, Mysteries, Suspense and Science-fiction novels.
I do not enjoy historical romances though. I like surfing the internet, eating, writing
poems and essays when I get depressed, and typical to those who are tardy: Sleep. I can
sleep for 12 straight hours and still crave for more. Oh, I do not like sports. I do not like
to get my hands dirty, I do not like running, or any form of activity that makes me sweat.
When playing volleyball, when the ball goes to my direction instead of hitting it back to
the other side I yell and cower in fright. The only sport that I can do is swimming. And
my classmates’ say that I swim gracefully, they just don’t know that whenever I swim
freestyle, I’m actually near to drown myself
When I was 3 months old, my mom took me here in the Philippines, perhaps
because she couldn’t raise me by herself and at the same time work. I was raised here in
Manila with my grandmother while my mother worked hard like a horse to give me
everything I needed. I was spoiled, I was loved, I was the only child, and I had
everything. Almost. When I was a child I never longed for a father, since there was no
communication between us. They say, absence makes the heart grow fonder but how can
you miss someone who wasn’t there in the first place? I never really understood why
most kids like me longed for a father that they haven’t met, haven’t hugged, or haven’t
grew up with. With this, I just thought that I was one tough kid. Years passed and my
mom met another man, she bore two pretty kids. My siblings, my enemies, yet they make
me smile, laugh, cry, and mad at the same time. Again, my mother and my stepfather got
separated. When I turned 13 I met my father. I was on my 2nd year in high school. I was
confused, I didn’t know how to act when we met., didn’t know what to do, what to say.
We met briefly but I had a chance to bond with him when I went to Japan to spend my
summer vacation. And then, when it was time for me to go back to the Philippines it hit
me. I understood why kids like me longed for their father. It was a wonderful feeling,
gratifying, and it seemed as though a large missing piece of me has finally been
completed. Since then on, we talked every now and then.
And now, I’m a fourth year student, my Father stopped sending me my monthly
allowance. I suppose because in Japan, when you turn 20 you should be on your own two
feet. Again, I couldn’t comprehend. But I never stopped longing for my father. When I
hear a Carpenter’s song, my heart gives a tight squeeze in my chest leaving me feeling
isolated again. But I know that I would never dislike my father nor hate him. Even though
I cannot understand why he stopped calling, why we stopped talking, why we ended up
back to not talking again I would never ever stop loving him. And I made a promise to
myself that if I became a flight attendant I would surprise him by visiting him in Japan. I
could almost imagine the look on his face when that time comes. And I really, really wish
that I could do everything I want and not to repeat the same mistakes that my parents did.

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When I turned 16 I took up Tourism so that I can fulfill my dreams as a Flight
Attendant. I didn’t really thought that in this course I would get to meet a lot of different
people, I basically just thought of it as a stepping stone so that I can travel abroad, and go
to places that I just dreamt of going. But then, I have not regretted my choice of college
course. The thought of traveling makes me feel tingly with excitement. My friends tell
me that I’m just “magala” but then, I don’t think so, because I can actually stay in our
house and not yearn for going outdoors. I really want to go to Paris, Venice, around the
world actually. Someone once said that before you travel around the world you must
explore your home country first. Well, I certainly would want to visit the Philippines first.
In life, I learned that you get to meet a lot of people who will either hurt you or
love you. Or some people just won’t care about you. I value my friends and treasure them
that is why when I realized that some of them just don’t give a care. It hurt. And then I
started to move on, and get over it. I ignored the nagging sense of isolation. I just thought
to myself that I would be successful if I just don’t take some things too seriously. But
then again, there are times that you just can’t help but care.

It has been fun, writing this essay about myself, everyone likes to talk about
themselves right? But I suppose I should end this now. I have this feeling that I forgot to
mention something though.

Reflection:

It was a mixture of nervousness and excitement when we conducted our


interviews with our co-researchers. First because we didn’t know what to expect from

28
them, second, we barely know them, third, we haven’t met them before the interviews. It
was fun because I realized that it wasn’t all that dreadful, and because I enjoyed it, also,
because I learned a lot of things.
During our first spontaneous interview at the US Embassy, I felt disappointed
because we really didn’t get to interview formally and for a long time. The interviews
were brief and were cut short because mainly, they can’t be bothered with college
students like us and also because they were hurrying to go. However, one lady was very
cooperative in sharing her stories; she was very enthusiastic to tell us about her niece’s
visa application.
These are the things that I have learned: when you are applying for a visa, you
must have confidence, be truthful in every question, and do not show your nervousness,
in hiring an agent, do not trust them completely or they may be the reason why you will
get denied, when or if you get rejected you must be persistent if you really want to go to
that place, you must have a really stable job in the Philippines so that you’ll show the
interviewers that you will not stay there illegally, and lastly, I learned that if you really
strive hard to get whatever you want it will be given to you. No matter how long it takes,
you just have to have patience.
From these lived experiences, I got inspired to strive harder, and to get a job
immediately after I graduate. Our co-researchers helped me realize these things. Some
say that getting a US visa is really hard but I suppose if you are very truthful and
qualified you will acquire a visa. When they were telling their stories we felt their
emotions, disappointment when they got denied, and satisfaction when they got to US.
The stories are very inspiring, and funny. It made me want to go there immediately and
made me want to explore it myself.

First Level of Reflection : Thematic Representations/


Accounts

Second Reflection - Thematic Interclace

29
CHAPTER 5 CREATIVE SYNTHESIS-EIDECTIC INSIGHT AND SYMBOLIC
REPRESENTAITION

Eidetic Insight
Implications of the Study
Symbolic Representation
Recommendations for Further Study

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES

Interview Schedule

CURRICULUM
VITAE

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