Hello, I found my future fiancée on Youtube back in March 2009. We exchanged a few messages before I went into hospital for a minor operation in May 2009.
That minor operation turned out to be one major headache! Instead of being a day patient, I intended up in intensive care following three operations in 24 hours; at one point I had to be resuscitated after nearly bleeding to death. I was off work for a total of nine weeks.
Anyway, it got me into thinking it was time to find a wife! I contacted the friend I had made on Youtube and we quickly found we got on very well. I was absolutely flabbergasted to learn that she can speak eight languages: Cebuano, Waray, Tagalog, English, German, Japanese, Spanish + an other! For an Englishman that speaks English and no other, I feel a little inferior! I finally met her for Xmas 2009, in Cebu.
Romance quickly blossomed and we got engaged the day before I left Cebu. We still chat on the internet frequently (though she can only do this at work) and always send e-mails to each other. She works very hard in Cebu – 10 hours per day, 7 days a week, but for little reward in the Philippines.
She has a little boy (aged 5) and is still married but left her husband before I knew her. It is a tough job getting a marriage annulled in the Philippines, especially when my future wife does not tell me when she needs money for her case! Instead, she works off her little cotton socks just to raise the money. Anyway, I think we are nearly there now and hopeful that the judge will reach a decision soon.
So, I was anticipating the next battle, which I though was to apply for a Visa. Of course, we have just learned that she will have to take an English test! It does not matter one iota that she has a graduate degree in the Philippines, or that she taught English at a Filipino school, the UKBA state she must take the test! The problem is finding a suitable test provider in Cebu! There appear to be three options for this – wait for one college to offer the test (they are currently in hiatus mode); an approach to the British Council was meant with the response – you need to find out if our tests satisfy the A1 test requirements (why don’t the British Council know?); the third option is with a somewhat dubious test provider who says I can pay by Western Union!
As soon as my fiancée gets her annulment I will be ‘winging’ my way back to the Philippines for a very emotional reunion! After what I am sure will be a very passionate first night, we will then have to get down to the very serious business of that Visa application. I do really hope that they complete that within a month.
It will be two years plus after we first met on the internet before my fiancée finally arrives on what I am sure she now regards as the hallowed ground of England, but our resolves and love for each other are as strong as ever and I am certain that will overcome any obstacle. What a great preparation for our lives together!
but again, nothing surprises me.
Hi Breakfast, welcome to the forum 
at least Simon Cowell has shown he's of some use. I'm sure you will find answers to all your questions here. Good luck
to the filipino/uk forum.
Originally Posted by Dedworth
... two "firsts" in my experience also ... meeting your wife-to-be on You-Tube ... and someone being "grateful" to Simon Cowell! 
... I can readily identify with how surprised you must've been when you discovered this daft anomaly ... since my own wife - a BSc in Agricultural Studies ... and a High School teacher for 22 years in the Phils - only learned of it on coming to Scotland a couple of years ago. 
)
you've donated money to a scouser 
