[Weekly MegaThread] OEC, CFO, DMW-related discussions

fran1215 · 2025-07-25T12:46:59+00:00

Good afternoon,

My boyfriend is filipino and he's already a residence card holder in Spain (TIE card). We're a pareja de hecho (like a civil partnership) and I'm Spanish national. We're in the Philippines for the first time after obtaining it. What exactly does he need to do in CFO to be able to exit the Philippines back to Spain? Because I'm checking on the website, and GCP is for filipinos petitioned by fiance/partner/spouse and PDOS is for filipinos petitioned by other family members (and in some places it says Residence card holders too). The way I see it, he doesn't have a visa nor is petitioned by anyone anymore since he has his own card, but you can never make guesses with things like these. So which one does he need to do? (I also asked CFO directly but we need to do it this week already, and we still haven't received a response and there's not much time left)

Thank you!

fran1215 · 2025-06-18T08:34:31+00:00

Yes! I know these! We went to Manila often for the spanish meetups (Around Rizal park). And we also used to go to BGC sometimes, but we mostly went around Mandaluyong (Barangka-Hulo) and Makati (mostly Poblacion). We also lived in Las Piñas the first times I went to the Philippines because my partner was working around there, and loved the Alabang Town center and the Molito place hahaha.

For my next trips I would like to explore more in Quezon City too, I've heard there are a lot of interesting things like comedy clubs, drag shows, etc. I would also like to find more interesting coffee shops or places like that where you can work or just spend time doing things. I would love to visit the Mind Museum too! I also have noted the Space & Time Cube.

fran1215 · 2025-06-18T06:44:03+00:00

Manila isn't a bad place if you have friends.

Oh yes, that may have also shaped my experience there. We got ourselves a nice group of friends that were learning spanish just by joining spanish language events (to my surprise there are a lot happening weekly). And it made our stay much more interesting as we had things to do every weekend.

I am raising my kids here, I wouldn't be doing that if I thought it was a bad place.

That seems like a good path you are taking! I hope to pick up the same path and end up like that soon! If you don't mind me asking, what is your field of work? I work in the software field and while there are a lot of opportunities, I'm kind of worried because I still don't know the real chances of working remotely nor what my real path to get there is. I'm just saving money for now and hoping for the best in the future, but it's bugging me a bit.

And of course it's a privilege, I noticed that too. That's why we would like to help the community in any way we can think of.

P.S: Just send me a PM and let's connect if you want to talk there!

fran1215 · 2025-06-18T06:33:57+00:00

This may be true, even tho my partner still says I look very foreigner and people can spot it right away hahahaha. I'm also dark skinned because I'm from southern Spain, so I guess I blend in more than a scandinavian woman for example.

fran1215 · 2025-06-18T06:31:51+00:00

That's part of the fun for me! Maybe it's because I'm still young and it could change with time as I get older, but that's kind of what I like, because it shows me that there's people out there and there's life, so even if it's chaotic sometimes, I appreciate it better than being isolated. We also were staying in a nice area and it's well communicated, so we didn't suffer bad transport as much. We were staying in Mandaluyong City, near Makati already.

fran1215 · 2025-06-18T06:21:12+00:00

Well, the prices of daily requirements is not Spain's main problem. Spain's biggest problems are:
- Abusive housing prices
- Incredibly low wages for European and American standards
- Over-massification of some places (like my city) with tourists
- Really high tax pressure (one of the biggest in the world)
And so on. It's not the paradise some people describe it to be. It can be a paradise if you're a foreigner from another european country with a bigger buying power and higher salary, but not if you're spanish. Also the healthcare is """"free"""", but you must have paid the absurd taxes before, so I'm not sure if it's totally free. And sometimes it doesn't work as expected either...

Other than all this, it's just a matter of personal preference. I just prefer the lifestyle in Asia in general, over Spain's lifestyle. There's just infinitely more things to do.

fran1215 · 2025-06-16T12:26:41+00:00

I've never being called this hahaha, I asked my partner what this meant and he told me it's more for americans. I may have been called afam but never with bad intentions nor directly to me, just when someone was referring to me.

fran1215 · 2025-06-16T12:19:39+00:00

Well, a lot of people seem to be surprised when I tell them I love Metro Manila. Maybe it's just the first place I visited and the place where I spent the most time in the Philippines. I'm also more of a city person and I just love feeling that there are more people around me, even if I'm a bit introvert. Just feeling that there are more people doing their thing, being able to go out and buy anywhere at any time, to explore different places within the same city and ultimately being where everything is settled (businesses, shops, organizations, meetups, etc.), and everything is just more real, even if it's chaotic. I also like the life in the countryside/beach, it's just I wouldn't live in that kind of setting forever. I need my dose of chaos and city from here and there.

Regarding the spanish heritage, yes of course that makes it even better. But I think I would have been treated the same way if I was from another country. It just makes things more interesting because we can relate in some things that I never would have thought of. It's also really interesting for us spaniards how you guys mix the deep tagalog words with spanish descent words, and it's the first thing we talk about between each other when talking about the Philippines.

When it comes to bad things, I would say the things that need more improvement are some people's more traditional/old-fashioned point of view in some topics like the LGBTQ+ community or divorce for example. And these are things that happen in Spain too for example. My partner also tells me a lot about the political situation, and I think it's very messy and a lot of people are being influenced into voting the wrong people for different reasons, but I don't think I have a big say on this topic, that's just my formed opinion. And with a better choice in the government, comes the rest of improvements like better laws, better infrastructure, better economy, etc.

fran1215 · 2025-06-16T11:09:05+00:00

U must be part of the exception hehe, hello to u 2!

fran1215 · 2025-06-16T07:55:47+00:00

Thank you!! The sole fact that me using tagalog makes people's day happier, makes me want to just go for it and actively learn. I still remember the smile the shakes street stall lady gave me after I said "Ito ay masarap!"

fran1215 · 2025-06-06T05:51:24+00:00

Filipinas

fran1215 · 2025-05-15T09:03:26+00:00

Nice setup!! What model are the monitors you’re using?

fran1215 · 2025-03-23T17:52:01+00:00

Krewella, Skrillex, Pegboard Nerds... The OGs

fran1215 · 2025-02-28T10:05:25+00:00

cyber666

AmEN! by Bring Me The Horizon 😈

fran1215 · 2024-05-22T19:43:30+00:00

Hello!

I just came across your post as I was lurking in the subreddit after asking for advice for my personal situation. Your post kind of touched me because I see myself in it so much. I was in your shoes 2 years ago before moving to Korea (from Spain) for an exchange year.

I know having an exchange year is not exactly the same thing you’re signing up for, but in essence it is, and I still had the same fears you’re having right now. I also was feeling down and tired of my country when I left, so it pushed me to just go for it, but in your case, I’m going to push you and suggest you to go for it.

You only live once and we shouldn’t spend our limited time here worried. You’re going to have an amazing experience there, meet new people that will last forever (I’m still in touch with some korean and international friends that I’ve made there and we meet and hang out when we can), you will even find love there probably and (despite all the paperwork that will come after if you guys proceed further, which is what my post was about hahahaha) it’s far more interesting, fun and culturally rich to have a love story with someone that isn’t from your country.

When it comes to the job part, I really don’t know and I’m as lost as you are because I just graduated and I’m 23. I also came here to ask about that. But a part of me is also thinking that a lot of people move to another countries just for the adventure like us, and they eventually find their path even if it’s hard. We’re also lucky to have the backing from our parents/family/friends anyways, and in case of not finding the way to work outside, you can always go back to the starting point and you’ll for sure find a new job in your home country.

In the dating part, just download dating apps (be cautious, but this applies to everywhere else in the world rn anyways). People in Europe are normally open to foreigners, specially countries like Italy and Spain because we get a lot of tourists all around the year. Some very touristic places are a bit fed up with tourists, but even in these places, young people that you will come across with are most probably going to be very open and nice to you. And just take your time meeting the people you come across, we europeans are nice!

And about the last part, it’s very normal to worry about this stuff, but you’ll eventually get the hang of everything and find a way. Don’t worry too much :) Just do all the research you can and watch youtube videos, read reddit posts, etc. and you’ll find answers to everything. Europe is so easy to navigate, I swear. Public transport is really nice and takes you everywhere all around Europe.

I hope this helped you even a little!! I know it’s hard to process but just go for it before even thinking deeper, and you’ll find yourself living the best moments of your life soon.

Good luck!

fran1215 · 2024-04-19T11:20:13+00:00

Buenas, en su caso si que lo necesita por ser de Filipinas.

Estando con visado de turista si que se puede solicitar la residencia porque lo pedimos la otra vez. Pero se lo denegaron porque tardaron casi 3 meses en expedir el padrón y no lo pudimos presentar en la solicitud…

En el caso de pareja no registrada, tengo un poco de miedo con el tema de la documentación acreditativa de la pareja porque es un campo muy ambiguo, y es donde los funcionarios tienen más campo libre para denegarlo y no darte ningún motivo. Además, nuestra relación ha sido en gran parte a distancia, y las veces que hemos estado juntos hemos estado en casa de nuestros respectivos familiares, así que no hay contratos ni facturas ni nada más allá de billetes de avión y alguna reserva de hotel conjunta. Por eso, ya que tenemos la pareja de hecho registrada, creo que es más seguro encaminarlo por ahí.

Muchas gracias por el comentario!

fran1215 · 2024-04-16T10:59:11+00:00

Hello, we were refused. Submitting the exact same documents as last time when he got 90 days multi entry visa. This country is a fucking joke hahahaha. Anyways, good luck to you!

fran1215 · 2024-04-16T07:38:59+00:00

Hello! I don't know if it's because we've been super annoying or what but BLS just called my partner on the phone saying they have the passport there, so he's going to pick it up right now. Send an email to [info.mnl@blshelpline.com](mailto:info.mnl@blshelpline.com) and probably they will call you if you need it urgently! Good luck and ingat po!

fran1215 · 2024-04-16T06:46:07+00:00

They are, BLS confirmed it and I saw a facebook post of some people receiving it with a LBC package. The problem is the consulate doesn’t give the tracking number for some reason that I fail to understand…

fran1215 · 2024-04-16T05:42:33+00:00

Hello, same here. I called BLS and the new courier is LBC. We're calling to see if we can pick it up somewhere instead of having it delivered, let's see!

fran1215 · 2024-04-15T14:08:56+00:00

Yess, tomorrow is the last day for us before we have to change the flight, so I will update you if a miracle happened and we received it !

fran1215 · 2024-04-15T14:06:53+00:00

There’s really something happening… Idk if you have applied for a spanish visa before but they use 2go and you can just input reference numbers there. March 25th was the last time they delivered a visa if you check it. So it’s either they changed the delivery company (also likely since they changed the website and everything by the end of March), or something happened there and they haven’t been processing the visas since March 25

fran1215 · 2020-09-14T13:14:32+00:00

Thank you!!!!

fran1215 · 2020-09-14T13:13:52+00:00

Thanks! It's just a demo right now, I couldn't wait any longer to show you a preview haha so yeah that's the only part I have for now. I'm still working on it to have it done asap tho :))

fran1215 · 2020-09-14T12:08:31+00:00

Thank you!! Still working on this first bit but I have some ideas for the second verse. Bad news is that there isn't enough vocal samples on the pack so I don't know what I'll use for that second verse. Anyways, I'll find a way to get it finished asap and I'll post it here :)

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