SLEC Medical Exam Experience (St. Luke's Extension Clinic)

Hi everyone! I'm back after 10,000,000 decades. Lol! I'm so excited to share with you my experiences during my medical exam and visa interview as part of my K1 visa application.

Let me start with my medical exam. 

Here's the procedure from SLEC.


DAY 1
Time arrived: 6:00 am

I had my medical exam on January 12-13, 2015 the week of Pope Francis' arrival in the Philippines. Sobrang daming tao sa clinic since it will be closed on Thurs-Monday (January 15-19,2015). Specially sa mga 15 years old and below, they need to come on Monday to get the result of their skin test on Wednesday (48 hrs required).

1. Verification of the US Embassy Packet by the SLEC Guards
 >>>>Most (if not all) US applicant did not receive the USEM packet before medical. They just asked my passport, nvc, 2x2 picture, SLEC online application form and USEM interview application.

2. All applicants are asked to fill up Patient Data Sheet form. 
>>>>Better fill up the form online. You will have faster process.

SLEC application online application form.
Sorry I have to blur it out kasi puro info na yan, super small
lang ng letters ng mga questions. 

3. Submission of accomplished PDS form at the Reception Area...
>>>>I was asked to go to 1st floor to pass all the requirements needed but the receptionist didn't get all the papers I have. They only got 1 slec online application, NVC, 1 USEm interview application and 1 2x2. I was also taken picture through webcam and my fingerprint. Every computer has the finger scanning device. They will tell you to scan your fingerprint then all your info will show on the computer. hehe so hightechyyy! You will be given a checklist on what you need to undergo.

4. Payment at the cashier in Philippine currency
>>>>I paid 11,025 pesos. You will be given a receipt. attached to the checklist.

MEDICAL EXAM

(This can be done in any order)
a. Radiology
>>>You will be asked by 3 or by 5 to go to the xray room. Male at the left wing and Female at the right. Inside has a stack of clean gowns and a basket for the used clothes. They smell good in fairness. My advice, don't wear dress during the medical if you don't wanna wear panty and gown only during xray.

Room inside a room. Lol! There are 2 rooms inside the Xray room.
Dressing room and the actual xray room.

b. Laboratory
>>>US applicants didn't have urine and stool test. We only had blood test for the syphilis, drug etc exam. As far as I know, if you have syphilis you will be retained until it will be cured but if you were detected as drug user, you will not be able to know until you have your interview since the envelope will only be opened during your interview with the American consul.

Blood test at SLEC

c. Immunization Interview
>>>I was asked a lot of questions about my health, lifestyle etc. You should know if you had chickenpox already and it's scar. If you will not be able to show just a single scar, you will be marked as never pa nagka bulutong. You also have to show the bakuna scar, they will look for it. They will also ask if you smoke, drink, use drugs, were confined, when were you confined and what diseases. Actually, they have a lot of question that sometimes you can no longer understand them.

d. USA Counter
>>>Eye test, weight and height. You will not be asked to read all the letters, only the part where it has M, G and E. I failed to read all the letters since I did not bring my eyeglasses. If you're wearing one you should not forget to wear it before the eye test.

e. Physical Exam
>>>You will be asked questions that are similar during the Immunization interview. There are some additions but it's also related to your health, lifestyle, previous diseases. I was asked to remove my clothes completely but I was told to wear gown without tying. I lay down, the doctor checked if I have cesarean scar, my wrist if I have laslas/suicidal tendency (if you have then you will undergo psychiatric exam) checked my tattoos and listed them all. Then, I was asked to do a fetal position and lift one side of my butt LOL they will check if you have hemorrhoids and normal delivery scar.

Finished at 9:30 pm


DAY 2

I was so scared to know the result because I've read some who undergone sputum exam have to reschedule their interview for 2-3 months until culturing is done. But if positive to TB, interview should be rescheduled from 6 months to 1 year.

I was asked to go back at 2:30 and I didn't know I can go as early as 4am to line up this receipt to be first in line at the releasing area. I came at 1:30pm and my new friends were already there at 12noon.

Ang pinaka kakaba kabang part aside from American Consul interview: Knowing what stamp you will receive.
>>>I think they have 3 or 4 stamps there. There is only one manong who has a computer. I gave my receipt and he typed my name yata or my receipt number. I am not sure. That will tell what to stamp on your receipt. I read a blog that says if you received "IMMUNIZATION" stamp, you passed. If Counter A - Psychiatric Exam; Laboratory - Sputum Exam; Radiology - repeat xray.

Sobrang saya ko when I saw IMMUNIZATION on my receipt. Sobrang tuwa ko, I asked manong guard kung pasado. He said with a smile "Opo maam" I swear, sobrang happy that I even thanked manong. hahaha I was so glad I passed the exam. Actually, I was preparing my self na nga na hindi ako papasa. I was a smoker, I just stopped a year before my medical, so I was expecting to undergo sputum kasi yung iba not smoker pero napa sputum pa, ako pa na kinawawa ang lungs. 

>>>The manong guard told me to go to 2nd floor. I waited for like 3 hours to have the immunization. I only receive 1 shot,  I should have 2 but Tdap wasn't available at that time. Then I went to 1st floor to wait for my envelope. I was called at window A for my signature then wait again. I was finally called at window J. I gave my ds160, 3 2x2 pictures and the rest of the papers I brought (link for the Medical Exam requirements for K1 applicants). They will ask questions again about your health before giving your envelope and CD. I was the last who came at slec on the 2nd day among my friends but I was the first who got my envelope. You will see boards anywhere inside slec saying releasing of US medical result is not 1st come 1st served basis, it depends upon ... (basta ganyan ang thought hehe). I finished my second day at 8:00pm

Comclark Network and Technology Corp.

For 1 year and 6 months of suffering, let me take a minute to rant about how SLOW, FAKE and UNRELIABLE this internet provider is!!! OMG, you can tell how angry I am with those exclamation point. lol! December 2012, I applied for Comclark 1mbps internet service. I chose them because I thought I will work online and wired internet connection is a must. They have 30 months holding period (2 and a half years) which is just fine if you have a regular job and if they provide everything they'd promised. But the first 3 months was a disaster! I cannot even explain how angry and frustrated I was at that time. I lose my online job because of their slow connection!!!!! I am in a long distance relationship and internet is the best way to stay connected with my hubby.

I was thinking of the best thing to do, where to tell my story and how to take an action since they have been sending people to fix the problem but nothing is happening. It's just the same. I even experienced 8 days without internet but still obliged to pay the complete 1 month fee THE HECK!!!!. I found NTC's (National Telecommunication Commission)  website and sent my complaints. A few days after, I received an e-mail about my concern from NTC. I didn't expect that for I always thought government offices do not give much attention to this kind of problem specially that Comclark is just a small company. I told them my story and guess what, Comclark immediately fixed the problem. It was OK until this month, I had the same issue again. I cannot use my internet and the signal keeps on dropping specially yesterday. That's why I decided to make this blog! I almost had a heart attack yesterday! haha I swear, I wanna scream and throw their modem to angerrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

I hope this blog is useful to you, specially those who are planning to avail their internet service! Lol, better read forums, blog, etc before deciding. 30 months is too long! Better use broadband, it's even faster! I used Sun Broadband before and I really regret for not renewing my contract and choosing Comclark over them. Anyway, if anyone from Comclark is reading this, I HOPE NOBODY TRUST YOU ANYMORE!!!!

Lovessss NADI

Why I Don't Buy Clothes in Tiangge

What does tiangge actually mean?--I've read different definitions of tiangge on the internet and I realized I do not know the real meaning of it. *teehee*. But for me, tiangge is a group of stalls whether it's in the building or sometimes on the sidewalk that sells dry goods. Nowadays, tiangge clothes are also very common in online shops, specially on Facebook. They are even cheaper if you buy online because they don't pay tax, shop rentals and they buy in bulk. According to Wikipedia (my college professors, forgive me for using Wikipedia as a source) tiangge is similar to Swap Meet but I disagree with that. Swap Meet is Ukay-ukay / Wag-wag in the Philippines. In Tiangge, you can buy cheap, brand new, Asian dry goods but with very low quality. While in Ukay-ukay, you can buy used, imported, most of the time good quality dry goods.

Anyway, let me answer the question Why I don't buy Clothes in Tiangge. I don't buy in Tiangge because they have small sizes *teehee*. Actually, I enjoy walking along the tianggian because I see many cute stuffs specially clothes but they have small sizes since it's made in Asia. Asian are not as curvy as those who are from the other continent. The biggest size from changge is like small size from US/UK clothes. My size is Medium if I buy high-end brands or any US/UK brand but in tiangge, my size is already too big that they do not have a size anymore. If you ask them if they have L (large) size, they would say "Semi-Large lang po" (semi-large only). I didn't know there is such size as semi-large. Lol!! Whatevs!

Tiangge clothes are fun to look at. They are cute and very cheap. But if you don't wanna see the clothes you bought from different people you meet anywhere in the Philippines and to see damages after wearing them a few times, tiangge clothes are not for you.

I cannot provide photos of tiangge but you can find them in google.com lol.

Ever Bilena Advance Makeup Remover REVIEW

I ran out of makeup remover so I went to the mall to buy another one and I also want to buy lip liner from Ever Bilena that was suggested by my favorite pinay guru. I was walking around at the makeup section then Ever Bilena Advance Makeup Remover caught my eye instantly because it looks exactly the same with Maybelline Makeup Remover so I thought it's its dupe. I had only used one brand of makeup remover since I started using makeup which is Maybelline so I thought why wouldn't I give it a try with a local brand. 

If you would really look at it, the Ever Bilena has darker blue color than the Maybelline.
EB: 80ml for 95.00php and Maybelline: 40ml for 99.00php. 

I planned to use this makeup remover when I'll be using my L'oreal Collagen Waterproof Mascara. This mascara was just an OK mascara for me because it's sooooo sooooo sooooo soooooo DIFFICULT TO REMOVE which is not very nice anymore and I feel like I have 10 pairs of falsies on my eyes whenever I am wearing it. With my very Asian lashes (going straight down), they will still look dramatic that never happened with all the mascaras I've tried. 

The day before yesterday was my grandma's birthday so I thought it would be the best time to wear the mascara and to test out my new makeup remover. I was so excited to remove my makeup so I could already post a blog about it. I put 3-4 drops into the cotton ball and as soon as I swiped it on my closed right eye (detailed para dramatic..lol) IT STINGS!!!! I thought I was going blind that night. I swear!!! It's so ouchy! My eye turned red, not just a normal reddish eye but around my Iris was so veiny red (if that makes sense). It was my first time to experience that. I immediately washed it and with my panic, I pressed it with a face towel. It hurts to the highest level. I'm not exaggerating, I swear, it hurts!!!!!!!! I also noticed, it didn't remove my mascara. It just hurt my eye, that's it. So, let's see what it claims.... **cricket** nothing. Of course, it's a makeup remover so it would claim to remove all your makeup but it was not indicated that it would remove all water proof makeup unlike the Maybelline. Fine, it didn't promise to remove waterproof makeups but why would you buy makeup remover if you could remove it with water + soap + toner. 

I ended up removing my makeup with petroleum jelly to be sure my eye wouldn't hurt again. I was not able to take a picture of my eye last night because I feel traumatized with what I experienced with this crap. If you are wondering why do I still buy makeup remover if I have petroleum jelly, it's because I use makeup remover with the q-tip to remove liner or mascara that were not removed after all my rituals at night :)) (you know what I mean and who haven't done that specially when you're tired and very sleepy). If I use petroleum jelly, I will wash my face all over again.

I tried it with the back of my hand earlier this morning to prove if it is effective. I know skin is incomparable to lashes because it's easier to remove with the skin than with the lashes but I wouldn't sacrifice my vision/eyesight for this blog. 

need to shake while pouring because oil and h2o
separate immediately. Can you see the bubbles?

3 rubs of  brown water-proof mascara

twice rubbed the cotton ball with
Ever Bilena Makeup Remover

6x rub (with effort) the cotton ball with
Ever Bilena Makeup Remover

 If it didn't remove the mascara in the back of my hand, what more with the lashes thinking that it should be carefully applied because it will sting your eyes.

Pro:

cheap (price)
-you can save 100+% compared to Maybelline Makeup Remover 40ml

Cons:

cheap (quality)

stings my eye

ineffective

after shaking, oil and water separate immediately
-need to shake while pouring into the cotton pad.

Verdict:

If I could only return this product, I will. But I have no choice but to keep this.
I can't use this on my face too because it's very oily so I might just use this to remove makeup on my neck.
Whatever!! I think I just bought a junk for 95.00php

Will I repurchase it?

NO NO NO

Worst Facial Moisturizer in the Philippines (Myra E Facial Moisturizer)

Are you a first time user of facial moisturizer and still confused what to buy? It ain't easy to choose what's best moisturizer fits you. There are factors to consider before buying one.

It's almost empty. FYI I tore off the bottom
part. Blame Jerry's foot for covering it.

The first moisturizer I used was Myra E Facial Moisturizer. Since it's my first time to use facial moisturizer, I didn't know what a good moisturizer is. I bought the 10mL sachet (fortunately) for 16.00php for 2 (it's actually buy 1 take 1) . Very good deal, huh! Yes, don't let the price fool you BUT I do believe, really believe that you have and need to invest with what you gonna use on your face.

product first

I used this product for 2 weeks, believe it or not for just two weeks, I had uncountable/numerous/jillion of pimples!!!!! Ghaaaaad!! It broke me out so badly! I never really get pimples. My skin isn't perfect but it's not that sensitive. I can't think of my facial products that could break me out except the Myra E since I've been using them for a long time. (Cetaphil Skin Cleanser, Skin White Advance Facial Cleanser)

Why did I let two weeks to pass before realizing it's the moisturizer that made my face no space for new pimples (so old school :))) panahon pa ng 3310 no space for new message LOL) because at that time red tide is coming so I thought it was the reason of my breakouts. When I noticed it wasn't the normal pimple I am having before the red signal, I then freaked out that I am using a wrong product on my face! Eww!!!! Arteee!!

If only I have my before and after photo of my face when I used this very bad Myra E Facial Moisturizer. This is not an exaggeration but EVERYBODY againnnnn E V E R Y B O D Y was asking me what happened to my face.

If you're wondering why I bought this product, because it's water based. I thought if it's water-based it's automatically considered as non-comedogenic. But I was wrong.

"Non-comedogenic is a term applied to oils, lotions and skin creams that do not block pores "(http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-noncomedogenic.htm)

What are the things you need to know before buying moisturizer?

1. Pay attention to the ingredients not the price. But most of the time, the higher the price the better ingredients.
2. Weather. Duh?! Philippines = Humid!!!! If you are living in a very humid place like me, choose an oil-free moisturizer but make sure it wont break out your skin.
3. Know your skin type. Dry or oily? Pigmented or non-pigmented? Wrinkled or tight? Sensitive or resistant?
4. Sunblock. In my own opinion, moisturizer without sunblock is useless because sunblock will protect your skin from premature signs of aging.

What happened to the other sachet of moisturizer? I am using it on my neck. ^_^ Let's not waste, let's save Mother Earth. Charaught! Poverty/sayang naman. 

Next blog, I'm sooooo excited!!! Imma post how I cure my breakouts using ingredients that, I am a hundred percent sure, is available at home. Yayyyyy!!!! and I might post a review about the new moisturizer I am using right now.