About the Author/Webmaster

I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the United States.   After graduating from High School in 1984, I joined the Marines and, after some testing, was assigned the MOS (job) of Cryptologic Linguist, Middle East. Upon completion of boot camp, I was sent to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLI-FLC) in Monterey, California, where I was given a yearlong course of instruction in Pashtu, a major Afghan dialect.  Upon graduation from DLI, I spent a few weeks at Goodfellow Air Force Base studying Cryptology before being shipped off to Hawai’i, where I spent the remainder of my time in the Marines.   

I was deployed to sea on several occasions, and had the opportunity to visit the Philippines dozens of time.  In fact, once it became clear that the Soviets were destined to lose their war in Afghanistan, the Marines ignored my language skills, and I was tasked with other duties.  One of those duties was to study the Philippines, its people, politics, military, and international relations, and to compile a country assessment for reference by theatre commanders in the event of future conflicts.  

After I left the Marines, I returned to Tennessee and obtained my Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science, with a minor in World History.  Just prior to graduation, I married my wonderful wife, Josephine (“Josie”) in the Philippines.  Due to commitments stemming from my ROTC studies, I was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, and was returned to Hawai’i, this time to a Military Intelligence Battalion.   

After my discharge a few years later, I entered Law School, but completed only one semester before realizing that I couldn’t afford to continue my studies.   It was around this time, in 1997, that I first set up the ASAWA website, which was the genesis for both the ASAWA forum and his handbook.   

My wife and I now live in Wisconsin, where I am a career federal employee working for the Department of Defense.  In my spare time, of course, I enjoy reading and writing and popping in and out of the ASAWA forum. 

 


All original materials on this website (www.asawa.org, www.filipinawives.com) are copyrighted by the author, Bob Lingerfelt, 1997 -2007  with materials on file at the U.S. Copyright Office.  No reproduction is authorized, in any form, without express permission of the author.

Home 

Disclaimers

Introduction

FAQ

The ASAWA Guide

The Forum

Correspondence Service Advice

Links

 

The ASAWA Blog

 

 

 

 

What is the #1 financial mistake of men who are new to Fil-West relationships?  They call the Philippines using their regular long distance carrier! 

Don't do it!  Please visit SpeedyPin, one of ASAWA's primary sponsors.  As most Fil-West couples already know, using a phone card can save you a lot  of money! 

 

Section I: Pre-Relationship Education

 

Fun Trivia About The Philippines

Philippine History In A Nutshell 

Religion

What's In A Name?

A List of Famous Filipinas

The American Romance

The "Average" Fil-West Couple

So You Want To Marry A Filipina

So You STILL Want To Marry…

Heaven Or Hell?

Mail Order Brides Fact & Fiction 

Correspondence Services

Legal Concerns

Age Differences

The Attack On Feminism

A Shortage Of Filipino Males?  

The Problem With Submission

City Vs. Province

Questions For Her

Questions For Him

Suggested Books

Midnight Sunshine, a novel

A Long Way to Go for a Date

Recommended Movies

 

Section II: Courtship

 

Your Travel Budget

Flying to the Philippines

What To Take To The Philippines

Travel Tips

Philippines Travel Guide

Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport

Security In The Philippines

Recommended Hotels

Social Situations

Learning To Communicate

Sex And Virginity

The Visitor's Visa

 

Section III: 

Engagement/

Marriage                       

                      

Taking Your Relationship Public

Expenses

Prenuptials

Annulments

So You Want an Annulment?

Wedding Costs In The Philippines

Marriage - Where and How

A Filipina Abandoned

"Separate But Equal"?

 

Section IV:

Immigration

 

Immigration Pointers

Proof Of Your Relationship

The Marriage Application

Fiancée Visa (K-1)

Spousal Visa (IR-1)

K1 & K3 Procedures

Evidence of Non-Immigrant Status (SSN)

Employment Authorization for Immigrants

St. Luke's Clinic

Immigration Numbers And Addresses

Minimum Income Requirements

 

Section V: 

Lifetime Issues

 

Health And Dental Issues

Filipina Transitions

Superstitions

Dealing With Intolerance

Tampo

Financial Support Of Relatives  

Sources of Conflict

Appendix:

 

Immigration Forms

Statistics

CIA Fact Sheet On The Philippines 

Map Of The Philippines

Electricity

Currency

Holidays

Name Structure

How To Send Money

How To Send Mail And Packages

Republic Act No. 6955

Family Code Of The Philippines

Terms And Acronyms

Filipino Communities

 

Guest Articles:

 

John's Story

Maligaya Means It

You May Be  Married to a Filipina if…

Imee

Weddings in the Philippines

The TownHouse Hotel, Manila