Director: Michael Landon Jr.

Cast: Katherine Heigl                       Marty
         Logan Bartholomew               Willie
         January Jones                         Missie
         Dale Midkiff                           Clark

Genre: Christian Drama

This is the second movie of this Christian drama series. The Davis family is now living in a much better house. The eldest child of three, Missie, is now a school teacher. Missie met a handsome rich guy named Grant.  Everything seems perfect until her father nearly fatal accident. A mysterious guy helped Clark. Later on, Missie is torn between her fascination to Grant and to the mysterious guy who is helping her family while her father is still recovering.

 I have a lot of realization after watching the movie. When I dig deeper to the history, our lives nowadays are much easier compared to theirs before. They needed to work hard to feed the family and survive. People back then have to grow their own food or else they will get hungry.

We are enjoying the comfort of what they have done before. It is good to have such luxuries if they are used in the right way. Unfortunately, other people just take those good things for granted. We do not need to plow and toil soil in order to eat. We have plenty of grocery stores where we could buy our own stuff. We have farmers to plant food for us. Everything is very easy now. We could get our needs everywhere. Sometimes, when I look at our trash cans with wasted food in it, I feel sad. That only shows of not caring for the blessings everyday.

Though I could say that living today is better than the past in terms of medicine. We have bunches of medicines for different diseases now. A simple infection could kill a person before. They don't even have proper cure for a wound that could be easily cured today.

I admire the way this film portrays the difference of a man to a woman. You could see how God created human in His unique way. Each one has their own qualities and traits in the world. A woman could handle the household really well but they could not perform a man's work. Seeing the two women do the plowing of the field made my heart ached. I could feel the desire of performing the task well but could not. I could not say it portrays chauvinism but there are things a woman could not do.

Showing a good family relationship makes this movie a thumbs up. The closeness shows a good Christian example. I hope there are still families who have a close relationship in the house nowadays.

The affection Nate showed Missie made me cry. He tried his best not to show it but it prevails. I like the way their love blossoms for each other. I could say now that everything that happens has its own reason.

It is a recommended movie to watch.

My CR1 Visa Interview in US Embassy Manila

June 8, 2015 is a dreadful day for me. I have been anticipating for it for over a month now. It wasn’t actually more than a month but since my husband submitted his petition to USCIS. As they say, this is the BIG day during the immigration process. My appointment at the US embassy in Manila is 6:15 am. I woke up before 3:00am though I almost did not sleep the whole night. I arrived there before 4:30 and was so surprised of the long queues. There was a line for Immigrants that has 6:15 am, one line for seafarers and the other line for 6:30am. I am kind of anxious but was so surprised for not feeling really nervous which I was anticipating for days. There were people who will tell you need to leave your gadgets such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, flash drives, food and water. They would even convince you print the DS-260 confirmation. There were still people who were being lured to their baits. How could a page of the DS-260 confirmation costs 400? I was surprised of their tactics just to make money from applicants.

Anyway, the guards told us to prepare the first page of Ds-260 confirmation and the first page of the appointment letter. They let us go in at 6:00 am. They checked our bags. There was line for getting the number stub. I will never forget my number 6048. We went inside the embassy and there was another bag checking. A man collected our letter to drop at Window 38. We waited in a queue for finger scanning. The windows just started to open. It was conducted be mostly Filipinos and one American. I guess the American guy has a bad morning. He was kind of angry especially when the applicant could not hear what he was saying or does not follow his instruction.

After the finger scanning, we were told to go to step C. I did not realize it is already the pre-screening. Filipino consuls are conducting it. I was in line when I overheard the interviews. Wow, the consuls were strict and asked endless questions. It feels like you are being fried on a hot pan. I was suddenly so anxious at this time. When it was my turn, the lady asked for my, CENOMAR (I am so glad I brought it even though it was not on their requirements). She then asked for my Marriage and Birth Certificates and NBI certificate.

All of the sudden, she just told me that my NBI has correction. She said that my middle name and surname are the same. I told her that was what the guy wrote at the NBI office. I even insisted that the guy told me it should be the right one. I did not argue. Should I still blame that guy when in fact I did not see him at the NBI office upon getting my second certificate? The consul put a question mark on my NBI certificate. She then asked for the affidavit of support and found out that my husband’s income did not meet the requirement. I told her if they were accepting assets. Yes, they do but I could give the papers to support the assets my husband put on his Affidavit of Support form because the supporting evidences were not there. The lady said I will need a co sponsor and she looked unhappy. I felt so weak and defeated. I tried to digest what she just said. I asked myself if I was being denied.  She then told me to proceed to Step 3. I walked away with a heavy heart. I am doomed. I brushed away the tears that were about to fall from my eyes. For a moment, I did not mind the things happening around me. I was there quietly sitting. I could not even stare at anyone. I was so depressed. After a few minutes, I consoled myself that whatever happens, the important thing I have done my part to this whole process. Whatever the outcome will be, all I know is I will finish what Troy and I started.
Step 3 is for the oath taking. We went into a queue to recite the oath written in 3 languages we were comfortable to read. I chose Filipino. After the oath, we were told to come back to our seat and wait for the call.  After few minutes, we were told to go to a queue for our final interview. This time, I was not really anxious. All I think is I will be denied. I was kind of trembling because of too much cold. While we were in a queue, I could overhear the interviews going on. There were 4 consuls at the windows as to where we are standing. Two of the consuls were serious and strict. They don’t smile a bit. Some applicants spent like half an hour during the interview. The questions were hard too. However, two consuls have pleasant personalities. They smile from time to time and ask easy questions. I prayed silently that God will lead me to the nicest consul for the interview. My prayer was answered when the consul I was asking for will actually interview me.

He asked me how my day was. I said I am doing okay. I am a little bit nervous at this time but because of his bubbly personality, I shooed away any nervousness I felt inside. These are the questions I remembered he asked me:

What is your name?
When is your birthday?
Is the petitioner your husband?
When did you two meet?
What dating site?
When did you meet in person?
When did he propose?
When did you last see him?
Was he married before?
Do you know when did the divorce get finalized?
What are the names of his kids?
Can I see your pictures together?

He was amazed that my husband proposed after 5 days of seeing each other in person.  This time, he gave me a pamphlet about abuse. He then asked me if I know the number to call in case of emergencies. I told him 911 and he smiled. He said I am good to go but I have to submit a co sponsor for the affidavit of support and a corrected NBI certificate. Until then, they could issue the visa.

"Love Comes Softly" To A Patient Man

Director: Michael Landon Jr.

 Cast: Katherine Heigl, Dale Midkiff, Skye McCole Bartusiak, Corbin Bernsen, Theresa Russell

 Genre: Christian Drama

Marty Claridge (Katherine Heigl) and her husband Oliver headed to the West to find a place to live in. Unfortunately, her husband was abruptly killed due to a riding accident. She is pregnant from her late husband and needed a place to stay for the winter. Clark Davis (Dale Midkiff), a widower, offered her marriage but won't be living as husband and wife. He offered her a place to stay and will provide for the train fare on the spring to go back to the East in exchange of a motherly influence and affection towards his daughter Missie (Skye McCole). But they soon fall in love during the winter. Will it be enough reason for her to stay when spring comes?

The movie is set during 19th century. I love the horses and carriages. Yes, I could say that they lack machine to make work easier. I could feel the hardships especially in toiling the soil. But life was simple and beautiful. People were much nicer. I am amazed of the author who came up with this kind of plot. The movie pacing was not too slow nor too fast. I enjoyed everything.

From the title itself, I could deeply feel how love develops through time. I salute the character of Clark here. He is a very patient man. He never gets tired of waiting even if he seems to wait for nothing. His patience is the result of being faithful to God. He never forgets to pray and sing to God everyday. He always asks God's guidance every time he makes a decision. He surrenders everything to God. My heart aches when his prayers were not answered right away and how he still manages to draw himself even closer to God in times like that.

However, Marty's character is lovable too. I could understand how she distanced herself from Clark at first. Who wouldn't be? She just lost her husband right before they even fulfill their plans for the future. Imagine how devastated she was? She let herself swallowed by grief for many days. I salute her open-mindedness in embracing her new life with Clark. Though it is hard for her to learn to love again, in her own ways, she somehow showed care to Clark and to his daughter Missie. As it is always said: Time heals all wounds. She did not give up and continue living. It is understandable for her to love Clark slowly. I could not stop myself from crying when she realized he loves Clark but she still needed to leave.

Oh how I like Missie's character! She seemed too aloof at first which confined her in her safe place after losing her own mom. It made her so tough from the outside but once you start unfolding her true personality, she was adorable.

Everything about the movie is beautiful. It will inspire a lot of people. The plot is weaved in sophistication and with the touch of love. The actors are great. They fitted so well with their characters. You will want to keep watching until the end. There were no dull moments.

 This is one of the best movies I have ever watched. It is good to watch films with no violence and inspire our spiritual growth.

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Once Upon An "Elevator Girl" Falls In Love

Director: Bradford May

Cast: Lacey Chabert, Ryan Merriman, Allison McAtee, Jonathan Bennett

Genre: Romance, Drama

A workaholic lawyer Jonathan (Ryan Merriman) was stuck inside the elevator with the free-spirited Liberty (Lacey Chabert). Sparks fly between them. Do they have a chance in romance when a goal-setter Jonathan finds out that Liberty could not pick one from the jobs she is doing in a week?

The title itself is predictable. Before I watched the movie, I already assumed that the leading roles will meet inside the elevator and fall in love. And yes, it actually happened. I have learned something from this one. Many years ago, rich discriminated the poor. There was some kind of thick wall between them or else they will collide. People judge you of what they could see in your pocket.

I noticed this thing in the movie. It seemed that they judge the girl because she has no great job to flaunt. It is something that divides human race. And yes, there are instances that love changes it. Love defies all reasons. It bridges impossible gap and reaches out to something unreachable. I like the conflict of the movie because it was deep: career and goals versus love and passion. It's quite hard to settle the conflict unless one will compromise.

I like the pacing from the start until the climax. Although it is something I am anticipating about, still I was touched. I saw it coming but the actuality affected me. It would have been perfect when other scenes were not done way too predictable and overacted. I had anticipated that the ending will be inside the elevator again.  How come after they went out the elevator, the girl threw a bouquet as if they just got married inside the elevator? It was so unrealistic. Also, the girl who had once a love interest to Jonathan switched her feeling to Nick (Jonathan's best friend who has a girlfriend on the previous scenes). The movie did not discuss how the break up happened. I know they were not the leading roles in the film and they are not the center of attraction. But as of me, I particularly noticed it.

Libby (Liberty) was seemed dreamy throughout the movie. She was too nice to the extent of not defending herself so much. I like her best friend's character though. I did not appreciate her facial expressions. I could not find her uniqueness in this movie to give justice to her character.

Furthermore, I realized one thing about Jonathan. He is not a family man. I don't like him yelling and ranting. When you are watching a movie, the guy protagonist should be lovable. He could be annoying yet still a perfect gentleman. The guy has no consistency in his character. He has held me from the start until the climax when he ruined the characterization of being a hero. It is as if that when the girl will love him, the girl will adjust and compromise.

I could not deny the fact that he is gorgeous though. It is the plus point why I finished watching it.

"The Love Letter" Which Travels Through Time (1998)

Director: Dan Curtis

Cast: Campbell Scott, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Scott (Campbell Scott) of the 20th century bought an antique desk from the 19th century. He discovered a letter dated over a hundred years ago from a woman named Elizabeth (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Love blossomed while they were exchanging letters using the desk which could send and receive letters through century apart. Will a love story have a happy ending when the greatest obstacle is time?

I have an inclined fascination about time machine and time travel. I got interested in this movie because it talked about the relationship of two people in different time.  It was amazing to watch that an antique desk could send and receive letters from two different centuries.

I could feel the decent use of words in this movie especially during Elizabeth time. The language was way too formal compare to what our language is spoken nowadays. There was an eminent grace in it. I was also fascinated by the clothes used during 19th century. I could feel how the ladies acted  in the olden days. They were graceful yet demure.

I like  Leigh's acting. She is very pretty and fitted well with her character as Elizabeth Whitcomb. However, I could not feel the depth of the character of Scott sometimes. He seemed bland in some degree. But still, the movie is favorable to watch.

I noticed one thing that the movie should be. I wish the guy had no girlfriend at the present time. I wish he was more of a lonely guy who was seeking for love. That would fit the character in the movie. It ruined the romantic ambiance because he was torn between his fiancee and the girl from the past. He could have focused his attention to one girl. If he had no relationship at all, the exchanging of the letters would have been more romantic. It was as if the letter stole his heart in one wink. Also, my heart went to the fiancee. At the first part of the movie, they seemed in love with each other. How come the guy was disturbed from the letters of the woman in the past when he has someone in the present? Don't get me wrong. I love time travel and enchantment. I do like the idea of Elizabeth writing a letter to her "dream guy" though. It was romantic.

The movie locations especially during the 19th century were beautiful and fascinating. My inclination to old things was way too powerful not to like it. I love the costumes too.

However, I was not really satisfied of the ending though. I wish the reincarnated Beth had a brief storyline wherein she had somehow felt and seen what happened during her first life just like Scott's. But I could still say it is a watchable movie. 

When "In My Dreams" Turns Into Reality (2014)

Director: Kenny Leon

Cast: Katharine Mc Phee, Mike Vogel, JoBeth Williams, Joe Massingill, Rachel Skarsten, Antonio Cupo Jessalyn Wanlim

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

When Natalie (Katharine Mc Phee) and Nick (Mike Vogel) threw coins into the Hayward Fountain, they started dreaming about each other. They started falling in love in dreams. According to the myth, the dreams will last for seven consecutive nights and the couple should turn that dreams into reality. Will they find  each other?

This movie moved me big time. At first, I was not really excited of the title because I was thinking it was just some kind of random romantic movies with a typical plot. But as I continued watching, I can't take my eyes off the screen. The plot amazed me. I actually had goose bumps every time I anticipate for the next scenes. This movie is not one of those cliches. It has substance and perfect for Valentine treat for couples.

It is a slow paced movie but it is not boring. You will surely be gasping for air in anticipation of what will happen next. Also, I got my fair share of laughter to some funny dialogues. Funny lines in this movie give a breath of fresh air for the romantic ambiance.

I only have one silly observation from it: When Nick and Natalie are dreaming about each other, they should not touch or else they will wake up. However, in one of their dreams, they were walking and I noticed their arms brushed each other but the dream continued.

I gave this a thumbs up. I could say that you don't need to dream first before meeting your soul mate. The important thing is the love and commitment you have for each other. A wishing fountain is not only the basis for love. The lesson I learned from this movie is when you get a chance to fight for your feelings, do it the soonest or else it will be too late.