December 2012 was the year I met my beautiful Filipina wife "Angelley"
Part of the visa process was to write to the British Embassy
The letter below was submitted with the first visa application accompanied by a few photos.
Five years on 2017 we are happily married and have a beautiful baby girl and live between London and Cebu
"Placing the ring on my beautiful wife after taking our vows"
Our little bundle of joy "Harriette Lee" Born 8th September 2017
And so our love story begins with this first letter to the British Embassy!
Dear Sir/madam
As a professional Scuba Diving instructor, I have travelled to many parts of the world to teach and dive various locations though mainly in Asian countries.
After spending approximately one- year teaching and working in throughout Thailand I decided to plan my next trip to the Philippines namely Cebu for the duration of seven weeks.
I chose Cebu mainly for the unique experience to dive with the Whale sharks in Oslob South of Cebu not to mention the rare species of shark called the Thresher Shark which is found to a little island in the north named Malapascua.
In August 2012 I decided to look for more information researching the Culture, Dive sites and architecture by joining certain forums engaging in conversations with the Philippines people through Social Network Sites and google search.
I first had contact with Angelley through a Social Network site as she lived in the proximity that I will be visiting. What drew my attention to ask Angelley for advice that she showed an interest in our Oceans?
I introduce my self as a Professional Diving instructor and we engaged in brief conversation through Tagged.
Two weeks prior to my trip the conversations seemed meaningful and she enlightened me with her knowledge of her area.
Angelley offered to assist me for a few days just to find my feet.
I landed in Mactan Airport Cebu on the 29th December 2012 a very polite Lady so named Angelley greeted me, she had an array of information in the way of Internet searching that she kindly had done for me, I was very impressed and grateful for the effort she put into her research. I felt obliged by asking kindly for her to experience a day diving with me.
That was the start of something special that at the time I did not realise. My intentions was not looking for any kind of relationship at all, my visit was purely for Diving reasons.
After helping me check in to my hotel I thanked her kindly and paid for her Taxi home and asked her if she would like to join me for a day of diving the following day. She replied she would love to, so I gave her the money for the taxi to return in the morning.
A big smile with a rucksack on her back as I was greeted by Angelley so eager for the day's events
During this day it was so much fun, her character was strong determined and grinning from ear to ear, During the surface interval between dives I encourage Angelley to join me in the water to do some snorkeling, she was very nervous never the less she joined me and under my guidance I let her enjoy, she was very good.
That evening we attended a New Years Eve party with a friend of mine who I have worked with in Thailand; she enjoyed the Company and engaged in conversation.
Over the duration of my visit, Angelley joined me to various dive sites and locations throughout Cebu and Palawan. We travelled together and she enlightens me with all her knowledge taking me to historic landmarks etc.
Angelley introduced me to her family who greeted me with such kindness and invited me to dinner. Through interpretation through Angelley who can speak perfect English I engaged in conversation with her family.
Angelley's Grandfather who is now 84 years old was such an interesting man and through Angelley I was engaging in deep conversation regarding his younger years when the Japanese Imperial Army occupied the Philippines, the stories were so interesting I have asked Angelley if she can do an autobiography on her grandfather's life.
During my stay in Angelley's hometown, her grandfather was taken ill in turn as an HSE First Aider and instructor I treated him, it was purely an infection, cleaning the infected area and giving him antibiotics, they were truly grateful.
Both of us left for Malapascua via local bus from North bus terminal in Cebu City. Six hours later we arrived at the port jumped on to a local ferry and arrived in Malapascua 2 hours later.
Spending 4 days on the island and experiencing awesome diving we decided to go to Bantayan Island, this island was very beautiful and fascinating to see the old colonel forts of the Spanish Empire, which Mary was very Knowledgeable and shared with me.
A few days later we returned to mainland Cebu and headed of to Palawan Island where we travelled the length and breadth of this beautiful island thus ending up in Coron Island where I experienced diving the 12 Japanese imperial ships that were sunk in September 1944 by the Americans and again during surface intervals I took Mary into the water and let her use the scuba equipment this time as a Discover Scuba Diving experience.
During my time with Angelley I fell deeply in love with her, we spent many nights just walking and talking and sharing stories. She is very educated and well mannered, her English is excellent to the fact she can speak 4 other languages including German, which she learnt through university.
On my return back to the UK we have kept in constant contact every day mainly through Skype Video link, text, phone, Yahoo, email, etc.
I Have fallen in love with Angelley so much and I know that she has fallen in love with me too and we wish to get married here in the UK as my current work prevents me from returning for long periods overseas.
I have been helping Angelley to obtain the necessary documentation that is needed to apply for a Visa application by sending her Monies through the Western Union.
I live in Bexleyheath South East London on my own I have my own home and I wish Angelley to join me here in the UK as my wife and to share my life as husband and wife in our matrimony home
Angelley has many talents and one of them is an artist, her drawings are so unique I just know that she will exceed here in the UK opposed to the Philippines due to suppression. I will look after her and treat her with utmost respect educate her and take her by the hand and show her everything that the UK has to offer. Mary will fit into UK society very well and she will be an asset to the UK opposed to being a liability
Angelley will become a Scuba Diving instructor also a First Aid Instructor under my guidance.
As I stated above I have experienced working in various countries namely Thailand and as of yet not met anyone that I have fallen in Love with. The Love from Angelley that she gives me makes me feel complete and the warmth I feel as never before. The Love is mutual and I love this lady so much that we both wish to spend the rest of our lives together as man and wife.