Nila & James

About Us

James has just published a new poem in an international poetry anthology book, "Timeless Voices," entitled, "Our Love is Here to Stay," which won the Editor's Choice Award from the International Society of Poetry, and written for his bride, Nila. Also for the first time, on August 23, 2005, James met his father-in-law, via the internet. Senor Romulo Cuento Delana, who has no experience with or knowledge of computers, so with Nila handling the computer and the webcam, James was introduced. After a short chat with Senor Delana, with Nila translating, James asked Senor Delana's permission and blessing for Nila's hand in marriage. Senor Delana quickly acknowledged this question with a very big yes, and Nila was grinning from ear to ear. So now, it was "Official!" Nila Quico Delana becomes Mrs. James Wilson Cope. As time progressed, in October of 2005, James also met, online, via the webcam, with Nila translating, his mother-in-law, Senora Maria Nadilla Quico Delana, and later, his two sisters-in-law, Mevelyn Quico Delana Andelab, and Emelda Quico Delana Quimno Barcelona and his brother-in-law, Marcos Quico Delana. James has presently become a husband for the very first time. His new bride, Nila Quico Delana, whose nickname is Elang, a native of the Republic of the Philippines, from the Island of Mindanao, where she left on 22 May 2007 and traveled to Manila to meet him. Nila was born in Barangay of Balubohan, Municipality of Rizal, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, Island of Mindanao, on February 21, 1975. James, on 29 May 2007, left Shreveport at 5:30 AM on his journey to the Philippines, for the first time, and face to face, to meet his bride in the City of Manila, Island of Luzon, Republic of the Philippines. Because of the problems with American's traveling to certain parts the Philippines, the United States State Department has issued a stern warning against Americans traveling to parts of the Philippines because of Islamic terrorist activities, especially certain parts of Mindanao, it is not a good place for American or European citizens to be, especially when it is possible they may get kidnapped, tortured and murdered, should they come in contact with any of these terrorist groups. There has also been a problem with kidnap for ransom gangs as well. This is why James met Nila in Manila. He arrived at 4:00 AM on the morning of 31 May. For the 1st 15 days, James and Nila stayed at the Villa Carolina Townhouse and then stayed with members of Nila's family in Cavite and Bulacan. It was a very interesting trip, traveling to and from the Philippines, and on the total trip, James flew on 6 different jet aircraft, an American Airlines ERJ 140, an ERJ 145, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800, a Boeing MD 80, a Philippine Airlines A330-300 and a Philippine Airlines Boeing 747-400. The flights were from Shreveport, Louisiana to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Manila, Philippines. The return flights were from Manila to San Francisco, California to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, to Shreveport. James and Nila spent a total of 41 days together, from 31 May to 10 July where James left Manila at 10:30 PM Manila time. James logged over 15,000 air miles. James, by extending his time, passport, and flight extensions, and Nila, being able to get her corrected birth certificate in Manila and additional required documents, went through the legal process, got permission from the US Embassy to marry on 8 June, attended an SFO Marriage Seminar and received a Certificate of Attendance, filed all the proper paperwork with the Marriage License Bureau of Manila, and on 2 July, obtained a marriage license. On 4 July 2007, James and Nila were wed, between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, in a Civil Ceremony before a Judge, the Hon. Leoncio M. Janolo, II, a friend of their friend, Marilou S. Casimiro, who agreed to perform the ceremony, in his courtroom, at the Pasig City Court House, Branch 264, Regional Trial Court, Pasig City, Capital Compound, Pasig City, Manila, Philippines, and who, after questioning them and speaking to them about the procedure and about marriage in the Philippines, pronounced them husband and wife. Witnesses were Marilou S. Casimiro, Nila's Female Sponsor, Godmother and Maid of Honor, Eswin D. Maputol, James' Male Sponsor, Godfather and Best Man, and Teresita Macute. After the ceremony and changing into regular attire, James and Nila, along with their friend, Marilou, had dinner at the Manila MegaMall, Pasay City, Metro Manila. James and Nila honeymooned at the Villa Carolina Townhouse, Tambo, Paranaque, Metro Manila, which, for the first two weeks, from 31 May to 15 June, was their home base, and before James returned to America. Nila and James hope to start a family in the very near future. Once Nila and James are together in America she will file for permanent residency and a work permit. James and Nila have both become Distributors for Magic Kids USA, Inc., which is homebased in California. Magic Kids USA, Inc., sells closed-out 'name brand' clothing for children, in bulk quantities, to retail buyers and resellers and also sells to individuals as well. The company has been in business for over 20 years and is a multi-million dollar a year business. James and Nila hope to make a success with this business venture. James is currently working on Nila's K3 Marriage Visa. Once Nila is able to get through her medical exam, inoculations, vaccinations, and her interview with the US Embassy, in Manila, she will then receive her K3 Marriage Visa. James plans to be with Nila, in Manila, during her medical exam and interview with the US Embassy. While together, James and Nila will travel to Mindanao so that he can meet his inlaws face to face and Nila's entire family, about 200 members. Once Nila receives her visa, James will bring her back with him to America. If this does not work out with her immigrating to America, as they wish and hope for, James will choose to live in the Philippines. Nila and James can live very well on his pension, but they really want to live in America and for Nila to become a US Citizen, that way, if something should happen to James, she will get his widow's benefits, although James does not plan to kick the bucket anytime soon. James and Nila are also considering Dual Citizenship where they can both own property and homes in both countries. Currently, James and Nila own a small store in Balubohan where Nila sells food items to local residents. She travels a lot in the effort of operating the business, which is a temporary business until it is time for her to come to America with James. James has submitted the K3 Visa Package to the USCIS for approval in January 2008. Now we wait. From Nila and James, to all of their family and friends, please keep them in your prayers. God Bless you all.

About Our Honeymoon

This honeymoon will be a very special event for us because our plans are to remarry in the USA, upon the arrival of Nila from the Philippines. Our plans are to have a full and complete Filipino-style wedding ceremony with all the Philippine Traditions. The most beautiful place in the Philippines is Boracay. Blue waters, white sand beaches, a perfect place for honeymooners. Even though we did honeymoon after our civil ceremony, it was saddened due to the fact that James had to return to America and had to leave Nila behind. Even though Nila is legally married to James, she cannot enter the USA, even as his wife, without a K3 Marriage Visa. Nila has never, in her life, sampled what luxury is, this will be her opportunity to experience what the wealthy live every day in their own world on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis.