I paid about 1300 pesos for a power of attorney on Legalzoom.com. I have also found out tonight about what an apostille is. It is a notary that can certify documents for the US (and other countries) overseas. I just have to find one now. I'll post when, and how, I found one.
Maybe I am wrong but in the back of my mind I think I was told by the US Embassy Manila that only a P.o.A. at the Embassy would be accepted in the U.S. Not saying this is correct but I have had a number of transactions while here - divorce and property sales, car sales, but I remember painfully having to go to the US embassy in Manila with my ex for a P.o.A. for the U.S. to accept.
It took them several days to get back to Me Pat, but Navy Federal Credit Union ended up accepting The Power Of Attorney that My Wife had done there in Duma. When I go to the Consulate in Cebu this coming June I'm going to take a copy of it to get notarized just to make it somewhat more authentic.. So far I've had nothing but good luck with Navy Fed.. See ya soon Pat ..... Cheers