New York – The 15th season of Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika (Into the Hearts of the Filipinos in America) is set to unveil more informative and fun-filled segments to its loyal viewers beginning June 9, 4:30 p.m. (PST) on GMA Pinoy TV.
This season’s theme “Truth, Resilience, and Family Unity: Filipinos’ Resolve to Attain Family Reunification Amidst Tightening Immigration Policies” is prompted by the current US administration’s stricter immigration policies and changes in guidelines in the immigration system which makes reunification of families even more challenging. It is hosted by immigration lawyer Atty. Lou Tancinco and Filipino actor Eric Quizon.
The 30-minute talk show will explain the ins, outs, and in-betweens of immigration law. It will also discuss the “invisible wall” that impacts immigrants from obtaining their visas, delays in processing of visa petitions, children adoptions, child status protection act, marriages and report updates on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), temporary working visa, and path to naturalization, among others. It will utilize dramatizations, animations, graphics, and engaging discussion to keep viewers informed as well as entertained.
“Since we launched in 2006, we were able to educate Filipino immigrants with the right way of processing their visas. Now, we are actually seeing empowerment among them and we aim to continue that this season. The theme is for Filipinos who recently migrated to the US because of family and how to address the challenges that come with that. We also have to do our job well in trying to impart to the viewers what is real news as opposed to fake news,” says Atty. Tancinco.
“I actually learn a lot from the show. I have siblings and family in the United States, natutulungan sila ng program. And ako, marami rin akong natutunan, not just terminologies but international laws and immigration laws. Lalo na ngayon na palaging may bagong law na kailangang i-implement and our Kapuso abroad should know what’s happening,” adds Quizon.
(L-R) Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika hosts Eric Quizon and Atty. Lou Tancinco with GMA International FVP and Head Joseph Francia and GMAI AVP for Programming Cheri Domingo.
Through its decade and a half on air, Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika has been honored with several awards including the Best Television Journalism Award from the Migration Advocacy in Media Award, and the Telly Awards for Information for the episode about DACA both in 2013. It was also given the New America Media’s Award for Outstanding Reporting on Civil Liberties Issues in Ethic Communities and the 2014 Telly Award for Documentary for the episode devoted to Typhoon Haiyan and the immigration benefits available to its victims and for its segment on photojournalist Rick Rocamora’s coverage. In 2018, the show was also nominated for NAMIC Vision Award in the foreign language category for its segment “Iba Ang Pinoy” featuring the sad and triumphant story of a Filipino deportee.
“Itong pagpirma natin ulit with Atty. Lou ay parang renewal of vows. Noong kami ay nag-uusap noong 2005, bagong launch pa lang ang GMA Pinoy TV, ay nagpakita na ng tiwala sa atin si Atty. Lou. Ang Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika ay napakahalagang programa para sa ating mga Kapuso abroad na nangangailangan ng gabay, impormasyon, at minsan ay kakwentuhan lamang tungkol sa kanilang mga tanong at concerns sa kanilang pagtira sa Amerika. So over the years, nakita namin kung gaano minahal at sinuportahan ng ating mga Kapuso na nanunuod sa GMA Pinoy TV itong programa,” shares GMA’s First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia.
Host Atty. Lou Tancinco is a San Francisco-based immigration lawyer who had successfully represented thousands of Filipinos with their immigration cases for over 27 years now. An advocate for immigrants’ rights for the underserved population, she also co-founded and led the 20-year-old non-profit organization Bayanihan Equity Center a.k.a. San Francisco Veterans Equity Center that advocated, served, and continues to honor Filipino World War II veterans while writing weekly immigration columns.
Meanwhile, co-host Eric Quizon is a Filipino television and movie actor, director, producer, and writer. He has been with the show for eight seasons already.
Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika Season 15 will premiere on June 9, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (PST) and every Sunday thereafter on GMA Pinoy TV.
(Photos and press release by GMA Pinoy TV; Feature photo – Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika hosts Eric Quizon and Atty. Lou Tancinco)
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