Pinoy singer granted same-sex visa in US

Love does make the world go round — for everybody, regardless of gender.

Last Sunday, The STAR’s Lifestyle section featured the landmark story of Chela “Ces” Gahuman, assistant director of media services at AMPR (Ana Manansala Publicity & Communications), the first Filipino to be issued a fiancé visa by the US Embassy in Manila after she was petitioned by her partner, Carla Pastor Antonio (a gas turbine mechanic in the US Navy based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii). They got married in California last Dec. 30.

The visa policy came months after a historic decision by the US Supreme Court which struck down the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

In the US, another Filipino was granted the same visa before end of last year, processed by Immigration lawyer Jemela Agraviador Nettles (who has facilitated the issuance of the visas [“working” and “extra-ordinary ability”] of dozens of showbiz people). The (should I say) lucky guy is none other than Jonar Sara, 38, a member of the Prime Note Ensemble managed by Jush Andowitt, the GMA International consultant for the US. PNE is composed of OFWs who bonded together a few years ago in Saudi Arabia and has been winning awards (World Choir Games, etc.) since then in various parts of the world (China, Austria and in the US).

His partner is Lloyd Garcia, 38, a Mexican born and raised in the US, whom he got married in Los Angeles in August last year, sealing their two-year relationship. They met online and started dating (at Knotts Berry Farm) soon after. Jonar is Catholic and Lloyd is Born-again Christian.

They both can hire surrogate moms (like what Joel Cruz did; he paid a Russian lady to fertilize his sperm and got twins, paying the lady $3,000 for each baby).

“But we plan to adopt a child,” Jonar told Funfare in an interview arranged by Jemela (for inquiries, call +1-213-6751281). “Siguro from a relative who needs help to raise his child.”

Both marriages (Chela and Carla’s, and Jonar and Lloyd’s) are in civil rites because the Church doesn’t allow same-sex marriage.

“Jonar has been issued a green card,” said Jemela. “Jonar and Lloyd had all the documents ready so their application was approved right away. Applicants only have to prove their relationship and there will be no problem.”

In December last year, Robin Tomas, Tessie’s son, sent me a Christmas card  from New York with an announcement of his and his partner’s marriage which merited a space in New York Times, a copy of which was furnished Funfare by Robin.

Here’s the full NY Times story, published under Weddings/Celebrations in the Dec. 22, 2013:

John Charles Cocchiarella and Robert Martin Hermosa Tomas were married Friday at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. James Mitchell, a staff member in the City Clerk’s office, officiated.

Mr. Cocchiarella, 42, is a lawyer in the investment banking division of Citigroup in New York. He graduated from Middlebury College and received a law degree from the University of Texas.

He is a son of Joan M. Cocchiarella and Dr. John P. Cocchiarella of Holliston, Mass. His mother retired as the administrator of religious education at St. Mary’s Catholic Church there. His father is a pediatrician in private practice in Milford, Mass.

Mr. Tomas, 37, is known as Robin. He is the owner and designer of Tomas, a line of women’s clothing in New York. He graduated from the University of the Philippines and received an associate degree in fashion design from Parsons the New School for Design.

He is the son of Tessie Tomas and Robert P. Tomas, both of Manila, and a stepson of Roger Pullin. His mother is a comedian and television actress in the Philippines. Until 1994, his father was a general manager of a Mitsubishi car dealership in Manila.

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