Why Joey regained Filipino citizenship

Curtain-raisers:

• Has Dayanara Torres, ex-wife of Marc Anthony (now the husband of Jennifer Lopez), found love with another singer, Mexican-born R&B crooner Frankie J.? Tongues started wagging when Dayanara and Frankie J. attended the recent Teen Choice Awards together.

• Reacting to Funfare’s recent item about Canadian singer Michael Bublé’s forthcoming concert in Manila (Oct. 12 at the Araneta Coliseum and the possibility of Bublé’s reconnecting with "cyber friend" Kristine Hermosa, readers Cynthia Velasco (no address given) and Cherry Ann Doromal (of Tampa, Florida, USA) said that Bublé is engaged to his long-time girlfriend Debbie Timmus to whom he proposed on Valentine’s Day last February. Okey lang because Kristine is also committed (and "technically married?") to Diether Ocampo. Anyway, Bublé and Kristine claim to be only "special friends."

• From Marivic Mercado, wife of Eddie Mercado: On Aug. 20, Eddie celebrated his 67th birthday. As many people know, Eddie suffered a massive stroke on May 6 last year. Although his health is stable, and he is lucid and aware of everything around him, he is still unable to speak and has remained wheelchair-bound. But my children and I are grateful that he is still with us. In behalf of Eddie, my children and I would like to thank all of you, our personal and close friends and colleagues in the business, and fans and admirers of Eddie, for all the support you have extended to us since that frightful night of May 6, 2004 (he was not expected to survive that night). We are holding on to God’s promise that He will heal Eddie completely and we ask all of you to storm the gates of heaven and continue to pray for him so he can be with us longer. From our hearts to yours, thank you so much. We will forever be grateful to you. God bless you all.

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"I am happy and proud to be a Filipino citizen again!"

That’s what Joey Albert told Funfare in an exclusive interview after she and her family (husband Ting Pacis and their daughters, Trixie, 16, and Margarita, 13) arrived on Aug. 20 from Canada for their annual homecoming.

You see, Joey (and family) automatically lost their Filipino citizenship when they acquired Canadian citizenship in 1998, more than three years after they migrated there. But now that the Philippine Government has recognized dual citizenship, Joey’s family immediately availed themselves of the privilege (right).

"Now," said Joey, "we enjoy dual citizenship. I’m happy because I didn’t want our children to lose their Filipino heritage. Also, as Ambassadress of Goodwill of Gawad Kalinga, I will be more credible if I am a Filipino citizen."

Joey was named Kalinga ambassadress when she came home last year.

"As Kalinga ambassadress, I and the Kalinga people will visit Couples For Christ and Angkop groups in North America and Europe to solicit their support for Gawad Kalinga."

Her homecoming is shorter (they’re going back to Canada on Sept. 9) than the previous ones.

"I’m supposed to be on practicum leave but I wanted to come home," explained Joey who is taking Early Child Education (a one-year-and-a-half course) at the Vancouver Career College. "I’m also doing some projects for Gawad Kalinga."

The last time I saw Joey was in San Francisco April of last year when she performed at the 10th anniversary show of The Filipino Channel (TFC). At that time, she just completed yet another round of chemotherapy sessions after her cancer recurred in August 2003, preventing her from taking her annual homecoming. Joey has been battling the Big C for more than 10 years now. "Not really battling," clarified Joey. "It just cropped up sometimes, but checked in time."

So what has she been doing since that time?

"I’ve been guesting in concerts of Filipino artists in the US. Last year when I was here, I attended the launching of the Sandalwood CD of Pinky Valdez and guested on TV shows. Health-wise, I’m doing okay. I’m on my second year of remission. I had a surgery in August 2003.

Besides prayer and medication, Joey said that what keeps her going is work and family. The Pacises live in Coguitlam, British Columbia. Trixie is attending secondary school at Glen Eagle and Margarita is in middle school at Scott Creek, both in Coguitlam."

"My hands are full," said Joey who, along with her family, has adjusted beautifully to the Canadian lifestyle. "I enjoy family life and at the same time have a little bit of my career. I do concerts in the US but I’m selective this time especially in Vancouver. The last major concert I did in Vancouver was at the Queen Elizabeth for the Gawad Kalinga Conference. I can say that I am enjoying the best of both worlds."

Asked what draws her home every chance she gets, Joey said, "A strong sense of belonging here. I have the rest of my family here and my friends, too. You know, my reacquisition of my Filipino citizenship is an emotional thing for me. Wherever I live, wherever I go, I am rest assured that I am and will always be a Filipino."

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