Planning to migrate to the US? Read this.

With movies few and far-between and local television crowded with talents scrambling over one another for a role, Filipino artists have been turning abroad for greener pastures – you know, for better income and for an opportunity to continue with their craft. The foreign shore is where most of the money is, in case you didn’t know, that’s why more and more local artists have been joining the "bandwagon" to the US either for a show or to stay there permanently. I know several stars who have pending applications for "extraordinary ability" visa.

Now, the question: Is it easy for stars to migrate to the US or get a working visa? Not anymore. Ask Philippine STAR (Immigration Corner) columnist Michael J. Gurfinkel, a.k.a. "Attorney to the Stars," and he will tell you this:

"Lately, the US immigration authority has been closely screening the performers’ credentials, acting history, awards and recognition before they are allowed to immigrate or even enter the US for a temporary performance. Just because one is a popular actor or actress in the Philippines doesn’t mean that he/she automatically gets a US visa. The US has established guidelines before it recognizes and accepts a ‘talent’ of an extraordinary trait. And to be considered as someone with ‘extraordinary ability,’ he/she needs a lot of documentation."

Loud and clear?

A word of advice: If you’re a performer who wants to try your luck in the US, seek professional help.

Cases in point are the Muñoz brothers Leandro and Carlo who applied for "extraordinary ability" visas two years ago. Carlo was granted his green card last year while Leandro’s case was initially denied even if he has similar accomplishments as Carlo.

Thankfully, the brothers have hired the services of Gurfinkel who has to fight for Leandro’s green card all the way to Washington where the initial "denial" was overturned by the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). The good news is that Leandro has just gotten his green card last week.

"Atty. Gurfinkel never wavered about my eligibility," Leandro told Funfare in an exclusive phone interview. "He fought for me all the way to Washington D.C. He appealed the denial and won. I saw the way he argued and packaged my ‘professional credentials’ until the USCIS was convinced that I am entitled to and eligible for a green card based on my ‘extraordinary ability’ as an actor."

Gurfinkel has handled the who’s-who in the entertainment industry. Among his other clients are Regine Velasquez, Christopher de Leon, Gina Alajar, Willie Revillame, Kris Aquino and Sarah Geronimo.

Make no mistake about it. I know Michael and he renders the same quality service to all his clients as he does with the stars.

(Note: For inquiries, check out Michael’s Manila office, with telephone numbers 894-0239 and 894-0258; Glendale, California office at 818-543-5800; New York office at 212-808-0300; and San Francisco, California office at 415-538-7800.)

Briefly Noted

• Manila fifth district Councilor Cita Astals has made good her promise that her foundation, A.S.T.A.L.S. Foundation Manila Inc., will reach out to her constituents. A.S.T.A.L.S. (Aktibong Samahang Tapat Ang Lingkod sa Siyudad) is accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), validating it as one of the 400 institutions of certified donees status. So far, A.S.T.A.L.S. has already helped more than 50,000 Manila residents. Now on her third term, Cita has been serving as Manila councilor since 1998. She’s the current chairman of the City Engineering Department of Manila.

• Mrs. Globe 2006 first runner-up Maricarl Tolosa Cabel was recently honored with a grand welcome reception by the Philippine Modelling Agency (local licensee of the Mrs. Globe pageant), "fit for a queen," according to Funfare "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib. Maricarl almost didn’t make it to California where the 2006 Mrs. Globe contest was held because she was suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura due to low platelet levels. Maricarl’s life story will be featured soon on GMA 7’s Magpakailanman. Asked my beauty expert Felix Manuel if she’ll be acting on the episode, Maricarl said, "I might give it a try."

• From reader Maj Cossid of Melbourne, Australia: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) is one of the 62 entries in the 2006 Melbourne International Film Festival. The Philippines has only one entry while the USA and host country Australia have the most number of entries. (Maximo Oliveros has won several awards both here and in film festivals abroad. It won the Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography awards at the just-concluded 2006 29th Gawad Urian Awards. – RFL)

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E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph