‘Pusong Pinoy’ immigration talk show begins 15th season

Attorney Lou Tancinco and television personality Eric Quizon co-host the program.

“Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika” (Into the Hearts of the Filipinos in America) premiered its 15th season on June 9, and the GMA Pinoy TV show unveiled more informative segments for its loyal viewers.

This season’s theme “Truth, Resilience, and Family Unity: Filipinos’ Resolve to Attain Family Reunification Amidst Tightening Immigration Policies” is prompted by the current U.S. administration’s stricter policies and changes in guidelines which makes bringing families together even more challenging. The show is hosted by immigration lawyer Lou Tancinco and actor-director Eric Quizon.

The 30-minute talk show explains the ins, outs, and in-betweens of immigration law. It also discusses the “invisible wall” that affects processing of visa petitions, children adoptions, child status protection act, temporary working visas, paths to naturalization, among other issues as well as provides updates on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  The show uses utilize dramatizations, animations, graphics, and engaging discussion to keep viewers informed.

“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,” said Atty. Tancinco. “The theme is for Filipinos who recently migrated 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.”

“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,” added co-host Quizon.

Through its decade and a half on air, “Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika” has been the recipient of 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 Ethnic Communities and the 2014 Telly Award for Documentary for the episode devoted to Typhoon Haiyan and the immigration benefits available to its victims as well as for its segment on photojournalist Rick Rocamora’s coverage.

“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,” shared GMA’s First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph Francia.

Tancinco, who is based in  San Francisco, has been an immigration lawyer for more than 27 years. She co-founded the 20-year-old non-profit organization Bayanihan Equity Center a.k.a. San Francisco Veterans Equity Center that advocated for the rights of Filipino World War II veterans. She writes a weekly column for a FilAm newspaper.

Quizon is a television and movie actor, director, producer, and a businessman. He has been with the show for eight seasons already.

“Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika” airs every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PST. — GMA Pinoy TV



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