For all its efforts in helping individuals and families with their immigration needs, Citizen Pinoy has recently been awarded by the Migration, Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards with the 2011 Television Journalism Award for a Regular Program.
The MAM Awards was conceived in 2011 by the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day in the Philippines, which was chaired by the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) and the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO). The MAM Awards aims to recognize the significant role of the media in the promotion and advocacy of migration and development. Judges for the award-giving body include the likes of the National Press Club, with 64 entries considered from different parts of the world.
“Eligible for the Awards are works by any individual, government and private media outlets, institutions and practitioners in the fields of print, radio, movie and television, advertising and internet based in the Philippines and abroad. To be considered, entries must have raised public awareness on issues on Filipino migration, advocated the cause of Filipinos overseas, or/and promoted a positive image of Filipinos overseas, and migration and development,” says the Philippine Embassy website.
“Among the 64 official entries reviewed by the panel of Judges, the 7 finalists from the United States, New Zealand, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines represented the best in their respective categories,” it added.
“It is an honor to receive this award. Since the show’s inception in May 2005, Citizen Pinoy has remained dedicated to its commitment of public service, and the desire to serve Filipinos remains strong and steadfast. We are motivated and challenged to continue to bring families together and address the concerns of many kapamilyas,” said Atty. Michael Gurfinkel.
Millie added that Citizen Pinoy was born, in partnership with The Filipino Channel, to provide Filipinos, who cannot afford to hire their own lawyers, with free and legitimate advice on US immigration law “in the comfort of their living room.”
“The goal of Citizen Pinoy is to go where our kapamilyas are, to be able to reach out to them, to provide answers to their immigration questions, to bring families together. That is why we continue to go to different locations, so that we are able to address the concerns of as many kapamilyas as we can across the US, ” stressed Michael Gurfinkel.
“It’s wonderful to see how the Fil-Am community help one another. When we go to a city, many Pinoys come not only with stories to relate and questions to ask, but with food to share. The clients who have benefited from Michael’s legal services give back by sharing their stories. Our law office and the Citizen Pinoy team give free immigration advice and practical tips. Tulung-tulungan lang,” Millie Gurfinkel said with a smile.
“That’s the reason why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s all about giving,” added Michael Gurfinkel.
Now going into its 12th season, Citizen Pinoy has aired 140 episodes that featured poignant stories of families being reunited after years of painful separation, through the help of Atty. Gurfinkel.
The show also discusses frequently asked questions about US immigration and provides free advice on immigration concerns that are relevant to our kababayans, not only in the US and the Philippines, but from around the world.
One of the most important parts of Citizen Pinoy is the question-and-answer portion called Your Tanong, My Sagot. People from different parts of the country come in the hopes that their question might get picked. Gurfinkel offers practical advice while kindly explaining the reasons for problems that are cited or that may crop up.
Because of its efforts, Citizen Pinoy has become the talk of the town—the go-to, reliable source of immigration advice for Filipinos in the US, in the Philippines and all over the globe.
The approachable attorney
Atty. Gurfinkel’s extremely supportive Filipina wife, Millie, reveals her husband’s soft heart towards her kababayans.
“Even if he has handled countless immigration cases already, Michael’s passion to help Pinoys has never diminished. When hearing the stories of people as they relate their sacrifices, his eyes would often go watery and his voice would crack as he is moved and touched by their struggles. This is often caught on TV—naiiyak talaga siya. And that is why we are here—to be of service, to bring joy to our kababayans, to reunite families and help them achieve the American dream,” shared Millie.
As Rachel Rañosa aptly wrote in the April 2009 issue of Balikbayan Magazine, “Through the hit TV show Citizen Pinoy, Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel has found the avenue to inspire countless Filipinos, who have worked hard for their American dream, to take the first step, and embrace a new life in the land of opportunities.”
“Atty. Gurfinkel’s strength is in his ability to listen to people, and in his genuine understanding of Filipino culture: a culture that centers on the family. At the core of the Pinoy’s American dream is the hope of someday taking one’s family along to this land. For Atty. Gurfinkel, it is the “nanays” and the “tatays” who are always the first to tune into Citizen Pinoy, as they encourage their own family members to find a solution to their immigration concerns,” Rañosa wrote.
In the same article, Atty. Gurfinkel emphasized that America is a “nation of immigrants” and that these immigrants “have shaped American culture—with its diversity and vibrancy—into what it is today.”
“They are hard-working, and they just want a chance to contribute more and more to the American fabric. What are we asking for except the chance to contribute?,” he said.
Despite being one of California’s most brilliant legal minds, Atty. Gurfinkel breaks the stereo-typed mold of lawyers: stiff upper-lipped and impersonal. He is laid-back, always accommodating and never intimidating, with the usual gobbledygook.
Instead of a stern and academic approach to elaborating immigration laws, he offers a warm embrace and an assuring handshake to those who ask for his advice. For the families he has helped unite, he is a friend and most of all, a part of the family—because he walked with them from the beginning to the end of their tedious journey.
Rañosa’s account of her experience—being an audience to a Citizen Pinoy studio taping in Manila—reveals all the nuances which make the show unique and popular to its viewers.
The mood was cheerful, the members of the audience giddy in seeing the “miracle attorney”—the giver of hope and the one who will make their American dreams come true.
Colleagues at ‘Citizen Pinoy’
Mouse Munoz, head writer for the show, says that receiving the award has given him great fulfillment.
“I have been a writer since 1988, writing for many shows in ABS-CBN. But writing for Citizen Pinoy has given me the greatest fulfillment because we have been able to help many kababayans, many of whom have become close friends,” said Mouse.
The director/videographer and editor of Citizen Pinoy, Sam Simbulan, shared the same sentiment.
“The show has given me the distinct opportunity to talk to different people about their struggles and sacrifices to become American citizens, to have a better life for their families. It’s wonderful to be a part of Citizen Pinoy, to help families,” said Sam.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Jan 18-20, 2012 MDWK pg.2)
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