Be Very Careful

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There is no doubt that the next four years will be hell for immigrants in this country, and not just for the criminal elements and the undocumented. Those with solid citizenship papers are not exempt from harassment and bigotry. Non-whites like us with "strange" names and "strange" accents should be extra careful because those who buy into the demonization of immigrants as "illegal aliens" will not ask for proof of legal residency or US citizenship before assaulting or insulting.

Last week, we posted "Know Your Rights During an ICE Encounter" by San Francisco-based immigration lawyer Lourdes Tancinco. If you or anyone you know is in danger of being ensnared by an immigration roundup, please read the article below in our Read It Again section.

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Much has been written about "white privilege" but is there such a thing as "immigrant privilege"? Entrepreneur Katherine Winston shares her family's immigration story and examines the issue.

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A fitting end to Positively Filipino's grant from the California State Library's Anti-Asian Hate initiative is the conversation between Gail Kong, former president of the Asia Pacific Fund and PF project consultant, with Angela Tang, CEO of the nonprofit Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS, Inc.). Tang discusses the dearth of funding for FilAm social and mental health services, and RAMS' unique experience in providing such services to FilAm youth in targeted San Francisco public schools and community centers. 

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We're already on Chapter 65 of PF's list of FilAms Among the Remarkable and Famous as compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. It's an unending list which illustrates the gains our community members have achieved in the US.

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From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, PF contributing writer Lani Domaloy profiles Lourdes Gant, an acclaimed sustainable aquaculture entrepreneur and visionary who is now advocating for sustainable AI to cultivate the agriculture and agri-food workforce. 

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Speaking of sustainability, our Video of the Week features Jordy Navarra, chef/owner of Toyo Eatery, voted the best restaurant in Manila five years in a row, talks about its farm-to-table-to-soil organic farming process with CBS correspondent Ramy Inocencio.

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Finally, we join the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of the enduring movie queen, Gloria Romero, 91. Read Again Cathy Sanchez Babao's story about the close friendship of her mother, Caridad Sanchez, and her Tita Glo.

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Staff

Know Your Rights

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And so it begins.

If you or someone you know fear the big D (deportation), a sword that will sadly be brandished about in the next four years, immigration lawyer Lourdes Santos Tancinco lists down your rights and what you can do if/when ICE comes calling. We suggest you print it out and tack it by your door for easy access and reminder.

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But here's a happy immigration story from the most famous and most outspoken undocumented immigrant of recent years: Jose Antonio Vargas has gotten an O-1 visa and is now documented. What is an O-1 visa? The US State Department defines it as "The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics."  This option has been available for years but a 2024 Biden administration update last summer allowed Vargas, whose special circumstances previously disallowed him from applying, to finally get one. Watch our Video of the Week for Vargas' story. 

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We have another must-read story this week: "The Making of Edgar Matobato," the hair-raising, heart-stopping story of this killer-turned-whistleblower, formerly an important cog in ex-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's horrific killing squad. After a decade of hiding, Matobato has been able to leave the Philippines and is ready to testify against the former mayor/president. Veteran journalist and Columbia University School of Journalism professor Sheila Coronel takes a deep dive into Motabato's story, the issue of redemption, and the implications on the nation.

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On an entirely different note, diabetes has become the bane of Filipinos everywhere for various reasons. Here's how to manage it. 

Read Agains:

The First Quarter Storm Was No Dinner Party, Part 1 by Jose F. Lacaba

The First Quarter Storm Was No Dinner Party, Part 2 by Jose F. Lacaba

[Video of the Week] How I Got “Legal” After 31 Years as an Undocumented American

In The Know

Filipino community launches relief initiatives for LA fire victims
https://asamnews.com/2025/01/17/filipino-la-fire-victims-housing-immigration-financial-issues/ 

ICYDK: Andok's Recently Opened Its First International Store in Singapore
https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/the-latest-eat-drink/110841/andoks-opens-first-international-store-in-singapore-a3412-20250114?

4 libraries for the people—and why we need more of them
https://plus.inquirer.net/supplement/4-libraries-for-the-people-and-why-we-need-more-of-them/? 

Wildfire survivors blocked from FEMA assistance due to fraud
https://asamnews.com/2025/01/16/wildfire-survivors-blocked-from-fema-assistance-due-to-fraud/ 

Maria Ressa says profit wins over safety as Meta ends fact-check program in US
https://www.rappler.com/technology/maria-ressa-profit-over-safety-meta-ends-fact-check-program-united-states/?

Cebu BPO executives arrested in US over alleged P2.5-B elderly authors fraud
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/cebu-bpo-executives-arrested-us-alleged-elderly-authors-fraud/?

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Good People

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It has only been 15 days since 2025 began and already our senses have been assaulted by the major disaster in the Greater Los Angeles and the impending doom of man-made disasters to come. Our ancestors believed that whatever happens at the onset of a new year portends what will happen in the year ahead. If we go by this superstition, we're in deep trouble.

But there's always a yang to a dark yin, the wellsprings of hope and optimism, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. When the going gets rough, good people always rise up to the moment of need and voluntarily do good deeds (as there are those who play the blame game -- however far-fetched their theories -- and do nothing). Canada, South Africa, Mexico and even Ukraine, among other states and countries, have deployed their firefighters to help quell the conflagrations. The LA fires have become sterling reminders of what global cooperation can do. 

GoFundMe, the app for donating money, is busy receiving donations for families who've lost their homes. A word of caution though: GFM, however well-intentioned, also attract online scams, so be very wary. If you wish to donate to a family you know, it would be best to contact them first and get their actual GFM address. 

As of yesterday, January 14, the Philippine Consulate has identified 150 Filipinos affected by the fire. We know this is a very conservative number and that's because the Consulate identifies Filipinos as only those holding Philippine passports. Those who have naturalized as US citizens no longer fall under the ambit of the Philippine government and are therefore not entitled to whatever assistance is available.

As Los Angeles continues to suffer hell on earth, we continue to storm the heavens for rain, respite and renewal. 

In The Know

Take these 10 Precautions Before Trump Takes Office
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/take-10-precautions-before-trump-takes-office-glenn-d-magpantay-qymze/

Philippines alarmed after China sends ‘monster ship’ to disputed shoal
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/philippines-alarmed-china-sends-monster-ship-disputed-shoal-rcna187557?

New report sheds light on why young Asian Americans are 40% more likely to develop allergies
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-americans-pacific-islander-native-hawaiian-allergies-rcna186695?

Roughly 150 Filipinos displaced by LA fires
https://asamnews.com/2025/01/14/displaced-filipinos-la-wildfires/

Jollibee provides free meals to Los Angeles wildfire victims
https://asamnews.com/2025/01/14/pacific-palisades-eaton-relief-aid-natural-disasters/

Displaced Filipino Families Affected by the LA Fires with GoFundMe Links
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17hqZniTXSkz2xCXg06dLL3bV7NCnp-JROBPESwnjsgw/edit?gxpyLncJALv8_aem_yEnfWfaPJ_C6Q8722P2Mnw&gid=0#gid=0

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