Know Your Rights

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

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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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Labors of Love

As hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Hong Kong's Central District recently to protest a controversial extradition bill, a small band of volunteers led by Dennis and Anouska Villanueva gave their support by providing sandwiches to the protestors. It was the Villanueva couple's way of giving back to the city where they have lived since the 1990s and reaped enormous success with their catering business that they aptly named Delicious Catering HK. PF contributor Agatha Verdadero writes about this enterprising duo who is running the biggest catering service in Hong Kong. ("Chefs with Hearts of Gold Make Good in Hong Kong")

PF's Baguio-based Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo introduces us to "Gayang," a comic book that brings to life some of the beloved characters of Igorot culture. Published by a nonprofit called Gripo, "Gayang" is a collaborative creation by young artists from the Cordilleras. ("Gayang: Igorot Folklore Goes to the Comic Book")

In the US, raids against the undocumented have began and we are once again posting information on the rights of those who are being targeted from compiled by San Francisco-based immigration lawyer Lourdes S. Tancinco. If you or anyone you know feel threatened, know that you have rights and you can call a lawyer. (Are ICE Raids Really on Hold? Know Your Rights)

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is "Swabeng Spareribs" from the recipe book, Pulutan: From the Soldiers' Kitchen by Elmer D. Cruz and Emerson R. Rosales. The two were part of the group of rebel soldiers (led by ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes) who mutinied against the Arroyo administration in the early 2000s. 

In case you missed them, our In The Know links to interesting reads this week:

U.N. Calls for Probe on Philippines Drug War 
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-calls-for-probe-on-philippines-drug-war-11562850757?mod=itp_wsj&yptr=yahoo&soc_src=hl-viewer&soc_trk=ma

How we kill: Notes on the death penalty in the Philippines
https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/14/19/how-we-kill-notes-on-the-death-penalty-in-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR0Ip7aV_JcfwGGd1g8EOuOFEvyrV7yLKf0HqkRU3XVFH-ngqWQtrBuf1K8

China has a new casino: the Philippines
https://amp.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3017577/china-has-new-casino-philippines

The Yakima Terror
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/08/ninety-years-ago-in-washington-a-wave-of-anti-immigrant-sentiment-resulted-in-horror-for-filipinos.html?fbclid=IwAR3BK8N4_kY66xlDrzz0zZd2ulPQj23h81BHwoTQ-bG7TUHwcuXDJTeiJTU 

Dear Isko
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/10/dear-isko/?fbclid=IwAR1FyMeoag7m0pUGI2YntytiAjLZ6dpM_L880QiH1qjD_z1Y7jHWVJpgxVM

“Forgive Us Our Signs” is back with more Filipino signs and memes.

For Video of the Week, Pixar artist Bobby Rubio shows to make a giant Forky, a new character from Toy Story 4.

Defenses: Civil Rights and Martial Arts

President Trump put his order to conduct raids in major cities to ferret out the undocumented for deportation on hold for two weeks, and that two weeks will end on July 6. If you or someone you know will be affected by this order, it's best to be prepared and to know your rights. Immigration lawyer Lourdes Tancinco puts together a guide on what to do if ICE knocks on your door. (Our Partner Post: "Are ICE Raids Really on Hold? Know Your Rights")

While her boss, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio seeks the Democratic presidential nomination, the newly appointed Commissioner of the NY Mayor’s Office for Media and Entertainment , Fil-Am Anne del Castillo, quietly does her job. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino profiles this young lawyer whose mandate is to create more job opportunities for the underrepresented -- women and minorities  -- in the city's media and entertainment industries. ("Watch Out World: Anne del Castillo, NYC Mayor's Media and Entertainment Czar")

In San Francisco, Eskabo Daan, the organization that teaches Filipino martial arts and culture to children, is celebrating the 10th year of a strong presence in the community's cultural scene. The group has expanded its classes to Daly City, where aspiring young warriors are learning not just Filipino self-defense but also writing in baybayin, the ancient Filipino script. Lorna Lardizabal Dietz reports. ("Eskabo Daan: Filipino Martial Arts for Kids")

Canada-based contributor Albert J. Lesaca tells us how a red bicycle and a neighborhood "siga" (tough guy) taught him valuable street-smarts that guided him for life in "The Bicycle of Tomorrow."

To celebrate Filipino American Friendship Day tomorrow, here are some stories worth re-reading: 

Alex S. Fabros Jr.'s "The Boogie-Woogie Boys" 

Erwin R. Tiongson's "A 3-D Image of the Philippine Scouts: March 4, 1905" 

Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's "A D.C. Springtime Concert Born in Manila" 

For our In The Know links:

Targeted by Duterte
https://www.cjr.org/special_report/maria-ressa-duterte.php?utm_medium=10today.ad3li.20190629.smartflab.421.2&fbclid=IwAR3reVmE_9on-2fbta_YlcRbK6BRinqHIukJMy2xhvJrvbAfQJKQbAWJ82w

Five books that tackle the truth and injustices of the Marcos regime
http://youngstar.ph/5-books-tackle-harsh-truths-martial-law/?fbclid=IwAR3hPCXyhsE2oMKM4QoBflQxMEFDoDEyZCMkpxQAX7ockVBL7-n0nlMusZI

Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Forgotten War’?
https://opinion.inquirer.net/122303/theodore-roosevelts-forgotten-war?fbclid=IwAR1RIeVT-2An9HKKxc8xJRt7xE5Fn43_hTnP4zDDL5L80kwy--PsMVBnjTo

Tuna kinilaw takes the spotlight at Portugal festival
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/27/19/tuna-kinilaw-takes-the-spotlight-at-portugal-festival?fbclid=IwAR3nIYQ7HiaqCQQ1V2KZctKMJnQGwv4EtsnRsiCuVSksv9YyAZo38J8cAek

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week from Elizabeth Ann Quirino makes use of summer tomatoes: Kamatis-Tokwa with Shrimps Guisado

And for our Video of the Week, I-Witness' Howie Severino looks into the life of Juan Luna, this greatest of Filipino painters who was also a tragically flawed human.