CITIZEN PINOY Christmas Special Offers Touching Family Tributes

CHARICE ON CITIZEN PINOY’S HOLIDAY SPECIAL! The international singing sensation CHARICE (2nd from right) is joined by her brother Carl (left) and mother Raquel (right) for an exclusive and touching interview by Atty. Michael Gurfinkel (2nd from left) at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. The most popular immigration program on television --- CITIZEN PINOY – airs this Sunday, at 5:40 pm (PST) with a replay on Tuesday, at 11:20 pm (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Sunday at 12 midnight with replays on Sunday at 8 am and Thursday at 7 pm, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 4 pm with a replay at 12 midnight on Monday (Manila time).

REDWOOD CITY, CA. ---. Across America and around the world, it is the height of the holiday season. To all Filipinos, Christmas is a time of joy and goodwill, when we appreciate the things that life has given us: the friends we hold dear, the people we love and live through life with. Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel knows all too well about Filipino people and their culture and traditions. Through CITIZEN PINOY, he celebrates this most festive of days with two families who share a common joy about Christmas, yet have different stories to tell.

First, Atty. Gurfinkel spends an afternoon at the luxurious Peninsula Beverly Hills with international singing sensation Charice and the rest of the Pempengco family: mom Raquel, and little brother Carl. (Atty Gurfinkel is responsible for Charice’s working visa, enabling her to perform in the U.S., and on her most recent trip, he made sure Carl joined Charice and her mom in the United States to enjoy the sights and sounds of the American holiday season.) This is the Pempengcos’ first time to be together in the United States, and things couldn’t be merrier for the entire family.

Next, Atty. Gurfinkel goes to the East Coast to visit the Gabriel family in Long Island, New York. Son Errol had been left behind in the Philippines for many long years. Finally, his distraught and desperate mom sought Atty. Gurfinkel’s help while attending one of the New York tapings of CITIZEN PINOY. That fateful day changed the Gabriels’ lives forever, because soon after, Atty. Gurfinkel was able to reunite Errol with his family in America in only a few weeks. Now, two Christmasses later, Atty. Gurfinkel drops by the Gabriel household to see how the family is doing, as they are well on their way to fulfilling their American Dream together.

Also in the episode is a special trip to the famed Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, New York, also known as Little Manila, because Filipino businesses dominate the strip. As soon as he steps into a Filipino store or restaurant, Atty. Gurfinkel is immediately recognized and warmly greeted by our Kapamilya. In turn, he readily answers their immigration questions, which may also pertain to your situation.

Capping the episode is a heartwarming Christmas greeting by other previous guests on the show. It’s a touching and uplifting episode of CITIZEN PINOY, that celebrates the gift of togetherness---the eventual outcome to Atty Gurfinkel’s personal crusade of “bringing families together.”

CITIZEN PINOY is made possible with the generous support of friends who are committed to giving back to the Filipino community: Asian Journal -- with circulation in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and in the East Coast; Belo Medical Clinic; Arko Foods in Glendale, California; and the Brookshire Dental Center in Tustin, California.

Informative. Entertaining. Inspiring. Don’t fail to watch the special Holiday episode of CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday, December 28 at 5:40pm (PST). with a replay on Tuesday December 30 at 11:20 pm (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Sunday at 12:00 am with replays on Sundays at 8 am and Thursdays at 7 pm, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 4 pm with replays at 12 midnight on Mondays.