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SARAH
GERONIMO: “HUMBLE BEGINNINGS; SUPERSTAR FUTURE”
STAR WITH THE ATTY. TO THE STARS: New singing
sensation, Sarah Geronimo with her Attorney., Michael J. Gurfinkel,
after receiving her very 1st U.S. Visa, as an “Alien of
Extraordinary Ability” allowing her to come to the U.S.
for her four-city “Night of the Champions” concert
tour. Atty. Gurfinkel was able to secure the visa approvals for
the entire entourage in only 2 _ days from filing.
Sarah Geronimo came from humble beginnings. Money
was always tight around the Geronimo household, but her talent
and perseverance made her a success beyond her wildest dreams.
“My dad took out loans just to buy my school
supplies. Sometimes we didn’t have money left to buy food,”
recalled Sarah, “but we always managed to pull through somehow.”
The countless auditions, and the many singing contests
she entered, often produced heartbreaking disappointments that
could have easily broken her young spirit. Instead, these setbacks
motivated Sarah to work even harder at her blossoming singing
career. Through it all, her loving parents had always told her
not to give up her dream of becoming a star someday, just like
her idol, Regine Velasquez.
Her dream became a reality last year, when Sarah
was the Grand Prize winner on the “Star For A Night”
contest. She won a million pesos, signed a recording contract
with hit factory Viva Records, and a new star was born. Like Regine,
Sarah rose from humble beginnings to superstardom. Viva head honcho
Vic Del Rosario, Regine’s mentor, is also guiding Sarah’s
career.
“I think that one day, Sarah will take her
place in the galaxy of stars along with Regine,” said Del
Rosario. “I see a lot of the same talent and drive in her.”
This year, Sarah’s “Night of the Champions”
U.S. Tour will take her to several cities, including New York
last September 18 (Saturday), Chicago on Sept 26 (Sunday), Los
Angeles on October 2 (Saturday), to name a few.
Sarah, like Regine, believed that performing in
the U.S. is a mark of stardom. You have “not arrived”
until your talent is recognized by your kababayans in the U.S.
That was the reason why Sarah was so excited at being able to
go to the U.S., for the first time in her life, for this concert
tour.
However, obtaining entertainer visas for Sarah,
and other champions Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista and Christian
Bautista in a timely fashion was no easy task. She, along with
the other singing champions are all mostly minors, and mostly
first time visa applicants. Vic del Rosario sought the help of
none other than the famous “Attorney
to the Stars”, Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel, to make
sure they got their visas without a hitch.
Last September 14, 2004 the Champions finally arrived in the U.S.
Sarah, who had never even had a passport, is now
a proud holder of an O-1 Visa, as an “Alien of Extraordinary
Ability,” and is enjoying her first trip to America with
her parents. After all the hardships, her talent and perseverance
enabled her family to realize their dream of visiting the United
States. They will visit Disneyland, whose theme song sums up the
fortunes of the Geronimo family: “When you wish upon
a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires
will come to you.” Indeed, another fairy tale come
true!
The Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, who handled
Sarah’s visa, is a full-service immigration firm with offices
in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Makati, Philippines.
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