Vanessa Hudgens takes...

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From the piece of information given to this paper by PublicityAsia, and as what one could gather from the courtesy call made by the actress to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the government, through the title, recognizes “exceptional and outstanding individuals for their contributions to help promote the Philippines as one of the world’s best tourism destinations.”

Thus, the Philippine government looks forward to collaborate with Vanessa in putting across “the message that the Philippines will always strive to give the world our best.”

“Just to be clear, the project is privately funded. The objective is to produce a documentary film that can be shown in an international streaming channel to help promote the country,” said Joyce, who added that it took a few months to get the star on board the project, “as schedules needed to be cleared.” As the past few days showed, everything was written in the stars or the stars had just aligned.

From what we have known so far, Vanessa spent a few days at Pangulasian Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan. The picturesque place will be seen as a backdrop for some parts of the documentary.

According to Joyce, the actress, as she had expressed herself, is looking forward to visit the Philippines more often, but that depends on her schedule. This is true since, as being shared, Vanessa will star in upcoming films such as French Girl and Bad Boys 4.

As for her next visit to the country, places Cebu and Mindanao, where she traces her roots, are on her list, plus making a stop and interaction with indigenous tribes. Vanessa might also head to the North as she wishes to meet the 106-yearold Apo Whang-od, a traditional tattoo artist.

As a celebrity, she is a sight to behold and commands attention when Vanessa enters a room, as shown during her press conference.

It can be attributed to her affable personality, complemented by that genuine smile, a best accessory one can sport.

With her Philippine visit, Vanessa had also a glam team, composed of Steven Doloso, Nante Alingasa and Mimi Qiu Reyes, who were in charge of her makeup, hair and nails, respectively, and Liz Uy as the stylist. Vanessa donned the Atelier Patty Ang formal wear for the Malacañang event and wore the same brand for the press conference.

Again, Vanessa’s visit to the homeland of her mom, who, at the age of 25, went to the US, reminded everyone of the actress’ rise to fame and stardom.

Armed with innate talent in performing and enthusiasm in musical theater, she was Gabriella Montez in the Walt Disney Pictures-produced High School Musical and further established herself by acting in films like Spring Breakers, Gimme Shelter, Bad Boys for Life, and Tick, Tick…Boom!.

She showed her acting and producing prowess in rom-com films such as The Knight Before Christmas and The Princess Switch, with its installments Switched Again and Romancing the Star, all streamed on Netflix.

It’s a delight to see Vanessa taking on diverse characters and telling the latter’s unique and individual stories.

Everyone simply anticipates new projects, which include the documentary, from our kababayan Vanessa, who likes Filipino food such as adobo (vinegar-braised chicken), pansit (noodle dish) and halo-halo (a summer dessert) and shows interest in tinikling folk dance (whose steps imitate the movements of a bird called tikling). Her idea of Filipino Christmas tradition also includes having pansit, lumpia (spring roll), adobo and puto-bumbong (rice cake) on the table.

With that, Vanessa truly embraces and takes pride in her Pinoy heritage.

CONSIDER this common factual situation. You are over 21 years old and your US citizen parent petitions you while you are inside the United States. Since this is a preference category, you have to wait many years for your priority date to be current. As the years go by, your petitioning parent dies which in turn revokes the petition. Can you still apply for your green card when your priority date becomes current?

Under Section 204(l) of the immigration and nationality act, you may apply for a green card despite the death of the petitioner once your priority date becomes current as long as 1) you were in the United States at the time of the Petitioner’s death, and 2) you continuously resided in the United States until the present time when you apply for adjustment of status. This provision does not apply to beneficiaries that are outside the United States. This provision also applies to both approved and pending Petitions. This avenue is available to all family based petitions as outlined in INA section 204(l) (2). This includes 1) immediate relative petitions and 2) preference family petitions such as unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lpr, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

Derivative beneficiaries of pending or approved employment- based immigrant visa petitions are also covered by this section. This includes the spouse and unmarried children under age 21 of an individual who was sponsored under the employment-based category.

If you fail to meet the requirements of INA 204(l) because you did not continously reside in the US since the death of the Petitioner, you may still try to reinstate the Petition under 8 CFR Sec. 205.1(a)(3) Humanitarian Reinstatement. The DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) may exercise discretion “for humanitarian reasons” to reinstate the petition and to allow the Affidavit of Support requirements to be satisfied by the qualifying I-864 of a spouse, parent, mother-inlaw, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or legal guardian of the beneficiary, as long as the petition was “approved” prior to the Petitioner’s death.

DHS discretion does not mean “guaranteed” approval. The case will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Some of the factors that the DHS may consider are 1) disruption of an established family unit;

2) hardship to US citizens or lawful permanent residents; 3) beneficiary is elderly or in poor health; 4) beneficiary has had lengthy residence in the US; 4) beneficiary has no home to go to; 5)undue delay by USCIS or consular officer in processing petition and visa; 6) and Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States. The beneficiary must be prepared to show proof of the original I-130 that was filed, proof of I-130 approval if approved, a copy of the Petitioner’s death certificate, proof of substitute sponsor’s relationship to the beneficiary, and meet all the I-864 requirements.

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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Family law section, Estates and Trust, and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw.com.

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