#ObamaInPH: How do Fil-Ams rate Barack Obama?

MANILA, Philippines – United States President Barack Obama is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Monday, April 28. Items on the agenda are expected to include the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute, the Philippines’ membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, among other issues.

(WATCH: LIVE: Obama visits Manila | Day 1)

But for the over 3 million Filipinos living in the United States, the trip means more than high level policy negotiations. 

Before Obama arrives in Manila, at 11 am Manila time, Rappler will speak to members of the Filipino American community on issues that matter to them like the US pivot to Asia, the contentious US immigration reform and how Obama rates on other Filipino issues. (READ: Rebalancing the pivot to Asia)

Our panelists include:

• Rene Pastor is a Hong Kong-based journalist who previously worked for nearly 23 years with Reuters, writing and blogging about regional issues and commodity/financial markets in Bangkok, Singapore, Vietnam and in the United States. He was a contributor to Rappler during the U.S. presidential elections in 2012. He has a Masters degree in International Affairs from The New School in New York City, specializing in Conflict and Security.  

• Lourdes Tancico is an immigration attorney and principal of Tancinco Law Offices in San Francisco, USA. She has been practicing law in California since 1993. She is chair and founding member of the Veterans Equity Center in San Francisco, USA, a non-profit advocacy organization. 

Filipino American journalist and Rappler social media producer Ryan Macasero will moderate the Hangout.

Watch the Hangout here:

– Rappler.com