MANILA, Philippines – “I’ve been an OFW before and understand the problems immigrants face,” US-educated and practicing immigration lawyer Mike Templo told media at the launch of a new show for OFWs, “Boarding Pass,” on Monday, January 20.

Hosted by Templo and fellow US immigration lawyers Rio Guerrero and Tsui Yee, the show will attempt to break down complicated laws that matter the most to Filipinos. 

‘Nosebleed’ is an expression used by Filipinos use to describe something, whether it be a language or concept, that is difficult to understand. And understanding immigration laws of any country could be quite a nosebleed for most who are trying to leave the Philippines and work abroad.

Templo is based here in Manila while his co-hosts Guerrero and Tsui Yee will join the show via webcam from New York to discuss imigration issues and answer crowdsourced questions from social media. “Boarding Pass” airs on GMANews TV and will premier this Saturday, January 25, at 5:10 pm.

“While my two co-hosts would really explain things like lawyers, I would break things down in a way that would be more understandable to the audience,” Templo told Rappler during the press conference.

Prior to “Boarding Pass,” Templo was the host of ANC’s “Crossing Borders” for 5 seasons before taking a stint on TV5 as a news anchor in 2010. He was a practicing lawyer in New York for 5 years before he returned to the Manila to assist immigration applicants here.

For love of family

The show is more than the typical question-and-answer format that zooms in on the nitty-gritty personal problems of hopefuls waiting for their visas or wanting to know how they can get one.

While the show emphasizes US immigration, it also features issues of OFWs in the Middle East, Europe and other countries. Templo hopes to tackle bigger issues, but believes the show is a “good start.” 

Immigration rules and issues change every year. One hot pressing immigration issue right now that the show will discuss is Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS would legalize the status of certain undocumented nationals when conditions in their home countries. The Filipino community began lobbying for TPS for undocumented Pinoys after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Visayas. (READ: Pinoys in New York push for Temporary Protected Status for PH)

The show will also feature segments that profile the lives of overseas Filipinos; business ideas for OFWs and their families; and personal finance tips from experts as well as travel tidbits for balikbayans.

For more information check out the show’s Facebook page and website. – Rappler.com