To all PEPA and other patron members:

Welcome to the new web site of Philippine Entertainment Producers Association, USA, Inc., also known as PEPA USA!

Carousel Pinoy Entertainment is very glad to have finally endorsed this site, which we believe, would be beneficial to all Filipino-American entertainment producers and the ever-growing Fil-Am entertainment industry, aiming common goals to uplift the standard of structure and unite all entertainment leaders.

This site will consist of different menus. For your guide, we will have a monthly NEWSLETTER (monthly wrap up of PEPA activities or updates), a PHOTO GALLERY (from recent shows), IN THE NEWS (what's the latest & hottest news), FORUM (for "members only"), ARTICLES (maybe reviews of recent concert), PROFILE (producer or entertainment group), EVENTS (upcoming PEPA projects), FORMS (documents), MEMBERS (list of companies registered under PEPA USA, Inc.), LINKS (sponsored sites, links to members' sites), CONTACT (adsandpromo@yahoo.com), and a SUGGESTION BOX.

Although, I have been chained to my computer (meeting deadlines for my weekly columns and other articles for my regular outlets), I spend half my time catching up with other shooters about what is going on around town. So that gave me an idea -- Why not publish those factoids in the newsletter? As editor and moderator of PEPA USA, I would love to hear from you and will surely need your help and suggestions.

And most importantly, throw me a bone here folks! What is happening at your area/photo department/newsroom, or a staff you wanted to commend for a job well done? Comments on a recent concert you attended? What happened at the concert after-party (who got drunk)? Any newsworthy "items" we need to know? What wacky thing happened to you recently? Got any wacky photos of artist? I want to hear about it? Have any ideas what we can call this new column, or should we include this to the IN THE NEWS box?

Drop me a line, and we will include this in our site. We have to have a tight knit family of producers/promoters out there who don't hear from each other enough. Let's have some fun, and pass along some stories.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Note: Our web site link is more for people outside our membership except the "members." A complete list of personal e-mail addresses, and phone numbers for the whole board (pending) and members are listed in the "members only" and a pdf/Word version of our current membership directory is also available to "members only." Please keep us up to date on any changes.

Thank you.

OLIVER CARNAY
PEPA USA INC - NEWS Editor

PEPA is an acronym of Philippine Entertainment Producers Association, USA, Inc.  It is a non-profit organization established in 2004, registered in New Jersey with a Certificate of Incorporation (Non-Profit) with ID #0400088244.  Its members are Filipino producers, promoters, and interested parties who are interested in learning the craft of the entertainment industry in as far as production and promotions are concerned.  It has the capacity and the technical know-how to assist Filipino producers in all aspects of producing shows/concerts primarily in but not limited to the United States of America.  The official headquarter is located at 1331 Anderson Ave. Suite #15, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024. 

MISSION STATEMENT

PEPA's purpose is to establish and foster camaraderie among the Filipino entertainment producers in the US through a network of valuable projects, events and programs.  It aims to nurture and mentor its members in producing marketable and qualitative projects. 

PEPA'S GOALS:

- To provide assistance in helping the marketing and promotions of each member's projects, events and programs.

- To extend assistance to the Motherland in times of need by producing benefit shows, concerts, exhibits, or similar projects with the aim of raising funds.

- To train upcoming producers in all aspects of entertainment productions, its psychology, marketing, and accounting.

- To establish a mutual understanding and cooperation between the producers and artists' managers in terms of fees, flexibility and practicality.

Performing on a visitor's visa could lead to lifetime ban

by Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel
Filipino Express

MANY entertainers are under the mistaken belief that it’s “OK” to enter the U.S. (or Guam) and perform on a visitor’s visa. That is not the case. In fact, the Foreign Affairs Manual (which is the “Bible” of the Embassy on immigration laws) specifically states: “B visa status is not appropriate for a member of the entertainment profession (professional entertainer) who seeks to enter the United States temporarily to perform services.”

If you are coming to the U.S. to perform, you must get an entertainer (“O” or “P”) visa. If you perform on a visitor’s visa, you are violating your visitor’s status. If you represent to the Immigration Officer at the airport that you are only “visiting”, but you are actually intending to perform, you are committing fraud, which could possibly result in your visitor visa being cancelled, and your being barred for life from the U.S.

Many entertainers are approached or recruited by small-time U.S. producers, who simply do not want to go through the trouble or expense of obtaining entertainer visas. Indeed, obtaining an entertainer visa is time-consuming, and can cost thousands of dollars in filing fees alone. So, these producers, looking to cut corners and save money, assure the performers that it is “OK” to perform on a visitor’s visa.

Other unscrupulous small-time producers may tell the entertainer to enter the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and bring along a “minus-one,” (a CD with music only, similar to a karaoke soundtrack). The entertainer would then come to the producer’s nightclub, restaurant, or other business establishment and sit in the audience. The producer will then acknowledge the performer, and ask for them to just come on stage and sing a few songs to please their adoring fans. The star is supposed to pretend that he or she is surprised, and reluctantly goes on stage, singing to their minus-one soundtrack.

In other situations, the entertainer may already have an entertainer visa with one producer for a specific event. However, a different producer approaches the entertainer, offering them money to come to the other producer’s nightclub or restaurant and perform “on the side,” or “freelance.” In the meantime, the second producer (who never petitioned the entertainer) is putting out newspaper ads and flyers promoting the performance, and selling tickets for the event.

Rest assured, the Embassy and Department of Homeland Security will find out, either from the producer’s jealous competitors, or from word of mouth. So, when you arrive in the US and tell the Immigration Officer you’re “just visiting”, Immigration may already have a flyer of your concert at the inspection booth. Your visa will be cancelled and you will be sent right back to the Philippines. If not caught on this trip, it may be the next time you travel to the U.S. or when applying for another visa.

Remember, if you, as an entertainer, are caught by the Embassy or Department of Homeland Security, it is you who will suffer the consequences, not necessarily the producer. The producer may simply abandon you and look for the next talent to book. You are then left with a cancelled visitor’s visa, blacklisted, and perhaps forever barred from coming to the U.S.

Simply put, if a producer does not want to obtain an entertainer visa for you, you are taking a big chance with your own career and future, if you use your visitor’s visa to perform. Is it really worth it for the small talent fee being offered?

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 25 years, and is an active member of the State Bar of California and New York, as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has always excelled in school:Valedictorian in High School; Cum Laude at UCLA; and Law Degree Honors and academic scholar at Loyola Law School, which is one of the top law schools in California.

WEBSITE: http://www.gurfinkel.com/

This is for informational purposes only, and reflects the firm’s opinions and views on general issues. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of a particular case. All immigration services are provided by an active member of the State Bar of California and/or by a person under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar. No prediction, warranty or guarantee can be made about the results of any case. Should you need or want legal advice, you should consult with and retain counsel of your own choice.)