PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4th, 2007

NORFOLK, VA: Filipino American Television, also known as Fil Am TV, begins a weekly broadcast on public television station WHRO Channel 15 Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Produced by Pinoy Productions, the 30-minute program is designed to share the rich and diverse Filipino community with Hampton Roads. Fil Am TV showcases local cultural events, personalities, educational and topical issues, cooking segments and events calendar. “The vibrant local Filipino community contributes a great deal to the economic and cultural life of Hampton Roads,” said Bert Schmidt, WHRO President and Chief Executive Officer.“WHRO is especially pleased to be able to share those contributions with the community at large through Fil Am TV.”

Hampton Roads is home to a growing Filipino population estimated at 40,000. Largely due to the U.S. Navy, Virginia Beach has the largest concentration of Filipinos on the east coast and is also the largest Asian minority group in the area.

“The Filipino American community of Hampton Roads has always been an integral part of the history and progress of our local area, from our involvement in the military to helping shape the community, the Filipino American community story needs to be shared” said Virginia Beach City Councilman Ron Villanueva. “I am proud to know that an endeavor like Fil Am TV will help promote diversity as well as share the success and challenges our community faces."

"This program will provide a venue to showcase the culture, talents and accomplishments of Filipino Americans in Hampton Roads" said Virginia Beach School Board Member, Lyndon Remias. "The coming of Fil Am TV is also a testament to the bourgeoning cultural texture of Hampton Roads. What a thrill!" added Salem High School teacher, Ray Obispo.

According to the director of ODU's Filipino American Student Cultural Center, Araceli Suzara, PhD."Hampton Roads has been called home by many Filipinos who comprise the majority in the Asian American population in the area. As such, Filipinos have enriched the cultural, social and economic landscape boasting of several centers and businesses to respond to the needs of the community. Fil Am TV adds to these efforts. A television program that showcases Filipinos in Hampton Roads will supplement other programs, both university and community-based that will enhance the socio-cultural diversity of the area and that of this nation.“

Pinoy Productions was founded in 2003 by independent television producer, Jay Sanchez and created to produce thoughtful and relevant, community-related programming. Sanchez has worked on a variety of projects at the regional and national level for over 17 years. Sanchez graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Including WHRO, Sanchez has worked for (3) PBS affiliates in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Previously, Sanchez was a producer/director for PBS affiliate WITF in Harrisburg, PA. Recent projects include: “In Our Aunties’ Words” for the Filipino American National Historical Society of Hampton Roads. The program was shown at the ODU film festival and broadcast on WHRO.