Pinoy domination
On this day in 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo raised our flag for the first time to proclaim our independence from our Spanish colonizers. Since then, our flag has been raised many times in recognition of the talents and enduring spirit of the Filipino.
Manny Pacquiao is one person who has given us many occasions to lift both our national banner and our national pride. He is the Pambansang Kamao, a new-age hero who has brought admiration and respect for our country. He has won so many fights in so many divisions — well, I don’t really need to name them all, do I? We’ve all seen and cheered him on in his bouts in the square ring.
Pacman has been singled out as the modern-day champion of our race. His every fight, his every move is featured in the news. Motorists complain about the traffic his motorcades cause, but gawk at him all the same when his car passes by. People on the streets flock around the local sari-sari store’s TV. It’s Manny Mania, and that’s a good thing. He has given us something that we desperately need in this new era — nationalism, love for country and countrymen. For at least a few hours on the day of his fights, Filipinos cheer for him, united for once (even warring Filipino troops and rebels end their hostilities to watch Manny vanquish his opponents).
Politicians pop the champagne open for Pacman, and newsmen follow his training, fights, and even his return home religiously. While experiencing Manny Mania, though, we have forgotten (or worse, ignored) the other noteworthy artists and athletes that have garnered global recognition in their fields.
International Pinoy artists have been given limited approbation as performers (at least nowhere near the Pacman idolatry). Just last night, Nicole Scherzinger, a Fil-Am in the American girl group The Pussycat Dolls, showed just how talented Filipinos can be in both singing and dancing. Openly proud of her heritage, Nicole said that coming to the Philippines felt like coming home. As the vocal powerhouse of the Dolls, Nicole has led her group to stardom, starting with their breakout hit Don’t Cha in 2005.
The Pussycat Dolls’ remix of A.R. Rahman’s Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire is one of the most played songs on the radio. When asked if they had any plans to collaborate with our local artists, Nicole said she was open to the idea. She especially wanted to work with another very talented lady, Lea Salonga, who was one of her inspirations early in her singing career.
Lea has brought home a Tony Award and the admiration of the world as Kim in the musical, Miss Saigon. She has lent her voice to numerous musicals and films — but, for all of those achievements, she is not quite as respected by her people as the flock of champion boxers bringing home their division belts.
The boxers seem to be the only athletes that earn respect from the masses. Are we a nation of pugilists? Efren Bata Reyes is one of the greatest pool players ever. Aside from a few congratulatory pats on the back, he never did quite get that national attention even at the height of his career. Dennis Rodman, who was part of the crew that the Chicago Bulls their run of NBA championships in the ‘90s, is a Fil-Am who apparently got more from his G.I. dad than from his Pinay mom. During that golden age in basketball, Filipinos cheered for him, not because he was a kababayan, but because he was a great defensive player who sometimes cross-dressed.
The Filipino dragonboat team that was recently featured on TV is apparently the reigning champion. Sadly, they may not be given a chance to defend their title if they cannot secure adequate funding for their continued training and entering this year’s race. Sadder still, most Filipinos aren’t even aware of their achievement. “What the heck is a dragonboat race, anyway?” many would probably ask. And what about those fancy ice skaters we have that have won numerous competitions abroad? Except in a few malls, we don’t even have snow or ice! How do we celebrate their victories? Paeng Nepomuceno is considered one of the greatest bowlers in the world. Did we ever have a parade to welcome him after his international victories?
At least Nicole is in good company in the world of global entertainment. Brillante Mendoza won a Best Director trophy at Cannes recently for his latest film, Kinatay. Billy Crawford, Arnel Pineda of Journey, Charice and Allan Pineda (a.k.a. apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas) are internationally successful, but never forgot their roots. Prodigal son Billy Crawford even returned to Philippine showbiz after making a name for himself in Europe while Apl.de.ap wrote two songs in Tagalog about life in the Philippines and the beauty of Pinays, both of which were included in best-selling albums by The Black Eyed Peas.
In the world of Hollywood, Pinoys have also made a name for themselves. Tia Carrere, Rob Schneider and Lou Diamond Philips were pretty famous when I was really little. However, I was more familiar with a character on Barney and Friends who was also Pinay, Min (I don’t know her real name). I actually dreamed of meeting her and her asking me to replace her on Barney once she grew too old for the part. I’m sure she’s Filipino because on Barney’s birthday, she sang Maligayang Kaarawan instead of Happy Birthday. As I grew older, I watched Lalaine (of Lizzie McGuire fame) and connected with her because she was Filipino. The newest Pinay star is probably Vanessa Hudgens, who shot to superstardom via Disney’s High School Musical series.
Let’s not forget the Filipinos who were part of the team behind animated movies such as Wall-E, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Chris Chua, Nelson Bohol and Gini Cruz “Filipinized” the animations they worked on (like the nipa hut and volcano in Finding Nemo).
These people are some of the lucky Filipinos that have received national acclaim and were featured a few times by the media. Unfortunately, many talented Pinoys out there hardly get recognized here.
Take for instance the dancers on So You Think You Can Dance, both American and Australian versions. In the US, Ryan Conferido, Melody Lacayanga, Karla Garcia, Allan Frias and Dominic Sandoval were all part-Filipino and reached the Top 20 phase of the show. In Australia, three Filipinos made it into the Top 20 as well: Demi Soronon, Rhiannon Villareal and Joel de Carteret (Demi made it to Top 4!).
One of the most famous dancers on Dancing with the Stars, Cheryl Burke, can also trace her roots to the Philippines.
Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew is one of the biggest gatherings of Filipinos on international television. In the second season of the show, there were at least 22 Filipinos scattered among the different dancing groups competing. The first season’s winner, The Jabbawockeez, were founded by a Fil-Am. In that same season, third-placer Kaba Modern had six Pinoy members.
Of course, American Idol cannot be left unmentioned because it is the most popular US-based reality show in the country. Jasmine Trias from Season 3 is as far as Pinoys have reached. Camille Velasco was in that same season. Most recently, Ramielle Malubay was the Filipino representative in one of the most prestigious singing contests around. So few have made it into the contest proper of AI, and those who make it are supported wholeheartedly by the people here. Why not support the dancers, too? Sure, singing is our national pastime, but it seems as if Pinoys were not meant to be famous through music, but dance instead. Does anyone really remember or even know the Philippine All-Stars, the Filipino dance group that trounced everyone else in the World Hip-Hop competition — twice?
So many talented Pinoys have made amazing breakthroughs in music, dance, and sports. But, as a people, Filipino overseas workers have also made their mark on the world. Now, our race is known not only for talent, but for professionalism, industry, and top-caliber work.
The people I have named above, and those whose names have not even been mentioned deserve as much respect as our Pambansang Kamao. They have raised the Philippine flag and are inspirations to all Filipinos. On this day that we Filipinos recognize our independence from the nations that oppressed us, let us also recognize the efforts and achievements of our fellowmen. Manny may lead the pack, but a general doesn’t win the battle alone — his men also need to be congratulated. So to all the unsung Filipino heroes and every man, woman and child out there who continue to bring honor and pride to this humble country of ours, without seeking any recognition (or getting any, for that matter).
