Manny Pacquiao - the people's champion

I am not a boxing fan. Boxing is just too bloody. But channel surfing last Friday, my interest was piqued when I saw the title of the HBO miniseries: De La Joya Pacquaio 24/7. Pacquaio is hailed as the people's champion in the Philippines and I knew very little about him.

De La Hoya Pacquaio 24/7. Episode 1


After watching all 4 episodes, I gained a lot more respect for the sport and a lot of admiration for the two contenders. Oscar de la Hoya, who has held 6 world championship titles since winning the Olympic gold medal in 1992 is currently the biggest non-heavyweight boxer in the world today. At age 35, he is determined to show that he still has what it takes to be a winner. Twenty-nine year old Manny Pacquiao, hailed as the best pound for pound boxer in the world has held 4 world titles in a different weight classes. But de la Hoya's advantage in height (4inches) and arm reach (6 inches) and Pacquiao's lack of experience in this weight class, despite his previous impressive victories, led experts to call it a mismatch. The training they endured for one night of fighting is perhaps one of the most strenuous for any sport.

But as millions idolize Manny for his prowess as a boxer, I admire him more for the man that he is. A man who does not forget where he came from, who is eager to share his fortune with the less fortunate. Forced to leave school when he was 12, he is now sponsoring 200 children from kindergarten to high school. His foundation operates a medical clinic for the underprivileged. Among the first to render aid during times of disaster (like Typhoon Frank), he seems just too eager to give his riches away. His joy when he distributed turkeys to Filipinotown residents in the midst of his training was apparent. People close to him even wonder if he isn't giving away too much. But most of all, I admire his faith in God and in this secular world, his pride in displaying it. On his posting the day before what he called the "greatest challenge of his boxing career", he offered the game to God and to all the people who support him, Filipinos and others.

At the end of that game, Pacman, the 2:1 underdog proved to be too skillful for the Golden Boy. Before the 9th round begun, Pacquaio was declared the winner by TKO. Gracious in victory and defeat, each one declared the other his idol.

As the people's champion prepares for his return to adoring crowds in the Philippines, let's ponder on what he had once said: "What I want is to teach them how to pray, to believe in God, to be with God," he said. "I'm not wanting them to look at me as a champion."

Fil Am Baby Gap?

Audrey Sussmann, a 2-year old girl from Jersey City is one of five babyGap finalists in the store's nationwide search for the next faces of babyGap and GapKids.

You can learn more about her from this Asian Journal article: Fil-Am kid is finalist in National babyGap/GapKids contest.

You can see more pictures on this gallery and more information on her blog Spunky Audrey.

Wouldn't it be nice to have this Fil-am face grace Gap store windows nationwide? If you also think so, starting Dec. 8, you can cast your vote on www.gap.com/castingcall. You can vote daily until Dec. 21.

Independent Filmmakers-the hope of Philippine cinema

Films were introduced to the Philippines as early as 1897 but it was only in 1919 that the first Filipino film was produced, Jose Nepomuceno's Dalagang Bukid. Philippine cinema has an interesting history but is currently in crisis. Although there are numerous distinguished filmmakers and notable films, Filipino movies have generally been commercial endeavors targeting the masses. Rising production costs, including exorbitant taxation, competition from big-budgeted foreign movies, piracy, have cut into the profits which led to the decline in the number of movies produced by mainstream studios in the last decade. The hope for the revival of the industry is now being pinned on independent filmmakers.

In 1977, an unknown director named Kidlat Tahimik won the International Critic's Prize at the Berlin Film Festival for his work Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare). This heralded the arrival of alternative cinema. Out of short film festivals sponsored by the University of the Philippines Film Center and by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, other young filmmakers made movies that defined mainstream cinema's commercial approach to filmmaking and focused on works that "probe deeper into the human being and into society". Nick Deocampo's Oliver (1983) and Raymond Red's Ang Magpakailanman (The Eternal, 1983) received attention in international festivals.

Independent Fil-am filmmakers were likewise starting to catch people's attention. Stephanie Castillo, a former newspaper journalist, has been developing television documentaries full-time since 1989. In 1992, her company completed its first documentary as a co-production with Hawaii Public Television. Simple Courage, which dealt with Hawaii's leprosy epidemic and Fr. Damien's heroic intervention, won a Regional Emmy in 1993 as well as many national awards. Among her past work as lead writer and co-producer is An Untold Triumph: The Story of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, U.S. Army. Narrated by Fil-am actor Lou Diamond Phillips, this award winning documentary premiered in 2003. It revealed the previously untold story of how these regiments, composed of 7000 immigrants and sons of immigrants, played a crucial role in Gen. McArthur's plan to retake the Philippines.

David Maquiling's debut feature Too Much Sleep(1997) became a part of the prestigious Shooting Gallery Loews Cineplex Entertainment Film Series and in 2000. It joined other acclaimed independent films that were shown at Loews Multiplex theaters in 16 U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles. As such, he became the first fil-am to receive national distribution in the U.S.

Imelda, a documentary on former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos by US-based Ramona Diaz received an Excellence in Cinematography award and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Slow Jam King, the debut feature of filmmaker and musician Steven Mallorca won the Asian Cinevision' Emerging Director Award (2004), and was picked up for distribution by United Pictures International.

Independent filmmakers are hampered by limited funding not only during production but also in distribution. It was only through sheer determination that The Debut, which was initially conceived as Gene Cagayon's thesis project at Loyola Marymount University, finally became a full-feature film, premiering 8 years later. After it's success in the festival circuit, the production team took it on a theatrical tour, driving their own cars to 15 cities in the U.S. and using grassroots promotional techniques to entice the Asian-american audience to view the film. Grossing $1.8 million in the box office, it became one of the most successful self-distributed movie in independent film history. It has since then been shown in movie theaters in the Philippines and is now available for purchase on DVD. An interesting footnote to the saga, is that the line-producer for the film, Pia Clemente, is the first Fil-am woman to be nominated for the Academy Awards (Our Time is Up: Best Live Action Short Film, 78th Academy Awards).

Still, it would be hard to catch any of these fil-am movies in your neighborhood theater. Unless they are available on DVD, your best bet would be at one of the film festivals around the country.

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 13 – 23, 2008), which featured 113 works honored one Fil-Am, Ron Morales, with the Special Jury Award for his narrative Santa Mesa, in a tie with John Kwon's Always Be Boyz.

The Asian American International Film Festival just held in New York City (July, 2008) featured several works by Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. One, Director Mark Reyes' 17 minute film God Only Knows was nominated for the Excellence in Short Filmmaking Award.

Other upcoming festivals featuring fil-am movies:
The Asian Film Festival of Dallas, Aug. 14-21, 2008.
Hawaii International Film Festival, Aug. 22-24, 2008.
DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival, Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2008.
San Diego Asian Film Festival, Oct. 9-16, 2008.

Filipino-American Summer Camps

Summer is almost here, school is out or almost out and parents are scrambling to find ways to entertain the kids. Time to think of summer camps.

Traditionally, summer camps involved outdoor activities but newer programs offer a variety of specialized activities geared towards specific sports, performing arts, travel, technology, education, religion and ethnic activities. If you have a are a Filipino parent or have a child of Filipino descent, looking for exposure to the native culture, you might consider a camp like one of the following. This is just one way of cultivating the Filipino pride.

The Filipino Heritage Camp is one of the ten camps run by the Colorado Heritage Camps, Inc. which is committed to "exploring both the cultural and the adoption aspects of growing as an adoptive family". It will held on Aug. 7-10, 2008 at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch facility amid the beautiful Colorado Rockies near Winter Park, CO.

Camp Mabuhay North is a program of After You Adopt, Inc., a Connecticut non-profit 501(c) (3) organization for adoptive families. Families with Filipino adopted children will gather together for a weekend where they learn music, language, dance, cooking, geography, and martial arts and enjoy authentic Filipino food. It will be held on July 12, 2008 at the University of Hartford Magnet School.

SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans), an organization founded in 1972 in historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles CA, has a 2-week pilot program from July 14-25, 2008. The Pilipino Summer Day Camp will offer "exposure to (the) rich heritage and culture of the Philippines and Filipino-Americans including Pilipino language, customs, and cuisine." There will also be recreational activities like games, sports, visual and performing arts.


In New Jersey, FFFNE (Filipino Family & Friends of North Edison) has been conducting summer day camps for the last 14 years. According to some of the organization's officers, past attendees have become leaders in their school's Fil-Am associations. a proof of the camp's success. Bayanihan Summer Camp 2008 will be held on Aug. 6-10. Activities will involve Filipino dances, music, arts & crafts, cooking, storytelling, games and history. The modern tinikling dance seen in this youtube video. was presented by the 2006 attendees.

Philippine Independence Day Celebration NYC 2008

Philippine Independence Day is celebrated throughout the United States, the biggest event happening in New York City every first Sunday of June. This year, on the 110th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence, the theme of the celebration is: "Tribute to Filipino Excellence: Likas na Karunungan, Kakayahan at Kahusayan" (Innate Knowledge, Capacity and Talent).

From 39th to 41st streets, between 5th and Park avenues, more than 90 participating groups assembled way before the 12 noon parade starting time. (Click here for slide show). Some groups were fully bedecked in Filipino attire, in national dresses and ethnic costumes, marching or gracing the colorful floats. There were marching bands and choreographed dancers. From celebrities and PBA legends, from the elaborate to the unassuming, everybody paraded all the way down to 27th street and Madison Avenue beaming with Filipino pride.

Philippine Independence Day Parade NYC 2008
(Click on screen for bigger pictures.)




The street fair grounds was packed with people checking out the vendors and mobbing the food stands like they've never had Filipino food before. There was face painting, balloon sculpture, and magic shows. The booth sponsored by Damayan Migrants Workers Association was especially popular for their health screening which was done in cooperation with the local UPMASA (University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America) chapter, NYU Dental School, Philippine Nurses Association, Harlem Breast Care, and Ugnayan.

The cultural show was presented on 23rd street and Madison. The appreciative crowd barely noticed the unsightly unfinished facade of the building with its towering crane just behind the open air stage. Local artists, from rappers to broadway singers, sang with gusto. Jaryd and Cara danced to everybody's delight. Fe de los Reyes was as funny as ever. Randy Santiago was just as adored here as in the Philippines. The performance by Charise (formerly known as Charise Pempengco) was a fitting finale to the day's celebration.

Watch the video of the performances below.

Pinoys can Sing

"Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Walang tatalo sa Pinoy." Long live the Philippines. Nobody can beat the Filipino. That' s what Cora Bueno said after her son Vincent Bueno won the Austrian TV talent show Musical! Die Show on Jan. 11, 2008. The only Asian contestant, he won the hearts and votes of televiewers with his exceptional rendition of memorable songs from broadway favorites like Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera.

Born on Dec. 10, 1985, he had been dancing since age 4, could play 4 instruments by the time he was 11 and graduated in music and theater from the Vienna Conservatory of Music. His musical inclination was probably influenced by his father Tony, a former vocalist and lead guitarist of a local 1970 band. Even though he was born in Vienna, Vincent can speak Filipino fluently, in addition to English and German. After he was declared grand champion, he proudly shouted "Philippines" three times.

I know, Vincent Bueno is not a Fil-Am. Just on my 4th post and I'm already veering away from my mission. I just see this as an extension of my quest. After receiving numerous emails from my relatives about all the other proud Filipinos out there getting international attention, I could not resist.

I could not ignore recognizing the talent of Madonna Decena, the 32-year old single mom from Quezon City who impressed the judges as well as the standing-ovation crowd on Britain's Got Talent. Her interpretation of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You brought judge Amanda Holden to tears. And then, there's 10-year old Charlie Green, who also made it to the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent with Summer Wind. As in Austria, the Filipino community should rally behind these kababayans so that come May 31, another Filipino talent will become victorious.

And of course, there is Arnel Pineda. Everybody now knows how Neal Schon, the guitarist of Journey was searching you tube for a future lead singer when he came across the band The Zoo with Arnel Pineda belting ala-Steve Perry. Arnel has revived the band and has been hailed as the "future for the franchise." Journey has taken him to performances in Chile and Las Vegas. They are scheduled to release a new album in June followed by promotional tours in Europe and the USA, and later Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

And through Arnel and our featured artists, the world will recognize the talent that is in the Filipino.

(I encourage you to click on the highlighted text for links to videos and other info.)

Apl.de.ap. - Filipino Forever

Filipinos love to sing. Just look at how popular karaokes are among Filipinos. Clubs all over Asia feature Filipino entertainers. At least since the Philippines became a US colony, Filipinos were in US Navy bands, marching bands, cruise ships and other entertaining outfits. Filipino Americans are now getting recognized for their musical talent. Joe Bataan was the first recording artist to create an authentic Latin soul music. In 6 of their 7 seasons, American Idol had at least one Fil-Am contestant. Jasmine Trias, who placed third on Season 3 has released an album, a single for McDonalds, appeared in TV commercials, reality shows, and headlined musical tours in the Philippines.

Some other FilAms who have received awards and/or name-recognition are Billy Hinsche (from Dino, Desi and Billy, now with Ricci, Desi and Billy), Lea Salonga (the original Miss Saigon), Chad Hugo (half of the Neptunes). Despite all these, Fil-Am talent and Filipino music are still below the radar screen of the mainstream American populace, unlike Latin music as promoted by singers like Jennifer Lopez, Julio Iglesias and his son Enrique. The irony of it is, that Enrique Iglesias' mother is a Filipina.

But wait. one Fil-Am is trying to change all this.

Allan Pineda, better known as Apl.de.ap. was born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City, Pampanga on Nov. 24, 1974 of a Filipino mother and an African American father. His father, a US airman stationed at Clark Air Base abandoned his family either shortly before or soon after his birth. By all accounts, he lived a hard life with his mother and younger siblings (4 brothers, 2 sisters).

At age 11, the Pearl S. Buck Foundation initially brought him to the US to treat nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). At 14, his dollar-a-day sponsor, Joe Ben Hudges eventually adopted him and brought him to Los Angeles. He became friends with will.i.am and formed a break dancing crew called Tribal Nation which later became ATBan Klann (A Tribe Beyond a Nation) with the addition of more members. Their first album Grass Roots (Ruthless Records) was never released. They changed their name to Black Eyed Peas. Since then, they've released 5 albums, have had 3 No. 1 singles and have won 3 Grammy awards.

The Apl Song, which is in Black Eyed Peas' 2003 breakout album Elephunk, has a chorus written in Tagalog. It tells the story about his poor family in Pampanga. I get teary-eyed everytime I listen to it. Especially when it ends with a reference to his brother's suicide.

In the Pea's next album, Apl.de.ap. went further in promoting his Filipino heritage through Bebot, an all Filipino song. Through his recording company, Jeepney Records, he plans to collaborate with other Filipino artists and to look for other talents. His solo album which is scheduled for release includes a song called "Island" which is about the beauty and the hardships of the country.

At a recent birthday fundraiser, Apl said "It is very important to me to give back the same opportunity that was given to me." He plans to hold a benefit annually to benefit the Pearl S. Buck Foundation and other Filipino charities. The Black Eyed Peas' Peapod Foundation funded the Peapod Music and Arts Academy at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles, which will serve youths in foster care and other at-risk teens. They plan to build other centers in LA, the Philippines, Brazil and hopefully other parts of the world.

Apl.de.ap. truly deserves the Special Citation given him during the 2008 MYX Music Awards for his "outstanding contribution to the music industry and to his homeland, the Philippines". In his acceptance speech, Apl said. "I will be Filipino today, I will be Filipino tomorrow and I will be Filipino in the future."

Lest anybody questions his authenticity, be it known that he also likes balut.

Great Filipinos in US History

When did the first Filipinos come to the US? 1587, Morro Bay, CA. 1587!That's a long time ago. A long time for these Luzon Indians to make their mark in history. It was only in 1763 though that the first permanent Filipino settlement was established in New Orleans. In 1781,a Filipino was chosen to be among the first settlers of Los Angeles. It was his misfortune that his daughter was stricken with smallpox and he was delayed in getting to Los Angeles. In the early 1900's, Filipino laborers migrated here to work in CA, Hawaii and Washington. These immigrants suffered from discrimination.They couldn't own property, operate a business, hold public office nor become American citizens. They were not even allowed to live in an American residential neighborhood. A law was even passed in California prohibiting marriage between white persons and Filipinos. But they did marry and that might have provoked some of the anti-Filipino riots of 1929. It was only in 1948 that CA ended it's racially based prohibition of marriage and only in 1967 that interracial marriage became legalized nationwide. Despite all these, the Filipino spirit remained undaunted and personalities started to shine. Pancho Villa became the World Flyweight Champion Boxer in 1924. The humble yo-yo became a national craze after Pedro Flores opened the first yo-yo factory in 1928 and started the yo-yo contest.In 1948, Victoria Manalo Davis became the first woman to win 2 Olympic gold medals in diving. Bobby Balcena became the first Filipino major league baseball player, a member of the 1955 PCL champion Seattle Rainiers who briefly played for the Cincinatti Red Lights. In 1962, Roman Gabriel of the Los Angeles Rams not only became the first Asian-American quarterback but also the first large quarterback in the NFL.
In 1965, Congress passed the Immigration and Nationality Act. Skilled Filipino laborers came in droves and started to shine in their fields of endeavor. So I was right after all. There's now so many Filipino-American luminaries, the only reason I did not know of them was because I just was not looking.
I don't read Filipino newspapers aside from those occasional freebies I pick up at the Fil-Am stores. I don't watch Filipino TV channels. Just don't have the time. I do go to inq.7 and abs-cbn for news from the Philippines. How come I've never heard of apl.de.ap. before? I don't intentionally block out anything hip hop from my internal hard drive. It's just something generational, I think. I now know a lot about this young man and have yet to find another celebrity I can admire more. Next time. Apl.de.ap.

Link:
More on Great Filipinos in US History

The Invisible (?) Filipino-American

I am Filipino. I am American. No, I am Filipino-American. And there are lots of people like me around. As of 2007, there are around 4million of us, about 1.5% of the entire US population. We're everywhere - trouble is, how come we all seem to be just blending with the crowd, not really standing out, having truly mastered the art of assimilation. Are we really the Invisible Minority? Maybe that's why some people here have no idea what we are about. I know there are books about notable Filipino-Americans. But, how many do I know of?
Just recently, I discovered that Michelle Malkin , the conservative commentator has Filipino parents. When I mentioned it to my husband (who is at least a 4th generation Scot-Irish American), he said he knew it all along. "What did you think she was?" I don't know. That was embarassing, to say the least.
Now, I can see that Michelle Malkin really looks like a Filipino. But, when I used to see her, I never paused to wonder what her ethnic background was. She was just another Asian American figure.
I knew Maj. Gen Antonio Taguba is Fil-Am. But I never knew Benny Agbayani (former NY METS) is. I should have known just by his surname. One problem in recognizing us lies with our name. I know more Fil-Ams with Spanish or Chinese names than truly Filipino names. Unlike Ramielle Malubay (American idol contestant), others cannot be readily identified by name- like Veronica de la Cruz (CNN) and Billy Crawford (singer).
I now found my mission: to find all those notable Fil-Ams out there who are in the news and expose them to the world (at least the blogging world). I will be educating myself and hopefully other readers. Maybe we're not invisible. Maybe it was just me that was not looking.

Link:
More on the Invisible Filipino American