Getting to Know the Filifamous: PINOY PRIDE WORLDWIDE

Over the years, we are able to witness the Filipino spirit survive over endless battles and crises. We have a beautiful country with people of unmatched values, service and hard work. Proudly speaking, these Filipino traits are not only limited within our country; these are recognized worldwide. With that, it is truly amazing how Filipino achievers across the globe continue to make their mark here and abroad.

Most Filifamous (portmanteau word of “Filipinos” and “famous”) may be of a mix descent. It does not really matter whether these achievers are half or full-blooded Filipinos. As long as they have the courageous blood of Rizal in their veins, their achievements will still make millions of Filipinos around the globe proud.

It will be inaccurate to assume that Filipinos only excel in one thing. Most of our kababayans are done proving themselves world-class in many fields. We tend to excel in an array of endeavors because of two main things: First, we are flexible enough to adapt easily to different environments. This is brought about by our initiative to cope with even the most adverse situation. That initiative is also armed with our unbounded love for the family that triggers us to work hard and grab every opportunity - regardless of the sacrifices. Second, we really have this innate prowess to be the best in any field. This is because we are generally intelligent and creative people endowed with all the necessary skills.

We all need to be reminded once in a while why we should be proud to be a Filipino. To speak of, there are countless stories of Filipinos who have risen from rags to riches in different industries. This time, we are about to highlight some of them with respect to their field and expertise.
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1 Filipinos are able to conquer the MUSIC SCENE.

Who won’t recognize Allan Pineda, also known as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black Eyed Peas? This excellent hip-hop musician and record producer actually has a Filipino mother and an African father. His Filipino culture is evident in his songs The Apl Song, Elephunk, Mama Filipina, Take you to the Philippines and the popular Bebot. These singles are topping hits in the Philippines and in other Asian countries as well.

Next on the list is the multi-talented lead vocalist of the girl group who popularized the English version of Jai-Ho! (You are My Destiny), a hit song from the film A Slumdog Millionaire. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls dominates the music industry as a self-confessed half-Pinay. She has her Filipino blood from her pure-Filipino father and a Hawaiian-Russian descent from her mother. Joining the PCD burlesque group is the start of her blooming career as a record artist. She, together with the rest of the PCD, conquers worldwide status with their tracks such as Don’t Cha, Buttons, and StickWitU.

A rags-to-riches type of story is undoubtedly reflected by the victory of the recently debuted vocalist of American rock band, The Journey. Arnel Pineda - a full blooded Filipino from Sampaloc, Manila - rose from poverty by just luck and talent. He joined a lot of singing bands in the Philippines just to earn a living. His difficulties were ended when a member of The Journey asked him to take the auditions for their lead vocals. By early 2008, the world already recognized him and his distinct Filipino voice as he became an official member of the said band.

Charice Pempengco of Laguna is also a perfect example. She began competing in amateur singing contests at age seven, from town fiestas in their province to several vocal competitions on TV (ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star). She rose to extreme popularity via YouTube. After singing Dreamgirls’ “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” in a South Korean talent show, she was invited to showcase Filipino talent at the Hollywood shows of Ellen Degeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Paul O’Grady. She also got to work with international singers like Andrea Bocceli, Celine Dion, David Archuleta and David Foster.

2 Filipinos also excel in the PERFORMING ARTS.

Popularly known as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series, Vanessa Anne Hudgens entered the limelight with a Filipino blood. She was born in California to a native Pinay mom (with Chinese and Spanish descent as well) and a Native American dad. After the HSM series since 2006, her TV guestings in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Quintuplets, and Still Standing became more frequent.

Lalaine Anne Paras, a.k.a. Miranda Sanchez in the Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, is a pure Filipina pride. Her parents were from Batangas and Pamapanga. Her acting career started when she was a cast in the Broadway production of Les Miserables. Besides playing Miranda, she also took the lead in the movie Royal Kill. She was not just an actress, but a singer and a spokesperson as well.

The man who starred on the Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and the Hot Chicks undeniably influenced Hollywood with his comedy. Born on San Francisco, California to a half-Filipina mother and a non-Filipino father, Rob Schneider successfully made it to Hollywood as an excellent actor and a comedian; then later as a famous screenwright and director.

3 Filipinos also hold their distinction in CULINARY ARTS.

The most famous in this discipline is no other than Cristeta Comerford, the current White House Executive Chef. She is a 47-year-old Sampaloc, Manila-born Filipina who serves in the White House since 1995. Within more than a decade of working as an executive chef, she has already served the Clintons, the Bushes, and now the Obamas. Her mastery in the science of cooking is a product of her MaScian upbringing, as well as her degree in Food Technology at the UP Diliman.

4 Filipinos dominate the DANCE ARENA as well.

“Let’s give it up for the JabbaWockeeZ!” This six-man hip hop group impressed not only the judges of the reality show America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC), but also different people across the globe. This group received an incredible amount of exposure and success after emerging as the 2008 ABDC’s champion. Filipinos once again took pride since three of this jaw-dropping dance crew are pure-blooded Filipinos: Chris Gatdula, Joe Larot and Rynan Paguio. These three were also given appearances in the movie Step Up 2.

Our very own Philippine All-Stars never fail the Filipinos in elevating the status of dancers in the Philippines. For too long, dancers here are considered second-rate performers. Through their efforts, they share in a movement that strives to unite and inspire this generation through Faith, Hip-hop, and Love. Placing the Philippines on the map of hip-hop dancing, they capture back-to-back World Gold Titles in several international competitions.

5 Filipinos carve name in the FASHION INDUSTRY.

Monique Lhuillier became a prominent fashion designer in the US. She was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a Filipino businessman of partial French descent and Amparito Llamas, a Filipina society figure and former model of Spanish-Cebuana descent. Her breakthrough in this industry came after she designed the gowns for her wedding entourage that captured the fancy of couture circles. By then, Britney Spears, Hillary Duff and other well-known people came to her to design their gowns.

Hollywood celebs Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Angelina Jolie, and Mariah Carey have one thing in common: top celebrity make-up artist Filipino American Mally Roncal. She is currently one of Hollywood’s most in-demand make-up artists and the top stylist for popular beauty magazines. She is also a featured personality in the world’s most circulated publications such as Cosmo and Allure.
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See, Filipinos are definitely oozing with talents. Recognizing these World-class Pinoys is not about discovering the greatness in others, but the greatness in each of us. We are not far behind other races when we speak of talent and intellectual abilities. Given the correct guidance, motivation and character training, any Filipino can practically excel in all kinds of endeavor. We just have to put our hearts and minds to any discipline, added with enough interest and determination to excel in things that shall contribute to the pride of the Filipino people.