I hadn’t realized the Philippines was in Scandinavia.
Having figured out London’s public transport system I proceeded to use the knowledge for evil, i.e. shopping. While I was in a dressing room Charice’s single Pyramid came on and I had what may only be described as a burst of national pride. And I speak as one who would excise the words “world-class” and “multi-awarded” from every text. I wanted to run to the store’s paging system and announce, “She’s Filipino!”
My friend reports that there is actually a campaign to Not have Charice on the TV musical Glee because she does not have an American accent and is not pretty enough, ergo not a proper “representative” of the Filipino. I hadn’t realized the Philippines was in Scandinavia. (Or Brazil, depending on skin tone.) Excuse me, perky blue-eyed blondes with chiseled features, straight noses and long legs, most Filipinos look like Charice. Perhaps when you are president you can make us wear paper bags on our heads, but for now we are perfectly happy to have someone short, brown, and flat-nosed (pango) out there on the world stage, making the competition sound like they have laryngitis.
Denouncing Charice for her looks (or “breeding”) is like knocking down Manny Pacquiao for his English pronunciation: It’s beside the point. No one questions the importance of appearances in this image-conscious era, but talent still overrides all other considerations.
Then again the talentless are always resentful.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
July 4th, 2010 at 18:36
I am reminded of this most spiteful stunt that Sarah Geronimo pulled in ASAP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPAjYmX-XXw&feature=PlayList&p=85B00650F0882FDB&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=7
I mean, if you guys are interested, up for it, and have the proper restr– what am I saying? Of course you are.
July 4th, 2010 at 18:42
Finally.
I’m thinking, though, that some people would say, “It’s not because she’s Filipino. It’s just because I hate her. I’d hate her even if she’s a foreigner.” Oh, well. Sad.
I stopped watching Glee after the first season, but I think I’m taking it up again when Charice joins the cast. I’m curious about how she’d do. I’m happy for her success. She dreamt, showed them what she had, and got the part.
July 4th, 2010 at 21:40
This makes my blood boil.
Seriously speaking: If the powers-that-be at Glee wanted a pretty Filipina in the cast, they would have poached one of those mestiza types from the Disney Channel by now… but sorry to say, they didn’t go that route. The point is, they ran an audition, Charice got the part, and that’s all that matters.
Personally, though, I’m just more surprised that the role of the foreign student didn’t go to Lin Yu Chun, aka the Taiwanese Susan Boyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvB-lIhmbDQ
July 4th, 2010 at 21:52
So being Filipino aka nationalistic really seeps more from our bodies when we’re overseas huh :)
Anyway, I’m so interested at how she’d act and beat up Rachel, the club leader!
July 5th, 2010 at 00:25
I can’t help but have this feeling that its not foreigners (i.e., white folks or anyone not Filipino) that started those rumours. As far as I know, it would be totally racist of them to even think that. The only people that would judge that she’s not “filipino enough” would be pinoys themselves.
The producers won’t care, she’s “exotic” enough for the part. Apart from being really good, of course.
July 5th, 2010 at 01:40
No actual foreigners are alluded to in the post. Please read it again.
July 5th, 2010 at 01:48
@barrycyrus It is not that being overseas, makes you more nationalistic. I think it’s more like, being overseas makes you more aware of how others really view the Philippines. When you’re in the Philippines, Pinoys tend to think that how they view themselves (like talented and intelligent people for example) – that’s how others abroad view Filipinos. But when you’re out there in the world, you realize that not even a lot of people know the Philippines, what’s it’s about, the people or let alone even know the correct spelling of the country or even exactly where is it located. It is actually people like the Pacquiaos, Arnel Pinedas, Charice P.s, Lea Salonga’s that give people abroad and idea of the good sides of being Filipino. So sad lang, that Filipinos don’t realize this, at least in the case of Charice. Lea Salonga was more lucky, because she came from an elite background and could do a perfect American accent. Charice on the other hand, is seen as more cheesy because she came from a poor background and can’t speak perfect straight english (though not her fault). And Charice didn’t fit the Filipino’s outdated notions of who should be a star or not. But the thing is, the girl is super talented and the world already knows that. Just sad that it is Filipinos seen and heard bashing and looking down on her. That being said, I applaud you Ms. Jessica Zafra for this very well written blog. Though lighthearted, it does cut straight to what’s been happening with the phenomenon of Charice bashings by mostly teen Filipinos on most internet social sites….
July 5th, 2010 at 01:51
Oops typo *an instead of and
July 5th, 2010 at 12:46
Sometimes I think some local stars do not make it internationally because they try too hard to be white — like putting on a fake a American twang and turning their brown skin to white. A good example would be Regine Velasquez.
July 5th, 2010 at 13:47
Eh. Haters gonna hate. Not a Charice fan, but good for her.
If only those idiots bother with issues that really matter…
July 5th, 2010 at 15:56
So glad you made a post about Charice. I used to watch a lot of her videos on youtube.
@JorvanS Regarding famous Filipinos, sadly Imelda still tops the list.
July 5th, 2010 at 18:51
I read she is supposed to play an exchange student, so the more “foreign” she comes off on the show, the better it would be for her role, wouldn’t it? Like van said, haters gonna hate.
I’m not too interested in how she’d face off against Rachel Berry’s vocals; how she’d fare versus Mercedes’ pipes would be more interesting.
July 6th, 2010 at 00:33
Give the small girl a chance my goodness.
July 6th, 2010 at 00:47
But can she act? I haven’t seen any of her acting roles (if she even has any). Then again, this is Glee, so all she has to do is out-diva Lea Michele and Chris Colfer.
July 6th, 2010 at 13:34
her acting wasn’t bad in maalaala mo kaya where her life was featured there (she acted alongside zsa zsa padilla, who played as her mother).
marami akong kakilala na ayaw aminin na gusto nila si charice dahil feeling nila ang baduy nila. type nilang ipagmalaki na idol nila sina jennifer hudson, si beyonce, si ganito-ganyang foreign rock band, etc.
July 8th, 2010 at 04:14
This a late reply but I just wanted to thank you for this post. I live in Chicago and Charice’s “Pyramid” is played everywhere here… shops, cabs, bookstores, etc. How ironic that it’s her own countrymen who have made an issue out of her looks. I have yet to hear an American say anything negative about her.
July 26th, 2010 at 12:17
I remember Desperate Housewives and various groups taking up arms over one ditzy character’s crack about Philippine medical diplomas. Glee has Sue Sylvester, and now Pempengco’s going in. Whee.
July 28th, 2010 at 06:35
I’m very, very confused. I thought Glee is all about singing in the middle of the mall or in desperation to sleep at night while picturing someone in your head. Where’s the acting there? Acting is Vilma S., Nora A., Charlize Theron, Denzel Washington.. The insecure and jealous bitc***s just couldn’t accept the fact that the “monkeys” they call from the Far East are top of the range entertainers of the world. Mabuhay ang mga Filipino! Saludo ako sa iyo Charice.. Not only because you are gifted with a great voice but also because no matter how people put you down, you’re still around.. Keep us proud!x