And now, the good news...
What's new in the Pinoy world these days? The government is incurring a trade deficit, having trouble balancing the budget, Cory's got cancer, we're still trying to get back Marcos' millions.... it's enough to send me back to bed. Fortunately, there's plenty of good news to go around as well. My two current favorite Pinoy success stories:
Our very own Rocky Balboa, Manny Pacquiao, is racking up victory after victory in the international boxing arena. He's got 3 world titles in 3 different weight divisions (he's the first Asian boxer and one of only 8 in the world to accomplish this), has just wrested the WBC super-featherweight crown from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and has just been declared a Datu. I'm ashamed to say I didn't even know who he was until my husband told me he wanted to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez match for his birthday (since the cheapest rafter seat at Caesar's Palace was selling for over $2000, we decided to forgo the pleasure). You know he's an international superstar and global sports celebrity when your English husband is the one who first makes you aware of the guy in the first place.
Pinoys have taken over American Idol once again! No, I'm not talking about Renaldo Lapus (although I think he's a sweetheart and wish him the best in his singing career). I'm talking about Ramiele Malubay, the little powerhouse who has made it to the Top 10 Finalists of American Idol's season 7. Truth be told, I find her songs a bit ho-hum -- they tend to resemble, to use a Simon Cowell phrase, a "cruise-ship performance". And I'm not a fan of her hair or wardrobe (I got over that off-the-shoulder Flashdance look 25 years ago). But I have to say, The Girl. Can. Sing. Making it to the Top Ten is a Big Deal. And I love how she embraces her Filipino identity. Like Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco , Jose Penala and AJ Tabaldo, Ramiele is proving to the whole world that Filipinos can belt it out with the rest of them. You go, girl!
Anyone with more Pinoy Power stories to share? Shout it out!
3 comments:
I am proud of Rami and Manny. I think more pinoys are achieving everyday in the other parts of the world only that they are not entertainers or boxers.
How sad Ramiele was kicked off! I just wish her Filipina vibe would have shown a bit bolder on TV so that all of the country would have come to love her!
I never was a Ramiele fan, nor was I a Jasmine, Camille, or AJ fan. My problem with Pinoy singers who make it to the world stage is that they are all basic copycats of western diva-ish singers of the Mariah/Whitney mold. Either that, or they're R&B (Jocelyn/Jennie Lee). Either way, they're copying some western style which they can never hope to surpass, and adding nothing original on their own. That was my biggest problem with Ramiele. She was All Voice, no personality or spark. And half the time, the girl looked absolutely uncomfortable/terrified on that big Idol stage.
I'm still waiting for that international breakthrough Pinoy star who can combine the Voice with a massive Personality with a dash of Original Pinoy style thrown in there.
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