be proud!

There's a running joke in my family -- my own father, Lolo2Amara, inevitably finds a Filipino link to any current song, movie, etc.

But even with his thirteen degrees of separation, he may be on to something.

This morning, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sheila Marcelo. This Filipina mom of two has an incredible educational background (can we say Harvard Business and Law Schools?), is highly motivated (she is the founder and CEO of Care.com), and is extremely successful (prior to starting up Care.com she worked with established companies such as Upromise). After our interview, I thought "how awesome it is that she is a Filipina!" And I was proud!

Earlier this year I met Aileen Avery. She's been on TV shows like HGTV's I Want That. She's part Filipino as well.

Mamazilla has previously written about Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.

And how about the wildly popular High School Musical? Did you know that the lead actress, Vanessa Hudgens is part Pinay?

EDIT: And I almost forgot about Erwin Angala, the Filipino behind the Hummer H2 and the new Cadillac CTS (he's grew up in my neck of the woods).

So in a matter of months, I was able to find and share with my daughter the wonderful accomplishments of not just Filipinos but mainstream Filipinos...ones that she will recognize from media exposure.

See it as you may, I often feel I must *prove* a Filipino's worth to Amara. As if I need to give my daughter a reason to be proud. But I don't need to give her a reason.

That's because Pinoys display strength in integrity. We are strong. And we are prosperous!

Who are the Filipinos you are proud of?

[Note: This video has been out there for awhile but in case some of you have yet to see it, here you go!]