In the vast and diverse landscape of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, many celebrities come from varied cultural backgrounds that might not always be immediately apparent. The Philippines, a country known for its rich culture and warm hospitality, has contributed several talents to the global stage. Here, we unveil the Filipino heritage of 10 celebrities you might not have known shared this connection.
Dave Bautista: The Guardian of the Galaxy
Best known as Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Dave Bautista has not only made a name for himself as a professional wrestler and actor but has also proudly embraced his Filipino roots.
Apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo): The Pea with Filipino Flavor
As one of the founding members of the Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.ap is a Filipino-American rapper and singer who has seamlessly blended his Filipino heritage with his international music career.
Lea Salonga: The Broadway Sensation
Renowned for her powerful voice and captivating performances in musicals like “Miss Saigon” and “Les Misérables,” Lea Salonga is a Broadway icon with deep Filipino roots.
Vanessa Hudgens: The Disney Star with a Filipino Twist
While Vanessa Hudgens was born in the United States, her Filipino and Chinese-Filipino ancestry adds a unique dimension to her identity, showcasing the diverse tapestry of her heritage.
Hailee Steinfeld: The Multitalented Star
An actress and singer, Hailee Steinfeld has Filipino roots through her maternal grandfather, adding an extra layer to her already impressive list of accomplishments.
Nicole Scherzinger: The Pussycat Doll with Island Ties
Lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger, boasts a multicultural background with Filipino and Hawaiian roots, contributing to her exotic and diverse appeal.
Darren Criss: From “Glee” to Filipino Pride
Known for his roles in “Glee” and “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” Darren Criss has Filipino heritage that might not be as widely recognized as his on-screen talent.
Enrique Iglesias: The Spanish-Filipino Heartthrob
While Enrique Iglesias is celebrated as a Spanish singer, his Filipino ancestry through his mother adds an intriguing layer to his international identity.
Tia Carrere: Hollywood’s Multicultural Star
With Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish roots, Tia Carrere has left an indelible mark on Hollywood through her roles in films like “Wayne’s World” and “True Lies.”
Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez): The Filipino-Puerto Rican Hitmaker
The Grammy-winning sensation Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez, proudly embraces his Filipino and Puerto Rican heritage, enriching the global music scene with his unique cultural influences.
These celebrities not only showcase their incredible talents on the world stage but also highlight the rich and diverse cultural tapestry that is the Philippines.
As we celebrate their achievements, let’s also appreciate the cultural heritage that has played a role in shaping their identities and contributing to the global entertainment landscape.
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
About 98 percent of Filipinos favor free tuition in public universities, according to a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Win Gatchalian.
The survey was conducted from September 10 to 14 with 1,200 respondents.
According to the survey, this extends across all economic classes: 99 percent in Classes ABC, 97 percent in Class D, and 100 percent in Class E; as well as across geographic regions such as the National Capital Region (NCR) at 98 percent, Balance Luzon at 96 percent, Visayas at 99 percent, and Mindanao at 100 percent.
When asked why they support free college tuition, more than half (51%) of the survey’s 1,200 adult respondents said that it results in more graduates.
“Of the 1 % who are not in favor of free tuition in public universities, nearly half expressed concerns about the quality of education, while another 47% mentioned the issue of underfunding in public universities,” Gatchalian said.
The lawmaker also said that it is vital to continue free education to students to help them in their future.
“Marami na sa ating mga kababayan ang nakinabang sa libreng kolehiyo, at mahalagang tiyakin nating patuloy nating mabibigyan ng dekalidad at abot-kayang edukasyon ang ating mga kabataan. Titiyakin nating matatanggap ng ating mga SUCs ang suportang kinakailangan nila upang makapaghatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon,” said Gatchalian.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
KABAYAN party-list Representative Ron Salo has proposed the immediate creation of a task force that will monitor and impose decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of overseas Filipinos amid the war in Israel and Gaza.
This is in light of the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza and the reported capture of Filipino nationals by Hamas militants.
“With the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the risks it poses to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino nationals in the region, I have filed House Resolution No. 1369 urging the Executive Department to immediately create a crisis management and response task force for the assistance of our countrymen in Israel and Gaza,” the Kabayan party-list representative said.
“This task force, jointly led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will be mandated to closely monitor the evolving situation, ensure the safety of our Kabayans, and be fully prepared for any possible contingencies,” Salo, chairman of the committee on overseas workers affairs, added.
There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel as of December 2021, DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said, citing records of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority.
“The Crisis Management and Response Task Force will work diligently to closely monitor the ongoing conflict and establish effective systems to track the whereabouts and conditions of Filipino nationals in the affected areas, providing around-the-clock updates and assistance as may be necessary,” Salo explained.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that 20 of the 26 Filipinos who were abducted and kidnapped have been rescued.
To ensure a decisive, holistic, and coordinated response of the Philippine government, the members of the task force will include pertinent agencies, including the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA), and our dedicated diplomatic representatives led by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel and the Labor Attaché in Israel.
The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, chaired by Rep.Salo, will also conduct a hearing tomorrow, 11 October 2023, at 1:30 PM on the matter.
This vital session will focus on the current situation of our overseas Filipinos in Israel amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive briefing on the efforts by key government agencies involved in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos out there.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
DESPITE the standby funds and personnel to assist Filipinos in Israel, Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Tuesday that it not yet safe to repatriate Filipinos from Israel.
“Hindi pa ito ‘yung tamang panahon na mag-mass repatriation… Maselan ‘yung sitwasyon, hindi pa safe,” Cacdac said in a radio interview.
Cacdac explained that safety and security concerns are being considered before they repatriate the Filipinos.
There are 83 Filipinos who have asked for assistance from the Philippine government, 76 were “accounted for,” while seven were “unaccounted for.”
Meanwhile, Cacdac said that there are “no signs” that Filipinos want to go back in the country.
“Sa ngayon, hindi pa natin nadidinig ang pahiwatig na gustong umuwi… Hindi pa natin masabing tiyak na ayaw nilang umuwi… Kasi nandoon pa sila sa sitwasyon na safety is the primodial concern,” the DMW official said.
Some 3,500 Filipinos in Israel have marked themselves safe, according to the survey conducted. However, Cacdac noted that there might be a lot more Filipino who are safe but were not able to answer the survey.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that seven remain unaccounted for and cannot be contacted via their mobile numbers and social media accounts.
“The Philippine Embassy (in Israel) is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition. We continue to await feedback from them,” DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza earlier said.
Following a surprise strike by the Hamas group last Saturday, Israel declared war and attacked Gaza. (ai/mnm)