07/11/12 - AsianWeek - San Francisco Book Launch of My Filipino Connection – The Philippines in Hollywood

Charice article - book feature
San Francisco Book Launch of My Filipino Connection – The Philippines in Hollywood
By AsianWeek Staff– July 11, 2012


An entertaining evening of stories and stories behind stories of proud achievements and the “Filipino connection” describes the San Francisco book Launch of the book My Filipino Connection : the Philippines in Hollywood by columnist/ writer Ruben Nepales held on June 30 at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco on June 30, 2012. The event was co-presented by Literacy Initiatives International and Power ng Pinoy TV.

My Filipino Connection : the Philippines in Hollywood published by Anvil, is a compilation of various articles on Filipino American personalities many of them pieces from his popular entertainment column “Only In Hollywood” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. These Filipino American of fame and acclaim included in the book covers a range of personalties of varying interest from LA showbusiness personalities such as Charice Pempengco or Darren Criss, to White House Chef Cristeta Comerford.

In his remarks during the program, Mr Nepales mentioned that in his interviews with personalities, Filipino Americans or non Filipino Americans alike, he always looks for and highlights their “Filipino connection”. He added further highlight in the program by regaling the audiences with stories behind his stories – tidbits of information of his interviews with personalities and their Filipino connection.

Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. in his welcome remarks at the event mentioned that despite our considerable number of Filipinos and those of Filipino heritage in the United States we are not as heard or counted as whole as much as we should. Consul General Paynor cited Mr. Nepales’ book as a notable work that helps address this concern by accentuating the important contributions and considerable influence of the Filipino connection.

The well-attended book launching event saw the participation of Bay area Filipino American personalities such as singer and comedienne Fe de Los Reyes, who rendered a song and read excerpts from the book, other upcoming local talents like champion gymnast Ria Recinto and upcoming 10 year child singing sensation Mika Gorospe. “Pixnoys” – top Filam talents at Pixar such as Ronnie del Carmen, Ricky Nierva and Gini Cruz Santos who are all profiled in Nepales’ book as well as families and friends of the author and other personalities in the book likewise attended the event.

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>>we are not as heard or counted as whole as much as we should.

but is it actually a book to boost discussion?
how can we get both sides to the table?

to me it comes down to the question, what is expected, what is to be expected?
america's nationalism is inclusive, you are american and that's it. or you are not.
one level lower, there is a soup of subcultural struggles of almost everyone.
(let's say the "WASP" wasn't portrayed for nothing.)

then, artists are mentioned, some scientists, some workers in a high position.
BTW "avatar" to me looked quite filipino-influenced.
but where are the politicians, the protest leaders, the visionary utopists?
also, racism can only end with emancipation, not by forbidding offending behavior.

but I have another concern:
San Francisco Book Launch.. I'm all for that book.
but why not BERLIN Book Launch? Or Athens, or Madrid?

once, when americans wanted to change the world, they went to europe.
today, they go to the philippines! (though, what they want is military bases and waivers).

so, to anyone else, such a book appears as a very local thing.


walden bello, once global protestor (on same issues shoulder on shoulder with arundhati roy) now senator, this year visited my capital, vienna.
he held a speech, but media were quite silent, and obviously no one asked the lacking questions to him.

and walden is a traveler. in my obervation, filipinos here work (well!), make good money, but avoid discussion.
jose rizal worked, studied, but also was deeply involved in political discussions of his time.

facit:
philippines have growth ~6 percent, europe has recession.
1. in europe there is a lot of "socialism" going on, about redistribution. it is inevitable because of the aged maturity of the system. without that quarrel at all, marginalization of the masses would turn the continent into a whole balkans, with hunger and civil war everywhere. so, the more central countries have achieved a lot, by their regulations. the problem is a problem of corrupt morals, cronyism and crime.
2. growth in PH is said to be valid only for the bigger economic entities, and for oligarchies in behind.
still, pres. p-noy is working hard on that matter.

books like that should encourage filipinos to become rizal 2.0 as many as possible. join the crucial discussions.
here in europe, the turks are doing this. they are entering politics, and they are very adamant.
for good balance, others should be asked to do this also.

in one sentence,
best opportunity to become famous is hollywood;
best opportunity to do something meaningful, change matters, and get respect for that, is in europe!

Article is also published in the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs website:

http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/news-from-rp-embassies/5964-ruben-nepales-book-my-filipino-connection-the-philippines-in-hollywood-launched-in-san-francisco