Charice: Proud to be Filipina

by DrTP
written July 15, 2009

The other day, I saw a video clip with an excerpt of a phone patch interview with Charice (E-Live July 11, 2009) where she said, “hindi man ako kumanta ng tagalog o makabayan na song, sa puso ko nararamdaman kong Pilipino ako” (even if I did not sing a tagalog or patriotic song… in my heart, I feel that I am truly a Filipino). I can only imagine how difficult it is to be famous, especially in show business. You end up needing to defend yourself (amid a ‘damn if you do, damn if you don’t’ environment) from seemingly trivial issues, such as physical “looks,” to more fundamental questions regarding one's sense of nationalism and identity.

Personally, however, I believe that among many issues, no one can question this young lady’s sense of nationalism. I first saw an internet clip of Charice only a few weeks ago and, like many, became hooked. From watching her outstanding performances as well as emotional interviews and quirky outtakes, I am not just struck by how she exudes confidence while singing, but also a level of comfort for who she is and where she came from. In one clip, I was amused when she greeted an Italian Ambassador with a confident “Magandang Gabi po” (a polite 'Good Evening' in Filipino) during a national primetime TV show in Italy. I also saw her shout out an enthusiastic “Salamat po” (a polite 'Thank you' in Filipino) to an audience of thousands after a performance in Las Vegas. In an interview, she even revealed how she asked legendary songwriter and producer David Foster if a Filipino song could be included in her first album in the United States. These gestures may be inconsequential to many, but these natural and effortless acts also show how comfortable she is to present to the world her cultural background. These seemingly simple acts are surely more noteworthy than a recently published "artistic expression" by an author, which questioned the feasibility of a Filipina being invited by a legendary artist to his concert. I even find her more admirable than those who sing patriotic songs yet do not embody true respect and acceptance of other Filipinos.

I believe that Charice’s strong sense of self and pride for her country is what allowed her to be successful in crossing cultural borders. Charice obviously loves the Philippines, insisting that she continues to be based there despite how bright her future holds in America. Not to mention, “from the Philippines, Charice” might as well be her full name - for this is how she consistently gets introduced on stage. As such, Charice makes Filipinos proud because her accomplishments contribute to their collective identity. But more importantly, without question, Charice herself epitomizes the true essence of a proud Filipina.


Background:
I submitted this article to Charicemania.com and was posted on July 15, 2009.