ASIA'S GOT TALENT? FILIPINOS GOT TALENT!

The Philippines is endowed with creativity and artistry particularly in the performing arts. This is evident in the strong performances of four Filipino acts in the grand finale of “Asia’s Got Talent” out of a total of nine finalists from all over the region. As solo singers, Gwyneth Dorado (pop) and Gerphil Flores (classical) impressed the judges with their striking vocal chords; while group performers such as El Gamma Penumbra (shadow play act) and Junior New System (hip hop dancers) wowed the audience with their dazzling presentation and heart-thumping moves. 

There is just so much to be proud of for the Filipino artists who are carrying the Philippine flag in the world stage, or at least in Asia. This talent competition is an excellent platform to showcase a different image of Filipinos commonly seen as domestic helpers, unskilled laborers, drug traffickers, or desperate migrants looking for a better life. Thanks to the show, the world gets to witness the first-rate talent and amazing creativity that the Philippines can offer.  

While watching the Pinoy contestants perform during the competition, I realize so many things about us as Filipinos. I acknowledge that these are my own general observations subject for debate, though I believe that they are still worth noting.

1. Filipino local talent show rejects are world-class talents nonetheless.

        

Many of the exceptional Filipino acts competing in Asia’s Got Talent failed to win in the show’s local version. Some of them did not even make it to the semi finals of Pilipinas Got Talent. But fortunately, we now see them proudly representing the Philippines in the international stage.

Nobody personified a dramatic comeback better than Gerphil Flores. She was previously eliminated in Pilipinas Got Talent because, according to the judges, her operatic singing and classical tunes do not resonate to the Filipino audience. She got her vindication when David Foster praised her pitch perfect voice and elegant performance in Asia’s Got Talent. As one of the most popular finalists in the regional competition, previous clips of her elimination during her stint in the localized version of the show circulated online. After the judges voted her out in Pilipinas Got Talent, she defended her gift of singing Italian opera saying that “Filipinos are smart and are capable of singing different languages much like how we can sing in Korean or Japanese since it’s all about the melody.”

Watching how Gerphil Flores wowed the international audience and the foreign judges in Asia’s Got Talent with her amazing voice is truly a well-deserved redemption. Indeed, God’s major plans for her are starting to unravel.

What this reveals about Filipino judges

            The jurors in Pilipinas Got Talent may now be ashamed to realize that they might have made a poor judgment call on, not necessarily because they eliminated Gerphil Flores, but because they assumed that Filipinos will not appreciate classical music. Sadly, their unsophisticated and parochial views on musical talents prematurely ended opportunities for the Filipino masses to learn and appreciate a different kind of music genre. I think that the judges owe it to the Filipino audience to provide them with a variety of talents to choose from, regardless of their “marketability.” I strongly believe that they should leave it to the Filipinos to decide on that.   

 The good thing that came out of Gerphil’s unfortunate experience was that she resurrected herself and became an even more remarkable singer. Fortunately, the Philippines did not lose Gerphil Flores; in fact she even did the country proud. I just think that, as ironic as this may seem, she was celebrated and appreciated more outside the Philippines.

2. Filipino artistry is so diverse and wide ranging

  

            Singing is definitely what Filipinos are known for all over the world. It is both our natural gift and favorite pastime. But the diversity of the Filipino contenders’ performances in Asia’s Got Talent proves that we have other talents aside from singing.

           

El Gamma Penumbra’s shadow play acts proudly reveal how creative and imaginative Filipinos are. Its display of artistic refinement and profound messages through their performances showcase the wide variety and endless potential of the Filipino talent that are on par with international artists. Its spectacular and superlative acts have a very universal appeal, which the global audience can appreciate not only for its entertainment value, but also for its meaningful themes of peace, hope, and love. 

What this reveals about the Filipino talent    

            While Filipinos have an innate flair for signing, this should not limit us to explore other talents in the performing arts. The Filipinos’ overbearing preference for singing is partly reinforced by our showbiz culture that admires singers who tend to ape foreign acts, belt out high notes, and boast of vocal acrobatics. It is no wonder then that the grand winners of the past four seasons of Pilipinas Got Talent are individual male singers who sing pop music. I think it is high time that the Philippines celebrates the wide- ranging and high-level Filipino artistry to include instrumentalists, dancers, actors, and other artists of different genres such as classical, folk, jazz, modern, among others.     

3. Filipinos love to play the underdog

            Since talent shows are not complete without the background stories of talents, Filipino performers tend to portray themselves as the downtrodden underdogs. They highlight their personal stories of hardships and failures in reality competitions to appeal to the audience as if talent is not enough to prove themselves worthy of admiration. This is not only the trend in talent competitions in the country; it has also become evident among Filipino acts in “Asia’s Got Talent.” Perhaps the purpose for the contestants is to endear themselves to the people, and predictably the audience has come to embrace them.

            Junior New System narrated how they discovered their flair for dancing as street kids when they have nothing else to do in their lives. They promised that if they win in the competition, they would use the cash prize to help out and lift their families out of poverty. Not to trivialize anyone’s tragedy, but these are the stories that have become common fare on Philippine television, almost tired and worn out. I am not sure if the foreign audience of “Asia’s Got Talent” will find it endearing. My only concern is that stories like this perpetuate the global image of poverty in the Philippines. Fortunately, the background story of Junior New System has a triumphant note to it--- rejecting to be the hopeless victims of destitution by creating a name for themselves in the world stage through their talent. I think that Filipinos are so much more than being “poor;” it is time that we focus on highlighting our personal stories beyond that.  

 What it reveals about the Filipino

            This only proves that Filipinos are highly emotional beings who love triumphant stories of people overcoming tragedies. Sometimes, the more tragic a talent’s story is, the higher his/her chances of winning, especially when the audience eventually decides the winner. For most Filipinos, it is not only about winning (though it is the ultimate goal); what is more important is how a life will dramatically change for the better during the competition.  Though such heartbreaking dramas have become clichés over time, the Filipino contestants love to court sympathy, while the Filipino audience indulges in playing the compassionate and benevolent god (through their voting power) to the poor underdogs.  

 International competitions have always revealed so many things about the Philippines as a nation. Filipinos may not be the frontrunners in sports, mostly falling short during Olympic games. But definitely our abilities shine brightly in the arts, often dominating international talent shows.        

Asia’s Got Talent has definitely proven that Filipinos got talent. Though we have always prided ourselves with this common notion, there is still so much to be proud of watching the Filipino acts, along with the rest of the region, showing their artistry and giving their best. I consider it a very uplifting moment for all Filipinos and a grand occasion to be unified as a nation, rooting for all of these finest talents who have successfully displayed to the world what the Filipinos are capable of.

THE FAN MEETS THE "APPRENTICE"

Flashback to 2004. I am a big fan of the show “The Apprentice” from the time it first aired in 2004. I watched the first season while I was living in Beijing as a student. I had an old television set (read: no remote control) in my dorm room with only two all-English channels--- Star World and CNN (which was most of the time blocked by the Chinese censors).

Ironically, I was hooked watching this US reality TV show in China. I had to leave my Chinese class early to go back to my room and catch the episodes. There was neither Youtube nor Torrent back then where I can watch and download replays of the episode. And so the show became my “Western indulgence.”

Fast forward to 2013. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the world’s “toughest job interview” was airing in the region. “Well finally! “ I thought, after almost a decade of the show’s existence. I think that it is high time that Asians showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and management skills.

Watching the first “Apprentice Asia,” I could not avoid comparing it with the US version. The most important difference I have observed is how Asians are generally less brutal and less standoffish compared to their American counterparts, especially during their fight-for-their-lives “boardroom scenes.”  There is of course that confrontational drama in the Asian version (with some contenders quitting early on in the show) but it’s more tamed and subdued (perhaps reflective of the tactful and polite demeanor of most people in the region). Nonetheless, both shows displayed cut- throat competition and glaring rivalry (even hostility) among the contestants.  

The “Apprentice Asia” named a Filipino as the overall winner. Jonathan Yabut bested other contenders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Singapore. Even before the program ended, I knew that he would emerge as the winner because (objectively speaking) he has the work attitude, business skills, dynamic personality, and competitive spirit. 

Halfway through 2014 I was very much interested to meet Jonathan Yabut after watching him win in my favorite reality show. He was gracious enough to suspend all his suspicions and agreed to personally meet with me (a stranger who sent him an unexpected email). Fortunately, I got a chance to share a meal with him in Kuala Lumpur.

The Apprentice and the Fan: Dinner in Kuala Lumpur

My conversation with Jonathan basically reinforced what I observed and admired about him on TV. It helps too that I met him a year after the show’s airing, which made me fondly recall the reasons behind his deserving triumph. There were so many reasons why he won and I could surmise that his success point to the “Filipino” in him.

Based on Jonathan’s winning performance in the show, what does it reveal about Filipinos?

  

Interpersonal Skills: If there is one thing that Filipinos have an upper hand over their Asian counterparts, it is our “pakikisama” (or the spirit of camaraderie).

Jonathan displayed this as he pointed out and commended each of his teammates with their strengths and skills. In his last task, he motivated them by expressing his gratitude for their contributions even before they started the task. For Jonathan, It was not only about winning the competition, but also about uniting the team to achieve that win.

This people-centered orientation generally reflects good interpersonal skills among Filipinos when doing tasks in groups. In our professional culture, we are less mechanical (in the stricter sense of the word) and more personal (in a more considerate manner). Essentially, we value accomplishments not only because we have completed the process to achieve them, but also because we shared the ups and downs of that process with people.

Passionate spirit: Another important characteristic that Filipinos possess is our passion for the things we value in life. Whether it is achieving success or promoting an advocacy, Filipinos give their “all” no matter what.

Jonathan proved this when he had to raise funds for AirAsia Foundation in his final challenge. His goal is not just to win the competition but also to help out his chosen charity, which energized him all the more to give his best in the auction. His zeal and enthusiasm were evident as he successfully engaged and inspired people to contribute more.

This passionate spirit among Filipinos is what makes us walk that extra mile and stand out in whatever we do. This is evident in how we share our talent for singing with “feelings”, how we help others with compassion, and how we manifest our faith in God with so much fervor and devotion. Applying this kind of passion in various professional endeavors, Filipinos can no doubt succeed if we couple it with drive, hard work and determination.   

The Filipino Dream (and reality): It may be the typical rags-to-riches story that Filipinos can relate to (think Manny Pacquiao, Nora Aunor, and Henry Sy). But this inspiring variation of the “Filipino dream” highlights a different twist, which a lot of young people can easily relate to.

Jonathan shared his humble beginnings and struggles in life during his battery of interviews in the run-up to the finale. The executives were truly impressed with his accomplishments, not only because he has achieved them at a young age, but because he has succeeded IN SPITE of so many difficulties. This is perhaps what made him stand out among his other competitors.  

Yet his narrative appeals to a wider audience not only among the poor and deprived who literally have nothing, but also to the young people who are privileged to have a supportive home and good education. Despite his circumstances, Jonathan went to school through scholarships, participated actively in his university’s debating team, and excelled in business and marketing. His story is both a laudable victory against hardships and a continued endeavor to resist complacency. It is not only about prevailing over poverty but also overcoming the usual roadblocks to success. Essentially, his success is a good reminder to constantly take risks, strive harder, learn more, and pursue excellence to achieve success--- no matter what your status in life.

This is the Filipino dream everyone only hopes for, yet Jonathan has eventually made it a reality for himself. It is the dream that we all share and can relate to--- not only because we want to overcome our inherent poverty but also because we know that, if we put our hearts and minds to succeed, we can beat the odds and make our dreams a reality. 

Of course, this is not to say that only Filipinos have the monopoly of these traits. I believe that other nations have some semblance of these characteristics. But Jonathan’s performance and success in the show elucidates what most Filipinos can easily relate to. And I believe that if we maximize these strengths, we can similarly achieve what Jonathan has accomplished in our own professional endeavors.

Looking Back, Looking Forward   

A year after the “Apprentice Asia,” I thought it was timely to catch up with this Filipino pride. After his win, Jonathan did not just busied himself working for Tony Fernandez in AirAsia, but he also pursued writing a book about his Apprentice journey and speaking to young people in various events---continuously inspiring to dream big and making positive change not only in the Philippines but to other countries in the region.   

Featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, 14 August 2014

I consider myself privileged to have a personal conversation with Jonathan. I was actually impressed and inspired by his wit and grit that I wrote about my time with him in an article for the Inquirer, purposely to share all the insights I gained from him to the public. I think that success and excellence should not be a one-time event (like winning in a competition), but these should be constantly imbibed and reinforced among us. Jonathan Yabut, like other successful Filipinos, paved the way for us to believe in ourselves--- that we can accomplish something great. It is now up to us to sustain such positive motivation through hard work that will ultimately enable us to realize our goals.

What sustained my interest in watching this “toughest job interview” is that it keeps me on my toes to face head on the various tasks and people I meet in life. Looking back, I learned a lot from watching the show and meeting the “Apprentice.” Looking forward, I hope to be continuously inspired.          

"DON'T BE A WRITER" ACCORDING TO JESSICA ZAFRA

For the past decade, I only got to read her. But finally, I got to listen to her.

It was her book that introduced me to a new style of writing. Jessica Zafra cultivated my enthusiasm for reading with her wit, sarcasm, and amusing take on pop culture, social issues, and political dramas. No matter how dull, serious, and overanalyzed some topics were, she managed to write a “deviant” take on them, which turned out to be forthright funny yet surprisingly true.

It was no wonder then that her opinions written for her Twisted column in the now-defunct newspaper Today eventually became a book of the same title. It was apparently a very apt label to caution readers of this “twisted” author with her “twisted” ideas.

She gained a following among Filipino readers who found themselves saying “oo nga ano..” while reading her piece. They welcomed her unique ideas, thinking that they found their voices in her. They read her column and bought her book, wishing that they could also be infected with her intellectual humor. And this was a decade ago when social media was non-existent.

Jessica Zafra at the Ayala Museum

Jessica Zafra has not been in my consciousness for a very long time (it was back in college when I last read her books) until I saw a promotional invitation of her mortal presence at the Ayala Museum last August 2. The title of the event was “Don’t Be a Writer,” which was quite a discouraging “come on” for an aspiring writer like me. But knowing her signature style of nuttiness and cynicism, Jessica Zafra succeeded in making me pay money to listen to her talk that made me “rethink” about my passion for writing.

Here are some of the excerpts from her “sermon.” Just a warning though, unlike rousing feel-good speeches that people pay for, this is neither inspirational nor motivational. So according to Jessica Zafra, “Don’t be a Writer” because…

      1. There is no Job Security

Obviously, this is true. Freelance writers usually get paid per article and then get their checks two months after the article has been published. The funny thing that Jessica pointed out was that the current fees for contributed articles were the same as 10 years ago. (As a long-time freelance writer, I am also a victim of this reality). So essentially, there is no steady income for writers, and even if they get compensated, the pay is very minimal.

And since there is no job security for freelance writers, waiting for that “inspiration to write” is futile. Basically, it is the principle of “no write, no eat” that ultimately motivates writers to churn out as many articles as possible, or face the threat of starvation or homelessness.

2. There is not enough readers

For Jessica, the Philippines is not a reading culture. Interestingly, it merely takes 3,000 copies to be sold for a book to be labeled as a “bestseller” in this country of 100 million people. Aggravating this fact is the reality that books are fast becoming the casualties of the digital age.  

And I think given the advent of social media, reading has become a short and hurried experience. I also concur with Jessica that this trend has resulted in a low level of discourse because people do not engage in an intellectual and respectful debate anymore. As evident in the social media, Filipinos tend to either get personal when arguing ideas or just “agree” or “disagree” when opinions are raised.   

     3. You Don’t Get Days Off

Contrary to people’s perceptions, freelance writers do not have a vacation. According to Jessica, writers must feed their brains a lot of information and this sometimes requires moving out of their regular lives to have something to write about. Essentially, they cannot take a rest, they always think. 

     4. You Have to Be Alone

Writing, for Jessica, is engaging one’s self in a conversation with themselves. This is why most writers read a lot because they are alone; and literature consoles them. Most of the time, writers read novels because they get the chance to live many lives. If a writer does not read and becomes boring, then he/she would not have anything interesting to say to one’s self.

5. You Become a Cannibal

Everything in a writer’s life is material. The tendency for writers is to ask: “How could I put this experience into words?” For Jessica, this eventually “cannibalizes” one’s experiences.

      6. You Will Get Ripped Off

Your ideas can be stolen. And this happens most of the time.

      7. You Must Be Your Own Worst Critic

As one of the most popular and experienced Filipino writers, Jessica shares that there is no process of critiquing the works of writers in the country. I have to agree because during those times that I have been contributing articles in several publications, editors do not inform me about my mistakes and my weaknesses as a writer. They will just edit and revise the article and I will only see the edited version once it is published.  

Given this limited practice in evaluating writing, Jessica has this piece of advice: aside from being your own critic, let other people you trust read your article and comment on it. If you are secure in your abilities, criticism will not get to you. It will still hurt, but it will not hurt as much.  

Jessica Zafra Signs books for her Filipino fan readers

Indeed, “Don’t Be a Writer” is not for the dreamy and faint-hearted writers. In her usual mocking yet comical self, Jessica Zafra talks about writing as it is--- the horrors, terrors, irritations, and anxieties of it--- from her own perspective. Thankfully, the talk was not all about whining and grievances against the writing world; surprisingly the audience got something out of it.

If there is one piece of advice about writing that I got from her, it is to have that discipline to write but not forcing it on yourself, otherwise “it will only kill your enthusiasm for it.”

I am glad that I had the opportunity to listen to her journey as a writer. Ironically, her talk on the grim realities of being a writer comforted me, knowing that even well-published and well-known writers like her go through the same challenges that unknown writers like me go through. What a relief!