...but then again, phil collins doesn't think he can either.

[a post that was going on lapulapu till i realized it wasn't purely a filipino-enough experience for me]

"I understand the sender's sentiments and I admire his nationalism. Racial discrimination happens to everyone everywhere, not only to Filipinos and not only in Korea. And it is but right that we fight against this type of prejudice. But we cannot repay discrimination with discrimination. Or else we become what we hate."
-anonymous forumer in reference to a korean gaining praise in a competition for filipino entertainers



i remember when i was in virginia a few months ago (oct). i was captivated to watch the filipino channel that abs had. i can't pinpoint exactly what we were all doing - i think it was when we were eating hebrew hot dogs, but that's besides the fact. i was eating breakfast and i noticed on the t.v. some show similar to north america's highly acclaimed american idol. that's not what got my attention though. what did was the pretty face of sandara park. i had to halt my eating and question aloud, "is she filipino?". i knew she wasn't (she's of korean origin) but i just had to get a second opinion just in case i was hallucinating or something.
anyhow, her singing was not the greatest, just as most of the contestants on this 'filipino american idolesque' program were. nontheless, i thought she was cute.

recently, and related to my surfing of fhm philippines (see below post #29), i, after various links came to realize that this sandara park caused quite a controversy among filipinos. in one forum, someone was stating "I don't like Sandara Park because she is taking all the unworthy recognition Filipino artists are not getting. I wonder why Filipinos love her so much". in another case, i heard that sandara is the philippines' equivalent to american idol's william hung (who i find extremely repulsive both visually and audibly; remind me to picture him when i get an erection in church). i think this really sucks; first, true, she is probably taking away entertainment opportunites from aspiring filipinos, and two, it sucks that it has to be this way..i really like sandara (yes, aesthetically but no, im not shallow all the time).
im not about to weigh the importance of filipino talent recognition against sandara's eyes (but let it be known im 100% behind filipino talent for the sake of argument).

i'll just leave this post on this note..sandara, you were a pleasurable controversy in the motherland through my eyes while you lasted.

to my brothers and sisters,
aim for the stars, filipinos!