One of the reasons I haven’t been blogging as much is because I often find myself glued on my sofa chair, doggedly going through the recordings on our DVR. Since most of my favorite programs had their finale episodes weeks ago, I am now mainly left with reality TV viewing. Despite my appreciation for great script-written and cerebral offerings, reality TV remains one of my guilty pleasures. I do have a predilection for those that are competition driven such as the Survivor, Amazing Race, Project Runway, Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen and American Gladiators. Although shows like "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" might be more controversial, salacious and entertaining, I don’t have much interest on the drama-ridden, pseudo-romance saturated mess that are being passed off as "real". If you are a fan of those shows, there’s no need to get your knickers up on a bunch. It’s just my candid opinion. We all have our own taste and preferences so there’s no need to argue about it.
Anyway, as I went through my mindless channel surfing, I’ve began to notice that there seems to be a conspicuously increasing Filipino presence on these reality shows. Some of the contestants are outrightly obvious about their cultural background while some are not so forthcoming or vocal about it. Of course, it makes me want to root for them when they give a shout-out to their Filipino heritage but just seeing them participate makes me proud enough to cheer them on. In fact, watching any Asian competitor makes me want to toot the horn and claim them as my compatriot as well. My husband thinks it’s pretty amusing though.
If not for reality TV, I wouldn’t be seeing this proliferation of Asian and ethnic groups on the boob tube. Years ago, there’s such a limited representation of the Asian culture, both on TV and in the movies. The rare times you’ll see Asian actors/actresses on screen, they were (still are) mostly playing stereotypical roles of martial artists, illegal immigrants, housemaids, prostitutes, villains, Vietnam war vets/soldiers, and mail order brides. These unoriginal characters are so hackneyed and not quite the accurate depiction of the cultures they are trying to project on the small or big screen. Hollywood really needs to step up with the times and get a reality check.
The explosion of reality competition shows are bringing more ethnic cultures and diverse personalities to the forefront. They have become opportunities to display that there’s more to us than people with almond-shaped eyes, dark (or yellow) skin tone, short stature and weird accents. Just like anybody else in the world, we are from all walks of life, with varying degrees of education and upbringing, and not to mention, with talents and skills. Massive doses of it too.
After a bit of digging up in the cyberspace, I managed to pull up profiles of some of these participants. A few of them didn’t claim to be Filipinos in the media but we do have a way of knowing somehow, right? Anyway, don’t hesitate to correct me if I’m wrong in my assumptions.
First up is Ramiele Malubay. 
She was one of the Top Ten contenders in the last season of American Idol. Although she was talented, I reckon she managed to stay in the competition for so long due to the collective and concerted effort from the Fil-Am voters/fans.
Dale Talde 
was a contestant in Top Chef season 4 whom I was a bit ambivalent about. He seemed to be exceptionally culinary gifted with a great potential to win but his attitude reeked of negativity and arrogance. Maybe the pressures of the competition got the best of him but I rooted for him anyway and was disappointed when he got eliminated. Oh, and he was originally from Chicago.
Another Chicago native who caught my attention a few years ago was Jenny Guzon-Bae. 
She was part of the initial Asian alliance in the Survivor: Cook Islands. In fact, she was probably the first Filipina I ever saw competing in a reality show. She was quite articulate and she performed really well in the challenges but didn’t do well enough to emerge as the sole survivor. A Korean-American named Yul Kwon took the prize home that season.
Another Filipino trying to make his mark on the culinary TV world was Louross Edralin. 
He’s in the season 4 of Hell’s Kitchen. Well, anyone who can survive the heat in that kitchen is already a winner to me. Unfortunately, Louross didn’t have what it takes to withstand Gordon Ramsay’s firestorm and was sent home earlier than he anticipated.
American Gladiators has always been a favorite of mine ever since I was a young girl sneaking out to watch the show in our neighbor’s TV. When I learned that the NBC network brought it back, I got so excited indeed. It still has the cheesiness factor but I can’t help but be impressed with what the contenders have to go through in those grueling elimination rounds. I was even more at awe when a petite Filipina-looking contestant gave it her best shot on season 2. Melissa Trinidad 
truly wowed me with her determination and athleticism. What an inspiration! By the way, she’s a single mom and her daughter’s name is Malaya (which means freedom in Tagalog). I hope she won’t be the last Filipina I’ll see in this show.
Well, there they are, folks. Although none of them were winners or title-holders in those competitions, I consider them triumphant already from having gone through those demanding auditions. Furthermore, they were able to overcome the hurdles and prejudice that might have trounced others before them. They’re paving the way for more people of ethnicity to prove themselves in any match and arena while witnessed by TV viewers all over the world. It couldn’t get more real than that.
Hi Rose. Nice to see you blogging again. Like you, I would root for our compatriots that are on TV. Top Chef caught me in a surprising way, when each chef introduced themselves and the camera focused on this Asian guy and he says, “Hi. My name is Dale Talde.” When I heard him say his name I just about fell off my bed. Dale Talde is my cousin’s cousin. He probably would not remember this but I met him, his older brother and sister when he was just 5 years old. I must be 13 or 14 back then. Though he was brash in the way he talked (believe me…my ears were getting tired of it) in the show, I still was proud on how far he had gone. But as he said in the show, “either people like me or hate me. That is my personality.” I’m just glad that he wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself despite the fierceness of the competition. Anyway, truly what a small world. Take care Rose. Till next time.
Hey Rose,
Nice blog yet again..Even over here we see some “filipino” celebrities like Mutya Buena and Myleene Klass. Not much on the “reality TV” yet. Although my younger sister did think of applying to join Big Brother!! My mom promptly said that she will DISOWN her if she does..Luckily,my sis was only kidding.. Ingat!
Wen, it’s truly a small world. Who knows if there are more readers out there who personally knows those aforementioned folks on TV. Thanks for reading and take care
nice one kabayan!
hi par all fri
i think world is good
but human is not so good
hags..
am i stiil alive ???
akuu sakiitt hatiii
hi hello everybody..
I LOVE YOUR blog!..=D
Nice blog…Mabuhay ang pinoy.
hjx! không quen ai hết
Great blog…and I myself is proud of all the Filipino’s out there and all their achievements! It’s so nice to see our kababayaan get recognition and just makes me proud as a Filipino!!! Tc po & God Bless!!!
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Bravo!!! Nice blog. Sorry for those who can not even say they are Filipino in front of other nationalities, but ,WHY???!!!
Lovely blog. an inspirational read. keep sharing.. God bless
Great blog! very encouraging..God bless you
Hi Rose, glad to see you blogging again! Will try to ring you again sometime! I like Hell Kitchen but I set it on ‘mute’ when the swearing starts, hehe! Mwah! - Len
Hi Rose! I wondered where you’ve been updating your blog! Maybe I should just try to link this one, no?
what your name?
I like you wisdom, keep blogging!
Cheers!
Rose, Splendid review!!!Pretenses is one of the most awkward traits of our origin. It’s funny though that no matter how we try to cover up our roots we just can’t hide it…it shows! Like you, I love watching american idol esp when there’s a filipino on it, and makes me real proud when it gets to the final 3. The excitement is just contagious that everyone at home is so agog at it! It doesn’t make you any better from the rest should you feel and act differently! Pilipino ka pa rin! I love what you’re doing …give us some more…
Hi Ms. Rose! Had you only included VINCENT BUENO in your list, there would have been one Pinoy in your report who became champion in a reality talent competition. But of course, it’s not in the U.S. but in Austria. Anyway, thanks for leaving a comment in my blog. If you only knew how proud and happy I was that one of the most popular bloggers in this world read my blog! I also created a new blog (although with the same content as the old) because it is a lot easier to use. I am inviting you to view it. Please check this link: http://afriendnamedgoddy.blogspot.com
I watch and praise those Filipinos NO MATTER WHAT and WHERE they are in the world. The courage and guts is strong and prove to the world we can make it in many more ways.
Constant struggles pay off just like constant practise makes one perfect.
May it be good or bad we do try,we are FEARLESS, we take the risk, we learn a lesson and do more. Thats being a true Filipino. a true fighter.
Ta, I just got back my laptop from my girls, I miss reading your blogs for those months. Right now Im back to my normal routine, my lady cant complain. Its better being in the internet than be so quite sleeping all day and night.
Keep up.
I watch and praise those Filipinos NO MATTER WHAT and WHERE they are in the world. The courage and guts is strong and prove to the world we can make it in many more ways.
Constant struggles pay off just like constant practise makes one perfect.
May it be good or bad we do try,we are FEARLESS, we take the risk, we learn a lesson and do more. Thats being a true Filipino. a true fighter.
Ta, I just got back my laptop from my girls, I miss reading your blogs for those months. Right now Im back to my normal routine, my lady cant complain. Its better being in the internet than be so quite sleeping all day and night.
Keep up.
I watch and praise those Filipinos NO MATTER WHAT and WHERE they are in the world. The courage and guts is strong and prove to the world we can make it in many more ways.
Constant struggles pay off just like constant practise makes one perfect.
May it be good or bad we do try,we are FEARLESS, we take the risk, we learn a lesson and do more. Thats being a true Filipino. a true fighter.
Ta, I just got back my laptop from my girls, I miss reading your blogs for those months. Right now Im back to my normal routine, my lady cant complain. Its better being in the internet than be so quite sleeping all day and night.
Keep up.
I watch and praise those Filipinos NO MATTER WHAT and WHERE they are in the world. The courage and guts is strong and prove to the world we can make it in many more ways.
Constant struggles pay off just like constant practise makes one perfect.
May it be good or bad we do try,we are FEARLESS, we take the risk, we learn a lesson and do more. Thats being a true Filipino. a true fighter.
Ta, I just got back my laptop from my girls, I miss reading your blogs for those months. Right now Im back to my normal routine, my lady cant complain. Its better being in the internet than be so quite sleeping all day and night.
Keep up.
terkadang kita tak bisa membedakan antara hidup dan kehidupan yg harus kita jalani sehari2 tuk mencapai kebahagiaan dan kehidupan yang “HAKIKI“
reading this blog makes me proud to be a filipina. thanks for sharing this to us, rose. i only wish i could encourage myself to watch more reality shows. great post!