Filipino Idol CRAZED By Patricia Chanco Evangelista
The Philippine STAR 10/22/2004
I went to London last May to
represent the Philippines
in the International Public Speaking
Competition. I gave a speech that celebrated the Filipino identity, telling the
world that being Filipino is something that must never be denied.
When I competed in the local eliminations, they gave us the topic "A
Borderless World." It was inevitable, at least for me, to speak about the
Filipino Diaspora. Itâ€(tm)s true, I was out to win, and I used a feeling
that is very much alive in the Philippines
today: condemnation.
We have a family friend who used to be close to us. She and her family sent all
their kids to America
to a better life, a better future. It
hurt to have them leave, but people are entitled to their choices. They came
back a couple of years ago. They invited us to dinner, and so there we were in
their living room, along with their brand-new furniture and 50-inch flat-screen
TV. The adults started talking about the Philippines
at least our old friend did. She said that she is glad, so glad, that her
children have been saved from this god-awful country of ours. A country with
awful politics, awful places, awful traffic, awful, awful people.
Im a Filipino. Im one of those "awful" people. And I was outraged.
I didnt say anything then. What could I say? But when the competition gave me
the platform to speak about a borderless world, I spoke I said
everything I wished I said years ago. I was like a madman on a soapbox, I
condemned the Filipinos who chose to leave, said they deserved to be
pushed down the road to hell on a handcart. Traitors and turncoats, I called
them.
And I won obviously not because of content. Sabi ko nga, angas, kaya minsan.
Sometimes confidence can save the day. I still blush when I remember what
happened.
In London, I didnt win on my own. I
was lucky enough to be under the tutelage of some of the best minds in the
country. Great writers like Krip
Yuson, Gemino Abad, Butch Dalisay, Boo Chanco and Ed Maranan, along with former
ambassador Ed Espiritu took me under their wing. They never told me what to do
or say â€" I would never have said what I did in the finals if I
didnt reach that conclusion on my own. They asked me questions, listened to
what I said, and opened my eyes to a less narrow and more holistic
perspective.
I almost didnt go to London. Money
is tight, and asking for government support at a time like this is difficult,
close to impossible. However, it is a wonderful thing to have corporations such
as Shell Philippines who believe in giving back to the country. They sent me to
London with a ticket, a smile and a
"good luck." Like I said, I was lucky.
With the support of so many people, family, friends and the grace of God, I
won. Hey, Im Filipino.
I went home with cameras at my face and questions like: "How does it feel
to put the Philippines
on the map?" I was 18, and I have to admit, I was thrilled. Im not the
first Filipino to win, and Im not going to be the last. But unlike a lot of
winners, I have something else going for me. My mentors and relatives are some
of the most prolific writers in the country, and they made [EMAIL PROTECTED] sure people
knew what I did. In other words, I have built-in publicity. Cool, huh?
The other day, I was reading the paper and found the story of an 11-year-old
girl named Faye. It was a paid ad by Bread of Life Ministries.
"Unknown to her countrymen, this 11-year-old girl brought honor to the Philippines.
She represented the country two weeks ago in the
Intercontinental Science Quiz Net in Australia.
Out of 57 countries represented, Faye garnered first place for the Philippines.
Germany came
in second, the United States
came third."
Fayes story is an extraordinary one. Given financial constraints, especially
since her mother was raising Faye on her own, they went to various congressmen
for aid. Only one was willing to help them in exchange for the senator taking
credit for the childs former achievements
(and there were many). Her mother did what any self-respecting mother would
have, she refused.
Mother and daughter went to Australia
by dint of their own savings. They collected her "Best in Physics"
award in Brisbane and moved on to Sydney
for the Quiz. They were aided by none other than a "kind" Filipina on
the plane, who very kindly stole their luggage, passports and plane tickets,
leaving the pair with carry-on luggage. They sold their clothes for food,
and begged for help from Filipino officials. They were given an overnight stay
in a hotel, but no more. They had to check out the next day, and with no money
for transportation, they walked the two kilometers to the tournament site.
They were shocked by the sight that faced them. Each competitor had his own
cheering squad, a band and a flag. Young Faye had no one other than
her mother. In the final round, Faye was the only Asian left competing and was
cheered on to victory by her fellow Asians â€" the Japanese. It was
a Japanese diplomat who helped them secure temporary passports, with the prize
money only sufficient to bring them back home.
It is tempting to blame everything on a country that claims it is looking for
heroes and does not acknowledge them. The article draws parallels to Jasmine
Trias victory, why give the Hawaiian winner of America Idol the red carpet to
Malacanang, when a homegrown 11-year-old girl went through hell and high water
to bring honor to the country? After the Southeast Asian Games, there was no
one, not a single member of the National Sports Commission to receive our
athletes. True, they did not win but they
faced their competitors with a dignity and a skill that befit Filipinos.
They too represented the country
It is tempting to revert back to the old Filipino condemnation. Awful
politicians, awful government, awful people. But it would not be fair. Faye
herself said, in spite of everything, "let us love our nation, for no
one else will." Brave girl that.
I was lucky to be at the right time and the right place, to have the
support of so many people, bringing me the opportunities I have today.
Some people are not so lucky. I do not deny Jasmine Triasâ€(tm) moment in
the
sun. Her talent is as real as anyone elseâ€(tm)s and we Filipinos love
the
glitz and glamour of spotlights and cameras. Yet her success has drawn a
stark contrast to those who have succeeded yet were not recognized.
Butch Jimenez, one of the greatest speakers I have heard and another of those
people who see the value of giving to the country, gave a speech to the
graduates of UP Diliman. He said that theres something better than having a
vision: its having a cause.
I found my cause. I was lucky to get the attention. I am grateful for the
recognition. I am honored by the chance to speak my mind and to influence
people. I cannot say that enough. Helping this one girl, and others like her
will be my cause. It is disgraceful for such victory to go unnoticed. One
article may not make a difference, but its a step.
For all those times that no one said it, I say this now.
Faye, congratulations. You did the country proud.
