SB19, Bini, Ben&Ben, Dolly De Leon, Liza Soberano, Chelsea Manalo, and Carlos Yulo.
These are just a few household names that brought pride to the Philippines last year, making waves and being recognized globally for their craftsmanship and skills. When their names are mentioned internationally, it gives you a sense of pride—and why wouldn’t it? The Philippines is a country filled with homegrown talents, after all, where people like Lea Salonga, Rachelle Ann Go, Efren “Bata” Reyes, and Manny Pacquiao hail from.
But let’s be real—before their international fame, we often overlooked their talents. Most of the time, we poke fun at their physical features or mock their approach to certain genres. Sometimes, we even get angry when they speak their minds on certain topics. We only change our minds when the international scene recognizes their talent and celebrates it.
Filipinos have long carried this unique cultural quirk called “Pinoy Pride.” We tend to celebrate our countrymen who achieve international recognition yet often overlook or even belittle them locally.
Take SB19’s humble beginnings, for example. SB19 is the first Filipino group and Southeast Asian act to be nominated at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Praised for their musicality and creativity, they were initially subjected to mockery over their appearance and perceived “wannabe” image. Critics labeled them as mere K-pop imitations, ignoring their efforts to create uniquely Filipino music with global appeal. Similarly, BINI faced challenges as detractors focused on their visual presentation rather than their skills or message. Remember the backlash they received regarding the price of their concert tickets? Yet many of us are willing to sell our kidneys for tickets to international artists charging twice as much.
Let’s not forget Sandara Park. She joined Star Circle Quest in pursuit of her dream to be an artist, earning the nickname “Pambansang Krungkrung” because of her limited fluency in Tagalog. The masses enjoyed her comedic roles before she became Dara of 2NE1, one of the most famous K-pop groups in 2009.
This narrative is evident even in the realm of “Filipino beauty.” International pageants like Miss Universe are often the only stage where Filipina contestants are lauded, even as they face scrutiny at home for their physical appearance or mannerisms. Chelsea Manalo, for instance, became the first half-Black, half-Filipino woman to win Miss Universe Philippines. Still, some people called her names due to her skin color.
The same applies when we discover an international celebrity with Filipino blood, like Apl.de.ap, Olivia Rodrigo, or Bruno Mars. Even if they weren’t raised in the Philippines, we loudly proclaim, “Pinoy Pride!” This enthusiasm even extends to artists with only a small percentage of Filipino heritage.
Despite technology revolutionizing how we consume talent, making it more accessible, these underlying biases remain. The pattern isn’t confined to the entertainment industry—Filipino athletes, scientists, and creatives face similar struggles. Groundbreaking inventions by Filipino scientists are often only appreciated after being recognized abroad. Local athletes continue to struggle for sponsorship and support unless they bring home international medals. It’s sad that our validation often has to come from outside because we don’t recognize or celebrate what we have.
While this pattern persists, there are signs of progress, albeit slow, over the years. The rise of dedicated local fanbases, like A’TIN (fans of SB19), shows that homegrown talent can be fiercely supported on local soil. These communities act as a counterbalance to ongoing biases, actively promoting and defending Filipino artists.
I recently discovered an up-and-coming musical artist named Yaelokre, who has garnered an international fanbase with their beautiful storytelling through songs. The combination of folk and acoustic music creates a fantasy-folk vibe or renaissance feel that local fans of the genre celebrate and support.
Social media has empowered artists to tell their own stories, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and engaging directly with local and global audiences. This shift gives hope that we might one day appreciate our fellow Filipinos’ talents first—before seeking foreign validation.
This year, as technology continues to bridge gaps and amplify voices, perhaps the next step for us Filipinos is to celebrate and support our talents with the same fervor—before the rest of the world does.
