Saturday night was just another weird one. I was on my way home when an idea started to bubble through me. Right today, how many Chinese Filipinos—Chinoys—are on cinema and television screens? More questions followed from that, finally guiding me to a startling insight.
People are commemorating the premiere of the first Hollywood picture in 25 years, "Crazy Rich Asians," which has an all Asian cast with a modern setting free of martial arts everywhere. Though some people are confused or even offended about why this movie has been so much buzzed about, this film is really important. Indeed, it is quite fun; most likely the best romantic comedy film in a few years, but it is also a historic event. Apart from the completely Asian cast of the film, the team was guided by an Asian director and scriptwriters; even most of the soundtrack is in Chinese. If it hasn't been made plain enough, representation is crucial. This is an incredible show of it.
Growing up, I only saw Chinoys—people who resembled me—representing two roles: martial artists or comic relief. Even non-Chinese Filipinos occasionally would be asked to play Chinoy roles. Most of the time, they were given a terribly terrible, heavy, halting accent that made them seem to be incapable of even speaking Filipino correctly. There were no newscasters, no matinee idols, no Chinoy romantic leads, no television hosts. For someone with "singkit," or tiny, eyes, working in front of the camera never seemed to be a prospect. I always dreamed of being a host for a food show, of course, but everyone I informed about this dream responded in the same subdued amusement. It was a ridiculous fantasy; after all, no "singkits" were shown on TV.
Then, the first season of Pinoy Big Brother Teens arrived and helped to showcase Kim Chiu to the world. A strong career resulted in appearances in movies and television, which were much enhanced by a dynamic love partnership with Gerald Anderson. At last, what I refer to as a "out and out" Chinay was on screen! She was playing romantic major roles and her name, appearance, even gestures were obviously Chinese Filipino. She wasn't performing kung fu or drawing laughs. She spoke exactly the same as every other Filipino, in the manner Chinoys do. She was just the girl next door discovering love with the adorable boy next door. Some may see that as nothing, just one lucky woman who can now be seen on TV and in movies, but I see (belatedly) a watershed event akin to "Crazy Rich Asians," the film.
Though I certainly felt less strange about auditioning for TV, knowing Kim was so popular, seeing her on screen may or may not have motivated a number of other Chinese Filipinos to attempt for onscreen work. Though we never truly needed it, I thought it gave us "permission." Filipino people are known as Chinoys. We live, work, and are ready to fight and die for the Philippines; we should never question that we too can work in any career we want, onscreen or off. In the years that followed, it was hardly shocking to find Chinoys on TV. Bruce Lim was showcasing his products on Asian Food Channel; I performed a cooking show on Lifestyle TV and am currently filming another one. Respected TV field reporter Willard Cheng, Richard Yap and Xiann Lim still make viewers swoon on TV and the cinema, while hostesses Gretchen Ho and Janeena Chan are flourishing. Was the start of Kim responsible for all of our careers? Maybe not, but it certainly didn't hurt. Now, I am sure that a fresh generation of Chinoy children find themselves reflected on TV chefs, hosts, reporters, actors, and in other professions. Whatever their position, they may now be seen on TV, and I believe we are all the better for it.
Kim never understood the extent of the change her appearance on Pinoy Big Brother Teens would bring about in terms of TV portrayal. I very doubt it, but that's the nature of representation. Though in reality it seldom is, it always looks like a little thing—one all-Asian Hollywood film on a roster of hundreds of movies without Asian representation or one Chinay granted a major break in movies and TV when there were no substantive roles for Chinoys in the past.
FAQs
How did Kim Chiu get famous?
Chiu became well-known when Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition's top prize went to her. Chiu migrated to Manila from her homeland of Cebu City for the show. On April 23, 2006, she and the other housemates walked into the Big Brother residence.
How did Christine Chiu get famous?
Businesswoman and philanthropist Christine Alexandra Chiu is Taiwanese-American. She is the star and producer of the Netflix reality TV show "Bling Empire," which followed a group of affluent Asian Americans in Los Angeles as they juggled modern life with traditional cultural beliefs.
Read: How many years is Kim Chiu and Xian Lim together?
Nora Hazel
Saturday night was just another weird one. I was on my way home when an idea started to bubble through me. Right today, how many Chinese Filipinos—Chinoys—are on cinema and television screens? More questions followed from that, finally guiding me to a startling insight.
People are commemorating the premiere of the first Hollywood picture in 25 years, "Crazy Rich Asians," which has an all Asian cast with a modern setting free of martial arts everywhere. Though some people are confused or even offended about why this movie has been so much buzzed about, this film is really important. Indeed, it is quite fun; most likely the best romantic comedy film in a few years, but it is also a historic event. Apart from the completely Asian cast of the film, the team was guided by an Asian director and scriptwriters; even most of the soundtrack is in Chinese. If it hasn't been made plain enough, representation is crucial. This is an incredible show of it.
Growing up, I only saw Chinoys—people who resembled me—representing two roles: martial artists or comic relief. Even non-Chinese Filipinos occasionally would be asked to play Chinoy roles. Most of the time, they were given a terribly terrible, heavy, halting accent that made them seem to be incapable of even speaking Filipino correctly. There were no newscasters, no matinee idols, no Chinoy romantic leads, no television hosts. For someone with "singkit," or tiny, eyes, working in front of the camera never seemed to be a prospect. I always dreamed of being a host for a food show, of course, but everyone I informed about this dream responded in the same subdued amusement. It was a ridiculous fantasy; after all, no "singkits" were shown on TV.
Then, the first season of Pinoy Big Brother Teens arrived and helped to showcase Kim Chiu to the world. A strong career resulted in appearances in movies and television, which were much enhanced by a dynamic love partnership with Gerald Anderson. At last, what I refer to as a "out and out" Chinay was on screen! She was playing romantic major roles and her name, appearance, even gestures were obviously Chinese Filipino. She wasn't performing kung fu or drawing laughs. She spoke exactly the same as every other Filipino, in the manner Chinoys do. She was just the girl next door discovering love with the adorable boy next door. Some may see that as nothing, just one lucky woman who can now be seen on TV and in movies, but I see (belatedly) a watershed event akin to "Crazy Rich Asians," the film.
Though I certainly felt less strange about auditioning for TV, knowing Kim was so popular, seeing her on screen may or may not have motivated a number of other Chinese Filipinos to attempt for onscreen work. Though we never truly needed it, I thought it gave us "permission." Filipino people are known as Chinoys. We live, work, and are ready to fight and die for the Philippines; we should never question that we too can work in any career we want, onscreen or off. In the years that followed, it was hardly shocking to find Chinoys on TV. Bruce Lim was showcasing his products on Asian Food Channel; I performed a cooking show on Lifestyle TV and am currently filming another one. Respected TV field reporter Willard Cheng, Richard Yap and Xiann Lim still make viewers swoon on TV and the cinema, while hostesses Gretchen Ho and Janeena Chan are flourishing. Was the start of Kim responsible for all of our careers? Maybe not, but it certainly didn't hurt. Now, I am sure that a fresh generation of Chinoy children find themselves reflected on TV chefs, hosts, reporters, actors, and in other professions. Whatever their position, they may now be seen on TV, and I believe we are all the better for it.
Kim never understood the extent of the change her appearance on Pinoy Big Brother Teens would bring about in terms of TV portrayal. I very doubt it, but that's the nature of representation. Though in reality it seldom is, it always looks like a little thing—one all-Asian Hollywood film on a roster of hundreds of movies without Asian representation or one Chinay granted a major break in movies and TV when there were no substantive roles for Chinoys in the past.
FAQs
How did Kim Chiu get famous?
Chiu became well-known when Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition's top prize went to her. Chiu migrated to Manila from her homeland of Cebu City for the show. On April 23, 2006, she and the other housemates walked into the Big Brother residence.
How did Christine Chiu get famous?
Businesswoman and philanthropist Christine Alexandra Chiu is Taiwanese-American. She is the star and producer of the Netflix reality TV show "Bling Empire," which followed a group of affluent Asian Americans in Los Angeles as they juggled modern life with traditional cultural beliefs.
Read: How many years is Kim Chiu and Xian Lim together?