Filipino International Talents

        Filipinos are average-sized Asians, usually around 4 - 5 feet tall, brown-skinned, whose facial features vary from the interracial marriages from different cultures that have come and were conquered by charming natives.

        Because of the diminutive built, Filipino Athletes have few international sports where they could shine. This is specially true of sports that require height and bulk like basketball, swimming, gymnastics, running, water sports, athletics etc. 

        So, the enterprising Filipinos have to look within, for inherent attributes that will allow them to shine on the international stage. There's our Boxing superheroes Manny Paquiao and Nonito Donaire. 

8 division Champion Manny 'the 
Pacman' Paquiao

Nonito " The Flash" Donaire

       There's our Billiard mavericks Efren " Bata" Reyes, Djanggo Bustamante, Alex " the Lion" Pagulayan, Ronaldo Luat and Dennis Orcullo.

Django Bustamante foreground, and Efren " The Magician" Reyes, background

        But one arena that Filipinos continue to shine and conquer international markets, is singing. At least four Filipinos, three of them women, have taken center stage, and wowed audiences with their vocal prowess.

        There's Lea Salonga, who debuted on Broadway in the lead role of Miss Saigon, along with 20 other talented Filipino theater actors. Later, officially becoming a Disney princess  twice, as the singing voice for Mulan and Jasmine in Alladin. Watch Leah's video in  Miss Saigon.

Leah Salonga

        There's Charice Pempengco; then 15 years old, when she was discovered on Youtube by the staff of Ellen Degeneres, and invited over to sing at the latter's show. The producers and others who watched were so captured, that no less than the queen of talk herself; Oprah Winfrey  took her in, and personally sponsored the former's entry into American show business. What Ms. Pempengco accomplished in three short years was unprecedented in Philippine history: singing duets with vocal greats Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bolton, Justin Bieber, David Foster and a host of other Grammy royalties. Watch Charice Pempengco's video US debut.

Charice Pempengco

        Then there's American Idol first runner up Jessica Sanchez, who by height, hair and diminutive figure alone, screams, "Pinay po ako!" who is outshining winner Philip Phillips with international invitations and albums. Watch Jessica Sanchez display vocal muscle.

Jessica Sanchez

        And then there's Arnel Pineda, the Filipino rocker who shot to the limelight, when rock band  The Journey searched high and low to find the best male voice to replace lead singer Steve Perry. Watch him and The Journey perform live on the Ellen DeGeneres' show.

Arnel Pineda

        This post will not be complete if I do not mention my favorite choir of all: the University of the Philippines' Philippine Madrigal Singers. Founded in 1963 by National Artist Andrea Veneracion, the choral group has garnered International awards since its inception from prestigious competitions worldwide. Allow me to share just one of their performances : Wind Beneath My Wings.

Philippine Madrigal Singers

        Before Leah Salonga captured Broadway, every Filipino artist's dream was to just make it to an international stage. Now, as more and more Pinoy's  make a name for themselves, we as a people have come to terms with how God has distributed gifts and talents. We might not be basketball giants or football stars, but world singers suit us just fine.