Light Mentions of Anything FILIPINO IN HOLLYWOOD TV SERIES

Foreign TV series have reached its peak in the contemporary time especially in the viewing preferences of the youth. This could have been the result of the advances teeming in the internet. Or is it that Filipino TV series pales in comparison to the plausibility of foreign shows, not to mention exquisite edit quality. Either way, we could only hope that the youth won’t lose the Filipino values instilled in the family culture.

On the other hand, the Philippines has slowly made a sound from its place on the map. It has slowly crawled up to the international arena. Oops! Don’t get overly excited, I said slowly. Oh, so slowly. If you are a Hollywood TV series fan, you would have noticed even a mere mention of something or just about anything Filipino…but wait! A word of caution, we are only talking about something positive or neutral even; something that kindles the good vibes feels…. Hence, this is a feel-good-I-am-a-Filipino article.

Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5

https://bit.ly/38cDVoU

Yoyo Rodriquez lost both arms in her attempt to stop Ruby from killing her colleagues. Mack, her righteous lover, defeated a sleeper (a robot) which he brought to headquarters to give her hope of getting a new pair of arms. This wasn’t easy of course but thanks to the genius duo Fitz and Simmons. When Yoyo finally got her robot arms working, she took ‘em to training heavy punches on a huge punching bag. Mack, worried, came to see her and said, “Easy there PACQUIAO!” (I may not have quoted him exactly but that’s pretty it.) There you have it, an allusion to the Filipino boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao.

GRIMM Season 3

https://bit.ly/2uVxYz8

In the 14th episode entitled “Mommy Dearest”, the Filipino generic name for monsters, ghosts and the like got in the limelight…. (drum rolls please!!!) Yes indeed, it is ASWANG! Not that aswang brings good vibes as it is feared by Filipinos. The point here is, Filipino mythology has been given the spotlight, boy that is one episode! That’s quite an exposure. All thanks to the Filipino-American cast of the Grimm series, Reggie Lee, who suggested the idea himself together with mananaggal and duwende of course.

VAMPIRE DIARIES Season 7

http://tiny.cc/rkyxkz

When Carol Banawa’s song “Bakit Di Totohanin” was faintly heard in the background of the purported Philippine beach setting (a.k.a. Episode 716) of the Vampire Diaries, the Philippine news platforms shouted it all throughout the web and national TV. To sum it up, they all say, “Hey, that’s a Filipino song! Filipinos here!”. Everyone couldn’t contain the national pride flowing out to give each one that elating moment. Filipinos are great singers after all. You might have wondered what happened in this set? Well, Stefan was on a search for a cure to a scar. You watch the rest, duh!

GLEE Season 2

http://tiny.cc/mizxkz

Charice Pempengco , now Jake Zyrus, appeared in the second season of the musical series Glee. She was this petite and nerd-looking Asian teen who put everyone in awe with her full and powerful singing voice. Charice here was a FILIPINO EXCHANGE STUDENT. Yes, another proud moment! Indeed, Filipinos are great singers.

For sure there are still worth enumerating series that I can’t quite clearly locate like the mention of Fried chicken Filipino style in Hawaii Five-o. There was also a mention of aswang in “Legends of Tomorrow Season Four and many others. However, do mention some others that is not mentioned here by writing them down in the comments. Let us sensationalize the puny to shout out our nationalism and so it shall cease being puny.

READ THE COMMENTS to learn more. 

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Comments
Timothy - Jan 24, 2023, 10:16 AM - Add Reply

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 acknowledges the role that culture and values play in
development, especially in strengthening social inclusion and equity. Lodged under the Malasakit pillar,
culture is seen as a means in enhancing the social fabric toward a high-trust society by promoting cultural
awareness, identifying and inculcating values for the common good, cultivating creativity, and promoting
culture-sensitivity in governance and development.

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