Is Mixed Filipino Better for TV?
WRITTEN BY TRACE GAYNOR, LEO ALBEA AND FRANCESA JANA SANTIAGO
Do Mixed-Filipinos have a better chance in Hollywood than pure-blooded Filipinos? Unlike reality television, getting into fictional television is trickier for any person of color. It seems to be easier for us Filipinos to compete in singing shows rather than portray singers on a studio sitcom. The entertainment industry in America has a long racist past that they themselves still struggle to shake off. This is proven by the concept of casting ethnically ambiguous individuals- which includes us Filipinos- so they can pass as something else. Just take singers Bruno Mars or Bella Poarch as testimonies, mixed-Filipinos are most often given the chance to represent us before any others. And while we are proud of them, is this the kind of representation we are deserving of or can we evolve more from here?
Every mixed-Filipino put on the spotlight experiences immense pressure for being the face of representation in the industry, while at the same time receiving invalidating criticism for playing into a system that capitalizes off their non-Filipino traits. Prime examples include Darren Criss who is popularly known for playing the titular role of Blaine Anderson in Glee and Olivia Rodrigo as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. However, it’s important to recognize that mixed-Filipinos carry our culture because they have the privilege to do so. It’s with our support on what they’re already giving that will be a step closer to including the rest of us. As we gain global recognition for participating in televised competitions, there is still a need for more accurate portrayals for different types of Filipinos in the community such as the trans, undocumented, disabled and so many more.
Maybe the reason why our people still feel underrepresented is due to the fact that Hollywood hasn’t expanded its castings yet to reflect the experiences of millions of Filipinos worldwide. Our people and culture started off as subtle elements to support a show’s story, just like that one episode of Lucifer where a Tagalog conversation took place or how an Aswang was featured on Grimm. But there is proof that the entirety of our people and culture are capable of being shown on mainstream television: the most prominent one yet is Vincent Rodriguez III in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Next to him are the likes of Conrad Ricamora in How to Get Away with Murder and Nico Santos in Superstore. Then just this year, full-blooded Filipino actors such as Lea Salonga, Jacob Batalon and Lourdes Faberes have also taken part in major TV projects! And with the monumental feat that is Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday, the demand for more Filipinos in the center of entertainment has doubled.
Our community still has a long way to go in making ourselves more visible in the media. But with a number of existing works created by our people, we will have to do our part in supporting what we’ve already been given. Accurate representation is an accomplishment that requires teamwork between those who step up and those who back them up. The world needs more diverse stories and it’s up to us not only to tell our stories but demand they be seen. For more discussions like this, head on over to our YouTube channel!