‘We,’ here, means the Igorot community, so if you’re not one, this piece isn’t for you. No we don’t want Paulo to acknowledge that he is an Igorot so he could harvest sympathy votes. He will have you not because of awa but because mapapa-wow ka talaga. That being said, on with the show.
Point one: Voting for Paulo just because he is a kailiyan is sufficient but too shallow a reason.
You’ve heard it before — Igorots aren’t celebrity crazy. So why should you contradict this mantra of yours? No, there is no contradiction. If Paulo is a kailiyan, then you aren’t supporting him because he is a celebrity (an unreachable personality) but because he is your 55th cousin or someone who is at least an am-ammo. Don’t throw away your logic just yet.
But this is a shallow reason. We as a group, have built a comparatively strong online network that can help us promote an agendum. Without this reason, we could then say that we get starstruck, too, and (gasp!) that is the beginning of the end. So what is the vested interest that we are promoting pala?
The inevitable question arises: Why should we want an Igorot celebrity?
Point two: Campaigns led by a politician, a historian, and a journalist have failed to correct the stereotyped perception of lowland Filipinos regarding Igorots.
Politician: Alfredo Lam-en, Sr. (governor of the old Mountain Province) re his response to Carlos P. Romulo’s Igorots are not Filipinos remark. Nobody remembers except the oldies and those at BCF (now UC). You couldn’t erase a misconception if only you, and not your target audience, knew the error.
Historian: William Henry Scott. At least he tried to correct what’s on record, but he himself self expressed that the future of the word ‘Igorot’ rests either on highland pride or lowland prejudice.
Journalist: Jack Dulnuan wrote: “I am an Igorot. Let me be treated as I deserve, but let the word Igorot remain… ” you see, even I forgot about this. Dig the archives of this blog. So my point? Forgotten. That’s the point.
This leads us to point three.
Point three: Paulo not acknowledging his Igorot roots is unforgivable.
This is the continuation of point one. We had to talk about point two first so this third point becomes more understandable. Point three is about the Igorots’ last hope: a celebrity — as in artista. Gasp! I thought we weren’t dealing with these kinds of people?
Proof? Marky Cielo. He was able to do what Lam-en, Scott and Duluan have failed to do, and that is to unite those in the Cordillera to say Igorotak! Igorotak metlang! Thank you Bugz Daigo. Of course he was adored partly because he somehow fit part of the stereotype. Mailalasinan ay Igorot, di ba? But he shattered the other parts of the stereotype. At least, may tinitingala na rin silang Igorot ngayon. Those celebrity-centric lowlanders. At least, some part of the stereotype has been shattered.
Now comes Paulo. It could have been perfect. He looks so different from Marky, but he is still an Igorot. Success na sana, di ba? Mapapaisip na sila. Sinu-sino nga ba ang mga Igorot? Stereotype shattered. On to the next agendum.
But alas. Why no Igorotak!? The first possible answer is backlash. Igorot na naman? Tama na. That would be from the point of view of the lowland viewer. And from the point of view of the TV station, we want to capture a bigger market. Hence this year’s winner should be from somewhere else. So if Paulo de-emphasized the Igorot trump card, then maybe he could up his chances of getting the top spot.
But that reason, no matter how valid, is not acceptable because it negates our agendum. Let me remind you that our agendum is to erase the misconception regarding Igorots by challenging it with alternatives like Marky Cielo and Paulo Avelino. If Paulo is not up for the challenge, sorry, no doughnut for you.
And that, kakailiyan, is the reason why Lorna Tolentino’s question was raised. Here’s the background — An Igorot blogger raised a similar question — Was Paulo one of the Parents ko lang ang Igorot city-bred kids? So if he doesn’t serve the purpose, why support him then?
Here comes the mother to the rescue. It’s her fault kano because she raised him to speak in English. English = better life.
So my point four is this:
Our elders worry about annihilation of Igorot cultures if those in power submerge our communities by building dams, but in their very homes they kill a facet of the culture/s they want to preserve by not teaching their kids at least ten Kankanaey/Ibaloi/etc sentences?
Well, Paulo did not have to say, yes I am an Igorot. Let’s digest this. Excuse number one: There was no opportunity for it. I can’t just blurt it out. On the contrary, you didn’t have to say ‘I am an Igorot’ exactly, you could have talked in Kankanaey when you introduced yourself, but oh yeah, you don’t know how to speak it. Marky Cielo turned a presumably Cordillera-woven (knitted?) muffler into a headdress. No words had to be said. And by the way, other contenders said these to answer the prompt Tell us something we don’t know about you: If I get eliminated, I’m bound for Japan; I’m a hosto in Makati; I’m a lesbian. Saying I am an Igorot would have been comparatively tame, but that would have meant a lot to Igorots.
Paulo did say on TV Igorot po ako because he was asked the question while distributing leaflets in Baguio. But by the time the sound bite was aired on TV, I had already written my previous article.
Would Marky Cielo have said I’m proud to be an Igorot had Splasher not raised it in his blog first? If you do not understand what pop culture advocacy is all about, that one is one. So if he raised a similar issue about Paulo Avelino and Lorna Tolentino became the spokesperson (wow, they read the blogs!), dapat mag-rejoice kayong mga Igorot. It’s not too late for Paulo to appreciate what his mother denied him — an appreciation of his Igorot background.
And that is point four: Building up an Igorot celebrity helps us promote our Igorot culture for the sake of multiculturalism and for the sake of the young Igorot population who are beginning to think that it ain’t that cool to be one. And yeah, for all the mothers and fathers na in the end sila pala ang nahihiya sa pagiging Igorot nila.
So be StarStruck. It’s part of being proud to be an Igorot. Start by voting for Paulo Avelino. Show some Igorot love.
Tags: Paulo Avelino
I don’t know but having been raised in Baguio, I don’t think English=better life. English “used” to be widely spoken in Baguio’s but unlike in other places in the Philippines, I don’t think it’s a status symbol in the city and in the region. Back in the early 90’s, I remember jeepney drivers and market vendors speaking in (almost) perfect English.
I would not even dare compare him to Marky. If I’m not mistaken, it’s not Marky who’s really the first “Igorot” celebrity. I’ve read that Gwen Garci’s mom is a native of Besao, but hardly do people know about this. But, I don’t care about her. My friend is even telling me that Robin Padilla has Igorot blood, but I can’t really confirm this one. Hardly are there any sources. One local radio host mentioned one time that Bernadette Sembrano is from Sabangan, MP. I guess, that would make her Igorota. I think the proper term for Marky here is the first to say “Igorotak”. But I do not condemn these “alleged” Igorots for not “shouting” their Igorot heritage.
But then, if I were Paulo, I wouldn’t use “Igorotak” just to acknowledge my ethnic origin. I’ve been reading some blog comments, some do not even seem to believe that Pau is “half Igorot”. I don’t watch SS(as I mentioned, I can’t seem to acquaint myself with reality shows), so I can only assume. At the same time, I find it awkward that the media (and “other” Filipinos) is too curious about “the Igorot”. I do even have this feeling that Marky’s popularity can be attributed more to the lowland curiosty of “the Igorot”. He even has more non-Igorot fans I may be wrong though. It’s not that I find the “Igorot” to be shameful but rather I don’t like it when people make a big deal out of ethnicity. Other people’s curiosity can really be irksome.
But in fairness to Paulo, I could not get the logic behind this post
I know it’s sarcasm, but really…..
I’d still give him(Paulo) the benefit of the doubt though, especially when we all know he was raised in the lowlander-dominated Baguio. My bestfriend, who happens to be a pure Kankanaey, grew up in Baguio and she hardly lives an “Igorot life”. She can understand the language but she can’t speak it well. But I don’t necessarily think she’s ashamed that she’s Igorota. She once mentioned to me that when she had a dinner with an acquaintance in Manila, she was praying that her acquaintance will not ask about her ethnicity because she’d find it difficult to answer if ever he asks questions regarding the Igorot culture and those stuff….
Maybe, the dude did not want to downplay his “other half”. I don’t know, but it’s nice of Marky to recognize his Igorot heritage but I wonder if he’s equally proud of his Bisaya heritage. I hardly hear any “Bisdak” from him. I think I did not hear him say that.
Last semester, I tried some sort of “experiment”. I asked a classmate of mine if where’s he really from. He said Baguio. I inquired about his roots… he didn’t exactly say that he’s half Igorot, half Ilocano… what he told me that he’s dad is from Ilocos and his mom is from MP. I sensed that he did feel kind of awkward about me dissecting his roots. But I never has it crossed my mind that he’s ashamed of his Ilocano/Igorot heritage. I think it’s just that he doesn’t want someone making a big deal about his ethnicity.
But then, I am not an advocate of Regionalism, Ethnocentrism…
I don’t know if it’s just me but I have noticed that BCO and CO don’t have sections for artistas. Hehe
Is it my browser or my comment wasn’t posted?
I don’t know but having been raised in Baguio, I don’t think English=better life. English “used” to be widely spoken in Baguio’s but unlike in other places in the Philippines, I don’t think it’s a status symbol in the city and in the region. Back in the early 90’s, I remember jeepney drivers and market vendors speaking in (almost) perfect English.
I would not even dare compare him to Marky. If I’m not mistaken, it’s not Marky who’s really the first “Igorot” celebrity. I’ve read that Gwen Garci’s mom is a native of Besao, but hardly do people know about this. But, I don’t care about her. My friend is even telling me that Robin Padilla has Igorot blood, but I can’t really confirm this one. Hardly are there any sources. One local radio host mentioned one time that Bernadette Sembrano is from Sabangan, MP. I guess, that would make her Igorota. I think the proper term for Marky here is the first to say “Igorotak”. But I do not condemn these “alleged” Igorots for not “shouting” their Igorot heritage.
But then, if I were Paulo, I wouldn’t use “Igorotak” either, just to acknowledge my ethnic origin. I’ve been reading some blog comments, some do not even seem to believe that Pau is “half Igorot”. I don’t watch SS(as I mentioned, I can’t seem to acquaint myself with reality shows), so I can only assume. At the same time, I find it awkward that the media (and “other” Filipinos) is too curious about “the Igorot”. I do even have this feeling that Marky’s popularity can be attributed more to the lowland curiosity of “the Igorot”. He even has more non-Igorot fans I may be wrong though. It’s not that I find the “Igorot” to be shameful but rather I don’t like it when people make a big deal out of ethnicity. Other people’s curiosity can really be irksome.
But in fairness to Paulo, I could not get the logic behind this post
I know it’s sarcasm, but really…..
I’d still give him(Paulo) the benefit of the doubt though, especially when we all know he was raised in the lowlander-dominated Baguio. My bestfriend, who happens to be a pure Kankanaey, grew up in Baguio and she hardly lives an “Igorot life”. She can understand the language but she can’t speak it well. But I don’t necessarily think she’s ashamed that she’s Igorota. She once mentioned to me that when she had a dinner with an acquaintance in Manila, she was praying that her acquaintance will not ask about her ethnicity because she’d find it difficult to answer if ever he asks questions regarding the Igorot culture and those stuff….
Maybe, the dude did not want to downplay his “other half”. I don’t know, but it’s nice of Marky to recognize his Igorot heritage but I wonder if he’s equally proud of his Bisaya heritage. I hardly hear any “Bisdak” from him. I think I did not hear him say that.
Last semester, I tried some sort of “experiment”. I asked a classmate of mine if where’s he really from. He said Baguio. I inquired about his roots… he didn’t exactly say that he’s half Igorot, half Ilocano… what he told me that he’s dad is from Ilocos and his mom is from MP. I sensed that he did feel kind of awkward about me dissecting his roots. But I never has it crossed my mind that he’s ashamed of his Ilocano/Igorot heritage. I think it’s just that he doesn’t want someone making a big deal about his ethnicity.
But then, I am not an advocate of Regionalism, Ethnocentrism…
Let me correct one line
“But then, if I were Paulo, I wouldn’t use “Igorotak” either just to acknowledge my ethnic origin”.
Sorry for that, I inserted it in the wrong place
All very good points. Like you, I do believe that parents play a very important role in making a child appreciate his Igorot roots. Sana we don’t fail in that regard.
All very good points. Like you, I do believe that parents play a very important role in making a child appreciate his Igorot roots. Sana we don’t fail in that regard kasi diyan namamatay ang isang kultural pag hindi ito ipinapasa sa mga anak.
BetelNut:
** So the question remains: Why should we feel awkward about discussing our roots?
Why is it not cool to talk about it?
Ethnocentrism? Uhm, I find it hard to believe one can respect and express genuine interest in other cultures if one can’t respect and express genuine interest in one’s own culture first.
On the other hand, talking about being Igorot is a way of expanding one’s self. And that becomes more important if you are a public figure — a struggling artista who wants to court my votes.
And I do vote for Paulo. He has talent. And he is trying to connect. Two video clips (or more) a day = 70 votes. Plus online votes. I’m just trying to push it a bit further.
** On making a big deal out of it.
As a private individual, you make decisions within your comfort zone. That is not a crime, the last time I checked. And I have heard someone argue along the lines you have stated — not the part where they don’t want to discuss it because they’d blush like a ripe tomato afterwards, but the part that’s similar to I’m a vegetarian what’s the rest of the world got to do with it?
So convince me once more, what’s the third way that’s neither highland pride nor lowland prejudice?
There’s a difference between appreciating your own culture and being regionalistic. That’s where most Filipinos get it all mixed up. More often than not, they confuse regionalism with “ethnic pride”. “Pride” here can be very dangerous. I remember a “highland pride”. It was in the graffiti area that one org set up for SLU students: “Mga Lowlanders epal sa Baguio”… talking about highland “pride”.
I’m still halfway downloading the video… but as I understand Lorna’s question(from what was posted on Bill Bilig’s blog) it’s “Lorna: Paulo, mula nung nag-start ang search hindi mo ipinagmamalaki na you are a half-Igorot.”. That does not certainly inquire about his roots. There was an early assumption. If I were in his place, baka matataranta at magugulat at matatameme ako. There’s too much fuss about the “Igorot”. Isn’t it that his father is a mestizo… maybe they should also ask him about the mestizoness… or being part Spanish?? Knowing the Filipino, if you discuss about your non-indigenous heritage, they “defaulty” label you as elitist; if you don’t mention much about your “indigenous” heritage, they’ll see you as someone with “inferiority complex.” I find it rather ironic. Why hasn’t Marky talked much about his “Bisaya-ness” when we know for a fact that he was born to a Bisaya father and he was born it Butuan(some sources would cite it as Iligan). Is he not proud being a non-Cebuano Bisaya? But then, I would not accuse him of not being equally proud. He must not be that acculturated to it just as much as Paulo is more accuturated to the “mainstream” culture, most likely because the place where he grew up is now “mainstream” dominated.
There’s just too much fuss about ethnicity.
There was this GMA episode where they featured Marky going to Sagada…. Knowing that Sagada is a Kankanaey-dominated area, why did he communicate in Ilocano with the crowd when he can speak Kankanaey? But then I don’t condemn him for that. I would not even care if he used Tagalog or English.
Yes, it’s nice to see our kailians on national tv… but sometimes, we go overboard regarding ethnicity.
Ukay-ukay:
Marinel R. Cruz said (here) that Marky’s votes might have been boosted by ukay-ukay support. Plus, Paulo’s Mom is from Northern Sagada where a lot have become rich because of ukay-ukay. TXT votes require load and that means financial backing.
Overpass, not Malcolm Square:
As was said, there were only curious onlookers at Malcolm. If you know street theater, the overpass is a better choice.
Masyado ka yata affected. Ang point dito, the closer the connection to the target voters, the more votes you are likely to get.
Here’s what I have to say about this:
Paulo joined StarStruck. Nalaman ko na Igorot siya. Gusto ko siya tulungan. My sphere of influence is limited to my circle of kakilala and those who visit my StarStruck blog. In so far as my blog is concerned, I can, if I wish, give good reviews about him and downplay the other contenders. I did write about his being part Spanish and that his father traces his roots from Samar. Pero hanggang dun lang ang alam kung about those details.
Now when it comes to nan am-ammok ay Igorot, I could text them and say, ibotos tako iman tay kailian tako siya. Remember that as an artista search, the results rely on 50% talent and 50% audience votes.
The Igorot part is my area of greater influence. For Marky, I did talk about his Butuan background as the information reached me.
That means I’m not stuck up with my being Igorot. But you see, if Paulo wants to convince the potential Igorot voters to vote for him, the easiest way for him to do is say on TV na Igorot siya. Yun lang naman ang point dito eh.
He wasn’t able to give a convincing answer to Lorna’s question which was a question I asked myself and wanted Paulo to answer. How Lorna became the spokesperson is for you to figure out. Tapos nalagay si Paulo sa bottom four sa Sunday na yon. Lack of votes? Possibly. That was also the Votestruck week where it was obvious that Paulo did not have a throng of screaming hometown fans. Pano mo nga ba tutulungan ang isang taong gustong maging artista sa isang lugar na hindi mahilig sa artista?
The next Sunday, he was the first to be called. Did his votes increase? Possibly. Did some Igorots halfheartedly vote for him to support his halfhearted answer? Possibly. That Sunday, he went like, Nagpapasalamat din ako sa kakailiyan sa Cordillera. You see, he was now able to connect with the Igorot audience.
He can still connect with potential voters from Cagayan and Samar. Now, I guess it’s your turn to help him kasi you’re not into this Igorot thingy… Baka jan ka pwede makatulong.
@Splasher:
Masyadong affected? But then again, you should be extra careful with every word you type. Honestly, I found that downward sarcastic.
Claim Igorot roots for votes… then there goes the problem with the fuss regarding ethnicity. It would make him appear as if he were a poseur. Say you’re Igorot and you get votes. “Please” the people. That’s merely like having the IMSCF Syndrome..localized version. If the “Igorotness”(or claiming Igorot roots) will be the basis of votes, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day, some non-Igorots will falsify their ethnicity or worse, try to go “indigenous” for the sake of votes(regardless if they depict the culture wrongly or not). But mostly likely if any of the two would happen, the latter has the bigger possibility.
I tried digging your blog entries but I can nowhere see any entry where you mentioned about Paulo being part Spanish or having roots from Samar.
Thank you for being forthright in your comments. I find it essential in having a healthy dialog with you. I do hope that you also find some effort to appreciate my inability to be saccharin in my remarks.
That’s odd, but understandable. You might have searched only one of the blogs. It’s right here which was originally here. I’ve been consolidating my blogs lately, because people get lost in the cloggy pipes of the internets sometimes.
Want more?
About Marky Cielo: here, here, here and here.
About Gwen Garci: here which was originally somehere else. This was also an entry I contributed to another blog.
I should only be interested in (celebrity) Igorots who find no shame in publicly admitting they are Igorots. I do research first to ensure na Igorot nga sila. I don’t support poseurs.Have I been guarding against falsified ethnicity? Read this, too.
And about half-hearted Igorots. Yes, I’m not exactly happy of how Paulo informed the viewers that he is Igorot. Hindi ito kusang loob and napilitan pa nga siyang sabihin. StarStruck is a series of tests, and he somehow failed in a area that mattered to me. Marky accepted my challenge headon. As for Paulo, the idea na manggagamit siya kumbaga lingers on kasi kung kailan naipit saka pumiyok. Paulo saying he is an Igorot should have been expressed in the same as how the others showed that they are Kapampangan or Bisaya or laking Tondo. At least man lang kahit ganon kababaw na pagtanggap magawa niya. Pero katulad mo, mas masaya ako kung mabigyang halaga rin niya ang pagiging Igorot lampas pa sa paghakot ng boto lang.