Filipino pride flows for state's 'Idol' finalists

• Attempts to cheat may be in vain
• 'Idol' buzz

By Michael Tsai and Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writers

Cora Empleo and her son Patrick, 12, enjoyed the "American Idol" program last Tuesday. Filipinos from around the state are rallying behind Hawaii's two finalists in the competition. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Coballes was off the easy chair and on her feet the moment Jasmine Trias, one of Hawai'i's two "American Idol" finalists, completed her nationally televised performance last Tuesday night.

In fact, with the Empleo family living room having already fallen into celebratory chaos, Coballes missed the prickly judge's praise for Trias entirely.

"What?" she asked, over the din of handclaps and war whoops.

"Superb," her husband Bernie repeated. "He said she was 'just superb!' "

"She's Paula's favorite," Cora Empleo added. "Paula said she was the best!"

Trias and fellow Hawai'i contestant Camile Velasco survived last week's cut from 12 to 11 contestants, in large part because of the strong support they received from Hawai'i voters. Verizon Hawaii reported a record 3 million calls from "American Idol" voters in the state.

Hawai'i's Filipino community has been particularly vocal in its support of the two contestants, praising both their vocal talents and the way they've conducted themselves in front of a national audience.

Indeed, it was one thing for Cowell ("You have the potential to be really, really good in the future"), Abdul ("Such a mature, beautiful, well-rounded voice) and Randy Jackson ("That's what this competition is all about") to give Trias their unanimous approval, quite another for both Lina and Bernie Coballes and three generations of Empleos to concur.

It was Cora Empleo, a devoted "Idol" fan, who opened her home for the impromptu viewing party. Joined by Lina and Bernie Cobballes, in-laws Nena and Policarpo Empleo, and her sons, Christensen and Patrick, Empleo grimaced when Velasco received lukewarm reviews from the judges, grudgingly applauded when Mainland contestants did well, and celebrated when Trias nailed her performance in the last half-hour of the show.

"I'm voting for both of them," said Empleo, who never misses a week and tapes each show for her husband, Nestor, who works nights.

Christensen Empleo, a freshman at Damien High School and a competitive breakdancer, said Trias and Velasco are good role models who have helped to put Filipinos in the spotlight.

"People should imitate them and try hard to mark us down," he said.

Nena Empleo, who voted for the first time last Tuesday night, said Trias and Velasco represent Hawai'i first and foremost, but, like former Miss America Angela Baraquio, also demonstrate values that are important to Filipinos.

"They are simple and humble, not boastful," she said.

A new generation

Dean Alegado, chair of the University of Hawai'i Ethnic Studies program and an expert in the Filipino American experience, immigration and comparative ethnic and race relations, has been paying close attention to the progress of Trias and Velasco.

He says their impact on the Filipino community — here, on the Mainland and in the Philippines — hasn't yet reached the level of recent Filipino American successes Benny Agbayani (professional baseball player) and Baraquio.

"It's an exciting thing for the Filipino community at this level, but it's also something we've been through already," he said.

Alegado said older Filipinos appreciate the young women's accomplishments, but also recognize "the other good news underneath," such as the substantial economic, social and political progress Filipinos have made as a group.

According to U.S. Census data, more than 170,000 Hawai'i residents — 14 percent of the state population — identify themselves as Filipino.

The first wave of Filipino immigrants to Hawai'i were recruited by local plantations in 1906. Until the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 paved the way for family reunification, the Filipino population in Hawai'i was predominantly male and singers were often recruited to perform at Filipino camps. This, coupled with existing Filipino and Hawaiian traditions of music and pageantry, helped to establish local cultural events and competitions from which performers like Trias and Velasco have emerged, Alegado said.

The 1965 law spurred an influx of Filipino immigration that continues at a high level today. Filipinos continue to account for the greatest number of new immigrants to Hawai'i, with some 4,000 arriving legally each year.

"Where we were formerly typecast as laborers in agriculture, hotels and restaurants," he said, "now we have a more diverse and highly skilled population that is changing some of the perceptions the broader community has about Filipinos."

While their successes are inspirational to many Filipinos, Alegado said Trias and Velasco aren't necessarily identifiable to the broader community as "ethnically Filipino."

"As second- or third-generation Filipino Americans, they're more mainstream," he said. "They're ... singing hip-hop or rock 'n' roll or R&B, not traditional Filipino music. If they performed in traditional Filipino dress with the butterfly sleeves I don't think they would have advanced."

Not role models

Legal secretary Maria Martin, 38, of Pearl City, said she enjoys watching Trias and Velasco perform and wants them to advance, but she doesn't consider them role models.

"It's nothing against them," she said. "They're doing great, and we should be proud that they're representing us so well. But they're kids themselves and I don't think it's really right or even fair to ask them to be role models for all Filipinos.

"I guess as a Filipino person, I'd rather we be recognized by other people for the quality of our minds," she said. "I want people to know that we have doctors and lawyers and humanitarians, too, and that we're not just singers and dancers."

Vergel Adonis, president of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i, said he understands the sentiment but thinks Trias and Velasco are making a big contribution to the Filipino community.

"Filipinos love singing and they love dancing," he said. "Filipinos all over the world are known for their musical talents. It's definitely positive. They're the pride of Hawai'i and, now, of millions of viewers."

Tiffany De Guzman, 18, a student a Kapi'olani Community College, is an avid "American Idol" fan. Her Filipino heritage isn't necessarily a factor when it comes to voting.

"I did vote for Camile and Jasmine," said De Guzman of the earlier rounds, when both were trying to earn a spot in the final 12. "I got through a little over 60 times for each of them."

With two singers of Filipino ethnicity competing side by side, the show "gives any ethnic minority hope that they really can pursue their dreams no matter how big the dream is, or how old you are," De Guzman said.

Myrna Ordinado, 56, works for Fresnius Medical Care at the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific.

"I'm very happy there are two Filipino contestants," said Ordinado, who watches the show with her brother and sister. "It's very good for the Filipino community; I'm only voting for Jasmine and Camile."

Reach Michael Tsai at 535-2461 or mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach Wayne Harada at 525i8067 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.