American Idol is one of my guilty pleasures ever since season three. It airs at 8:30 PM here in the Philippines, and every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday my sister and I fought over TV until I decided to buy my own.
I’m not good at singing but I could do vibrato, having been a choirboy in grade school, when I was still Catholic. 
I love music but apparently music does not love me back. I don’t even know how to play a single instrument except for the one that hangs bellow my belt buckle
Earlier, I blogged about . The one who popularized the cheesy “We’re Brothers Forever (I Am Your Brother)” song that still haunts me until today. Yep, Reynaldo is Filipino and we’re proud of him even after his spoof. At least he’s better than the Hung.
The Filipinos are a people who endured lots of tribulations years after the Americans gave us freedom; to the time of Marcos’ dictatorial regime; to the Asian economic crisis; to Estrada’s ouster; and today’s political holocaust. We’ve even cope with discriminations against our race on international shows like, Desperate Housewives, 30 Rock and that insane Britney’s “Give Me More” song. All these didn’t falter the Filipino spirit a single bit. Instead, it drove us, even more, to success.The same drive brought Ramiele (Ramielle, Rameil) Malubay to the Top 24 of American Idol Season 7.
Ramiele is the second Filipino to grace Top 24 of the international hit show. The first was Jasmin Trias who won third on Season 4. Simon didn’t vote for her during her audition thinking that she’s old fashioned, but Paula and Randy believed in her talent so she went home with the gold ticket (or paper).
Ramiele Malubay’s Audition
From that day, Filipinos allover the globe, joins her in her journey like we did with Jasmin Trias, Leah Salonga, Billy Crawford, and others who dazzled Hollywood with Pinoy pride.
Hollywood Week
We cheered with her and even felt butterflies on Hollywood Week as we saw her wow the judges.
Ramiel Made it to the Top 24
Even now, we remember that heart stopping moment before Paula told her that she made it to the Top 24.
Ramiele Malubay’s Interview
We praised her more when she took pride in saying Regine Velasquez is her favorite singer, in an interview, even though Regine is not known in Hollywood. She was even called a “a brown monkey who can’t sing” by Mariah Carey once.
We laughed our hearts as she described eating “Balut”. “Wahahahah Pinoy Gyud!”, that was what I blurted out as I saw that part.
Pinoys just love Pinoys who are proud of being Pinoys. That’s how we Filipinos are. We remain closely knit with each one regardless of distance; regardless of the new cultures we adapt, the bond of family or “ohana”, as Lilo and Stitch calls it, sticks with us.
We even know if the guy on TV, or the one sitting next to us on a train is Pinoy. We even try to chitchat with them like old neighbors even if one is from Tawi-tawi and the other is from Jolo.
Isn’t it amazing to be called Pinoy?
I bet my 2 cents those of you who are reading this feels the same way too
Ramiele Malubay Videos
First Week Singing “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”
Ramiel Malubay Does the Karaoke with Magic Sing
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