Understanding the ballyhoo over Jasmine

JASMINE TRIAS LANDED IN THE PAGES, from inside to front, of local papers when she came to Cebu last week. A number of Fil-Hawaiians accompanied the "American Idol" third placer, including DJ Cutmaster Spaz (AKA Derek Bulataw, whose roots are traceable to Pangasinan), who spun the funky beats during a free concert at Plaza Independencia.

Still, several quarters have been carping about Filipinos "over-patronizing" Jasmine when she's just one of those talents to whom Pinoys yielded their stamp of approval for being Fil-Am.

"Nagpa-ilad sad mo sa Fil-Am," one comments wryly when told of our attendance at Jasmine's show Wednesday night.

I went to the concert to find out for myself if all that ballyhoo befitted Jasmine - and I understood why. Her spunk and spirit and vocal timbre and dance diva moves combined were something I've been wanting to see, but never really did, in the country's present crop of young female performers. Even after four "homecomings," she appeared to be sincerely surprised to have still received warmth in reception. The most potent of her charms, however, would have to be her dogged will to represent Filipinos all over the world. At least she isn't like other hyphenated Filipinos reportedly opting to call themselves "American-Asians" than being associated with the Philippines.

At the height of the "American Idol 2," reports swirled that the real reason Jasmine was panned - in the guise of "lack of talent" - was because America was not ready for an "Asian-looking" American Idol. Up to now, there has never been any other Asian-looking contestant who made it as far as Jasmine did in the top-rated US TV show. In a way, she created a dent in what has been widely-viewed as the most competitive music industry in the world! So, let's give this 18-year-old young singer some credit for rising above the ether of aspiring pop star-esque banality by somehow giving another face - a very Filipino one at that - to what an American if not "global" music idol should also be.

ANOTHER FIL-AM WITH A THRIVING CAREER in the country is Jay-R (born Gaudencio Aquino Sillona III). The 24-year-old singer-actor from the Kapuso Network, touted as the country's "Prince of R&B," came to Cebu with good friend and another Fil-Am musician Jimmy Muna for a Sinulog concert at SM City Cebu last Saturday.

The two used to be members - with identical tattoos to boot - of the Fil-Am R&B-themed a capella group called First Impression, formed eight years ago in Los Angeles under the wings of Viva International. Jay-R found his way to the Philippines thanks to the persuasive powers of a relative, the choreographer-star maker Geleen Eugenio.

Interestingly, Kris Lawrence, the R&B-styled, formidable contender in ABS-CBN's "Search for A Star In A Million," used to be part of First Impression as well. Plus, Kris happened to be an ex-schoolmate and one-time fierce rival of Jay-R in school-wide singing competitions, before they became close friends.

Now, if Kris Lawrence has been deemed as an eventual threat to Jay-R, especially if he walks off with the top prize in "Star in A Million," Jay-R swears he'd never mind. He explains to some Cebu press, "This has been our intention all along; for all three of us to do well in the music industry." In fact, Jay-R is planning on showing up on finals night to support Kris Lawrence.

As sampler, Jay-R did an a capella of a song from his self-titled album with Jimmy Muna providing the harmony. The collective verdict: his silky voice and sleek moves will bring him places, which may actually happen sooner than expected as Universal Records is set to promote his album in Europe, Japan and the US.

The question on whether they were applying for dual citizenships was also raised. Jay-R confirmed that he already obtained his, but not Jimmy Muna. "Unless he marries someone from the country," Jay R comments. Out of the blue, Jay-R then turned to this writer, the only breathing, single (and looking desperate, I hope not) female in the room, and suggested in jest, "So kung single ka, baka interesado ka to help him get his Filipino citizenship." With my tongue in my cheek, I shot back, "Good, because I also need American citizenship."

SPEAKING OF CITIZENSHIP, Fil-Am Sam Milby, dubbed as the hottest property to have come out of the Pinoy Big Brother house, expressed interest in applying for dual citizenship, following the threat of deportation after he, together with fellow housemate Uma, failed to secure working permits. When asked during a presscon at Casino Español in Waterfront Lahug last Saturday, the ABS-CBN talent says that the deportation issue has been settled and for the meantime, they're getting by with working permits.

"My schedule for the past months has been very busy. But I know it's no excuse not to secure permits," Sam, slapped with a P40,000 fine for that "misdemeanor," ruefully admits. Let it be a lesson for all Fil-Am talents wanting for a break in the country.