Cebuano entertainers in Hong Kong

Our love for music is carried all over the world not just through the likes of international artist Lea Salonga, but also through Filipinos who are working abroad as entertainers. And I''d like to think that this is the reason why, in the eyes of many foreigners, many if not all Filipinos can sing or perform, for that matter.

How I was acquainted with this reality is something I would never forget. In one press event for a digital conglomerate, the media guests from the Asia and Pacific were treated to some karaoke singing by the Japanese hosts to cap off days of intense coverage.

After the hosts officially opened the singing session, guess who got next in line to perform on-stage? Us, the Pinoy delegation. We looked at each other nervouslyand at the nearest exit. gC''mon, everybody knows Filipinos are good singers,h egged on a Singaporean rep. gWell, not these Filipinos!h we reacted, supposedly in jest, but it was the truth.

We would later jokingly tell each other that as soon as we would reach home, the first thing we would do is take up voice lessons. Nevertheless, this incident became a confirmation of sorts that, in spite of some unsavory (and perhaps unfair) ideas and images affixed to the word gentertainer,h it does not change the fact that Filipinos are certainly famous for their gift to entertain and perform.

Readerfs Digest recently published an article detailing the phenomenon on Filipino entertainers. Entitled gFilipino Fame,h the article reported that there are 50,000 Filipino musicians employed to enliven the scene and work up the crowd in hotel lounges, restaurants and bars around the world. It is also widely believed that the actual figures could be more than that.

Many of these entertainers can be found in Hong Kong. In a recent trip to the former British colony, I had the chance to talk to several entertainers namely; Charles Jefferson Cabellon, Manuel Madrio, Alex Caba?ero and Marester Oca. What the everyday lives of these 20-something Cebuanos are like in a foreign cityits culture and language strange from their own hey gladly shared with this writer.

Manuel and Alex work at the five-star Hotel Intercontinental Grand Standford, Charles in an international restaurant at the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, Central Hong Kong called Bulldog''s Bar & Grill, while Marester works at another five-star hotel, the Holiday Inn. Except for Marester, who does vocals for a band, the rest of them are instrumentalists.

These Cebuanos are fortunate to have not applied or auditioned for their current jobs, but were recruited by Eva Antigua, a talent manager who was once an entertainer herself in Hong Kong hotels but is now a resident there. According to Marester of Carcar, Antigua is a respected manager in the industry who has provided talents for many of Hong Kong''s classiest hotels.

These Cebuano entertainers used to perform in Ratskyfs, Sunflower, Slabadoo, among other nightlife hotspots in Cebu. While they claimed that back here in Cebu they were paid enough to seriously pursue a career playing music, working abroad is still a realization of a dream. gIt is every showband''s goal to be able to play abroad,h said Charles, who hails from Minglanilla.

According to Manuel, who''s from Lapu-Lapu City, Filipinos are highly regarded entertainers in Hong Kong; and that if there exists a foreign face in a band, most likely a South African, the majority would still be Filipinos. gDaghan kaayo Pinoy diri. Ninety-percent of entertainers siguro kay Filipinos, and half of that would be Cebuanos,h he said.

According to them, a job in Hong Kong as an entertainer is also tempting because it can pay well. Senior entertainers in Hong Kong can earn as much as 15,000 to 20,000 Hong Kong dollars a month.

I was curious about what songs do Chinese guests usually request. Unlike Filipinos, who are very much updated with the current hits, they said the Chinese patronsf musical tastes are the hit songs of yesteryears. gThey like Hotel California, the Carpenters, Pink Floyd, Whitney Houston, and theme songs of old movies,h revealed Charles.

Freddie Aguilarfs worldwide hit gAnak,h which had been translated to at least seven foreign languages, is also a frequently requested song. Marester recalled how one Chinese audience member broke into tears when gAnakh was played.

Marester, who at times is mistaken for being a Thai or Latina, admitted that guests getting enamored by the talent as well as charm of Pinay entertainers is a common occurrence, but clarified that they make it a point to maintain some distance. They also do not accept any invitation to share a guest''s table exclusively.

They said that the usual positive feedback that Pinoy entertainers receive is that they are total performers. Indeed, nobody does it like Filipinos: they can sound like Sinatra or Santana, with their musical range cutting across genres from blues to jazz to hip-hop. They can play any tune by ear, and can perform Japanese, Chinese or Indian songs effortlessly. Aside from that, it is generally known that Filipinos are very professional and hard-working.

All of them admitted that their motivation of working there is to gain experience as well as support their families back here in Cebu. Aside from monetary assistance, they have sent home digital gadgets and even some appliances. In other words, how to make the families they have left behind happy is also a priority. More importantly, they are also happy because they are doing what they have always loved to do.