Ni Hao Ma?

Randy See (Chinese name: Li Hai Qiao, 李海巧) and Rolini Lim Pineda (Chinese name: Lim Jin Zhu, 林金珠) are winners of the first Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines, a contest with a touch of Tsinoy

Roughly translated in English, the Chinese title of today’s Conversation — Ni Hao Ma? — simply means “Are you okay?” or “How are you?” In Filipino, “Kumusta ka?”

Which is what Randy See (Chinese name is Li Hai Qiao: 李海巧) and Rolini Lim Pineda (Chinese name is Lim Jin Zhu: 林金珠) want to say to everybody, regardless of nationality, after they were recently named winners of the first 2013 Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines. (The previous searches were called Miss Chinatown Manila but limited to ladies; first time a male category was included).

Their prizes include P500,000 cash, trip to China (either Beijing or Shanghai with pocket money and a possible contract with Star Magic (of ABS-CBN which was a major sponsor/partner of the pageant).

Both born and raised in the Philippines, Randy and Rolini also studied here. They’re pageant first-timers.

A model and a campus basketball player, Randy is the namesake of his father, (engineer) Randy See (“That’s why I’m called Jun-Jun,” he said), who’s the senior vice president of Tanduay. His mom is Marissa Lao See. The third among four children, he finished grade school at St. Jude and graduated (last March) with a BS Management degree from Ateneo. A Libran (Oct. 22, 1991), he’s a Goat in the Chinese Zodiac.

Rolini studied at PIQC (Philippine Institute of Quezon City) from Grade 5 to high school (after completing earlier grades in different schools), and is currently enrolled in Interior Design in Philippine School of Interior Design. Her parents own and manage the family business. The younger of two sisters, Rolini is a Gemini (May 24, 1994) and a Dog in the Chinese Zodiac.

This Conversation was tri-lingual (in Chinese, English and Filipino which both speak fluently).

Do you remember how you answered the crucial, final question?

Randy: Yes, it was, “There’s this Chinese saying that your greatest enemy is not other people but yourself. Do you agree? Why or why not?” It came from judge Wilson Lee Flores (STAR columnist who is pure Chinese). Of course, I said yes, “It’s all about yourself, how you face your fears and pressures. How you succeed or fail in life depends on how you handle things.” Something like that.

Rolini: The question, asked by judge Angel Ngo, had something to do with values that I learned in life. My answer went like this, “The greatest value that I learned in life is to be grateful, whether we are Chinese or Filipino because we are all equal.” Ganoon.

How much of you is Chinese and how much is Filipino?

Randy: Mixed. When I was at St. Jude, us students were kind of sheltered, most of my schoolmates were Chinese and everyone was singkit. But in college at Ateneo, I told myself, “Ang konti pala ng Chinese dito!” so I kind of experienced culture shock. But it didn’t take long for me to adapt to my new surroundings. I grew up Filipino but I respect Chinese culture.

Rolini: I think I’m more Filipino than Chinese. I grew up on Filipino custom and tradition. My family are members of Jehovah’s Witnesses which influences our lifestyle. But I have yet to be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness.

How different do you think are Chinese today from those of the past generation?

Randy: I think that before there was some kind of tension between the Chinese and Filipinos, just after World War II. But today wala ng ganoon, and the Chinese have been assimilated into the Filipino community.

Rolini: As I’ve said, the Chinese today are very Filipino in their ways.

What about your taste in food, more or less Chinese, or more or less Filipino?

Randy: I’m a sucker for dimsum. It  has become a routine for our family to take dimsum dinner usually at around nine at night when restaurants offer cut-down promo prices. With my family, I eat Chinese food but with my barkada I eat Filipino food. So I’m really open to both.

Rolini: I love Filipino food. My angkong (lolo) was a good cook and he would usually serve us Chinese cuisine. My favorite Chinese food is also dimsum.

What’s your ideal man/woman? (They both claimed to be fancy-free.)

Randy: No specific qualities. It doesn’t matter if she’s Filipino or Chinese, or whatever nationality. I’m more of the character, how I interact with the girl. I have had a few relationships but right now, I’m single.

Rolini: Someone I can trust, someone responsible.

You are under contract with Star Magic. Are you ready for showbiz?

Randy: I’ve done some modeling and that’s somewhat showbiz, di ba? When I joined this contest, I was aware that if I won, things would come as a package deal and it includes showbiz, aside from representing the Chinese community. I’m the type who wants to try everything if the opportunity presents itself, so why not showbiz?

Rolini: I hope I will be but in the meantime, I will be busy with my duties as Miss Chinatown Philippines. I will compete in the Miss Chinatown International (date and venue not known yet). Everything happened so suddenly, and I have enough time to condition myself for showbiz.

How do you think the title will change your life?

Randy: I’m starting to feel a loss of privacy but I don’t mind it really. I guess it’s gonna be more fun. It’s an entirely new experience for me. Ako ‘yung tipong hindi mapakali, I’m always on the go, so okey lang.

Rolini: It has already changed my life completely. Before the pageant, I was just a regular college student. Now, I have more responsibilities not only for myself but for the Filipino-Chinese community. I am representing not just one but two cultures.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)