Beats of belonging: Fil-Ams tune back to their roots, heritage through P-Pop
MANILA, Philippines — The United States held Filipino American History Month in October, a yearly observance when Filipino communities across the country celebrate their heritage and strengthen their connection to the Philippines, despite the thousands of miles between them.
Yet for some Filipinos abroad—whether first-generation immigrants or part of the larger diaspora born and raised outside the Philippines—maintaining this connection to their homeland can sometimes be a challenge.
While food, language, and family traditions often bridge this gap, a new wave of connection to heritage is emerging: through music, specifically in the form of Pinoy Pop, or more commonly known as P-pop.
P-Pop is doing more than just making waves in the entertainment scene—it’s becoming a powerful cultural touchstone for Filipinos abroad. From catchy songs infused with local languages to music videos that celebrate Filipino identity, this rising genre is helping many in the diaspora reconnect with their roots.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Karen May, who is an SB19 fan and part of US A’TIN, takes immense pride in her Pinoy heritage through P-Pop.
“I think many can agree that there’s always a feeling of pride whenever your own culture is spotlighted and noticed positively on a global scale,”
“Becoming a P-Pop fan made me actually take action towards learning more about my Filipino culture outside of what I’ve passively learned from my parents or from the Filipino-American community that I grew up with,” she added.
As the genre continues to gain traction globally — from international performances to international awards — many fans like Karen May are diving deeper into the language, history and traditions that connect them to their roots.
“The key is in the reach and exposure. All you need is just one moment of curiosity and there is a chance that you can become a fan. And through becoming a fan of P-Pop and being a part of the community, you’ll feel a bit closer to home,” says Karen May.
Rediscovering Filipino languages through music
The same is true for Chesca and Grace, both fans of girl group BINI and born and raised in US. They are members of BLOOMS USA, a community of BINI fans residing in United States.
For many diaspora Filipinos, one of the most profound impacts of P-Pop has been how it introduces or reintroduces them to Filipino languages.
Chesca, a K-Pop enthusiast who's now residing in Maryland, felt a rush of excitement when she first encountered P-Pop. “Oh my gosh! Meron na din tayong sarili. You know, we can call our own,” she recalled, reflecting on her initial reaction. “I don't need subtitles; I can understand them and their humor!”
This connection is especially meaningful for her, given the diverse musical landscape in her area. “Music here is so varied—you hear everything from Tyla's 'Water' to Bad Bunny and other Latin music. Now, with P-Pop and BINI, we finally have something we can proudly bring to the table,” she says.
P-Pop, in its early days, was often criticized as being a "copycat" of K-Pop, primarily due to the visual treatments and styling of its artists. However, the genre has since evolved, establishing a distinct identity rooted in Filipino culture that resonates more with Filipino audiences.
While taking inspiration from the polished looks and training systems of Korean idols, groups like SB19, BINI, ALAMAT and more highlight Filipino culture in their music, both as a collective and through individual members.
Some groups not only use Tagalog in ther songs, but have also incorporated regional languages into their lyrics, drawn from Philippine fashion for their attire, and infused their performances with wordplay and choreography that showcase diverse aspects of Filipino culture.
“It just makes me feel closer to the culture. Right now, I'm only speaking English, but P-pop has made me want to learn or be better at speaking in Tagalog,” said Chesca.
Additionally, Grace, born and raised in New Jersey, mentioned that Team BLOOM USA has a small section called ‘Tagalog 101’, a chat for members trying to get better at Tagalog.
“When we hear something unfamiliar, we’ll ask others in the group, like, ‘Hey, what does this mean?’ or ‘Can you explain aircon humor versus kanal humor,’ she said. “It’s great because we have an immediate community to help answer those questions."
It doesn't stop at understanding words—through an online fan community of fellow fans abroad, they also get to learn about Filipino food, the difference between 'ng' and 'nang,' and much more.
“I'm so confused with all that, but they're always like, helping me correct me,” shared Chesca.
BINI passing flyers in Binondo ? BLOOMS passing flyers at KCON LA ????#BINIatKCONLA2024 #BINI @BINI_ph pic.twitter.com/V9kET2JHC3
— TEAM BLOOM USA (@TeamBloom_USA) July 28, 2024
Chesca reflected on how P-pop goes beyond just the language, saying, “It’s amazing how P-pop isn’t just about our language—it also showcases our food, fashion, and culture. You see members of Alamat wearing traditional attire, or when Joana appears in Maharani dressed in a Filipina gown, it’s a powerful reminder of our heritage."
She added, "It’s like we’re showing up and saying, ‘This is who we are, this is our culture.’ That’s what I really appreciate about P-pop: it’s not just music or food—it’s everything, all in one.”
Moreover, the two shared how fan communities like Team Bloom USA have created a newfound space for Filipinos who share their passion for Pinoy music.
Through events, meet-ups, and online discussions, these groups offer connection, support, and a sense of belonging that bridges the distance from the Philippines.
By actively spreading the word about P-pop, fan groups like Team Bloom USA and US A'TIN also work to grow the community and celebrate Filipino identity in meaningful ways.
Reconnecting to roots, history
P-Pop has become a powerful vehicle for Pinoy Pride, especially among the Filipino diaspora, offering a contemporary way to connect with heritage while celebrating Filipino culture on a global stage.
This sense of pride stems from more than just the music itself—it’s also about the cultural stories, history and uniquely Filipino values that these groups carry forward.
In an interview with Philstar.com, the four Fil-Am YouTubers behind the channel OK What’s Next (OWN) shared experience with P-pop as content creators producing reaction videos on different entertainment content, including P-pop.
OWN first entered the P-Pop world with SB19, describing that immediate sense of pride as their entry into the genre. What began as simple reaction videos quickly grew into something much deeper—a reconnection to their roots.
For instance, Elijah and Jericho recalled their powerful experience watching the music video for ALAMAT’s Dagundong, which was steeped in references to the historical struggles of the Philippines. The warrior-themed video brought to life key moments from the country’s history under Spanish colonial rule, from the Battle of Mactan to the KKK revolutionaries.
Elijah shared that his initial reaction to watching ALAMAT’s Dagundong music video was a sense of nostalgia: “I remember learning this when I was a kid! Everything just came back to life.”
The experience reawakened his childhood lessons about Filipino history in a way that felt fresh and meaningful. "I love that P-Pop is showcasing our culture and giving it a global stage,” he added.
Jericho echoed this sentiment, saying it reminded him of a quote his high school teacher used to share: “No history, no self; know history, know self.”
For Jericho, P-Pop—especially groups like ALAMAT—has become a way to reconnect with his roots. “Each video they release helps me learn something new about our culture. Like in the Maharani video, I originally thought the dance with the sticks was Tinikling, but I found out it was a different traditional dance.”
He explained that this connection with Filipino heritage is what makes P-Pop so powerful for him and other members of the diaspora.
A new sense of pride
A simple search on YouTube reveals numerous content creators of Filipino heritage reacting to P-pop music videos, showcasing their excitement and pride for the genre.
For the Filipino-American YouTubers behind OK What’s Next (OWN), P-Pop offers a new and vibrant source of Filipino pride, providing a cultural "homecoming" through music that resonates with Filipinos worldwide.
Where once Manny Pacquiao was the defining symbol of Filipino pride abroad, groups like SB19, BINI and ALAMAT are now creating a shared sense of identity and connection for Filipinos outside the Philippines.
Jer and Raph of OWN reminisced how mentioning Filipino heritage before often immediately brought up associations with the boxing legend Pacquiao, creating a powerful sense of pride and visibility for Filipinos everywhere. Pacquiao’s success gave Filipinos a shared pride, rallying around him as one of the first to bring such global attention to the Philippines.
But now, with P-Pop, that pride has moved beyond the boxing ring at music is instilling that same sense of pride among Filipinos living abroad, providing them something to rally around and support together.
“This is something that Filipinos all around the world can share in common. We may not speak Tagalog fluently or understand it fully, but listening to their music together makes it truly special to see a community of Filipinos being so passionate and supportive of each other,” the two said.
However, reconnecting with their heritage is not solely credited to the music itself. The dedicated supporters of P-Pop groups, OWN said, play a significant role by patiently explaining the lyrics and references in the comments section, helping Filipinos in the diaspora better understand and appreciate P-Pop content.
As Jer explained, the P-Pop experience—enjoying music that they may not fully understand due to language barriers—parallels the common experiences of the Filipino diaspora during family reunions.
While they may not grasp every joke or conversation, the lively atmosphere of laughter and joy offers a comforting sense of familiarity. Similarly, with listening and watching to P-Pop, they may not understand everything at first, but it awakens a sense of heritage and deepens their understanding of their Filipino identity through music.
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