Yet there are many ways of being Filipino. ... For others, it is the choices we have made in our lifetimes that have made us "global": these are the documented and undocumented OFWs; permanent residents of another country; former Filipinos who renounced but subsequently reacquired Filipino citizenships.

1. Prepared by:
URLIE G. ANINO, MSc
Asst. Professor II

2. FILIPINOS REACHING GREATER
HEIGHTS HERE AND ABROAD
■ Filipinos have made a remarkable presence on a global scale. The Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration reported that as of December 2013, the total
population of Filipinos who worked and resided in other parts of the globe has
reached whopping 10,238,614.
■ Truly, Filipinos are conquering the planet in terms of presence–but not just that,
they are also taking the world stage when it comes to talent and skills.
■ Despite all the bad news about the Philippines that reached other parts of the
world, Filipinos were still able to attract the international spotlight with their
amazing prowess in various fields.
■ When talking about internationally acclaimed Filipinos, the first names that pop in
their heads are Manny Pacquiao and Lea Salonga. However, there are more
modern-day Filipinos who have already carved their names in the international
scene.

3. 3 LESSONS FROM GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED
PINOYS
World-class Filipinos share common characteristics that made them successful, and people
can learn important life lessons from them.
■ Aim High and Work Hard
One of the most important ingredients in achieving success is dreaming high and
working hard. A world-class Filipino knows that his caliber is not limited to the
boundaries of the place he lives in. He understands that standing out in a very
competitive field would be impossible if he slacks.
■ Humility is a Must
A world-class Filipino keeps his feet firm on the ground. He gratefully looks back to
his roots in every great thing he achieves–as it molded him to become the person he
is today. Even at his high status, he still allots more room for his own growth
because he knows there’s so much more to learn.

4. ■ Be Friends withYour Fellow
A world-class Filipino maintains a good relationship with his colleagues
in the industry he’s in. Though there is a tough competition between
each other, it does not stop him to be friends with his rivals. He won’t
drag his opponents down personally but still outshines them
professionally.
Sources:https://www.m2social.net/blog/25-world-class-filipinos-who-took-over-the-
globe-in-the-21st-century/

5. ■ Arnel Campaner Pineda is a singer and songwriter who was born in the
humble place of Tondo, Manila.
■ He started his singing career in the Philippines during the 1980s and
became known internationally when he was set as the lead singer of
American rock band Journey in 2007.
■ From a homeless boy in the streets to a world-acclaimed rock singer,
Pineda has shown qualifications to be referred to as Filipino pride.
From Entertainment World
Arnel Pineda

6. ■ Peter Gene Hernandez, popularly known as Bruno Mars, is the singer-songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer behind the chart-
topping hits “Billionaire”, “JustTheWayYouAre”, and “Nothing OnYou”.
■ His late mother named Bernadette San Pedro Bayot is half-Filipina. His sister Jamie
told Inquirer that as a kid, Bruno has enjoyed Kare-kare, Dinuguan, Adobo, and
Pinakbet every Sunday, and he was also taught of Filipino values like respect for the
elderly.
Bruno Mars

7. ■ Born as Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente, Nicole Scherzinger came to
prominence after she became the lead singer of one the best-selling girl groups
ever, Pussycat Dolls.
■ Within her 13 years of singing career, she has reaped three UK #1 singles, sold over
16 million albums, over 37 million singles worldwide, and 16 million records as a
solo artist. His father is a Filipino descent, and her parents separated when she
was a baby.
■ She changed her surname “Valiente” to“Scherzinger” after being adopted by her
Nicole Scherzinger

8. ■ Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco or Charice Pempengco was first discovered through
herYoutube videos that gained 15 million hits in 2007.
■ Her first international album Charice in 2010 has made to 8th rank of Billboard 200 albums
chart, making her as the very first Asian solo singer to enter the prestigious record ranking.
■ She has received over 35 awards and recognitions in the Philippines and abroad.
■ Charice was raised in Cabuyao, Laguna by her single mother Racquel and started out as a
frequent contender in local amateur singing contests at the age of seven before rising to
fame.
Charice Pempengco

9. ■ Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as apl.de.ap, became known for being a
member of the Grammy award-winning American group The Black Eyed Peas
along with Will.i.am,Taboo, and Fergie.
■ Apl.de.ap grew up in Angeles City, Pampanga with her Filipino single mother and
six siblings, and helped his family through farming.
■ He came to United States with the help of a foundation for abandoned American
children. There, he started his singing career and over the years, he with Black
Eyed Peas sold millions of albums and created chart-topping songs.
Apl.de.ap

10. ■ Dubbed as “King of Latin Pop”, Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler is a singer, record
producer, songwriter, and actor.
■ He is the best-selling Latin artist in United Kingdom and also recognized as the
best-selling international artist in India.
■ With over 159 million records sold worldwide, 150 top hits in all Billboard charts,
Enrique has the most #1 hits and longest-running number-one hit “Finally Found
You” on Billboard.
■ His mother is a Filipina magazine journalist and socialite Isabel Preysler.
Enrique Iglesias

11. ■ Jessica Elizabeth Sanchez is a singer and songwriter who became
popular when she triumphed as the runner-up on the eleventh season
of the reality talent show American Idol.
■ Before that, this Filipino-Mexican singer first appeared on the first
season of America’s GotTalent when she was 11 years old.
■ Jessica’s mother is a Filipina who was hailed from Samal, Bataan in the
Philippines.
Jessica Sanchez

12. ■ Vanessa Anne Hudgens is an actress and singer who made it to spotlight after
starring as Gabriella Montez in the award-winning teen musical High School Musical
trilogy.
■ Since the booming of her acting career in 2006, she had received numerous awards
and recognitions. Her mother is a Filipino-Chinese-Spanish but grew up in Manila.
■ In an interview with Yahoo!, Vanessa said that “Filipinos are very passionate. You look
at Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao–You don’t want to mess with him. My mom, too, is
extremely passionate.You don’t want to piss her off.”
Vanessa Hudgens

13. ■ Shannon Ashley Mitchell is an actress, model, author, and businesswoman who
rose to fame after her starring role as Emily Fields in the teen series Pretty Little
Liars.
■ She started out as a model in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Barcelona and later on,
pursued acting in Canada. Her mother is a Kapampangan and a cousin of Lea
Salonga.
■ Shay shared with Inquirer that she’s very good at karaoke, adding that “Singing
and dancing and performing—my [Filipino] family made me do that at every
wedding when I was a kid!”
Shay Mitchell

14. In the world of
Film
■ Brillante Mendoza is an internationally-acclaimed filmmaker from San Fernando, Pampanga. He has
been a film director since 2005.
■ In 2009, Brillante was hailed as ‘Best Director” for his movie Kinatay at the 62nd Cannes Film
Festival.
■ In the same year, his film Lola has also won as Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.
■ His other movies such as Captive, Thy Womb, and Taklub were displayed and competed in various
prestigious international award-giving bodies.
■ Just recently, Brillante directed the first State of the NationAddress of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Brillante Mendoza

15. ■ Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck, best known as Jaclyn Jose, has always been part
of the Philippine television since 1995.
■ She gained popularity through her unforgettable roles in the movies Salome,
White Slavery, and Santa Juana, and in numerous soap operas.
■ In 2016, Jaclyn played the lead role in Golden Palm-nominated film Ma’Rosa
by Brillante Mendoza which garnered her the Best Actress award in the 69th
Cannes Film Festival. She is the first Southeast Asian to ever receive the said
award.
Jaclyn Jose

16. ■ Jose Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno is a world-class Filipino director, producer, and
screenwriter and also the grandson of the late Philippine Senator Jose Diokno.
■ His first movie Engkwentro has received “Luigi de Laurentiis” or Lion of the Future
Award for Best Debut Film in 2009 Venice Film Festival. It also garnered more
awards and recognitions internationally and locally.
■ In 2010, Pepe was included in the world’s “100 most exceptional emerging
filmmakers” in the book Take 100: The Future of Film in UK. In the same year, he
was bestowed with Ani ng Dangal Award by Malacañang Palace.
Pepe Diokno

17. ■ John Lloyd Cruz is an award-winning actor and model that almost
everyone living in the Philippines knows.
■ He starred in many soap operas in Philippine television, but he was well-
recognized for his roles in It Might Be You, Maging Sino Ka Man, I ♥ Betty
La Fea, and Imortal.
■ Aside from his numerous awards received locally, John Lloyd was also the
first Filipino and Southeast Asian to get Star Asia Award at the 15th New
York Asian Film Festival in 2016 for his film HonorThy Father.
John Lloyd Cruz

18. In the world of
Science
■ Dr. Ramon Barba is an inventor and horticulturist from San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. He
was best known for his mango flower induction technology that made mangoes
available all year round with the use of ethrel and potassium nitrate.
■ Because of his significant contribution to agriculture, Ramon, along with three
other foreign scientists, was awarded as one of Southeast Asia’s top agricultural
scientists at the Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award in Agricultural
Development–a collaboration of local science institutions with Southeast Asian
Regional Center forGraduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Dr. Ramon Barba

19. ■ A 17-year-old high school student from Cebu named Arianwen Rollen
was acknowledged in 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (IISEF), regarded as the world’s biggest science research
competition for high school students, for her study on the tumor-curing
properties of malunggay seeds. She has received $1000 cash prize from
the Qatar Foundation in the said event held in Arizona, United States.
Arianwen Rollan

20. ■ At just the age of 15, Amin Hataman has already become an award-winning
inventor for his biodegradable plastic bags made from coconut by-product, nata
de coco.
■ This student at the Fountain International School in San Juan City, Metro Manila
won a bronze medal in the 2015 International Sustainable World Energy,
Engineering and Environment Project (I-SWEEP) Olympiad in Houston, Texas and
a gold medal in the 2014 International Young Inventors Olympiad in Tbilisi,
Georgia.
Amin Hataman

21. ■ Franz Ontal was a 49-year-old Filipino head inspector training of the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPWC) that
bagged a Nobel Peace Prize in October 2013.
■ He began as a medic for the said group in 2005 and later became its
head of inspector training. The OPCW achieved the prestigious award
for its work in removing chemical weapons from gas chambers of Adolf
Hitler to the Syrian battlefields
Franz Ontal

22. In the world of Fashion
■ Monique Lhuillier is a world-class Filipino fashion designer who designed the wedding
dresses of the pop star Britney Spears and red carpet dresses for Hollywood celebrities
including Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor
Swift, Katy Perry, and many more.
■ She was raised and studied in Cebu City and continued her studies in Switzerland before
moving to Los Angeles to pursue her fashion designing career.
■ In 2003, Monique was asked to be a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of
America. Malacanang has also awarded her the Presidential Medal of Merit in 2006.
Monique Lhuillier

23. ■ Michael Cinco is a Filipino Dubai-based fashion designer whose designs were
worn by a number of Hollywood stars including Sofia Vergara, Britney Spears,
Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, Fergie, DitaVonTeese, Chris Brown, and many more.
■ He earned the title of “Asian Couturier Extraordinaire” from Asia Couture
Federation in 2013. In the 2011 WGSN Global Fashion Award in New York, Michael
was also regarded as Breakthrough Designer among his rivals who are
international designers from Europe, America, United Kingdom, and Asia.
Michael Cinco

24. ■ At a young age of 17, Danica Flores Magpantay was declared as the winner in the
renowned International Ford’s Supermodel of the World in 2011.
■ Along with the name, a million dollars worth of contract under the highly-
esteemed model agency which guarantees her appearance in famous fashion
weeks, commercial castings, and works with superior fashion companies in the
world.
■ She is the daughter of Milagros “Lala” Flores who also received the Ford
Supermodel of the World – Philippines in 1980. She was the first-ever Filipina and
second Asian to bag the prestigious title.
Danica Magpantay

25. ■ Happy Andrada is a Filipina fashion designer who’s currently making her way to
international fashion scene.
■ She was bestowed with the title “Emerging Designer of the Year” in the 2012
Miami Beach International Fashion Week (MBIFW), the longest standing fashion
event in Miami–making her the first Filipina to receive such recognition.
■ This young fashion designer has been representing the Philippines in respected
fashion weeks inToronto, London, Korea, and many more.
Happy Andrada

26. In the world of
Sports
■ Composed of mostly PBA players, the national men’s basketball team Gilas Pilipinas
has been competing in the best international tournaments. Ever since the team has
begun playing in 2010, Gilas Pilipinas has already won numerous championships
from the tournaments all over the world, namely 2010 MVP Invitational Champions’
Cup, 2011 SEABA C’ship, 2011 SEA Games, 2012 SEABA Cup, 2012 William Jones
Cup, 2013 SEA Games, 2015 SEABA C’ship, 2015 SEA Games, and 2015 MVP Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas

27. ■ Michael Christian Martinez is a world-class Filipino figure skater, a
champion in 2015 Asian Figure Skating Trophy, a two-time Triglav
Trophy champion, and has achieved one ISU Challenger Series medal,
silver at the 2014 Warsaw Cup.
■ He is also the first figure skater from Southeast Asia to compete in the
2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
■ Coming from a tropical country, this figure skater has caught the
world’s attention with his outstanding prowess in figure skating.
Michael Christian Martinez

28. ■ Luciana Bonifacio Julaton gained the nickname “The Hurricane” after her
impressive stints in boxing and martial arts.
■ The Filipino-American lady was the first winner of Women’s WBO Super
Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles.
■ True to her sobriquet, she has acquired the IBA Super Bantamweight title fast–after
just five professional fights.
Ana Julaton

29. ■ Carrying the name of the Philippines in his nickname “The Filipino Flash”, Nonito
Donaire was commended for his extraordinary punching powers and speed.
■ The Filipino-American boxer is currently the second-time WBO super
bantamweight champion and a former four-weight world champion–he obtained
multiple titles in the flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and
featherweight divisions and an interim title at super flyweight.
■ Nonito held seven world titles and consecutive championships at super
bantamweight.
Nonito Donaire

30. In conclusion:
“Filipinos can take pride of not only their unique culture and
values but also of their great fellowmen. The Filipino blood runs
through the veins of these world-class Filipinos who inspired
people all over the globe to achieve higher in life–and the
humble nation cannot be any prouder.”