RISE OF THE PINOY

Every Philippine Embassy is mandated to push the best the country has to offer into the host nation's consciousness, if not onto the entire world stage. This task, in turn, is made easier when there's a good product to promote and proud people to work with. When that happens, a certain swagger just seeps into everything. Here in London, for instance, right before a high-level bilateral meeting earlier this month, the Philippine delegation and their power suits spontaneously gathered in a semi-huddle in front of the Embassy and under the waving flag to discuss their game plan, and then walked off towards the meeting venue with such an air and sense of purpose about them that not a few Pinoy onlookers told me later that they were bursting with pride at the mere sight of it all.

(If I may say so, it really did look kick ass [albeit the nerdy kind], and I was actually running the whole thing in my head as one of those goosebump scenes from a Michael Bay movie -- the part where the heroes walk out in slow-motion, shoulder-to-shoulder, to dramatic music, and enveloped in fog or steam or sweat or some other thing moist.)

And because I'm the only one doing the slow motion walk in his head, I get left behind by the delegation.

OK, the Embassy is embarrased by my ill-timed daydreaming sometimes, but trust me, there are a lot of instances here when Philippine pride and product just come together beautifully, with or without an official delegation. Or moisture. A few examples:

I Don't Know Much About Art, But I Know What I Like

In time for Independence Month, some young Philippine artists swung through London as part of their European tour. They were so well-received I decided to get on the bandwagon and purchase three different pieces (although the artists' faces seem to belie a fear I'll place the artworks next to my Star Wars memorabilia)

Oh, Westerners...One Taste of Our Chicharon Bulaklak and You Abandon Your Diets

Most Pinoy eating places I've seen abroad are casual, homey affairs (not unlike, say, a Little Quiapo.) Great food and friendly atmosphere to be sure, but probably overlooked by the Michelin Guide. I've always felt there's a market out there for more upscale Philippine fine dining, and Josephine's Restaurant in central London just proves me right: hip neighborhood location, posh interiors, authentically sinful Pinoy food. I took these pictures as an advance party before the peak time, but trust me, the place was packed with Londoners come dinner time (and I'm told, every night). Bravo!

(Now then, who'll explain to Michelin the signifcance of the Charice Pempengco photos all over the walls?)

M.O.A.B.F.

The Mother of All Barrio Fiestas was held in West London recently, and it had all the usual attractions and activities, but on a much larger scale (I'd just like to say to all those who patronized the halo-halo, ice cream and San Miguel beer stands...um...hope you didn't get stuck in traffic on the way home). One of the best moments came right at the end, just as everyone was headed for the exits: some band came on the nearly empty stage, and proceeded to absolutely shred Wham's "Careless Whisper". (I regret I was only able to video the tail-end of it, but then the whole thing may have been too awesome for my camera.)

Kultura Kids

I'd like to give a shout out to Philippine Generations, a group of second-generation Fil-Brits who do an incredible job of raising awareness of Philippine culture and concerns within the UK. I always enjoy working with them - not the least because, as the Embassy liaison to their group, it's my last chance to be associated with something young and hip! Their most recent project was called Kultura, and brought everything from sungka, to kulintang, to - hell yeah! - eskrima to the London youth. I joined the eskrima lessons and had a lot of fun, although I was constantly distracted by the guy on the left who bore an uncanny physical and personality resemblance to Ryan Agoncillo. I was also regularly reprimanded by the instructor for not concentrating hard enough (I was doing Darth Vader breathing noises and muttering "Your powers are weak, old man" and "I have you now")

BTW, set eskrima to some kulintang music inside a Barrio Fiesta, and you got yourself something pretty damn cool.

And finally . . . Jude Law in "Hamlet"? Pffff. Xavier and Magneto in "Waiting for Godot"? Please . . .

You want real high-culture, you go to the advance screening of. . ."The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior"! Starring Fil-foreign actor Michael Copon!! Of "One Tree Hill"!!! Wiki-fact: his high-school football nickname was "The Supreme Philippine"!!!!!!!

(Jude Law's was "Alfie")

It may not be nominated for any Oscars, but if you like your plots revenge-driven, your fight scenes dizzyingly edited, your monsters CGI'ed, your warriors oily, and your villain's plans convoluted, then this is the movie for you! Heck, Randy Couture trying to act as the evil Sargon is worth the price of the rental alone! (with emphasis on "trying" and "to act")

How do I know Scorpion King 2 will be a big hit? The same week I saw the "advance screening" . . .

The DVD was on a shelf in ComicCon!!!

We're gonna be all right.