Filipino American Artists Network

The creation of FilAm Artists Network blog/directory stems from the fact that there is no global art organization that focus on FilAm artists encompassing all artforms. Believe me, I’d searched high and low. Maybe that’s one of the reasons there isn’t much visibility among FilAm Artists. And I thought, this website can encourage dialogue about this to help pave the way in giving more recognition to FilAm artists and showcase to the world the diverse talents of FilAm artists and dispel any negative myths within the Filipino Community.

What we have right now, is basically formal local art organizations that are specialized in their own discipline and print/web based media groups that deliver news about the Filam Community in a very broad sense. I thought, wouldn’t it be more powerful if we bring this groups and even individuals together? I have no intention of creating a new organization that already existed because these FilAm organizations are doing great and it would be just duplicating their efforts.

This website, filamartists.com provides a space where artists/contributors can post about other artists as well as their own events, too. Or, I can get the feed from any one of the postings from different artists who blogs. Because, seriously…this concept needs everyone to participate for it to take form and shape. That’s one of the reasons I always try to initiate and try connecting with other fellow artists and see if eventually, they’ll be interested in this collaboration.

I know it sounds really ambitious to have all FilAm artists in one directory/website but I think this could encourage networking & collaboration among artists from different disciplines. I’m pursuing this because the wonderful thing about the Filipino Community is that we have this “bayanihan” spirit (cooperation). We can channel this energy to help FilAm artists – have more voice, presence in the public, and an ongoing recognition for the artist’s work. Another thing that I believe is that if we – artists help and band together, it’s much more powerful than going it alone. And eventually, we all benefit from this.

I really think that collaboration among artists is very important so that we’ll be able to develop a following. A very clear example of our existing situation is that FilAm actors doesn’t have too much representation in Hollywood because there’s just a few FilAm writers creating stories about FilAm characters in the mainstream media. Isn’t it funny that Vanessa Anne Hudgens who is a FilAm plays Gabriella, a Hispanic American teenager. Why didn’t the writer created the character as FilAm instead? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for Vanessa – playing any kinds of character she wants. I’m referring to the material of the movie. It is possible that it’ll sends a message that the writer/producer thinks it’s not gonna sell if it’s a FilAm character. If we, fellow artists recognize and encourage FilAm writers – then they’ll do more works with characters that looks like us.

Even visual artists need to collaborate with other designers. The FilAm architects is also growing in numbers and architects create spaces for artworks and visual artists create artworks that requires spaces to be designed. I could go on & on with scenarios to validate collaboration among different disciplines.

Those above examples could lead to an audience development. But how can we have an audience if we don’t play ourselves in the mainstream and we don’t have enough material that tackles on the Filipino American experience? On the other hand, the way to tackle audience development now is totally different from years ago because of the improvements in technology and communication. We currently have online social networking which is a great tool to start building the FilAm artists audience – hence, having a blog/directory that celebrates Filipino American artists.

It’s a fact that the Asian Community banded together has made vast improvements to all minorities. But still, we’d been called the silent Asian minority for a reason. And it shouldn’t be that way anymore. Let’s change that kind of perception about our community and let’s continue the work of our Asian Community leaders who had paved a way for better opportunities. If you think about it, it’s a very strong community. According to Philfortune.com:

“THE Filipino American (Fil-Am) community is the second largest Asian American group in the United States behind the Chinese American community. Statistics from the United States Census in 2000 indicated that there are over 2.4 million who identified their ancestry as Filipino but it is speculated to be at 4 million by many Filipino-American and Asian-American organizations. More than half of the Filipino-American community is of American citizenship and the rest are Filipino nationals and/or dual citizens of the United States and the Philippines.

Filipinos are also the second-largest migrant population to the United States next to the Mexicans, with an average of 70,000 people migrating annually. About 75% consists of family-based sponsorships while the remainder is employment-oriented. A majority of this number prefer living in California, followed by Hawaii, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada and Alaska.”

So, I’m calling for all Filipino American artists in all discipline to start in your own little way helping other artist, too. Let’s remind ourselves of the lesson from the movie, “Pay It Forward:”

“Some people are too scared or something to think things can be different. The world’s not exactly…shit. I guess it’s hard for some people who are so used to things the way they are-even if they’re bad- to change and they kinda give up and when they do, everybody loses.”

And I’m calling to our Filipino American Community to be continuously supportive to our fellow Filipino American artists. Let’s join together not only when we have to vote for the next American Idol. Let’s band together and be there when a Filipino American artist holds an exhibit, a play, a show, or launch a book.

Now, this reminds me that there’s a FilAm rock/alternative band who needs our help. They’re called,”Lost Poetics.” MTV is having a contest “I Want My Music on MTV II. ” MTV will pick the band with the most votes to have their music launched in MTV Channel. Now they made it to top # 12 out of 20! Go to this link to “VOTE” Lost Poetics for the song “Break Me” until Aug.3, 2008.

http://www.mtv.com/music/iwantmymusic/

So, please join me in celebrating emerging, mid-career, acclaimed or celebrity Filipino American artists. Let’s connect, participate, collaborate, create an audience for Filipino American artists & strengthen the diversity in the field of arts.

You can start now by visiting and subscribing to http://www.filamartists.com

Email Feed: http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2157929

Artists Directory: http://www.filamartists.com/directory/Category/artists

Filipino American Business Directory: http://www.filamartists.com/directory

FilAm Events that you can participate: http://www.filamartists.com/filam-events/

“You don’t need much to change the entire world for the better. You can start with the most ordinary ingredients. You can start with the world you’ve got.” From the movie, “Pay It Forward.”