FilAm Trailblazers Erik Spoelstra and Tia Carrere Visit Chicago

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Wishes of happiness and prosperity to everyone in this year of the Rooster! At the start of every new calendar, many folks look to the stars for what is in store for the coming year. I have yet to check in with astrology experts, but if these Filipino American stars and personalities who recently visited Chicago is an auspicious sign, I am convinced things look very promising for Filipino Americans in 2017! Bu bu gao sheng to us! (Make Steady Progress!)

Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat Coach and Filipino Americans in the Chicago Bulls Organization

Last January 27, the Chicago Bulls celebrated Filipino Night at a game against Miami Heat through the effort of the Philippine American Cultural Foundation.

A couple of hours before the game, a select group of Bulls fans from the community lined up at the United Center Gate 4 to have a chance to see the Bulls throw practice shots by the court and meet some personalities in the Bulls Organization.

Robby Joseph, Manager of Group Sales, greeted the energetic group of about 40 FilAms followed by Director of Entertainment, Michelle Harris, who brought along five Filipino American gentlemen in her team including Bulls resident DJ Joseph “JFunk” Ejercito, son of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. Chicago native Harris, who is also Filipino American, started her career as a cheerleader for the WNBA’s New York Liberty and then the Knicks, before coming back to work for her hometown team. Benny the Bull also came down to party, posing in lots of “selfies” with the guests.

The highlight of the pre-game meet and greet, however, was the appearance of Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra, the first Asian American Head Coach in the NBA. The Evanston-born coach, who is also actively involved with the SportsUnited Sports Envoy Program for the US Department of State, has been visiting his mother’s home country, the Philippines, to conduct basketball clinics and events for hundreds of youth from underserved areas as part of SportsUnited’s mission to advance the status of women and girls around the world.

When asked about Filipino kids aspiring to be in the NBA by ABS-CBN’s Connie Macatula-De Leon, Spoelstra says, “The NBA now is a league of opportunity — with players coming from every region in the world. I cannot wait until there’s a player who comes from the Philippines. I try to go back during summer as much as possible. It seems like players are coming from every country and the next country, hopefully, will be the Philippines. No country deserves it more, because basketball is a religion there.”

We’re counting on that, Coach!

Thank you and Congratulations to Ruben Salazar and PACF for a super0successful Filipino Night with the Chicago Bulls!

Tia Carrere, Actor and Grammy Award winning Singer

A week later, we caught up with actress, model, voice actor and singer, Tia Carrere, who graced the 25th Anniversary celebration of the movie, Wayne’s World, at the Hollywood Blvd Cinemas in Woodridge.

In the movie, she plays the unforgettable Cassandra Wong, Wayne’s love interest and lead singer of the band Crucial Taunt and is noted for recording her own vocals on songs performed in the film. Cassandra was, in a way, a reflection of what Carrere originally expected in her showbiz career. “I started out singing. When I was a teenager, I entered talent contests and that’s what I thought I was going to be, a singer. I didn’t think I was going to be an actress.”

But she eventually conquered both, and more.

She is most proud of her work as a singer which she has won Grammy awards for three consecutive years from 2009 for albums in collaboration with musician and childhood friend, Daniel Ho. Carrere, whose father and maternal grandparents were born and raised in the Philippines, credits it to her genes, “Filipinos are always great singers and performers, so I think it’s in my DNA!”

Apart from Wayne’s World, Carrere starred in many iconic films and TV shows, including True Lies and General Hospital and is wellknown all over the world as the lead character, Sydney Fox in the TV Hit series, Relic Hunter.

But one more significant accolade she should be rightly recognized for is being one of the trailblazers of the movement for a more diversely-represented Hollywood. “Definitely, when I came out, there was nobody in film and television that looked like me, (or) like us” explaining that the more there are successful movies with Asian characters and characters of various ethnicities, the more producers will be convinced it is a good business decision to include them in projects. She humbly adds, though, “I was happy to be at the right place, at the right time with the right project.”

At a time when Hollywood seems to be rehashing well-loved TV and Comic characters and stories, Carrere admits she would love to reprise her role in Relic Hunter. At the same time, she is also considering doing a onewoman show sharing her stories as an actress in Hollywood interspersed with music from her originals and cover tunes.

Sounds like fans all over the world have lots to look forward to from the L.A.-based Filipino Hawaiian beauty!

As we end our short chat for her to attend to her hard-core fans that’ve started lining up for autographs, Carrere encourages aspiring Filipino American actors who wish to break in to the business to be flexible and not be afraid to seek help. Citing an example on accents, she says, “(It would be good) If you can turn your accent on and off, like I have been able to do Japanese, Chinese, American, (or) Cantonese. This is something that hinders a lot of people in presenting and acting”. Finally, she adds, “See a diction coach.”

Announcements

Veteran singer and musician, Armando Aguas passed away on Jan 28, 2017. Aguas who became known to his peers as “Chubby” after he won the a national contest garnering him the title “Chubby Checkers of the Philippines,” was discovered by Mr. Robert Mc Mackin, a talent agent from Las Vegas who brought him and his band named The Continentals to the USA. He found much success in the live music scene as part of The Continentals and later on, Da Madisons in Chicago.

In the past few years, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Diabetes. In 2016, he was recognized by the Filipino Musicians of Chicago for his contributions in Filipino American music. In his last days, he was in the care of the staff of Aperion Care Nursing Home in Elgin and his close friends in the music industry, including Rudy Campos and Aysa Zamora.

Finally, catch a free online concert, every Tuesday at 830 with Tuesdays with SamaSama Project on FB Live! Like the SamaSama Project facebook page to keep posted on songs to be featured and friends who are stopping by to say hello! ###

1 Louella Rose with Miami Heat Coach, Erik Spoelstra; 2. With Bulls Manager of Group Sales and his staff.

Benny the Bull, Michelle Harris, Ruben Salazar addressing the guests with Harris’ FilAm staff led by DJ Joseph “JFunk” Ejercito.

Actress Tia Carrere (center) with Louella Rose and Baron Cabalona.

On the set of Tuesdays with SamaSama Project on FB Live – EJ Luna, Giga Yanong, Louella Rose, Freddie Rodriquez, John Kniker and Ran Sevilla.

Friends of SamaSama Project – Sebastian Stankiewicz, Rosemarie Tom, Ewa Stankiewicz testing our healthier versions of Filipino recipes with Louella Rose on FB Live.