Jordan Clarkson and DJ Flipside: Hustlin’ for their Dreams

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

If you are a Filipino American exposed to social media, chances are, you’ve seen the video snippet of comedian, Jo Koy’s Live in Seattle show entitled “Follow Your Dreams”.

Contrary to the title, however, the three minute viral video that has over 1.4 million views on YouTube, actually hilariously tackles how Filipino Moms almost always get their way when it comes to planning for their children’s career.

“Filipino moms predetermine what their kids are supposed to be when they grow up and you know I’m not making this shit up. There’s a lot of Filipinos in here right now — that are nurses”, the Filipino American comedian quips followed by loud approving laughter among the audience.

He offers a quick clarification, though, “Look, I’m not shitting on you for being a nurse. That’s a great job, great benefits, (and) good money. I’m just saying, it wasn’t YOUR dream. (pauses) That was your Filipino mom’s dream”.

It is funny. And it is funnier for us Filipinos because it’s true.

Many of us go into healthcare because we dreamed of becoming a doctor or a nurse but there are also many who end up being nurses or doctors because it is what their parents believe was best for them.

Recently, I met two Filipino Americans who I can imagine did not follow their parent’s traditional choice for a career. Although unconventional, they pursued something they loved and just like Jo Koy, they are not only successful, they have also become influencers that inspire many of us.

Hoop Dreams

Jordan Clarkson, a professional basketball player with the LA Lakers, was the special guest everyone was excited to meet as part of the Filipino Night with the Chicago Bulls last January 26, 2018.

The 25-year-old point guard was the 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by Washington before being traded on draft night to the Lakers, where he went on to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

Clarkson who admits didn’t even start playing basketball until the ninth grade, likened his love for the game the same way Filipinos love basketball. “I kinda just fell in love with the game. You’re having fun. I feel like that’s what Filipinos do. They have fun with the game and that’s what it is.”

Clarkson, in the past years, also caught the eye of top coaches in the home country and was supposed to join the national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, in representing the country during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship and eventually, the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But conflicting schedules between his NBA commitments prevented him from doing so.

When asked if there is a possibility he will be joining a Philippine team in the future, he answers with a definite “Yes” even before I finish my sentence.

As an advice young Filipinos who aspire to be like him, he keeps it simple, “Just keep going, put the time in. Anything is possible.”

As of this writing, Clarkson has been acquired by 2016 NBA Championship Team, Cleveland Cavaliers.

From Breakdancing to Beat-mixing

The name Vince Garcia might not ring a bell just as you would not guess that the unsuspectingly quiet character walking along courtside is the man responsible for the party vibe at the United Center during games.

He is DJ Flipside, a homegrown Chicago DJ who dominates the airwaves Fridays on B96 Radio. His show, “Flipside at Five”, has become the highest rated mix-show in the Midwest and as a member of Jump Smokers, he has co-produced official remixes for Britney Spears, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Rihanna, Katy Perry to mention a few.

Unbeknownst to many, however, he had other aspirations when he was young.

“I actually used to be – like most Filipinos – a break dancer”, he explains, adding that “When I was a kid, I was trying to figure out how to put tapes together for shows. So actually started using karaoke machines, (changing) the pitch and trying to mix that way.”

This, he says, lead him to meet and be inspired by Bad Boy Bill and other key folks in the industry who taught him DJ-ing as an art form.

Now New-York based, DJ Flipside who flies back home to Chicago to fulfill his commitments as one of the official DJs for Chicago Bulls and B96 Radio, shares some wise words for those who want to make a mark in their lives. “It’s all about prep, practice and working hard. The success I have didn’t come overnight… and I still feel like I have a long way to go. And that’s kinda why you can be successful — is you just never stop. Never stop trying to be better, be bigger and that’s how you can get to the next level.”

Court of Dreams… and Possibilities

Now on its second year, the Filipino Night with the Chicago Bulls is a fundraising event organized by the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago through the office of Michelle Harris, another influential Filipino American who has climbed up the ranks from her beginnings as one of the Knicks City Dancers in New York to becoming the Director of Entertainment of the Chicago Bulls in 2014.

Through this special collaboration, it was also the first time a Filipino choir led by the Silayan Singers performed the National Anthem.

Before the game, Harris along with some of her staff, many of which are Filipinos, personally welcomed the 400 guests who bought the special tickets that allowed them to stay for a post-game meet and greet with Clarkson.

Great events such as these shine a light on the many highly achieving Filipinos in their various chosen careers. And even more importantly, it influences many young Filipino Americans to dream big and follow their dreams – because if others like them can, they can.

Funny to think, but perhaps, with many successful Filipino American influencers now being brought into the spotlight, soon enough, our Filipino mom’s dream for us will no longer be limited to just two options.

Happy New Year to all Via Times readers and hardcore fans! Thank you for your continued support! We hope to bring you more interesting stories, thought provoking insights and exciting features and interviews in 2018.

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and Senior Manager for Business Analytics, Sears Holdings. She is the lead singer of the Filipino Folk band, SamaSama Project; an active Board member of the League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions and the Young Business United and is one of the inaugural delegates of the FYLPRO Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all outstanding Filipinos around the globe. If you would like to connect, email louellarose@gmail.com

Louella with Filipino American NBA Player, Jordan Clarkson (Photo Credits: Stein Garcia)

Louella with DJ Vince “Flipside” Garcia (Photo Credits: Stein Garcia)

The Silayan Singers and Friends (including myself) singing the US National Anthem before the Chicago Bulls vs LA Lakers game. (Photo Credits: Stein Garcia)

Chicago Bulls Director of Entertainment, Michelle Harris (far right), PACF Cultural Director Ruben Salazar (front row 2nd from right) and Vince Garcia aka “DJ Flipside” (back row middle) along with other Filipino American entertainment staff (Photo Credits: Glenn Bermejo)

Louella striking a pose with the popular Luvabulls Dancers during their quick break from rehearsal backstage

Jordan Clarkson during the meet and greet and Q&A with the special ticket holders of Filipino Night with the Bulls
(Photo Credits: Glenn Bermejo)