JE C.C.
‘Pinoy Pride’ remained on an ecstatic level in 2022, if not flared tremendously across the fields of entertainment, politics, sports, and even music.
Here’s what you can expect from every Filipino dreamer: they thrive massively in their chosen field and push harder, no matter what adversity they face. Not only do they strive to improve themselves, but also their roots and cultural heritage.
A number of our Filipinos and global citizens of Filipino descent have shined and flagged the Filipino flag around the world.
From Maria Ressa, the first Filipino Nobel laureate, who contributed so much to the country’s fight against repression, social injustice, and misinformation, to Dolly De Leon, who made history as the first Filipino to score a Golden Globes acting nomination, Philippine talent, and pride brimmed, inspiring more others to follow suit.
These are the 15 Filipinos who made us extremely proud in 2022:
Alex Eala, the first Filipino player to win a junior Gland Slam singles title.
At 17, Eala is already the highest-ranked Filipino female singles player, in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)’s history. She won her first US Open title last September, making her the First Filipina to win the female title in major, and the first Southeast Asian since Angelique Widjaja at the 2002 French Open.
Brandon Perea, star of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Nope‘
Perea is one of the newbie stars of Asian descent, that broke through Hollywood in 2022, and undoubtedly left a very good impression. The 27-year-old actor made both Puerto Rico and the Philippines proud when he was cast as one of the lead stars of the horror movie, Nope, which went on to become one of summer’s surprise box office drawers.
Chai Fonacier, star of the Irish-Filipino production ‘Nocebo‘
Aside from impressing us with her unforgettable, albeit short stint as Lucia, in the Kapuso historical portal-fantasy drama, Maria Clara at Ibarra, Fonacier made waves this year, when the trailer of her upcoming European film, Nocebo, got released in October. In the film, the multi-awarded Visayan actress, played the role of a mysterious Filipina who entered as a nanny in an English household, which began a series of unexplained horrifying events. The Irish-Filipino co-production also starred Eva Green and Mark Strong.
Dave Bautista, star of the Knives Out spin-off, Glass Onion
Bautista has been giving Filipinos a reason to be proud, for the past two decades. After completing a celebrated wrestling career, he went on to become one of the most promising stars of Asian descent in Hollywood. This year, he starred and earned nods from critics, through his exemplary performance in the film, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. He is set to reprise his role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, as well as his role in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi, Dune, next year.
Dolly de Leon, First Filipino Golden Globes acting nominee
De Leon’s Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress nomination for her riveting performance in the film, Triangle of Sadness, is the first in Philippine history. But what’s even better about such a nomination, is that it may be just the beginning of more similar feats, in the future. The actress, who has been trying her fortune in local showbiz, finally made the spotlight shine on her, and this time, she will be relentless. The possibility of her becoming the first Filipino to get an Oscar acting nomination is so strong, that even before its realization, Philippine showbiz is already brimming with pride.
EJ Obiena, Filipino pole vaulter
Filipino pole vaulter, EJ Obiena, extended his record-breaking streak in 2022, with his new career height and record-setting bronze finish at the World Championships, serving as his year’s highlight. He notably crushed his personal record when he pulled a 5.94-meter jump. In the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, he bannered the country’s athletics team by taking home 2 golds and a silver.
Hidilyn Diaz, Women’s Weightlifting Olympic and World Champion
Fresh from marrying the love of her life, the first Filipina Olympic gold medalist, carried on with her pursuit to make bigger victories in women’s weightlifting. This year, she sealed her supremacy in the support, by dominating the women’s 55kg category at the 2022 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota. The feat granted her the distinction of being a World Champion, as well, alongside her Olympic title.
Iñigo Pascual, star of the American series, Monarch
Last year, Pascual joined the league of many Filipino dreamers who aspire to make a break in Hollywood. He would ultimately become one of very few who had their dreams come true when he got cast as Ace Grayson, in the FOX series, Monarch. The series is unfortunately not getting a second season, but it surely opened a door of immense possibilities for the Kapamilya heartthrob, in Hollywood.
Jacob Batalon, top-billed American series ‘Reginald, The Vampire’
Even before his career-defining titular role in the SyFy television series, Reginald, the Vampire, Batalon was already leading the Filipino breakthrough in Hollywood, by appearing in multiple MCU films, as Tom Holland’s best friend in Spider-Man. But of course, with the recent vampire series adding to his already impressive filmography, the full-blooded Filpino Hollywood star’s career undoubtedly found a new peak.
Jodi Sta. Maria, won the country’s first Best Actress trophy at the Asian Academy Creative Awards
Sta. Maria described her Best Actress win at the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards, as the “highlight of my year”, and we couldn’t agree more. After making prestigious accolades in the Philippines for her exemplary performances in television and film, the trophy she won in Singapore, for her stellar portrayal in The Broken Marriage Vow, is a screaming testament to her unquestionable prowess as an actress.
Jo Koy, is a stand-up comedian, and an actor
Jo Koy headlining Easter Sunday, the first Hollywood-produced film about Filipinos, is undoubtedly a game changer for Filipinos who are trying to make strides in the global arena of entertainment. The sensational stand-up comedian certainly upped the ante in that pursuit and served as an inspiration for other dreamers who have been itching to become instrumental in pushing Asian representation in global media.
Leni Robredo, former Vice President, and Harvard’s Hauser Leader
Robredo has an impressive, almost faultless record of public service. Beyond her failed presidential bid, the esteemed politician continued to make her followers and the country proud.
She remained steadfast in helping the poor and disadvantaged via her Angat Buhay program. Overseas, she served as a beacon of hope and sound governance at various speaking engagements she attended. Last September, she was chosen by Harvard Kennedy School as one of its Hauser leaders, a testament to her political wisdom.
Maria Ressa, first Filipino Nobel Laureate
Ressa’s unabated pursuit of press freedom and the fight against repression, injustice, and misinformation allowed her to become the country’s first Nobel Prize winner. The distinction put her further at the forefront of the ensuing battle against tyranny, but it also made her a formidable force in the field of journalism. Within the year, she made countless appearances on various speaking engagements, as well as American TV shows. In these appearances, she relentlessly promoted her book, How To Stand Up Against A Dictator.
Olivia Rodrigo, multiple wins at the Billboards and Grammy Awards
Following the steps of Filipino artists of Filipino descent, Bruno Mars and Enrique Iglesias, the American singer-songwriter surprised the music industry when she scored top accolades from both Billboard and the Grammys this year. The ‘Driver’s License’ hitmaker took home the Best New Artist trophies from both award-giving bodies.
SB19, PPOP headliner, and Billboard chart-topper
In addition to the feats they accomplished last year, SB19 a.k.a. ‘P-POP Kings’ further forged ahead in 2018, and added incredible milestones to their repertoire. Aside from returning to the Billboard charts with their hit single, WYAT, the group also successfully held their first world tour. They were in the United States, the Middle East, and Singapore.
Soliman Cruz, star of the European film ‘To the North’
Cruz made headlines when he surprisingly bagged one of the lead roles, in the Romanian film, To The North. Used to playing father and similar character roles in the Philippines, he landed the role of a lifetime overseas, and he sure did not disappoint. The award-winning actor was a revelation to spectators at the Venice Film Festival, where the movie was exhibited, but his brilliance is no longer foreign to local audiences.
Do you think we missed another personality on the list? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section below:
