I wonder if this is a South-East Asian thing cos we Malaysians do this in equal measure.
Your quote:
> "But then you have Filipinos—and particularly Filipino media—going through lengths to feature celebrities with the vaguest heritage. "
*Cough Cough* when Crazy Rich Asians, the movie, came out, there were endless articles about Henry Golding's Malaysian heritage. And with Michelle Yeoh featured everywhere in the West, we're like all puffy with pride. But .. but... Michelle Yeoh probably wouldn't have gotten where she is now if she had stayed in Malaysia. Instead, she struck out abroad, first to Hong Kong and then branched out to the US.
The thing about Malaysia, sadly, is we're absolutely shite at cultivating local talent. On top of that we have a system influenced by one's race and religion (which NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT) that prevents local talents from really getting far ahead in Malaysia. So, they strike out abroad and because most Malaysians who make it abroad are incredibly talented, find success.
Personally, I feel it is very opportunistic to claim credit or even celebrate their success when we didn't even help them to get where they are or even help local talent to do so.
Funny thing is, as a kid at least, I always thought Michelle Yeoh came from Hong Kong.
Good point about how you cultivate (if ever) local talent, though. I mean, not that I really know anything, but you're right—I don't think I've heard of anyone who didn't take a middle route of sorts! I mentioned Ronny Chieng on Notes—I don't think he ever honed his comedy chops there, right?
I suppose at least here we can say we honed Sandara Park before she became 2NE1's Dara. But I don't want to start that argument. I don't want to be denied my mamak!
I wonder if this is a South-East Asian thing cos we Malaysians do this in equal measure.
Your quote:
> "But then you have Filipinos—and particularly Filipino media—going through lengths to feature celebrities with the vaguest heritage. "
*Cough Cough* when Crazy Rich Asians, the movie, came out, there were endless articles about Henry Golding's Malaysian heritage. And with Michelle Yeoh featured everywhere in the West, we're like all puffy with pride. But .. but... Michelle Yeoh probably wouldn't have gotten where she is now if she had stayed in Malaysia. Instead, she struck out abroad, first to Hong Kong and then branched out to the US.
The thing about Malaysia, sadly, is we're absolutely shite at cultivating local talent. On top of that we have a system influenced by one's race and religion (which NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT) that prevents local talents from really getting far ahead in Malaysia. So, they strike out abroad and because most Malaysians who make it abroad are incredibly talented, find success.
Personally, I feel it is very opportunistic to claim credit or even celebrate their success when we didn't even help them to get where they are or even help local talent to do so.
Funny thing is, as a kid at least, I always thought Michelle Yeoh came from Hong Kong.
Good point about how you cultivate (if ever) local talent, though. I mean, not that I really know anything, but you're right—I don't think I've heard of anyone who didn't take a middle route of sorts! I mentioned Ronny Chieng on Notes—I don't think he ever honed his comedy chops there, right?
I suppose at least here we can say we honed Sandara Park before she became 2NE1's Dara. But I don't want to start that argument. I don't want to be denied my mamak!