Pinoy Food Fight: Vegetarians vs. Omnivores. “Hosts Tallulah & JC Gonzales” Credit: ABS-CBNI
“If a couple is in a lukewarm relationship and discover they’re expecting a baby, should they get married?” asks J.C. Gonzalez, co-host of The Filipino Channel’s weekly debate show Speak Out, to a panel of community members.
Six guests from various backgrounds and ages sit on two bright red couches facing each other, and the loaded question kicks start a verbal sparring match.
“Most Filipinos are Catholic, and because of this, parents want their children to get married in case of pregnancy,” replied Eric Datangel, 54. “But having gone through this myself, I don’t think you should go through marriage unless you’re ready.”
Visie Millares, a social worker, adamantly disagreed.
“For the sake of the child, parents should consider being legally married, if not at least trying out a civil union first,” she said.
“You don’t have to be married to be responsible for a child,” retorted Godfrey Ramos, a disc jockey.
“Pregnancy, Is It a Reason to Marry?” was the topic of this lively Sept. 22 taping of Speak Out, a unique hour-long Filipino American town hall program intended to provide a venue for Filipino American youth to speak their minds.
“A lot of Filipinos growing up in the Bay Area have an identity crisis — they’re born to Filipino parents, but they see lots of whites, Hispanics and blacks, and they can’t figure out where they fit in, in terms of emulating role models,” said Gonzalez, 30. “The goal of this show is to put more venues out there for the Filipino youth to identify with.”
The weekly show, which premiered on The Filipino Channel in August 2006, tackles hot button topics, including interracial dating, gay marriage, affirmative action, dual citizenship and the war in Iraq.
In each episode, six participants are split into two panels of three, with each presenting opposing views on the subject. Audience members are also given the opportunity to speak and ask the panelists questions. At the end of each show, everyone is encouraged to “Be Heard, Stand Up, Speak Out!”
“This show helps negate the stereotype that Filipinos are a silent minority — we are outspoken,” said the show’s co-host Tallulah, 24. “There are a lot of issues that affect communities of color aren’t being addressed on television, certainly not on game or reality shows that are ruling the airwaves, which is why I’m so happy that there is a show like Speak Out.”
“The Filipino community generally doesn’t have a voice in television,” added Gonzalez. “And that’s one of the main reasons why I’m proud of this show. It provides a vehicle for the Filipino voice to be heard.”
Speak Out has helped strengthen the idea of a Filipino American identity as opposed to a Filipino immigrant one, according to Tallulah. “For example, we did a show about leaving the nest,” she said. “This is an issue that’s a cultural divide for first and second generation Filipinos. It’s a concept that Filipinos in the Philippines wouldn’t consider for fear of the family deteriorating. But for people in the U.S., it’s encouraged.”
“The amount of feedback we get is a testament to the positive impact the show has had on young and old Filipino Americans,” said Eric Pugeda, ABS-CBN International executive producer. “Speak Out also provides a venue for young FilAms to become aware of their heritage, with the hopes of bridging the gap between their generation and that of their parents.”
www.abs-cbni.com/speakout
Speak Out airs on TFC , Sundays 7:10 p.m. PST