The Filipinization of Jasmine Trias

First posted 04:50pm (Mla time) Sept 28, 2005
By Marinel Cruz
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A25 of the September 29, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


“I HAD A HARD TIME RECORDING the Filipino songs in my album. Someone had to explain to me what I was saying. We had to change one word because I couldn’t pronounce it.”

Jasmine Trias, the Fil-American finalist on last year’s “American Idol,” was talking about the word tandaan in the song “Sana Lagi.”

“We changed it to maramdaman,” Jasmine told a group of writers during the launch of her 14-track debut album under Universal Records. “In the end—when I finally understood what I was singing—I think I did a pretty good job.”

Jasmine, who grew up in Hawaii, has been in the country since early September. This time around—her first visit was in October 2004—her mom, Nora, accompanied her. Dad Rudy was her companion last year. “It’s her turn to be my chaperone,” said the singer. “[But] she’s in Zambales right now, visiting our relatives there. That’s where she’s from.”

She said her dad was taking care of her brothers and sister back home.

Terrific ‘turon’

Jasmine was obviously enjoying herself outside the recording studio, too. “I spent a few days in Tagaytay. It was great. I got to experience the culture outside Metro Manila,” she enthused.

She added, “The food here is awesome!”

Jasmine said she had tried such Pinoy dishes as chicken adobo, sinigang na hipon, chicken tinola and palabok. She declared turon as “my favorite, with the brown sugar and langka.” She said people had been offering her balut. “I don’t think I can ever eat it, though.”

She was most proud of the fact that “Filipinos came together to support their own,” Jasmine said, citing the case of boxer Manny Pacquiao, who recently won the World Boxing Council International super featherweight title against Mexican Hector Velazquez.

As for her being a role model, she said: “It’s a great feeling. It makes me more motivated to keep on representing, or being an inspiration to Filipinos.”


haaay naku! nuon nung nagco-compete sya sa american idol ok sige suportahan ta ka, pero after she was asked by a filipino reporter 3 times about her filipino ancestry and SHE DENIED IT 3 TIMES e kumukulo bigla dugo ko pag naririnig ko pangalan ng bruhang ito! di siya bumenta sa US so ngayon pupunta sa pinas para magbenta ng album at may kapal pa ng mukha magsabi na “It’s a great feeling. It makes me more motivated to keep on representing, or being an inspiration to Filipinos.” ulol!