Pan de Soul: Is playing into Filipino stereotypes necessary to make it in Hollywood?
To break through into the entertainment industry and appeal to white America, Filipino American entertainers often have to force-feed their culture. That’s according to Dre Magix, EJ Villaman and Fictitious Professor, hosts of the “Pan de Soul” podcast.
On their latest episode with special guest Anil Ratanchandani, and in collaboration with SPRHDRS, they talk about what it’s like to be Filipino in Hollywood, breaking away from typecasting, and the line between nuanced mockery and comedy.
They dive deep into one question: Is playing into these stereotypes necessary to make it in Hollywood?
Their consensus: it’s complicated.
“If I use a Filipino accent, what about it would help the story and helps create the picture of the person I'm trying to portray in that sense?” Fictitious Professor said. “In that sense, it's like painting a more well-rounded character as opposed to just relaying the information.”
In some cases, Dre Magix says, intertwining Filipino identity with entertainment is only natural, and using his platform is a way to give the broader audience a look at his take on being Filipino.
“I'm a storyteller, but I'm also, I can be funny and I've had these experiences as a human, right?” he said. “And being Filipino is just part of me being a human.”
Watch the full episode below and subscribe to “Pan de Soul” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
