“Nakatulong na tumira ako sa ibang bansa, mas na-appreciate ko ang Pilipinas,” said KC Concepcion during a recent event celebrating the Filipino youth of today.
 
KC, like a number of other celebrities, has become one of the stars who is trying to make a difference in and for the Philippines.
 
And as we celebrate this country’s 111th year of independence, Manila Bulletin Online highlights five celebrity moments that have made us prouder to be Filipinos.
 
US breakthrough of Charise Pempengco and Arnel Pineda
 
Charise Pempengco and Arnel Pineda -- now both enjoying budding international careers – have one major thing in common: They were discovered through the popular video website, YouTube.com.
 
Charise, a third place winner in ABS-CBN’s “Little Big Star,” hit the mother lode when popular Hollywood TV host, Ellen DeGeneres invited her to appear in her show after she got wind of Charise’s popular YouTube videos.
 
Things improved when Charise guested on “Oprah.”  Since then, Charise has performed alongside Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. Charise has already released a U.S. single, “Note to God” which debuted at number 24 on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs Chart.
 
On the other hand, Arnel Pineda is now the lead singer of American rock band, Journey.
 
In 2007, the Manila-born singer was “discovered” by Neal Schon, Journey’s guitarist, when he heard Arnel sing on YouTube. Arnel’s voice has a strong likeness to the band’s original lead singer, Steve Perry. 
 
It did not take long for the band to strike a deal with Arnel.  In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Arnel said: “For an Asian guy like me, to be in a band is so surreal. It's some sort of a miracle that this happened to me. It changed my life, overnight. Everything hasn't sunk in yet.”
 
The 41-year old has toured with the band all over Europe, America and Asia.  Journey, with Arnel as lead singer, has also released an album that debuted at number 5 in the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts.
 
Lea Salonga in ‘Miss Saigon’
 
In the 80s, she was merely one of the many teens in late noon variety show, “That’s Entertainment.”
 
However, Lea Salonga quickly rose to stardom, locally and internationally, in 1989 when she snagged the role of Kim in the British production of “Miss Saigon.”
 
“They went all around the world before landing in Manila and they auditioned 111 women and I got the part,” said the then 18-year-old Lea.
 
Having a rich background in theater as a child, the role was virtually tailor-fit to the young star who eventually won awards from the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards.
 
After her stint in “Miss Saigon,” Lea continued to make the country proud with her role as Eponine in Broadway’s “Les Miserable.”  She also lent her voice to Disney’s Princess Jasmine in “Alladin and Fa Mulan in “Mulan.”
 
Francis M’s ‘Mga Kababayan’
 
The late Francis Magalona, with his megahit “Mga Kababayan”, had spurred a number of Filipinos to love the country even more.
 
Revolutionizing the local music industry and reinventing rap to fit the Pinoys’ taste in the 90s, Magalona or Francis M had given the youth a platform to appreciate what’s indigenous, what’s Filipino.
 
“Mga kababayan ko, dapat lang malaman mo, bilib ako sa kulay ko, ako ay Pilipino,” booms out the lyrics of “Mga Kababayan.” Francis M’s nationalistic fervor also showed in his songs “Man From Manila,” “Halalan,” “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” and others.
 
The artist’s death on March 6, 2009, has emphasized his deep love for his Filipino heritage -- with family and friends bearing witness to Francis’s dedication to the country in his many collaborations and projects.
 
Manny Pacquiao as world’s top pound-for-pound boxer
 
Boxer, singer, actor and politician wannabe Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is the Filipino celebrity’s celebrity.
 
The ‘idol’ of not just his fellowmen but of other nationalities, Pacquiao has given Filipinos yet another reason to be proud of their heritage. He has won not just one but five world titles in five different weight divisions – the first Asian to accomplish such a feat.
 
“This is for my fellowmen, this is for my fellow Filipinos,” Pacman usually says in interviews. He has beaten the likes of boxing superstars Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Oscar dela Hoya.
 
Fresh from his resounding win against British Ricky Hatton for the IBO (International Boxing Organization) and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight title, his popularity has given him the privilege to choose who he wants to fight next.
 
KC Concepcion and her worthy cause
 
The daughter of beloved stars Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta, KC Concepcion is using her celebrity to bring across worthy causes – something admired and worth emulating, indeed.
 
“Since 2007, I’ve been deeply involved and committed to the United Nations WFP (World Food Program),” she said. “It’s a real honor to provide a voice to this cause against hunger.
 
“As the National Ambassador against hunger, I ask people to be more involved in this project, to this cause. I’m trying to get more people to understand what’s been happening here in the country, to give a face… to give back the opportunities and blessings I’ve been fortunate to have.”
 
Despite her inspiring work, KC Concepcion has remained grounded. “Sino ba naman ako para humarap sa inyo?” KC said in addressing the crowd of TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) recently.
 
“I’m proud to be part of this generation. It’s really inspiring for me to see what the youth are doing today.”