The Jabbawockeez has performed with Shaquille O’Neal and toured with the New Kids on the Block and the Jonas Brothers.

The Filipino-American members of The Jabbawockeez – whose contrasting lively hip-hop moves and impassive costume of white masks and white gloves continue to make waves after winning 2008’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” – are proud of their roots.

“We are proud to be Filipino,” declared Chris “Cristyle” Gatdula, speaking on behalf of Joe “Emajoenation” Larot, Rynan “Kid Rainen” Paguio, and Phil “Swaggerboy” Tayag. The rest of the crew are Jeff “Phil” Nguyen, Ben “B-Tek” Chung, and Kevin “Keibee” Brewer.

Chris added that they are excited to be back in his birth country after doing a series of shows for a mall chain here last year, as well as a guest stint on ABS-CBN’s Sunday musical program, “ASAP.”

This time, The Jabbawockeez will be part of the “Musicfest 2010” along with “American Idol Season 8” champ Kris Allen and Boyce Avenue, which will take place at SM Cebu on Feb. 5 and at the McKinley Hill Concert Grounds in Taguig City on Feb. 6.

The dance crew will also be introduced as the latest addition to “ASAP's” roster of exclusive talents on Jan. 31. ABS-CBN organized the press conference last Jan. 29 to welcome The Jabbawockeez into the local entertainment industry.

Chris, Rynan, Joe, and Phil – just like many immigrant Filipinos who have The Filipino Channel (TFC) cable connection abroad – get to watch “ASAP” and look forward to be watched by their families back in the U.S. on the star-studded show.

“ASAP” executive producer Marvi Gelito explained to Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online that the arrangement with The Jabbawockeez is similar to the one with U.S.-based singer Lani Misalucha, who performs on “ASAP” – and not on rival shows – whenever she comes home, usually for a concert.

Gelito added that The Jabbawockeez would be appearing on “ASAP” for as long as the dance crew—whose thriving career in the U.S. gives them a fan base that cuts across continents—would be staying in the country.

During the Q&A with the press, on the other hand, the dance sensations said: “We’ll stay as long as you guys want us. To our fans here in the Philippines, we hope to give inspiration to you. This is our dream.”

The Jabbawockeez was formed back in 2003 in San Diego, California, and derived its name from a fictional creature in Lewis Carroll’s poem, “Jabberwockey.” They first tried out on “America’s Got Talent” in 2007 and eventually found the spotlight on “America’s Best Dance Crew,” which “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson had created for MTV.

Apart from the $100,000 grand prize, the troupe won fans from the world over, who encouraged them to keep on performing and get into other ventures like putting out an album and setting up a clothing line.

Their resume now includes the Gatorade campaign that has spawned TV ads with Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan; opening gig for the NBA All-Star Game and performing with basketball star Shaquille O’Neal; national tours with the New Kids on the Block and the Jonas Brothers; and guest spots on hit shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Next Top Model,” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” as well as in the movie “Step Up 2: The Streets.”

Despite all these successes, though, The Jabbawockeez remains grounded. Chris, for instance, couldn’t forget the old Filipino flicks that he had seen like the Andrew E starrer “Alabang Girls.” His mom is a huge fan of Tagalog soap operas, too.

Rainen, meanwhile, is amazed by the achievements of the Cebu dancing inmates, who recently worked with Michael Jackson’s choreographer for a video that aired on CNN and other news programs, and has also gone viral through YouTube.

The Fil-Ams also look forward to meeting and maybe dancing with the pretty hosts of “ASAP” though they wouldn’t, at this point, divulge who among them have really gotten their attention.