Online news outlets stumble on the question: Are Filipino Americans Asian enough?

R'Bonney Gabriel, a proud Filipino American, was crowned Miss Universe.

OPINION

I found it deeply troubling that major online news outlets don't consider Filipino Americans to be part of the Asian American community.

The question arises: Is R'Bonney Gabriel, a Filipino American who just won the Miss Universe title, Asian enough?

Apple News didn't think that the Filipino American Miss Universe was not worthy
to include under the Asian American banner (top). However, the story was the top story on
the search for Filipino American news (bottom).

I don't mean to be a nitpicker, but today (Jan. 19, 2022), I did online searches on Google News, Apple News and NBC under "Asian Americans" and there was no mention of R'Bonney Gabriel, the current Miss USA  also winning the title of Miss Universe Saturday night. It is odd because Gabriel made sure to mention her Filipino heritage in the interviews after winning the crown.

I checked the online news sources under "Filipino Americans" and Gabriel's historic feat of being the first Filipino American to be named Miss Universe was the top story for Google and Apple. I scrolled down to the bottom and  the Gabriel's accomplishment was not included at all.

Apparently NBC doesn't separate the different AANHPI communities. and include all of them under the title of "Asian America." However, NBC did include Gabriel's victory among its main news stories but, curiously, did not include the story in its "Asian America" page.

The Google News page for Filipino Americans had the Miss Universe winner as its top story (top photo) but the Asian American page (bottom) omitted the accomplishment entirely.

I'm not sure why, but Filipino Americans have always been difficult for East Asians to accept as Asian American because they often don't fit the East Asian stereotype: Filipinos are the second or third largest Asian subgroup in the United States, depending on your source; Filipino are predominantly Roman Catholic; English is practically a second national language; their government is modeled after the United States since it was US's only Asian colony.

And there has always been that annoying question: "Are Filipinos Asian or are they Pacific Islanders?"

I'm being generous because I'm the forgiving-sort-of-guy, but maybe its the weekend crews working during the Martin Luther King Holiday. The holiday shift has always been given to those with the least seniority. They might not be as sensitive or knowledgeable as the regular crew about the AANHPI communities and the groups that fall under that umbrella. 

Or, it could be the news editors over the weekend didn't think a pageant title is worthy of news coverage. Sure the Miss Universe contest is not life-changing or violent as some of the other news stories. I can understand that rationale, but it might not be worthy of being the top story, but it surely should be second or third. When an Asian American breaks a racial barrier, even if it's just a pageant title, the historic event deserves some attention.

When a Filipino nurse goes on strike, or a Filipino singer wins a Grammy, or a Filipino wins a Nobel Prize, or a Filipino American is elected California's Attorney General, or a Filipino wins the Miss Universe title; all of those stories should not be limited to Filipino Americans, and other Asian Americans should recognize the barrier-shattering significance of that accomplishment.

For those who make those news judgements, their definition of who are Asian Americans need to be expanded beyond East Asians. While Filipino Americans generally don't like being confused with other Asians, there is the political and social aspect of living as minorities in this country that should unite us with other Asian American ethnicities and nationalities. Filipino Americans are Americans, but they are Asian Americans, too. To think otherwise, is an insult.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Filipino American representing USA wins Miss Universe contest

MISS UNIVERSE

Miss USA, R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe 2022.

In her first meeting with the media, the newly crowned Miss Universe said in Tagalog, "Mabuhay, Philippines. Mabuhay Filipino fans. Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong ninyo."

Miss USA, R'Bonnet Gabriel, gave thanks in Tagalog: Greetings, Philippines. Greetings Filipino fans. Many thanks for your support.

"The support is everything. I feel it my heart. I heard it in the room. It was an amazing energy. The Filipino blood is so strong. We are hardworking, we're fun and we're determined, and I'm so proud to be half-Filipina," she added.

The beauty queen, a 28-year-old fashion designer, secured the title Saturday at the annual international competition, which was held this year in New Orleans. Last year’s winner, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, placed the tiara on Gabriel, who began the competition by being crowned as Miss Texas, the first Filipino American to represent that state in this pageant.

As the 80 competitors was winnowed down to the final five, Gabriel knocked it out of the park with her response when asked how she would work to demonstrate Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.

“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” the Texas resident responded, citing her work as a fashion designer using recycled materials in her creations and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.

“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”

According to her Miss Universe profile, R'Bonney is the lead sewing instructor at Magpies & Peacocks, a Houston based nonprofit design house that is dedicated to using "Fashion As A Force For Good" through sustainability and community impact.

TV personality Jeannie Mai and model Olivia Culpo—Miss Universe 2012—co-hosted the 2022 pageant, which aired on the Roku Channel. Before the winner was announced, the contestants showcased colorful, chic looks in the evening gown and swimwear contests, while also modeling radiant styles in a national costume show.

In an Instagram posting, Gabriel wrote that she designed and dyed her swimsuit cape using plastic bottles. " gathered and transformed this cape to showcase how art can be made out of what we perceive as trash. It also embodies my favorite message of "If Not Now, Then When?"

R'Bonney Gabriel unfurls her swimsuit cape with a message.

Her mission is "for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are."

"I get so many messages from young girls telling me that they are inspired by me, but it's just so important to embrace who you are, whatever culture that is. And I've, I've done that very proudly, very vocally and it's amazing to have people come to me and tell me that they are so proud of their culture, too. That is really how I want to inspire people," she added.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Filipino American from Texas speaks her mind after being crowned Miss USA

R'Bonney Gabriel will represent the US in the Miss Universe contest.

Miss Texas R'Bonney Gabriel has a lot to say after being crowned Miss USA 2022 in Reno, Nevada on Monday, thus becoming the second Filipino American to win the title.

Gabriel, 28, will go on to represent the US at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant that will be held in New Orleans Jan. 23 in 2023.

When she won the Miss Texas title earlier this year she told ABC News' local affiliate in Houston. "I'm a very proud Filipina Texan."

Many of the initial articles (unfortunately, including this blog, mea culpa) about Gabriel's accomplishment touted her as the first Filipino American to win the Miss USA title. That feat belongs to Macel Wilson of Hawaii who won the title in 1962. She was, in fact, the first non-White to win the contest. 

 Gabriel is turning out to be one of the most quotable beauty queens in recent memory and one who is not shy about proclaiming her Filipino roots.

"Oh my God, it's an honor," Gabriel told Houston Life following her win on Oct. 3, the start of Filipino American History Month. "I'm getting messages on Instagram and just social media of Filipina girls and women telling me they're so excited, they're so happy."

"They're crying tears of joy because they are inspired to go after pageantry or something," she added. "Like I'm paving the way for them to just go after whatever they want no matter what it is. So it's an honor."

“My mom is from Beaumont, Texas, and my father is from the Philippines,” Gabriel wrote in an Instagram post. “They got married in Manila, Philippines."

The new Miss USA is  fashion designer based in Houston. She also works with the nonprofit Magpies and Peacocks, teaching sewing to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in fashion design.

Gabriel also won Best in National Costume. Her look was inspired by the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet, which was created with a glamorous twist by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena.

R'Bonney Gabriel's costume reflects her dual heritage.

 "I hand-painted the same flower design from my mother’s wedding dress onto my sleeves and tied in a traditional Maria Clara Filipina collar shape. I have immense gratitude for the (opportunities) my parents provided me and wanted to express my love to them through this,” she told the GMA hosts.

“This outfit I designed with my parents in mind—tying in the flower patterns from my [mom's] wedding dress and a Filipina traditional Maria Clara collar shape,” R’Bonney said on Instagram.

“I feel at peace knowing I have put in the work to develop into the truest form of myself. I’ve learned the importance of embracing who I am,” she added. “I'm here to represent Texans, Filipina Americans, and those who push past (self-doubt) to reach their greatest potential.”

It may be difficult for the Miss Universe handlers to control the new Miss USA. In an interview with Insider a day after she won her crown, it is clear that the outspoken Gabriel is not going to fit into the beauty queen mold as she was interviewed by the Filipino network GMA, she shared her thoughts on several controversial issues

On gun control:

"In Texas, and in our country, we can't completely abolish guns but I think we need to take steps to make everybody feel safer," she added. "In Texas, you don't need a concealed handgun license to carry a gun, and I strongly disagree with that."

On abortion bans:

"I think, personally, with abortion there's so many different instances and situations in a woman's life where it could be appropriate, and other reasons why it's inappropriate," Gabriel said. "I think it's a case-by-case basis that's very personal to a woman's life in general."

"I personally believe that she should be able to make that decision on abortion, and not the government or anybody else," she added. "At the end of the day, I would want a woman to be able to have that decision. In Texas, even if its rape or incest, abortion is still illegal — and I disagree with that."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Earlier versions of this post erroneously reported that R'Bonney Grabriel was the first Filipino Americans crowned as Miss USA. For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.