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While most foreigners who visit the country enjoy exploring our beaches and seeing the sights, some take serious time in learning our culture and touching the lives of locals they meet.
Noontime program “Eat Bulaga” popularized the term “foreignoys” in a contest where they talked to foreigners who live in the country, speak Filipino, and are familiar with the culture much like your average Filipino. “Foreigner na may pusong Pinoy,” the program described them.
In a recent episode of GMA-7’s “Front Row,” two foreignoys showed that beyond their surprising mastery of the Filipino language, they have more in them that makes them certified Pinoys in their own right.
Name: Luane de Lima Originally from: Brazil Has been in the Philippines for: 3 years Occupation in the Philippines: Model/Host
Luane has been in the Philippines for three years, but she said she still finds herself marvelling at the beauty and warmth of Filipinos. “Nung dumating ako dito, nakita ko ‘yung mabubuting Pilipino,” she said. “You guys are so friendly. It’s impossible not to like a Filipino. I lived my whole life in Brazil, but for me, I feel like I have more friends here than in there.”
Though born from Brazilian parents, Luane adopted the Filipino language and culture as if she were born and raised a Pinay. She may need a bit of work in the accent department, but she understands and speaks Tagalog very well. Luane’s secret: Everyday, after work, she makes it a point to read Filipino books. Luane joined “Eat Bulaga’s” segment “You’re my Foreignay”
Luane was first seen in Philippine TV when she joined “Eat Bulaga’s” “You’re my Foreignay” segment, along with other women from different countries who have learned to love the Filipino language.
She lost to Lindsey O’Connor, a contestant from England. “Okay lang. Masaya ako kasi kaibigan ko ang nanalo,” she said, smiling. “Thank you for the opportunity of being here.” Once a week, Luane visits the Enchanted Farm Village Academy in Bulacan to do volunteer works for Gawad Kalinga
In her free time, she visits the Enchanted Farm Village Academy in Bulacan, where she’s a volunteer for Gawad Kalinga. “We give the farmers the plant, and we buy from them,” Luane said. ________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Dwaine Woolley Originally from: Australia Stayed in the Philippines for: 2 years Occupation in the Philippines: Missionary work
Dwaine arrived in the Philippines in 2011 as a missionary. He stayed in the country for two years, going from cities to provinces teaching the gospels of the Lord.
When he returned to Australia in 2013, he was a changed person. “When he came back, he wasn’t an Australian anymore. He was basically this Filipino stuck in this white person’s body,” Amber-lee, Dwaine’s sister, recalled.
His accent is still thick, but there’s no question that he knows Filipino well. “Minsan nagpapanggap ako na ‘di ako marunong mag-Tagalog tapos nagchi-chismis sila. Sinasabi ko, ‘Hala! Marunong ako, alam ko ang sinasabi niyo.’ Masaya lang!” Dwaine said with a laugh. Dwaine took the challenge of being an ice cream vendor for a day
This year, he visited the Philippines again along with one of his bandmates, Nate. Together, they took on a challenge: to be ice cream and taho vendors for a day. “Pupunta kami sa siyudad (Maynila) kasi gagawin namin ang mga challenges, para makita niyo na Pinoy talaga ako sa puso,” Dwaine, dressed in a Katipunero costume, said. “Mabuhay ang kalayaaan!”
Dwaine wowed his buyers by competing with them in translating several English words to Tagalog. At one point he said, “Alam mo ba ang Tagalog ng airplane? Salipawpaw!” When asked how he learned to speak in Tagalog so well, he answered, “Nagkaroon ako ng isang panaginip. Dinalaw ako ni Maria Makiling at tinuruan akong mag-Tagalog. Joke lang!” Mayan Fox did a collaboration with Chito Miranda, integrating Filipino words into the band’s existing song, ‘Feed the Fire’
One of the highlights of his comeback was the recording they did with Parokya ni Edgar’s lead vocalist, Chito Miranda. They met when the band toured Australia last year, and there they conceptualized the idea of a collaboration. “Nakakatuwa kasi aside from playing their songs na original din, nagco-cover din sila ng mga Pinoy, like ‘yung kanta naming ‘Mr. Suave’” Chito said of Dwaine’s band, Mayan Fox.
—Donna Allanigue/CM, GMA News
"Front Row" airs every Monday night after “Saksi” on GMA-7. Follow the program on Facebook and Twitter for updates about their upcoming documentaries.
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