These are just some of the words people associate with Filipinas who are in interracial relationships. Often frowned upon or ridiculed, these relationships are often depicted with plain-looking Juanas clinging to old Caucasian men.
So what then if we feature the lives of these couples without the judgment? What really is their story?
TV5 and Unitel Productions have come together to bring to Philippine TV Randolph Longhas’ acclaimed indie film, Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin, that speaks about the trials, tribulations and triumphs faced by interracial couples. Through their newest Saturday sitcom, Kano Luvs Pinay, viewers will see a juxtaposition of the Filipino experience through the eyes of a foreigner and the realization of the American dream in the eyes of a Filipina. It is a celebration of love as a universal force that doesn’t discriminate against race, color, stature or culture.
Kano Luvs Pinay features Kapatid Network’s top comedienne Tuesday Vargas playing the role of Conchita Evelyn Bigoy, a.k.a. Cookie, a 30-year-old single mom from a middle-class family who’s into the direct-selling business as her means to provide for her son. She logs in to kanoluvspinay.com, a dating site for Filipinas looking for American bachelors, and there she finds the eventual love of her life, Matthew Adams, portrayed in the show by Hollywood actor Lee O’ Brian.
As they get along, the Fil-Am couple encounters peculiar Filipino customs, showing various cultural differences that often lead to conflict such as karaoke music, extended families, immigration laws and, eventually, the choice between living here or abroad.
O’ Brian further discusses what makes their program unique from other sitcoms.
“It may be a situational comedy yet it deals with many issues that both Filipinos and foreigners alike deal with when interacting. I have not seen another show on Philippine TV that has crossed cultural borders this much. I am really excited to see the reaction from both local Filipinos and Filipinos abroad, along with the people who are their significant others. It’s another benefit of this opportunity, to see how those cross-cultural issues resonate with them.”
“What our program is dealing with and minimizing is the tendency to see an interracial couple for something other than true love. Many times the people around the couple think it’s economically motivated or it’s to get a visa when in reality the two people just love each other,” O’ Brian shares.
Will Cookie and Matthew’s love conquer all? Or will they eventually get lost in translation?
The sitcom also stars Wilma Doesn’t, Kiki Baento, Martin Escudero, Eula Caballero, veteran actors Boboy Garovillo and Ces Quesada. Chok-Chok Venida plays the role of Jon-jon, Cookie’s equally quirky 8-year-old son.
Kano Luvs Pinay premieres this Saturday, September 5, 9:00PM on TV5.