Hola tinola! Pinoy-Canadian invades the Net with Filipino tutorial video series

LOS ANGELES – Hola tinola! That’s one of the catch phrases that Filipino-Canadian Mikey Bustos likes to say on his phenomenally popular “Filipino Tutorial” video series that’s gone viral on the Internet.

In his first major interview since he uploaded the initial video only four weeks ago, the Toronto native himself expressed surprise that his folksy, humorous monologues on speaking with a Filipino accent or using the CR (short for comfort room – the toilet – to Filipinos) have become such a hit.

The videos are being shared constantly on Facebook and getting thousands of views on YouTube. Mikey told us that the series’ rapid rise in popularity has completely changed his life. He woke up one morning to see hundreds of friend requests on his Facebook account.

Running from three to seven minutes, the videos are Mikey’s winking observations on Filipino quirks and foibles. As we write this, the Pinoy accent video, which he thought would be a one-time thing that would be watched by only “a few Filipinos,” has over 479,000 views on YouTube alone. Mikey’s skits on courtship, Pinoy style, and eating balut (duck egg) have 222,000 and 145,000 views, respectively.

The 29-year-old’s take on dining, the Filipino way, has generated 114,000 hits. On his two most recent videos, Mikey gives a funny discourse on the “Uncanny Artistic Talents of Filipinos” (31,000 views) and on the other, he offers a guide on the CR. The latter was uploaded only last March 17 but it has already been viewed more than 34,000 times. These hits rise dramatically each day.

The former bank temp wasn’t exactly an unknown before he uploaded his first tutorial video only a month ago. He was a finalist in season one of “Canadian Idol,” who was described as having “the voice of an angel.”

Mikey has also released an album, “Memoirs of a Superhero,” and is working on a second one. In addition to shows in Canada and the US, the entertainer has chalked up performances in the Philippines, including front act gigs for the Manila concerts of Christina Aguilera and The Pussycat Dolls.

It’s almost hard to associate Mikey, the pop-soul singer with the shaved head and sunglasses, looking cool and serious onstage, with the eager-beaver, barong-clad comedian who explains how to use the “tabo” or rattles that “in balut, there is white, yellow, black, brown, auburn, peach and blue – it’s like eating nutritious rainbow my goodness!”

In the skits, Mikey assumes various roles, including Frank, the English-speaking, sunglasses-wearing dude who could be Mikey’s singer alter ego.

In a deodorant commercial spoof, Mikey appears shirtless as Chiolo Chascual. He peppers the videos with very Pinoy lines (“Sige, there’s mumu there!”), words (“prigider” and “gallivanting”) and catch phrases (“So long, mahjong!”). The YouTube sensation told us that he makes all the “tutorials” by himself in his bedroom – from writing the script, acting, filming to editing.

Describing himself as an overachiever in school (we’re not surprised), Mikey has been performing since he was 5 years old, appearing on TV commercials and modeling for ads. He said his mom encouraged these “extracurricular activities,” but in his adolescence, she sensed that “I wanted to pursue my entertainment career more than my science career.” He quipped, “She felt she had created a monster!”

On a “Canadian Idol” clip, the proud parents, Jerry and Cristina Bustos were misty-eyed as they talked about Mikey. The son talked about his family’s roots: “My mom is from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley while my dad, who grew up in Manila, hails from Macabebe, Pampanga.”

Growing up with a brother in Toronto, Mikey recalled that a deeply religious aunt helped raise them. As a kid, he was “always enthusiastic about everything,” including insects. He’s the co-founder of an online store (www.antscanada.com) that caters to ant enthusiasts all over the world. As if these activities were not enough, Mikey also writes songs and plays various instruments.

To Mikey, we say, “Keep it up, kulisap!”

Below are excerpts from our e-mail interview:

Are you surprised at how people, especially Filipinos all over the world, have responded to your videos?

I’m definitely surprised. I didn’t expect a random comedy skit which was uploaded one night would become such a hit and completely change my life! Initially, I thought nobody would watch the video – perhaps only a few Filipinos on Facebook would find humor in my silliness. But when I woke up to thousands of friend requests one morning, I knew something great was in the making. In retrospect, the popularity of the Filipino tutorial series showed me how Filipinos around the world, regardless of our different locations and lifestyles, seem to have a common thread to which we all relate and identify with. It has been an educational experience for me in that way.

Can you describe the family and household you grew up in, which nurtured such a humorous and observant mind?

I grew up with my Filipino parents who immigrated to Toronto in the 1970s. Somehow, my parents (as well as my many aunts and uncles) managed after all these years to maintain their “Filipino essence” and pass it on to my brother and me, which is a blessing.

My mom is very old-fashioned, strict and raised me with the highest of standards. My father is strong, pious, firm when needed and hard working. My aunt, who lived with us and helped raised us, was deeply religious. She taught us all the old customs. She was the perfect role model of a saint.

What were you like as a Filipino kid in Canada, modeling and acting in ads and TV commercials as early as when you were 5 years old?

Those days were certainly interesting, for a lack of a better word. I grew up with mostly Italian kids. I was the only Filipino and Asian in my group of friends. As a kid, I was always enthusiastic about everything, especially anything that had to do with art, science, biology, animals and insects. I was always writing stories and songs, drawing and playing with bugs. I was the overachiever in my class, head of student council, with straight “As” and won eight awards at graduation.

Performing wasn’t at the top of my favorite things to do as a kid. It was my mom who sort of “pushed” the acting and modeling as extracurricular activities. Looking back, it’s because of her that I’m doing what I do today. In my adolescence, when my mom sensed that I wanted to pursue my entertainment career more than my science career (perhaps become a doctor or veterinarian), she felt she had created a monster!

How has being a man of Filipino roots, of being a minority, heightened your appreciation of your “Filipino-ness”?

Non-Filipinos often tell me that I’ve been brought up well. They’re impressed with things like automatically removing my shoes when stepping into someone’s home, etc. (so Pinoy di ba?). Also, I’ve come to learn that being different provides such a wonderful perspective, and that being unique is the secret to living life to its fullest. Being a Filipino living in Canada, has truly always been an advantage. I stand out.

How did you come up with the idea for the first video?

The first one, “Filipino Accent Tutorial,” was just something I randomly thought of doing one night while working on products for my ants store. At the start of the year, I made a New Year’s resolution to stop ignoring YouTube and commit to uploading one video a day. The “Filipino Accent Tutorial” was supposed to be one day’s entry and that’s it, on to the next video. In two days, it became the most viewed video on my YouTube channel and the number one viewed/favorite/rated Canadian YouTube video in its category. I’m glad I have been able to preserve my Filipino accent after all these years and sometimes it slips out!

Can you take us through the process on how you create the tutorial from start to finish?

First, I open a notepad file and give the tutorial a topic title. In point form, I include all the ideas and gags I want to incorporate. Then I write the script. This is the most fun part for me. I include references that Filipinos relate to, imagine and create scenarios that I find to be consistently Filipino and create the funny punch lines and catch phrases that make the tutorial series unique. When I’m ready to film, I set up a small fluorescent light bulb and film from my bedroom using a laptop and a webcam.

Finally, when I have all the footage I need, I edit the videos using Windows Movie Maker, which is very basic video editing software. I also include my own original music playing in the background for comic ambiance. After approval from my CEO, it gets posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

As a Filipino who grew up in Canada, how much of that accent tutorial resonated with your own experience?

All of the material in the “Filipino Accent Tutorial” is meaningful to me and is true to my life. The commercial I referred to was a real commercial that amused me when I was in the Philippines in 2007. The “socialite lingo” is something I picked up from hanging out with show biz people, etc. I began speaking English as a kid with a heavy Filipino accent passed down to me by my parents, and slowly the accent got phased out.

I mentioned in the video that I did it “so the kids wouldn’t make fun of me,” but it should be noted that the kids never ever made fun of me for being Filipino or talking with an accent. I have never been made fun of for being Filipino. But I have randomly been referred to as “the dark Chinese guy” by those who don’t know about Filipinos.

For me, my brother and all my cousins, who are all first generation Filipino-Canadians, speaking with the Filipino accent is an intimate thing. Our parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. all spoke to us like that so naturally, we speak like that when we talk to someone close for example, when scolding or praising a baby/child, which in my case are my three dogs. They are pretty much my kids with their own beds, clothes and even their own Halloween costumes. I speak to them in my Filipino accent. It just doesn’t feel right speaking to them with a Canadian accent.

Your comment about how the Filipino language’s lack of the “he” and “she” pronouns is dead-on.

My mom is the president of that error. My dad is always correcting her. It’s hilarious! He also corrects her with his heavy Filipino accent, which makes it even funnier! I love them so much.

How do you react to the rare folks who don’t get the humor in your tutorials, who think you’re making fun of Filipinos?

Cher once said, “Modern art elicits discussion, introspection and conflict.” She said this in response to Lady Gaga’s meat dress controversy. To me, those elements were met by the “Filipino Accent Tutorial” video. There has been a very small minority that was offended. Most brought up the argument that “educated Filipinos” don’t speak like that. One thing I remind these people is that details regarding language have nothing to do with intelligence. These are two different things. Having an accent does not necessarily denote intellectual inferiority. When I go to the Philippines, I have a Canadian accent when I speak Tagalog and I make so many grammatical mistakes, but does that mean I am dumb? No.

In the same manner, the only way for someone to be offended is if one associates having a Filipino accent with being inferior, and that to me is what is offensive. Filipinos, like all other nationalities, have such a unique accent when speaking English. It’s warm, charming, full of culture and endearing which characterize the Filipino people.

Having any accent is actually strength, as it suggests bilingualism in the least, which necessarily denotes intelligence!

What do your own parents think of the tutorials?

They love them but I have yet to ask my mom what she thinks of our latest tutorial (“Uncanny Artistic Talents of Filipinos”) in which she makes her debut. The mom in the video, though inspired by my real mom, is largely fictional. Both my parents rarely express themselves but they do show their appreciation and admiration for my work and achievements in their own way.

With the success of these tutorials, do you plan to make a live show and tour?

The thought of stand-up comedy scares me. Every time I watch stand-up comedians, I always think, “Man, what they do is sooo hard but they’re so good at it. I wish I could be like that!” Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I was going to be considered a comedian. All my friends watch my tutorial vids and say, “That’s the typical crazy, erratic Mikey we know.”

However, in my shows, I always include spontaneous, often Filipino humor and the crowd always gets a good laugh. My Filipino accent relating to Filipino situations gets both Filipino and non-Filipino crowds laughing and cheering 100 percent of the time. I have no choice now but to delve into comedy/acting (that idea excites me) and apply this talent, which I discovered just four weeks ago, when the “Filipino Accent Tutorial” was uploaded. Like anything I do, if I touch the life of someone, that’s so fulfilling to me as an artist. I love acting and comedy. I’m so grateful that people actually find me funny!

You probably couldn’t help but see the world in a comic vein. What did you find funny in your “Canadian Idol” experience?

The “Canadian Idol” show had a psychologist on hand for all of us to speak with if we ever needed him. When I was in the Top 100, I thought the idea was silly. By the time I was in the Top 10, I needed the psychologist every day! Fame is truly a huge thing to deal with when you first get a big taste of it, especially the way “Idol” contestants are exposed to it. To me, the thought of speaking with a shrink everyday because of “Idol nightmares” is hilarious!

What advice can you give Thia Megia, who’s currently a finalist on “American Idol”?

Never doubt herself, even if elimination ends the stint, because there’s a force in her that is taking her through an experience that she had worked on from the moment she was born. The “Idol” experience is only the first stepping-stone to greater things for her if she continues to not give up and not lose her faith. There are droves of fans who will be waiting for her when her “Idol” journey ends, whether or not she wins. After a certain time, both winners and finalists become equal. Thia, enjoy and savor this God-given, once-in-a-lifetime experience! I look back with love on my “Idol” days almost every day of my life. Good luck, Thia!

Would you rather be known as a singer or a comedian?

I prefer to be known as an artist. I sing, act, write, compose, draw, dance secretly in my room and create with so many different media. I prefer to be known by various audiences for the title that those observing my work are most affected by. For those who love the tutorials, I am honored to be referred to as a comedian. For those who enjoy my music, I love that they call me a singer. For those who love my literature, I revel in the experience of being called an author or writer. For those who are fans of our many YouTube ant videos (www.antscanada.com), I love that they call me the “Ant Guy.” Who knows what other realms I’ll wander into in the future?

What makes you smile whenever you go to the Philippines?

So many! Basically many of the things included in the tutorials, from the accents/language, to the customs, etc. I love riding the calesa in the province. I love the nightclubs and parties. I love the food and that a plate of squid, which is considered gourmet cuisine and costs a lot in a Canadian restaurant, is served as fast food in the malls. I love how pious Filipino people are.

I love the wildlife in the Philippines, including the house geckoes and huge cockroaches! I love the weaver ants (ants that live in the trees) which are known scientifically as Oecophylla smaragdina (never touch them). Show biz makes me laugh so much! It’s just so unique. The commercials in the Philippines make me cry from laughter. They are so funny and no one else seems to find them funny when I’m watching them with family who lives there!

What are the differences that you’ve noticed between Filipino and Canadian or American audiences?

Obviously, the Filipino references can’t be fully appreciated if they aren’t Filipino, don’t know a Filipino or haven’t been to the Philippines. However, the differences are very small. Of course, the humor is slightly different. Filipinos tend to laugh at different things than Canadian or American audiences, but that’s expected and wonderful! I do notice that Filipinos are very patriotic and support their own so much! I feel lucky to be Pinoy. Generally, a Filipino will be quicker at wrapping the Filipino flag around an artist or someone excelling in anything. With Canadians it usually doesn’t go further than “Cool, he’s Canadian,” while with Filipinos, there seems to be true pride when they say, “Oh wow! He/she’s Filipino?”

Have you thought that the popularity of the tutorials is a double-edged sword that folks will now tend to see you in a comic light, not as a serious recording artist?

No, the comedy acts have been nothing other than amazing for all my careers, including the ant store! Those wandering into my other videos from the tutorials have been so wonderful at responding to my music, a craft that I’ve been working at my whole life. Many have said that they enjoy my comedy skits but truly love my music. Whether they prefer my music or my comedy doesn’t matter to me. They’re still appreciating my work, my creation. Many artists begin in comedy and later branch off into the world of “serious” like Will Smith and Jamie Foxx. Some even do the reverse, like Justin Timberlake via the “Saturday Night Live” skits.

You’re also the co-founder, creator and co-owner of a store that provides ant farms and ant-keeping products. Did your parents say, “Anak, aanhin mo ang mga langgam (Son, what will you do with the ants)?”

I’ve always been into animals, pets, bugs and insects. My parents had to put up with nearly every creature in the house when I was growing up. You name it—lizards, fish, dogs, chickens, flying squirrels, tarantulas, giant scorpions, cockroaches, snails, hermit crabs, ants, rats and ferrets to fish. They’re used to it all, and sometimes would say, “Don’t you think you’re getting a little old to still be playing with insects?” After the amazing success of the Ants Store—we’re shipping our one-of-a-kind products to 14 countries now and being featured on Discovery Channel, my parents now get it.

See you later, “heavy-weighter”! Take care, skater! Goodbye, stimuli! It has been fun, top gun!

On that note, readers, we say, ciao, siopao!

E-mail the columnist at [email protected].