eksyus me! pilipino ka ba?
eksyus me! pilipino ka ba?
(excuse me! are you filipino?)
“pilipino ka ba?” is a series of man-on-the-street style interviews in search of everyday filipinos doing remarkable work moving culture forward.
what does it mean to be filipino? this question, though simply stated, can be layered. it can create division. it can be charged with nuances and riddled with stereotypes. it can be difficult but it can also be simple.
my good friend alexa once wrote, "there simply is no one way to be filipino because being filipino fundamentally means being many things at once." she's right. and this series explores the exact idea that although our experiences might feel like worlds apart, there are common themes that can connect us together to build a better future.
in every video, I start with the same question, only as an ice breaker, to open up a world that even those that aren't filipino can also connect with and understand.
series
highlights
16M+ views across instagram, facebook and tiktok
featured industry legends from james beard to tony award winners
audiences in the united states, canada, australia and united kingdom
driven followers to featured accounts, up to 5K+ with one video
converted sales with businesses seeing an increase of 794%
all episodes
anna
co-founder of kasama studio
mark
celebrity makeup artist
andrea
visual artist
abi
baker, author of mayumu
tron
tattooer
ava + bianca
co-founders of oh so easy!
diana
owner of little chef little cafe
caitlyn
co-founder of femme foto
enrique
owner of fine and dandy shop
laura
owner of djablo sauce
joyce
co-founder of dieux skin
raquel
owner of baby’s philadelphia
jaysen + hannah
menswear blogger
miguel + lj
co-founders of beautiful eyes
denny
menswear blogger
leslie
head of hair and makeup
sugarfoot + spitfire
co-founders of buckwild
clint
costume designer, producer
frances
fine art tattooer
john vincent
vp at columbia records
What People Are Saying
“🔥🔥🔥”
— Ogie Alcasid, OPM Icon
“I want honestly thank you. I've been in this dark place that last several weeks. Last year, I felt on top of the world in my job. Currently in masters, planning to pursue a PhD and then guest speaking about my job.
Then, I questioned a lot of things once my leadership changed and views changed and did not feel valued. Your stories and people you've interviewed gave me a different perspective and not to give up or quit.”
— Anonymous TikTok User
“Ngl, I've pinned your content to show my students this fall! I teach a college success course rooted in the Filipino experience and these stories are so necessary!! Thank you for showcasing these powerful narratives with love from the bay!”
— @dorisdhexploris
“Coming from Las Vegas, NV. So many Pinoys here too. I was so surprised when I moved from WA 4 yrs ago... what I learned from your Vlogs is that there are so many Pinoys out there that have achieved so much that we have never heard about. You are creating a different kind of history lesson for me...the kind that needs to be repeated 10x over”
— @yr_castro
“Your series is so fun to watch!”
— Lea Salonga, TONY Award Winning Singer, Actress
“I seriously love your content. I share it all the time with my two little ones.
Living here in the U.S., there are moments they feel a bit out of place since they don't always see people who look like them... unless we make our very important trips to the only Jollibee in our city (which, let's be honest, we treat like a cultural landmark.
But whenever I show them your videos, something shifts. They light up, they feel proud, and most importantly, they feel seen. It reminds them that even if they're growing up miles away from the Philippines, their identity is something to celebrate, not shrink from.
Because of you, they've become little ambassadors, confidently sharing about the Philippines, correcting their friends (with passion), and embracing what it means to be Pinoy. And as a parent, that means everything to me.
So please keep doing what you do. You're not just creating content, you're helping kids like mine grow up knowing they belong anywhere in the world. And that's something really special.”
— Jane D.
“Now a fan. Good job!”
— Kim Atienza, TV Show Host
“I've been following you since you had maybe half the followers you have now, or less! I am a first generation Pinay living in Brooklyn who now owns 2 restaurants here after a long career in hospitality as chef/server/bartender/ sommelier/you name it, and have often felt like l'd failed my parents by not being "more successful" or "more wealthy" because I didn't go into medical.
But seeing others just like me flourishing in this industry has given me the confidence and security in knowing that I am exactly where I was meant to be — taking care of others and keeping bellies full is in my blood.. our blood!
Every day I get to bring people together with food, wine, spirits, and stories while sharing bits of my Filipino culture & heritage to everyone who walks through our doors AND with my family by my side. To me, that is success.”
— @__whiskeydiaries
“Hi Kuya!! I just wanted to appreciate you for a second. I just stumbled across your posts Pilipino Ka ba and I am so obsessed. I've tried to find a way to use my Filipino queer diasporic identity in my art and see more of myself in the world.
Your videos do that so well and highlight lives that most of us otherwise would not see. You are amazing and absolutely doing something empowering the dreams and future of Filipinosveverywhere and I am inspired by you!!!”
— Harvey T.
move our culture forward
did you know that filipinos are the third-largest asian population in the us; accounting for approximately 19% of the country's asian population? filipinos are everywhere. so that's where I need to be.
i'm currently raising funds to develop the series outside of new york city. from venturing all across the country to getting better equipment to film to hiring extra hands on location, any support that you can provide will go a very long way.
donate via any of apps below to avoid additional fees:
Venmo: @janvincentgonzales
CashApp: $janvincentgonzales
PayPal: jv@janvincentgonzales.com