The Filipino American entertainment industry continues to be a growing industry here in the United States. After all, music and entertaining audiences unite Filipinos wherever they may be. Within any large city Filipino population, singers, musicians, a venue to entertain at, or a fiesta to perform at, are bound to come together. You can be a Filipino from the Philippines, or a Filipino American raised here in the United States, or a Filipino raised in another country, there is just something in our blood that makes a Filipino want to perform, sing and dance.

In the last ten years, cities such as San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Chicago, Seattle, Virginia Beach, New Jersey, and a few others, have seen hundreds of concerts, festivals, fundraisers, and community events. In the early 1990s, Filipino American artists such as Jocelyn Enriquez, Kai, Pinay, One Voice, and DropNHarmony drew in large crowds wherever they performed, thus creating a very viable Filipino American entertainment scene primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. Concert promoters also emerged with concerts headlined by major Filipino artists from the Philippines, such as Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Jolina Magdangal, Apo Hiking Society, and more. Festivals and concerts seemed to grow larger and larger as Filipino artists locally and abroad began to share the same stages. Then through the media support of Filipino publications and television companies such as ABS-CBN International, GMA Pinoy TV, and KTSF Channel 26, more than ever, Filipino crowds grew and came together simultaneously in every major city.

And what about today? Well, if Filipinos can gather outside, Filipinos are certainly gathering through the Internet. Entrepreneurs and idea driven Filipinos are making their mark online, with the ability to gather thousands of readers. Of course, this isn't something new. It is a continued occurrence, with a large emergence of online avenues dedicated to the Filipino entertainment industry, through specialized websites, online stores, blogs, audio and video. With the click of a mouse, you can access live shows you've missed, get to know music artists through personal interviews, you can purchase music released in the Philippines, you can listen to the radio stations in Manila, you can read the thoughts of audiences, artists and entertainment industry professionals alike.

As this occurrence continues to grow, the entertainment industry and the internet audience can only grow closer together. The live world and the online world are becoming one, as the live world can be captured online in real time. We can watch live concerts and events from anywhere around the world. We can download new music from our favorite Filipino celebrities as soon as they release their record, or sooner. We can go behind the scenes and learn about the industry in a way that wasn't accesible before.

It's the perfect time for the Filipino entertainment industry to make some noise around the world through the live events and online avenues. It's an even more exciting time to be a Filipino entertainer, because for once ... the world really is your stage.

Here are some new and emerging online avenues relating to the Filipino American entertainment scene:
DJ Romeo - an online journal and blog of Fil-Am Radio DJ
Fil-AMusic.com - an online music magazine for Filipino Americans
iAmFilAm.com - an online Filipino American lifestyle community
Paloma Belara - an online journal and blog of a Fil-Am publicist and artist manager
PinoyTunes.net - a digital online store with the latest Filipino/OPM music

Christina Luna is an artist and event manager in the Asian American music market. Her experience includes event management, artist management, and artist publicity and marketing. Christina’s goals include creating an awareness of the Asian American music industry either through events such as the Asian American Music Conference, the Asian Icon singing competition, or through preparing Asian American artists to be at the forefront of an emerging new market.

For more of Christina's writings and thoughts, log on to: http://christinaluna.blogspot.com
If you are an artist or event interested in being featured, email: c.luna@thelunaco.com

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