#DugongPinoy: Hollywood celebrities of Filipino descent

By Cara Emmeline Garcia

Published On: Jun 25, 2018, 09:39 AM

Updated On: Jan 14, 2020, 06:46 PM

These Hollywood celebrities are proud of their Filipino roots!

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Dante Basco

Half-Filipino actor Dante Basco is best known for his role in the live-action film Hook. He is also the voice of Zuko in the Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jake Long from the Disney series American Dragon: Jake Long.

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Christine "Happyslip" Gambito

Happyslip’s YouTube video, Mixed Nuts, won second place in the 2006 YouTube Video Awards for Best Comedy. She was also appointed as ambassador for Philippine tourism by the Department of Tourism in 2008. Both of her parents are Filipino.

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Sharon Leal

American TV actress Sharon Leal, who appeared in Boston Public and Hellcats, is half-Filipino.

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Jabbawockeez

Three members of Jabbawockeez are Filipinos - Joe "Punkee" Larot, Rynan "Kid Rainen" Paguio, Phil "Swagger Boy" Tayag.

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Mikey Bustos

Funny man and YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos placed seventh runner-up in the finals of the first season of Canadian Idol. Both of his parents are Filipino.

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Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval

D-Trix is half-Filipino. He and the rest of his dance group, Quest Crew, won during the third season of America's Best Dance Crew.

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Jose Llana

Both parents of Broadway actor Jose Llana are Filipino.

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Cassie Ventura

Singer-actress Cassie Ventura is half-Filipino.

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Lalaine Vergara-Paras

Actress and singer-songwriter Lalaine Vergara-Paras played Miranda Sanchez in Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire. Her mother is originally from Batangas while her father is from Pampanga.

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Shay Mitchell

Actress Shay Mitchell from Pretty Little Liars is half-Filipino. Her mother is a native of Pampanga.

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Nicole Scherzinger

The Pussycat Dolls's Nicole Scherzinger is of Filipino descent.

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Monique Lhuillier

Fashion designer to the stars Monique Lhuillier is the daughter of Michel J. Lhuillier, a Filipino businessman of mixed French descent, and Amparito Llamas, a society figure and former model who is of Filipino-Spanish descent. Her clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry.

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Jessica Sanchez

American Idol Season 11 runner up Jessica Sanchez is the daughter of a Filipina from Samal, Bataan.

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Jasmine Villegas

Singer-songwriter Jasmine Villegas is half-Filipino. She appeared in Justin Bieber's music video for his hit single ,"Baby."

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Hailee Steinfeld

Academy Award nominee and 'Pitch Perfect 2' actress Hailee Steinfeld is of English, Filipino, and German descent. She dropped by 'Sunday PinaSaya' when she was in Manila for a series of concerts.

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Enrique Iglesias

The multi-hyphenated Enrique Iglesias is the son of socialite and magazine journalist Isabel Preysler, a Filipina with Spanish ancestry, to Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.

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Mutya Buena

One of the original members of the girl group Sugababes, Mutya Buena is half-Filipino.

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Anna Maria Perez de Tagle

Actress and singer Anna Maria Perez de Tagle is the granddaughter of legendary Philippine actress/singer Sylvia La Torre.

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Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista, known in the professional wrestling industry as Batista, is half-Filipino. He also played Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’sGuardians of the Galaxy.

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Lou Diamond Phillips

Actor-director Lou Diamond Phillips's mother is from Candelaria, Zambales, and is of Filipino-Spanish descent.

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Jasmine Trias

Jasmine Trias placed third on the third season of American Idol. Both her parents are Filipinos and are natives of Tanza, Cavite.

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Darren Criss

Darren Criss is best known for his portrayal of Blaine Anderson on the musical comedy-drama series Glee. His mother, a native of Cebu, is of Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino descent.

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Jerome Fontamillas

Jerome Fontamillas, member of the American alternative rock band Switchfoot, hails from Pasay City. Both of his parents are Filipinos.

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Michael Copon

One Tree Hill actor Michael Copon is half-Filipino.

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Steven R. McQueen

Actor-model Steven R. McQueen, who plays Jeremy Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries, is the grandson of Filipina actress Neile Adams.

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Cheryl Burke

Cheryl Burke from ABC's Dancing with the Stars is half-Filipina.

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Bruno Mars

The multi-awarded singer-songwriter's mother is of Filipino-Spanish descent and migrated to Hawaii from the Philippines as a child.

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Rob Schneider

Comedian Rob Schneider's mom is Filipino-American. He is best known for his roles in the comedy films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, The Hot Chick, and Grown Ups.

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Reggie Lee

Both parents of actor Reggie Lee are Filipinos and are from Quezon City, Philippines. He gained popularity for his roles in the TV series Prison Break and Grimm.

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apl.de.ap a.k.a. Allan Pineda

Rapper, record producer, and singer apl.de.ap is a native of Angeles City, Pampanga. He is best known as a member of the Grammy award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas.

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Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa's mother is of Filipino-Chinese-Spanish descent and is a native of Manila, Philippines. The actress is best known for her role as Gabriella Montez of Disney’s High School Musical series.

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Jacob Batalon

Spider-Man's best friend is a Filipino! Jacob Batalon, a Hawaii-based actor, is best known for his performance as Ned in the 2017 superhero movie 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' and 2018 film 'Avengers: Infinity War.'

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Jo Koy

Jo Koy is an American stand-up comedian who is a frequent panelist for the late night show 'Chelsea Lately.' He is of Filipino, European, and American descent. He is of Filipino blood from his mother's side.

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Nico Santos

Nico Santos is a Filipino-American actor known for portraying the sales associate Mateo Liwanag in NBC's 'Superstore' and the fabulously gay Oliver T'sien in the hit movie 'Crazy Rich Asians.' He was born in Manila and moved to the United States when he was 16.