Dubai - Fahed learned how to speak Filipino just by using the karaoke.
Published: Tue 9 Apr 2019, 6:37 PM
Fahed Alblooshi looks Emirati, but nobody would ever guess that this 30-year-old banker is also a Filipino.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Abu Dhabi resident Fahed Alblooshi talks about his Emirati-Filipino heritage. His mother hails from Pangasinan, a province in the northern part of the Philippine countryside, and his father is from Abu Dhabi.
"I'm happily married and we have a son whom we named Nahyan. Oftentimes, friends call me 'bu Nahyan' which means 'father of Nahyan'."
Talking about how his parents met, Fahed recalls: "My mum used to work in the Capital and that's where she met my father."
His dad frequented his mum's workplace until, one day, he decided to ask for her hand in marriage, he said.
Being a non-Muslim, his mother accepted Islam right before they got married, and today, Fahed and his parents live together in Abu Dhabi.
Despite visiting the Philippines only twice, Fahed learned how to speak Filipino - just by using the karaoke.
"When I was a kid, I had a karaoke box that I used to sing Filipino songs such as Bakit Pa by Jessa Zaragoza. It even came to a point when I highlighted the number in the songbook so I don't forget it. It's my go-to song," he said.
His mother and her friends also enjoyed the young Fahed's affinity towards Filipino songs. "Whenever my mom brought her friends over, I would perform for them."
His love of Filipino music runs deep. Fahed teases that he will soon be releasing a video of him performing Buwan, a song that Filipinos are currently raving about back home.
Apart from that, he uses another song - Bebot by pop quartet Black-Eyed Peas - for his vlog, Emaratino, where he shares his adventures of learning more about Filipino and Emirati culture and his encounters with the kabayans of the UAE.
Through his Emaratino vlog, Fahed hopes that he can build a bridge between Filipino and Emirati cultures.
"I want to bring Emiratis and Filipinos together in harmony. I want to show Filipinos that as a local, we are all nice and approachable."
Whenever he meets Filipinos in the country, he said they are often left shocked when he starts speaking the language. "Some are left confused and some are even proud that the language is being kept alive."
One of the most memorable moments was when Alblooshi shared the stage with Filipina artiste KZ Tandingan. "When we sang together, she thanked me for learning the language and I told her that we are both Filipinos, she was awestruck."
Fahed emphasised that Filipinos in the UAE should not hesitate in approaching Emiratis. "Most Filipinos believe that you have to come prepared when approaching locals, but that's not the case, you can always approach any local and say what is on your mind."
Asked about what he loves about both cultures he says: "What I like about Filipinos are their strong family ties and acceptance. Basketball, too! With Emiratis, I like the openness, the respect and generosity. My biggest dream is to bring these two great cultures together."
keith@khaleejtimes.com
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