Filipinos growing up abroad share bullying experiences in EL’s Planet video
Photos from @luelxlu/Instagram
Filipinos worldwide share a unique fascination with how foreigners perceive various aspects of Filipino culture and daily life. Whether it’s showcasing Filipino talents, celebrating traditional festivals or simply observing everyday activities, there’s a sense of pride and curiosity in seeing outsiders’ perspectives on our customs and traditions.
This keen interest transcends platforms, from YouTube reaction videos to social media posts and television segments featuring foreigners experiencing the culture firsthand.
And when searching these topics on YouTube, EL’s Planet videos consistently rank at the top of the results. However, beneath this fascination lies a troubling reality for many who grew up abroad, like EL: bullying.
After exploring North American countries last year and in his latest upload on the platform, recent discussions among him and his friends, who are Filipinos who have lived abroad, shed light on the challenges faced by those who spent their formative years outside the country.
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Famous dancer Joshua Dacena, Pinoy Big Brother Season 10 former housemate Seham Daghlas, and gaming streamer Noctile, all alumni of Filipino schools abroad before moving to the Philippines, spoke about their encounters with bullying.
These discussions highlight the complex struggles faced by many Filipinos of mixed heritage.
They highlighted a common theme of initial peer support followed by a change in behavior once success was achieved. The A-Team PH dancer noted, “They would support you at first and once you’re there, they’re going to change.”
The TV personality and host, Daghlas, expressed disbelief at the comfort some find in spreading hate, saying, “It’s so hard to find people secure enough to see other people successful.”
Language and cultural differences also posed challenges for them. Speaking English in the Philippines led to alienation for Daghlas and EL, who were viewed differently due to their proficiency in English.
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The content creator later reflected on the privilege afforded to those who appear more “foreign,” remarking, “If you look foreign, you kinda have a pass.”
Reflecting on their experiences, they emphasized the importance of authenticity and finding genuine support from people who truly care for them.
Zero Studio’s Dacena spoke of overcoming the need to please everyone, quipping, “I’d rather have people who support me for what I do than for what I do for them.”
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As Filipinos navigate identity and acceptance, conversations sparked by platforms like EL’s Planet serve as reminders of the importance of empathy, understanding and embracing diversity.
Yet, EL’s recent upload didn’t solely focus on these challenges; they also touched on the positive aspects of living abroad, studying and honing their careers as content creators and artists in their home country, the Philippines.
