MANILA, Philippines?One day before I flew to Macau recently, Kenjie Villacorte, with whom I worked in the hit Cinemalaya entry, ?Saan Nagtatago si Happiness?,? informed me that the atmosphere at the former Portuguese colony was ?more Holy Week than jolly Christmasy.? The information made me curious.

The entertainment industry in Macau gets a boost from many Pinoy talents. Walking around the Macau Tower, I was surprised to see a Filipino band performing Tagalog hit songs, while, at The Venetian, Filipino performers sing arias all over the place.

Conviction

I invited Villacorte for a nightcap at the Senado Square. He told us: ?I?ve always prayed hard to work abroad as a performer. I knew I wouldn?t be another Lea Salonga, but I really wanted to sing!? His conviction and hard work eventually landed him a job as a classical singer at a hotel in Macau.

He introduced me to two other Pinoy talents: ?Streetmosphere? performer, Nazer Salcedo, and gondolier Ernesto Acson. The former used to be a theater actor connected with Tanghalang Pilipino, while Acson was a gospel singer who had released an album (?Via Dolorosa?) back home.

The trio shared their Macau experiences with us. Salcedo: ?We sing around the malls clad in period costumes. Sometimes, I sing arias by a window. We speak English, but with an Italian accent.? But, the working conditions haven?t always been ideal. He explained: ?There are instances of intimidation from other performers. But, Pinoys always keep a low profile?although ?pag performance na, talagang lumalaban kami!?

Acson related: ?I row the gondola along the malls? ?canals,? like those seen in Venice, while other performers and I serenade guests. Everything we do is meant to please the customers. We always do our best. Filipinos are known to be hardworking, and we can endure anything!?

Salcedo proudly agreed: ?We adapt to different situations easily. You have to believe in yourself. Success isn?t measured by the color of a performer?s skin. Besides, Filipinos are much more talented!?

Getting homesick is a problem, though. ?If you?re weak, boredom and loneliness will do you in. You have to prepare yourself to be away from family and friends for a long time?otherwise, you?ll find the job tedious and unfulfilling,? admitted Acson.

Villacorte wanted to save money for the future. Unfortunately, his contract as a gondolier was recently terminated, along with many Filipino workers and expats, as a result of the global financial crisis. He recalled: ?They called me for a meeting. I thought I was going to an audition. Then, they gave me my walking papers, as well as the separation pay. On that day alone, 2,000 people were laid off!?

But, the 28-year-old artist remains optimistic: ?No one can stop me from pursuing my dreams. It?s not the end of the world. When I go home, I plan to take voice lessons. There will be other opportunities for me!? Now, that?s the Pinoy spirit!