Have a family movie night with Paramount+ and their upcoming film, Monster High: The Movie. It stars two Filipina actors, Nayah Damasen and Ceci Balagot as Draculaura and Frankie Stein. Make sure to mark your calendars for October 6 for the film's release as it'll get you ready for the Halloween festivities! Check out the trailer below!
The series follows Clawdeen Wolf, who was born half human and half wolf (werewolf) as she arrives at her new school, Monster High. She quickly makes friends with her classmates Frankie Stein (Balagot) and Draculaura (Damasen), and for the first time in her life, Clawdeen feels like she has finally found a place where she fits in and can truly be herself, despite keeping her human half a secret. When a devious plan to destroy Monster High threatens to reveal her real identity, Clawdeen must learn to embrace her true monster heart and find a way to save the day.
Nayah Damasen is a Bay Area native and film and television actress who starred in guest roles including Modern Family, Henry Danger, How to Be a Latin Lover, and Grey's Anatomy. She's also a talented singer and comes from a family of singers with her grandmother performing at Filipino community events. Nayah sang the national anthem at the 2015 NBA Finals in Oakland, California for her home team, the Golden State Warriors.
Ceci Balagot is an actor who is best known for playing 'Smackle' in Girl Meets World for Disney Channel and has also been seen in other shows like Desperate Housewives, and Dispatches From Elsewhere. opposite Jason Segel & Sally Field for AMC. Ceci graduated from the Orange County School of the Arts in 2019 having studied in the Musical Theatre Conservatory and has been acting, singing and dancing since he was a toddler.
Cover Photo Credit: Ceci Balagot Instagram
Although May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, it's never too early to start celebrating. The current host of the Nick Jr. show, Blues & You, Joshua Dela Cruz is the first Asian host of the series and he definitely brings Filipino pride. Viewers have seen his Lola visit in episodes like in "Blue's Big Baking Show" where they bake bibingka together and share traditions, bringing more awareness to Filipino culture.
Now, Josh and his Lola are back teaming up for a karaoke session singing about being Filipino. The catchy tune shares lyrics about what it means to be Filipino like spending time with family, joining in a song, and feeling the love whenever visiting the Philippines. The video shows different kinds of Filipino foods, the national flag, and an animated version of the picturesque beaches found throughout the islands. Blue and friends join in on the fun so check it all out below!
Cover Photo Credit: Blue's Clues & You Youtube Channel
Get ready to feel nostalgic! Paramount+ and Nickelodeon are gearing up to release a new Blue's Clues movie with none other than Blue's current friend and Fil-Am Josh Dela Cruz! The film, Blue's Big City Adventure is bringing back another trio much like Spider-Man: No Way Home! Steve Burns and Donovan Patton (Joe) are also set to appear alongside Josh as the movie is bringing together three generations worth of Blue's Clues hosts.
It's exciting to see how all three hosts will interact with Blue and hopefully other characters. Paramount+ teased a photo still of the film where we catch Steve, Josh, Joe, and Blue possibly lost in the city. It's basically everyone's childhood in a single photo. Stay tuned for more details and its official release date sometime this year.
Blue's Clues and You is the 2019 reboot to original Blue's Clues that aired from 1996-2006. Josh Dela Cruz, the current host has been sharing Filipino traditions and guests with viewers, bringing more diversity to the show. Last year, his Lola stopped by with bibingka and sharing the meaning behind the custom of "mano po."
Most recently, H.E.R. appeared on the show as a purple T-Rex who helped kids learn the different kinds of dinosaurs. She sang her way along with Blue as Josh and Blue traveled to the "Age of Dinosaurs."
It's so exciting to see Steve, Joe, and Josh reunite in a single film that will have audiences remembering their childhoods. Don't forget to grab your pen and pad when Blue's Big City Adventure releases this year!
Cover Photo Credit: Paramount+ Twitter
Many of us grew up watching Blue's Clues on Nick Jr. and are familiar with helping figure out the clues to the adventures for the day. Since then, the revamp of Blue's Clues & You with a new host, Joshua Dela Cruz is brining more awareness to the Filipino culture.
The episode premiering on Friday, November 20th is part of the the network's "Blue Friday" campaign that's about celebrating families and giving back. We're excited because the episode will feature Josh's Lola (grandma) and they bake one of our favorite desserts, bibinka! In this extended teaser from the Asian Journal, viewers see more Filipino customs.
When sharing this with family and friends, their initial reactions include "What? No way!" and "They're recognizing Filipinos?" This made me realize how underrepresented our culture is in mainstream media and how it's still not normal to see ourselves in TV, movies, and music. There's still a long way to go equal representation in popular media, but this is a start. We're looking forward to the episode and seeing Josh, Lola, and Blue!
