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Date Posted: 14:47:36 05/10/05 Tue
Author: By Saleema Devi Refran/ Inquirer News Service
Subject: Independently Pinay

Independently Pinay

Posted 07:38pm (Mla time) May 10, 2005
By Saleema Devi Refran/ Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page E1 of the May 11, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

SHE sings. She plays her own instruments. She writes her own songs. She produces albums (all 7 of her albums were independently done). She runs her own record company. She has shared the stage with David Bowie and Rob Zombie. She joins the ranks of Canada's best artists-Alanis Morrissette, Avril Lavigne, Jann Arden and Nelly Furtado.

You're probably thinking she's just like any other foreign artist touring this side of the world. Not.

Emm Gryner is proudly Pinay. Well, proudly half-Pinay to be exact.

Born to a Canadian dad and a Filipina mom, Emm became part of a growing community of Asian Americans. While she did long to explore her roots, she has only been to the Philippines twice, the first time when she was 8 and the next time when she was 17. On her third time in the country, she vows to drink in the Filipino spirit and incorporate them in her future albums.

Having been nominated three times for the Juno Awards a.k.a. Canadian Grammys, Emm and her own label,
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Dead Daisy, are fast becoming the Philippines' biggest contributions to the Canadian music scene.

2bU! was given the chance to sit down with Emm to talk about everything Filipino-and Canadian.

What do you think is something uniquely Filipino in you?

Oh wow... I don't know what to say. (Laughs) It must the fact that I love showering people with gifts. I think my mom does that as well and I don't know if this is a Filipino thing. But everywhere I go, whenever I meet Filipinos, they're just so generous. I'd like to think I'm somewhat like that. In fact, that's what I love about Filipino-and the food. (Smiles)

What Filipino food do you love?

There are just so many different types of food. It's not like any other Asian food. The fact that you can't get it all the time in Canada or in the US makes it even more special. It's not like you can get burned out on our food, like with others. Plus, it's really special.

How about Filipino music? What do you think of it? We Filipinos love to sing whether we can or not. Have you ever been to a karaoke bar?

(Laughs) Yeah, but I've never been to one.

In a regular neighborhood, we probably have one in every street corner.

Really? I better check that out. (Laughs) It seems like there's just so much emotion and soul in Filipino music. I think, in general, Filipino music comes from the heart. You know that it's really genuine. I like that. That's probably why we love to sing so much.

Any band or artist you like in particular?

Um, yeah. I like pretty much early MYMP, but the oldies stuff is kinda cool especially when I see them on TV, and Menaya, who I'm touring with. I got to see them a little bit. They're pretty cool. Do you have any bands that you can recommend I can check out?

Wow, wasn't expecting that. Well, Rivermaya and Bamboo are the biggest bands right now. There's also Eraserheads, but they disbanded already.

Yeah. I've heard about them. I'll make sure I check them out.

How was it like when you were here at 8 years old, 17 and now?

The last time I was here, when I was 17, we came with the family. I was with my dad who is Canadian and my brothers and my mom and I. My dad just couldn't handle it. He couldn't handle the heat. It's funny because I thought it was actually really beautiful here. I mean, December is not really that hot, is it?

It's actually the coldest month in the Philippines.

Yeah. (Laughs) That's a little bizarre. Imagine if he were here now. He'd be a little white ball.

Are there things you hate about Filipinos?

There's nothing that I hate about Filipinos. I really don't understand how anyone can hate such loving people. Filipinos are such great people.

Are there a lot of Filipinos in Canada?

A lot. There are a lot of Filipinos in Toronto. There's a Filipino family we usually spend Christmas with and some other holidays. It's with them that we get to experience Filipino food and other Filipino things.

That's good. Did you know a lot of Filipinos are going to Canada to be nurses and caregivers?

My mom's an RN (registered nurse). But she came to Canada in 1964.

It's recent phenomenon, really. More and more Filipinos are going out of the country to try their luck and earn money.

Really? I didn't know that. But they plan to come back?

Yes, after they earn enough.

I think they'll always come back. I was born and raised in Canada but I'm here exploring my roots. It is but normal to try new things, but then you'll always come back to where you started. That's also why I'm here. I want to learn more about my Filipino heritage and maybe incorporate that into my music. What's the use of being Filipino and Canadian at the same time if you can't put the two worlds together, right?

Catch Emm and Menaya on May 11, 5 p.m., at Music One Greenbelt; May 13 at The Village Courtyard, Cebu City; May 14 at Club North Bacolod City; and May 15 at Juice, Plazoleta, Boracay.

Emm Gryner's Philippine Homecoming Tour is presented by Fudge Magazine, Smart 286 and Skechers. It is supported by Levi's, Richmond Hotel, Asian Spirit, MYX, Escondido, Serendipity Boracay and Woof! Productions.

To get to know more about Emm and her music, visit www.emmgryner.com

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