This year’s Oscar Awards was historic in the midst of a pandemic, in which some of Filipino and other Asian descent won the prestigious award.
For her first-ever Oscar nomination, Fil-Am singer-songwriter H.E.R won.
She said her victory is a positive message for Filipinos and Black Americans.
“Me just being up there is a message. It’s a message to all the young Black and Filipino girls, that you can be up here too, you know. What you say matters, what you sing, what you write, it matters. It’s a reflection of who we are,” she said.
Being brave for fighting is the message of H.E.R. “Fight For You” for the movie “Judas and the Black Messiah.”
“Soul” also won as the best-animated film with some Filipinos playing a big part in the film, such as Filipino-Canadian animator Trevor Jimenez, story supervisor.
Attendance at this year’s Oscars is limited due to the pandemic.
Also read: Kiko Estrada, Devon Seron have broken up
Fil-Am musician H.E.R. and other Asians win at the 2021 Oscars
There are vaccinations and there are safety protocols in place for all staff, guests, and nominees.
The night was historic for Asians because aside from H.E.R., Yuh-Jung Youn, the first Korean actress to win Oscars, won as best supporting actress.
“As you know, I’m from Korea and my name is Yuh-jung Youn. Most European people call me Yuh-youn, and some of them call me Yuh-jung. But tonight, you are all forgiven,” she said. “Okay, let me pull myself together.” After thanking her Minari costars Steven Yeun and Alan Kim, Youn shouted out director Lee Isaac Chung “our captain and my director.”
“All of my [fellow] five nominees, we’re winners for different movies, we play different roles,” Youn said. “Tonight, I just have a little bit luck, I think, maybe. I’m luckier than you. And also, maybe, it’s American hospitality for a Korean actor—I’m not sure.”
But Youn, ended her speech with, “I’d like to thank my two boys, who make me go out and work,” she said. “This is the result, because mommy works so hard.”