Diaspora pride inspires music video

Dennis of Chapter2 Band

When IT professional Dennis Sy wrote the lyrics to the song “Pilipino Ako” many years ago, he intended for it to chronicle not just his personal journey of leaving his homeland in search of a dream, but also as a collective anthem for those like him, who played a game of odds in coming to the United States.

The song’s underlying message is one of pride, in being Filipino, one who is ready to face the world with determination and to overcome whatever obstacles there are along the way.

“Pilipino Ako” is finally released in the form of a music video on YouTube in time for the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October. His friend Archie Dairocas provided the music and arrangement.

Dennis is the lead vocalist for Chapter2 band. As a music producer, he did a remake of the song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” — a video that went viral within weeks of its release — under the banner of the New York Handog Project 2010.

Dennis moved to the U.S. in 1994 to work as an IT professional, leaving behind a music career that included a solo concert at the Music Museum, a recorded track on Vicor’s first Christian album, and various show appearances with theater performers such as Audie Gemora and Bernardo Bernardo. He kept his connection to the Philippine entertainment world, while pursuing a career as an IT professional for Fortune 500 companies in the U.S.

In 1996, Dennis held a solo concert at the New York Society for Ethical Culture Society in Manhattan, and performed in various shows, including one in Atlantic City. In 1998, he released his album entitled “Colours,” and followed that up with a CD launch concert at Pace University.

In 2006, he crossed path with musical director Noel Tampac, and together they formed Chapter2, a pop/acoustic showband that won the Artist of the Year at the 2006 L.A. Music Awards.

“I will continue to expand beyond my comfort zone as a musical artist,” he said. “I look forward to tackling the next challenge, be it a new song, a new video, a new show, or the branching into a yet undiscovered talent.”



3 Comments

  1. Michael Matthews wrote:

    How good it is to discover more about Dennis Sy’s musical career in the Philippines and in the USA. A talented artist and band leader.

    Michael Matthews

  2. […] School of New York and New Jersey; the Outstanding Artists awards were given to singer/songwriter Dennis Sy and hip hop artist Ryan “Hydroponikz” Abugan for their integration of FilAm culture in their […]

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: