Meet the Pinay behind Malaysia's Truly Asia jingle

KUALA LUMPUR – While many Filipinos are worried about the ongoing crackdown against undocumented foreign workers in Malaysia, there is also a Filipina who is making it big there. The Philippine Embassy said that despite the presence of undocumented Filipino workers in the country, there are many Filipinos who are being recognized by Malaysians. "Mataas ang tingin sa Pilipino, sapagkat well-known naman ang Filipino work ethic, ang Filipino expertise, skills, saka sa kanyang mga piniling propesyon," said Consul General Medardo Macaraig. Unknown to many, the voice behind the campaign jingle of Malaysia Tourism Board's "Malaysia Truly Asia", is a Filipina. Quezon City native Maria Jazsmine is a Filipina singer in Malaysia. "I was flattered, at first, syempre, totoo ba to? I would sing for Malaysia?" she said. She said honesty, a characteristic of Filipinos, is a trait that she's proud of, and is most liked by Malaysian. "Nakita nila yun. Hindi ako nagpapeke, pakatotoong tao lang ako. Pilipino ako, ganitong accent ko," she said. Maria Jazsmine, now a Malaysian citizen, never forgets her roots even though she's now comfortable living in Malaysia with her businessman-husband. "Ang pasasalamat ko lang, saan ako nagsimula, yung pundasyon ko, they have taught me how to be humble and to give back, to heal the communities, never, never to forget my roots," she said. Last December, she and her husband launched a big fundraising event for the benefit of kababayans who were devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.