7 famous Hongkongers you didn’t know have Filipino roots: from Still Human’s Crisel Consunji and Bradley Cooper’s Limitless co-star T.V. Carpio, to Cantopop singers Janice and Jill Vidal

Aug 1 , 2023

Jill Vidal, Crisel Consunji and T.V. Carpio are all famous Hongkongers with Filipino roots. Photos: SCMP

Did you know these 7 Hongkongers are of Filipino descent? From Cantopop talents Janice and Jill Vidal to Skins actress Klariza Clayton, and billiards player Robbie Capito

Crisel Consunji rose to fame after her breakout role in Still Human, T.V. Carpio is a Hollywood actress and Philippines’ national hero José Rizal used to live in Mid-Levels

Hong Kong’s Filipino community is woven into the vibrant cultural tapestry of the city – and nowhere is this more apparent than in their remarkable contributions.

From Cantopop superstars and award-winning actors to professional athletes and historical figures, these Pinoys highlight the rich Filipino heritage pulsing through Hong Kong, reminding us all that real talent can make itself at home and shine through anywhere in the world.

1. Janice Vidal

Hong Kong singer Janice Vidal posing for pictures at Warner Music’s Hong Kong office in Kowloon Bay, in May 2022. Photo: Nora Tam

Hailing from Filipino, Korean and Chinese descent, Kowloon-born singer Janice Vidal has been mesmerising audiences with her soulful voice since 2005, when she was discovered for her rendition of one of the city’s Four Heavenly Kings’ – Leon Lai’s –classic ballads, “Long Distance”.

With nearly two decades of chart-topping singles, countless awards and even her own wax replica in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, this Cantopop queen is still an icon of the city’s music landscape today.

2. Jill Vidal

Singer Jill Vidal in Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, in October 2022. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

As the twin sister of Janice, Jill Vidal has definitely inherited the same genetic predisposition for music and performance. She rose to prominence around the same time as her famous sibling, though she’s forged her own distinct identity and career with catchy singles like “Tattoo”, “Being Told” and “All I Need”.

After a highly publicised arrest in Tokyo for drug possession in 2009, Jill took a lengthy break from recording, but recently returned to live performing. Last year, she released Stages, her first album in 14 years.

3. T.V. Carpio

T.V. Carpio at an Easter parade in April 2022. Photo: @tvcarpio/Instagram

This film and TV actress was born in Hong Kong before she moved to the US as a teenager. She broke into the entertainment industry as a backup dancer for A-listers like Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston before landing covetable starring roles in Across the Universe with Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood, and Limitless with Bradley Cooper.