- Solenn Heussaff is a Filipina but a netizen, Pepe Alas, doesn’t think so.
- Pepe made a #FilipinoIdentity thread on Twitter which includes claiming Solenn is not a Filipino.
- Solenn ended the altercation, pointing out that Pepe should just help the country and spread positive vibes.
Solenn Heussaff has always been a Filipina. However, Pepe Alas, @JoseMarioAlas on Twitter, doesn’t think so. Solenn has a Filipina mother, Cynthia Aden. She also has a father of Breton descent, Louis Paul Heussaff. Pepe made a #FilipinoIdentity thread on Twitter which includes claiming Solenn is not a Filipino.
Pepe also attached an article which insinuated that Solenn and her brother, Erwan Heussaff received negative comments over their Bicol Express recipe. He added a quote from Solenn which read:
“Kahit one-fourth Pinoy ako, I’m still Filipino. Half-Filipino, I’m still Filipino. You being pure as a Filipino 100 percent by blood, does not make you less of Filipino if you only have 50 percent. -@solennheussaff-“
Pepe claimed that what Solenn said was wrong. He also asserted that Filipino remains a concept and identity.
“This is wrong, @solennheussaff. I won’t make similarities with other nationalities or races because our case is unique, but being Filipino is not about blood or nationality. Being Filipino is beyond that… Filipino is not a race. It’s a concept, an identity.”
Pepe also added that anybody can declare their nationality as a Filipino. He insinuated that Solenn isn’t an authentic Filipino and advised that an authentic Filipino has to immerse one’s self in its identity.
“Anybody can claim to be a Filipino by nationality, @solennheussaff. Or one can say he’s Filipino even by a drop of blood. But to be an authentic Filipino? One has to immerse himself in its Identity to find out. One has to learn and understand its history.”
Solenn finally responded that she is a Filipino. She also added that she grew up in the Philippines and she has Filipino blood, Filipino heart. Solenn also knows Filipino culture. She asked why does everything, including her nationality as a Filipino, remains a battle.
“I am filipino I grew up her I am by blood I am by heart and i do know filipino culture I does everything always have to be a battle in this time and age?”
Pepe doesn’t contest her claims on being a Filipino but continued that she’s female. So, Filipina remains the correct term. He also remarked that Solenn’s notion of race and blood when it comes to a Filipino national identity.
“I am not contesting your claims of being a Filipina (not Filipino; you’re female), @solennheussaff. I am simply correcting your notion of race and blood when it pertains to our national identity. Being a Filipino/Filipina is beyond that. Filipino is not a race. It is a concept.”
Solenn ended the altercation, stating she’s a Filipino. She remarked that Pepe should just help the country and spread positive vibes and bid him to take care.
“:) im a filipino. Just focus on loving amd helping our country and spreading positive vibes. Tc”
