John Pearce: Promoting The Filipino Culture To Children Worldwide
In an exclusive interview with Modern Parenting, The Wiggles’ John Pearce talks about life as a father-to-be, promoting Filipino culture on the show, and the influence of his mom Flordeliza
We all had that childhood show we grew to and played a big role in our upbringing. We had the likes of Sesame Street and Batibot, its counterpart here in the Philippines.
The Wiggles has entertained kids since it was formed in 1991 in Australia. Initially comprised of men, today’s generation of Wiggles is a mixture of men and women. One of them is Filipino-Australian John Pearce, known as John Wiggle.
Life in Australia with Filipino values
Before being a Wiggle, John’s life was like any other kid in Australia, involved in sports and the outdoors.
“It felt completely normal to me; it was just part of my everyday life,” he shared with Modern Parenting via email. “My twin brother and I were raised in public housing in Australia, so we didn’t have much in terms of material things. Instead, we found joy in the simple pleasures, like racing each other down the street and trying to beat our own records. While our friends were playing video games, we made our own fun, and those moments became some of my fondest memories.”
In his interviews, John has been vocal about his Filipino roots, crediting his mom, Flordeliza, as his number-one supporter. She has appeared on his social media platforms, which have become must-watched by his followers.
How did he convince his mom to do it? John chuckled. ” It didn’t take much convincing! My mom has always been very supportive and is a natural joker. It was an organic and genuine way to show that I have Filipino roots. “
It’s clear that John and his siblings have been raised by their mom, judging by how he talks about her and the Filipino culture they learned, despite not being fluent in the language.
“My mom has always been my greatest supporter, cheering me on in everything from sports to dance and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. Family has always been a priority for us, and growing up with three brothers and a sister taught us the importance of sharing everything.”
Years ago, he and his wife, Jessie, traveled to Cebu, his mom’s province. Visiting where his mom grew up opened his eyes to the sacrifices she made to have a good life for the family she started in Australia.
“It was truly eye-opening to witness my family’s living conditions firsthand. It made me appreciate just how fortunate we are to live in Australia,” he said of the visit.
“Despite having so little, the smiles on everyone’s faces were inspiring [to see].”
Coming soon: Fatherhood
Aside from his role on The Wiggles, John’s schedule is about to get busier. He and Jessie are waiting for their son to arrive in December. The pregnancy has been meaningful for the couple since getting married five years ago.
“Becoming a dad has always been a dream of mine. Jessie and I have been together for 13 years, since high school, and we’ve often talked about our hopes of becoming parents one day,” he said.
The two have taken classes and have documented their preparations, which they have been nice enough to share online. John also shared recording himself alongside Jessie the first time he found out.
” After a long three-year journey of trying to have kids, we were absolutely over the moon. Each step of the way had challenges and times of uncertainty, but this was the culmination of so much hope and perseverance. It felt like the beginning of a beautiful new chapter for our family, and I’m so grateful to have that genuine moment preserved forever.”
As he and Jessie await the arrival of their son, there is no doubt that one of the things they are preparing is to raise him in a multicultural household.
“We feel incredibly grateful to have a son who will hopefully learn to speak Italian, Filipino, and English. As he embarks on this language journey, we’re excited to learn alongside him since we also only know a little. This experience will not only help him connect with his roots but also strengthen our bond as a family as we explore new languages and cultures together.”
The responsibility of being a Wiggle
The world of children’s entertainment carries a huge responsibility as it has the power to shape kids, which John knows well when he first donned the purple shirt to transform into John Wiggle.
“At first, I struggled with feelings of imposter syndrome, especially since I grew up alongside the original members,” John admitted. ” However, I soon realized how grateful I am to be in a position where I can help and positively impact the next generation of children. Knowing they will remember me as a part of their childhood is truly humbling.”
Joining the show has allowed John to showcase his Filipino heritage. The first videos he introduced included counting with his mom in Filipino and doing basic greetings. Most recently, they introduced “Bahay Kubo,” which John said holds a special memory for him, especially looking at his mom’s upbringing.
“Bahay Kubo was incredibly exciting for me because it brought back such cherished memories of my childhood,” he said, “My mom used to sing that song to me when I was a baby, and singing it again instantly transported me back to those warm, comforting moments. It felt like a beautiful connection to my roots. The song holds a special place in my heart, symbolizing not just my heritage but also the bond I have with my mom.”
John is glad the people behind the show have supported his mission to showcase his Filipino heritage.
“The Wiggles have been very inclusive of showcasing more Filipino and diverse content as part of the evolution of the Wiggles. Being half Filipino I have always been proud of my culture and I think this is a fantastic and exciting platform to share my roots with the next generation. “
And will we see more Filipino-inspired content? John grinned. “There will be more content and I would love to be able to film some of the video clips in the Philippines, that would be a dream come true.”
Speaking of the Philippines, are there plans to bring the show to the country? John is hopeful it will happen soon.
“That would be a dream come true and I think The Wiggles would love the Philippines. I would have to bring my mom along too!”
More about life as first-time parents and to-be-parents!
Valerie Weigmann: Embracing Her Journey As A New Mom
EXCLUSIVE: Maxine Medina Shares How She is Preparing for Her Baby Boy’s Arrival
Carla Lizardo and Jutt Sulit: Preparations for Their New Parenthood Journey
