It’s no secret: The presence of Filipinos in Hollywood has been growing in recent years. But beyond the Fil-Ams and the full-blooded Pinoys, actors with Filipino blood running in their veins may come in those who you least expect. Case in point: Cobra Kai and He’s All That actor Tanner Buchanan, who actually comes from a Filipino heritage!
READ: “Cobra Kai” Actor Tanner Buchanan Discusses His Filipino Heritage
American actor Tanner Buchanan dropped this tidbit about his ancestry in a video interview with GQ, where he discussed some of his favorite items. Among his list of essentials are his sticks for kali, which is also known as the Filipino martial art arnis or eskrima.
The actor had to get acclimatized to the sport during the fifth season of Cobra Kai, the Netflix series that serves as a follow-up to the '80s cult classic film franchise The Karate Kid. In the series, Tanner portrays Robby Keene, the estranged son of former bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who tormented Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as children.
Robby, who forms a penchant for martial arts like his father, picked up the Filipino martial art during season five. In the GQ interview, Tanner also linked this to his personal heritage. “My mom’s half-Filipino. My grandpa was full Filipino,” the now-25-year-old actor said. “And my mom was a second-degree black belt.”
As a child, the actor revealed to The Wrap that he took taekwondo and was a “couple belts away from black” before he had to quit due to his busy schedule. Previously, he took on Muay Thai while filming Designated Survivor.
In the GQ interview, Tanner also explained his experience with martial arts instruments. “I had a different set of kali sticks. Now I’ve kind of upgraded to these heavier versions, and these really, really hurt when you hit yourself, so you don’t wanna do it,” he said. “But I try my best. It makes me better, I guess.”
Netizens React to “Cobra Kai” Actor Tanner Buchanan Having Filipino Blood
This particular fact about Tanner received attention on TikTok, which surprised some users due to the actor’s predominantly Caucasian features.
Most commenters expressed their shock about discovering this tidbit.
To some, it made perfect sense.
Other users chimed in with a witty quip about the unique Filipino cuisine.
And of course, we’ve all heard it a mile away: the mandatory call of Filipino pride.
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