WATCH: Jason Momoa considers Filipinos his “family”

Paulea Benoza

<p>Having made a connection with his Filipino fans through his heritage, Jason Momoa’s first visit in the Philippines last Tuesday went expectedly smooth.</p><p>The Hollywood actor, together with fellow star Amber Heard and director James Wan, were at SM Mall of Asia to hold a press conference ahead the world premiere of DC’s new film offering, <em>Aquaman</em>.</p><p>One of the highlights of the interview was when Jason, who became famous after playing the character of Khal Drogo in <em>Game of Thrones</em>, said that he sees the Filipino people as “family”. “As far as I'm concerned, the Philippines is like the 10th island of Hawaii. There are more Filipinos in Hawaii than Hawaiians! We're kinda basically family! So I feel like it's an honor for me to be here,” said the 39-year-old star with reference to his upbringing in Hawaii.</p><p> </p><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>“There are more Filipinos in Hawaii than Hawaiians! We’re kinda basically family! So I feel like it’s an honor for me to be here.” —Jason Momoa ❤️<br/><br/>We’d love to be in your family, Jason!!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭<a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanAsianPremiere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanAsianPremiere</a> Press Con<a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aquaman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#Aquaman</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/WarnerBros_ph?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@WarnerBros_PH</a> <a href='https://t.co/HVbJx6QYV9'>pic.twitter.com/HVbJx6QYV9</a></p>— MYX Philippines (@MYXphilippines) <a href='https://twitter.com/MYXphilippines/status/1072394346245316610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> </p><p>Aside from Jason, Amber also gave a talk about her character, Mera, whom she said was the “main driving force” of the film.</p><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>Amber Heard on what makes Mera a powerful character and the need for more representation for women in superhero movies <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> | via <a href='https://twitter.com/vincepgarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@vincepgarcia</a> <a href='https://t.co/1h04LZnvlr'>pic.twitter.com/1h04LZnvlr</a></p>— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) <a href='https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1072401410254364673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>Amber Heard on what differentiates Mera from other female superheroes: In our story, she's the main driving force. She is what makes Arthur <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aquaman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#Aquaman</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> | via <a href='https://twitter.com/vincepgarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@vincepgarcia</a> <a href='https://t.co/GqNYSRryQ7'>pic.twitter.com/GqNYSRryQ7</a></p>— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) <a href='https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1072412302190747648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> </p><p>“<em>Aquaman</em>” has premiered in the Philippines this Wednesday in all cinemas nationwide.</p>

<p> <blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>“There are more Filipinos in Hawaii than Hawaiians! We’re kinda basically family! So I feel like it’s an honor for me to be here.” —Jason Momoa ❤️<br/><br/>We’d love to be in your family, Jason!!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭<a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanAsianPremiere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanAsianPremiere</a> Press Con<a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aquaman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#Aquaman</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/WarnerBros_ph?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@WarnerBros_PH</a> <a href='https://t.co/HVbJx6QYV9'>pic.twitter.com/HVbJx6QYV9</a>— MYX Philippines (@MYXphilippines) <a href='https://twitter.com/MYXphilippines/status/1072394346245316610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> <p>Aside from Jason, Amber also gave a talk about her character, Mera, whom she said was the “main driving force” of the film.<blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>Amber Heard on what makes Mera a powerful character and the need for more representation for women in superhero movies <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> | via <a href='https://twitter.com/vincepgarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@vincepgarcia</a> <a href='https://t.co/1h04LZnvlr'>pic.twitter.com/1h04LZnvlr</a>— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) <a href='https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1072401410254364673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> <p> <blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><p dir='ltr' lang='en'>Amber Heard on what differentiates Mera from other female superheroes: In our story, she's the main driving force. She is what makes Arthur <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aquaman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#Aquaman</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/AquamanPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>#AquamanPH</a> | via <a href='https://twitter.com/vincepgarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>@vincepgarcia</a> <a href='https://t.co/GqNYSRryQ7'>pic.twitter.com/GqNYSRryQ7</a>— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) <a href='https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1072412302190747648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>December 11, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script><p> <p>“<em>Aquaman</em>” has premiered in the Philippines this Wednesday in all cinemas nationwide.

<p>Having made a connection with his Filipino fans through his heritage, Jason Momoa’s first visit in the Philippines last Tuesday went expectedly smooth.<p>The Hollywood actor, together with fellow star Amber Heard and director James Wan, were at SM Mall of Asia to hold a press conference ahead the world premiere of DC’s new film offering, <em>Aquaman</em>.<p>One of the highlights of the interview was when Jason, who became famous after playing the character of Khal Drogo in <em>Game of Thrones</em>, said that he sees the Filipino people as “family”. “As far as I'm concerned, the Philippines is like the 10th island of Hawaii. There are more Filipinos in Hawaii than Hawaiians! We're kinda basically family! So I feel like it's an honor for me to be here,” said the 39-year-old star with reference to his upbringing in Hawaii.

The 'Aquaman' star, who hails from Hawaii, felt at home in the presence of his Filipino fans during the press conference at SM Mall of Asia last Tuesday.

WATCH: Jason Momoa considers Filipinos his “family” | PUSH.COM.PH