Zelda Williams, Harry Shum Jr., California AG Rob Bonta, Star Hair Colorist Tracey Cunningham Celebrate Filipino Heritage for AAPI Month
To close out Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, the second annual Filipino Forces Feast brought together a slew of Filipino-American powerhouses across entertainment, fashion, politics, philanthropy, business, finance and beyond. It was all in the spirit of of one of the Philippines’ best-known traditions: the art of hospitality. (There’s even an official word for it: magiliw na pagtanggap.)
Sponsored by Nike, the event took place on May 29 at a hillside Beverly Hills Estate. It was followed by a starry post-meal soirée that drew guests such as filmmaker Zelda Williams, Harry Shum Jr., Lovecraft Country star Jamie Chung, Dancing With the Stars pro Cheryl Burke, filmmaker Byron Atienza, actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and others.
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A seated five-course dinner was served by LA’s Sampa (helmed by chef Josh Espinosa, previously of Crustacean), with guests including California attorney general Rob Bonta, cinematographer Paul De Lumen, skateboarder Sean Malto, celebrity hair colorist (and THR Beauty Issue 2023 star) Tracey Cunningham, celebrity hairstylist Florido, DJ Samantha Duenas, designer Aleali May, filmmaker Ryan Moore, Refinery 29 beauty director Sara Tan, E! News host Erin Lim Rhodes, celebrity stylist Chris Santos, content creator Liane V, singer-songwriter AJ Rafael, Jollibee marketing exec Mikey Rizal (a descendant of Filipino revolutionary José Rizal), Rodeo Drive Health founder Kathleen Valenton Azurin, Malbon Golf co-founder Erica Malbon, journalist Janelle So and producer Hillary Soriano, to name just a few.
The host committee included Filipino Forces founder and Flip.shop chief brand and amplification officer Rembrandt Flores (who founded the event in 2023), music industry veteran Marisa Pizarro, fashion journalist and Duster co-founder Melissa Magsaysay, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas and Nike celebrity partnerships senior director Lena Salatinjants. They had one request for the dinner crowd (many donned their twist on the traditional barong shirt and organza puff-sleeved blouse): to make “an ask” of their community in honor of the Filipino tradition of welcomeness.
Bonta, the first Filipino-American to serve in California’s State Legislature, kicked off the “asks” with the ballot box in mind. “This election cycle, I’m supporting Jessica Caloza for Democratic State Assembly,” he said, and encouraged voters aligned with her values to do the same this November.
Host committee member Pizarro suggested how guests can show up for Filipino musicians: “stream their music,” name-checking Kiana V, Bella Poarch and Saweetie, to name a few.
Many guests volunteered themselves as mentors for the next generation of talents: “Everyone here inspires the kids in ourselves to dream bigger,” noted editor-turned-Nordstrom men’s fashion director Jian DeLeon (whose latest book, Street Style: Dr. Martens is due in November).
Speaking of tomes, some supportive attendees were spotted immediately adding their fellow guests’ titles to cart, among them Wanderlust Creamery co-founder Adrienne Borlongan’s The World of Ice Cream cookbook and Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan’s Mighty Flower: How Cannabis Saved My Son.
See more photos from inside the event below.
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