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Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta: Hot AANHPI dinner served kultura on silver platter in LA

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ABS-CBN News North America

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750109176154Photo May 22 2025, 11 32 06 PM (8).jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>On May 21st, West Hollywood wasn’t just hosting another AANHPI Month dinner—it was witnessing a full-on Filipino cultural flex. The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast &amp; Fiesta capped off a magical month of AANHPI excellence, transforming Wheelhouse into a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride that was anything but ordinary.</p><div><br/></div><p>The event was the brainchild of Rembrandt Flores, who founded the Feast &amp; Fiesta in 2023 with a singular goal: to create a space where Filipino excellence isn’t just present—it’s front and center. This year, he assembled a powerhouse host committee to bring that vision to life: Raissa Gerona (Chief Brand Officer, REVOLVE), Lena Salatinjants (Head of Celebrity Partnerships, Nike), Marisa Pizarro (SVP of A&amp;R, Def Jam), Melissa Magsaysay (Journalist &amp; Author), and Shay Mitchell (Actress &amp; Founder, BEIS).</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750109028172Photo May 22 2025, 11 33 11 PM.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>What began as a casual dream has quickly become one of the most anticipated annual events for Filipino creatives and changemakers. And it’s no surprise—Rembrandt Flores has a gift for putting Filipinos in rooms where decisions are made and stories are amplified. From the start, Nike believed in that vision, signing on as the presenting partner. Major support from REVOLVE and Wheelhouse helped elevate the gathering into a cultural institution—one that celebrates not just representation, but real presence and impact.</p><div><br/></div><p>“As a Filipino Force, I take pride in representing a community whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated,” said Flores, a veteran PR executive and Chief Brand Amplification Officer at the Flip app.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Visibility is powerful. It’s essential the next generation grows up knowing they belong in every space—from private boardrooms to the big screen. My hope is to break barriers and build bridges, so young Filipino Americans can dream bigger and bolder than ever before.”</p><p>— Rembrandt Flores</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750109071193Photo May 22 2025, 6 20 47 PM.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>From the moment guests arrived, the event delivered. The evening kicked off with Skyflake Caviar, oysters, and the now-iconic sinigang dumplings courtesy of SAMPA LA. Cocktails like the Filipinotini and Baryo Bramble set the tone for a night where flavor and flair were non-negotiable.</p><div><br/></div><p>As for the guest list? Star-studded, of course. Jo Koy, Ylona Garcia, Guapdad 4000, Aleali May, Chef Kuya Lord, Darren Barnet, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Kiana V, Mica Javier, Sean Malto, Paris Berelc, Jon Jon Briones, Cristine Chiu, Shay Mitchell, Rocky Barnes, Timothy Granaderos, Bobby Berk, and more of the culture’s brightest figures showed up and showed out.</p><div><br/></div><p>During dinner, guests introduced themselves and shared what it means to be a Filipino Force in their fields—fashion, food, music, tech, film, philanthropy. These weren’t just job titles. They were declarations of identity, purpose, and a reminder of the Filipino spirit of innovation and reinvention. Rembrandt opened the floor with gratitude, acknowledging the community that made the night possible and reminding everyone that this space was built for us, by us</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750109128094Photo May 22 2025, 11 32 06 PM (9).jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>.</div><div><br/></div><p>And the night ended the only way a true Filipino gathering should: with karaoke. The mic got passed around, classics got belted out, with live accompaniment on the grand piano or acoustic guitar. Pop stars and CEOs alike sang like they were back in their childhood living rooms. And naturally, everyone was pitch perfect. In a room full of accomplished people, karaoke was the great equalizer—because in this community, no matter how high you rise, you never outgrow singing “Sweet Caroline.”</p><div><br/></div><p>The Filipino Forces Feast &amp; Fiesta is more than an event—it’s a cultural statement. It’s where community meets celebration, and where the next generation of Filipino talent sees what’s possible—not in theory, but at the table. Thanks to Rembrandt Flores—often called the unofficial ambassador between Hollywood and Manila—that table just keeps getting bigger.</p><div><br/></div><div><em>The original version of this article appears on</em> <a href="https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kollectivehustle.com%2fblog%2fthe%2dfilipino%2dforces%2dfeast%2dwas%2dthe%2daanhpi%2ddinner%2dof%2dthe%2dyear%2dand%2dthe%2dkultura%2dshowed%2dup%2dhungry&amp;umid=485c5a7e-56ad-4c49-9cc7-96e2b3c88828&amp;rct=1749504194&amp;auth=ff23a049c7d39c41bc65e253b3c52bac9cd94b53-716f994a410b7fb3307853c806de6547e7b054c6">Kollective Hustle</a></div>

<p>West Hollywood wasn’t just hosting another AANHPI Month dinner, it was witnessing a full-on Filipino cultural flex. The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast &amp; Fiesta closed out a month of AANHPI excellence as it transformed Wheelhouse into a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride.</p>

West Hollywood wasn’t just hosting another AANHPI Month dinner, it was witnessing a full-on Filipino cultural flex. The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta closed out a month of AANHPI excellence as it transformed Wheelhouse into a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride.

Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta: Hot AANHPI dinner served kultura on silver platter in LA

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Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta: Hot AANHPI dinner served kultura on silver platter in LA

ABS-CBN News North America,

Onelia MIller,

Kollective Hustle Team

Published Jun 17, 2025 05:26 AM PHT

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