Jo Koy, Star Stylist Brittany Hampton, Shay Mitchell Celebrate AANHPI Powerhouses at Third Annual Filipino Forces Feast

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Instead of simply being content to be present, everyone at the third annual Filipino Forces Feast and Fiesta on last Wednesday was thrilled to offer a spot at the table to creatives and entrepreneurs of Fil-Am and Philippines descent from various industries.

The Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month event was held at the West Hollywood party house previously owned by Bette Davis and now managed by production company Wheelhouse, which was sponsored by Revolve and Nike. Notable attendees included Jo Koy, who had just been appointed as a doctor and arrived fashionably late (or as some joked, “Filipino time”) following his conferment of an honorary doctorate in fine arts at the California State University, Los Angeles graduation ceremony earlier that day.

Apologizing for his tardiness, Koy playfully commented that he’s become a doctor, preparing to share the stage with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at SoFi Stadium in the upcoming year. At this event, the 53-year-old entertainer reminisced about growing up in a Filipino neighborhood as the audience indulged in delicious food such as sinigang dumplings, kare-kare tamales with braised oxtail, and Skyflake caviar paired with A5 wagyu and uni on top of SkyFlakes crackers. The menu also featured ribeye salpicao with tamarind broccolini and red beet purée, classic dishes with a twist, and ended with a blueberry gelato atop a blueberry-mansi pavlova and caramel curd for dessert.

I truly enjoy being with everyone here, a joy I didn’t experience much as a child,” Koy explained. “These gatherings typically happened at the end of church services. My mom would head to the Knights of Columbus hall, rounding up a group of friends who were all Filipino. They didn’t have social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook back then, so they’d simply recognize each other by saying ‘Pilipino?’ and then they’d socialize. That’s how our community began. My mom would be overjoyed to see how far we’ve come now… Keep creating activities that inspire the future, increase Filipino representation, celebrate life, and uphold our culture.

As a fan, I found myself immersed in an extraordinary evening, marking its beginning with a captivating five-course sunset dinner by the talented Chef Josh Espinosa at his Downtown L.A. restaurant, Sampa. The event brought together titans from various domains, including entertainment, politics, music, STEM, fashion, beauty, business, sports, philanthropy, journalism, and beyond.

The gathering saw the presence of notable figures like Timothy Granaderos, fresh from filming “The Sacrifice” in the Philippines, Akeem Hayes, star of “Him” and rapper extraordinaire, Darren Barnet, a rising talent graced by The Hollywood Reporter, actress Paris Berelc, fashionable stylist Brittany Hampton, hair colorist extraordinaire Tracey Cunningham, ColorCreative talent manager Ana Bedaya, designer Aleali May, Olympic skateboarder Sean Malto, Rodeo Drive Health founder Dr. Kathleen Valenton Azurin, health advisor to Lemme, model Rocky Barnes, and James Beard Award-winning chef Lord Maynard Llera, among others.

The event was orchestrated by Flip.shop’s chief brand and amplification officer, Rembrandt Flores, along with Shay Mitchell, founder of Beis, actress, and event host; Marisa Pizarro, a music industry veteran; Melissa Magsaysay, fashion journalist and co-founder of Duster; Lena Salatinjants, senior director of celebrity partnerships at Nike; and Raissa Gerona, chief brand officer at Revolve.

In the face of the Trump administration’s criticisms towards initiatives promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion, Flores encouraged participants to rely on each other and strengthen the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. Keeping up with last year’s interactive format, he posed a question to the audience: “What makes you a powerful Filipino presence?

Speaking as an advocate, my resounding reply is to persist in amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering opportunities for future generations to shatter the “glass bamboo” barrier, a term coined by writer Jane Hyun.

For DJ Samantha Duenas, better known as So Super Sam, it’s all about “infusing Filipino warmth, party atmosphere, and camaraderie into the nightlife scene, inviting everyone who wants to join in,” as she does through her popular 143 R&B club nights. Starting tomorrow, this event makes its debut once again in L.A.

Sara Tan, Refinery 29’s Beauty Director and co-host of the Gloss Angeles podcast, discussed her approach to making room for diverse voices and visages in the beauty industry, stating, “I strive to provide a platform where our unique tales can resonate and our countenances can be celebrated.”
Charina Scott, Senior Director of Brands at Revolve and FWRD, shared her personal insights, explaining, “As a first-generation immigrant, I infuse our heritage, morals, and work ethos into everything I undertake on a daily basis.

As the proud chief marketing officer at Poshmark, I’ve often expressed that this role stands out as one of the most fulfilling experiences throughout my career. My aim has consistently been to champion underrepresented voices in leadership, specifically those within the LGBTQIA and Filipino communities, as well as within the tech industry where we are few. I strive to be open, visible, and authentic about my identity, not just for myself, but also to pave the way for others who may follow in my footsteps.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me share with you a little about myself: I may be employed by Nike, but my most cherished role is that of a mom. I strive to demonstrate to my children the essence of dedication and hard work.

Guapdad 4000, better known by his rap name, employs young Filipinos at his drive-through burger joint, Hyphy Burgers. Shelby Rabara, an actress, dancer, and filmmaker, along with her husband, actor Harry Shum Jr., penned their book “Martee Dares to Dance” as a means to promote the arts and children’s literacy, while also emphasizing that dance can foster joy and cultural ties spanning generations.

Among those present were a variety of attendees, some of whom joined for the energetic afterparty. They included renowned fashion designer Puey Quinones (known for designing Magsaysay’s white pleated gown), actor Eugene Cordero, Christine Chu, journalist Janelle So, Michele Josue (director and producer of Nurse Unseen), Zeena Koda (founder of Asian American Collective and VP of Marketing at UMG Catalog), R&B singer Kiana Vee, Alex De Ocampo (senior advisor at Saban Capital Group), Jelynn Malone (founder of Mostra Coffee), music producer Byron Atienza, jewelry designer Jella Roson, musician Garth Garcia and many others.

At the gathering, people delighted in retro ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery, as well as ube and mocha iced lattes from Mostra Coffee. The event attendees received goody bags filled with items from Revolve, Beis sport slings, Nike gift cards, and True Niagen NAD+ supplements. In keeping with Filipino tradition, the evening concluded with a lively karaoke session. Check out more pictures from the AAPI Month celebration below!

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2025-05-28 21:26