Fil-Ams mourn loss of trailblazer Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias
Cobarrubias was consistent in highlighting Fil-Am talent and culture. She was interviewed at the LA Clippers Heritage Night, where she promoted artists EZ Mil and GUAPDAD. Screenshot of LA Clippers Heritage Night video
LOS ANGELES𑁋The sudden death of trailblazer Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias just before Thanksgiving stunned the Filipino American community. She was only 43 years old and had just completed a Filipino Heritage Night event for the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I actually called your phone this morning thinking the news wasn’t real,” said Jason Lustina, founder of SoCal Filipinos, in a social media tribute. “Thought you would pick up or send me a text saying that we can chat later.”
“Thank you Ros for everything that you did for the Filipino American community especially with your support of SoCal Filipinos,” Lustina added. “You always made sure we were included in events from the Filipino Heritage Nights, comedy shows and everything else.”
Cobarrubias defied expectations with her remarkable music and multimillion-dollar business accomplishments. She was a well-known radio DJ, who excelled in developing MySpace Music and interviewing big names in the music industry. She was also an expert in showcasing talent. In spite of her success, she never forgot her kababayans.
Cobarrubias was consistent in highlighting Fil-Am talent and culture. She helped promote Filipino artists, including EZ Mil and GUAPDAD, at the LA Clippers Heritage Night.
“Roslynn will be missed,” said Fil-Am R&B Prince, Jay R. “She will be remembered as someone who was trying to uplift our Fil-Am community to the world!”
Apl.de.ap honors Roslynn Cobarrubias
Fil-am celebrity Apl.de.ap paid tribute to Cobarrubias on social media. “I never gave her the flowers she deserved for putting us on MySpace when it was at its peak and helped propel us,” he said.
“She taught us about the power of the Top 8, added the Black Eyed Peas founding member. “BEP is made up of more than the guys you see onstage, and it’s people like Roslynn who made this all possible.”
Professional photographer Michael Anthony Hermogeno recalled how he met Cobarrubias on November 30, 2003.
“This young, vibrant and ambitious young woman cruised into my studio determined to make a difference in the world,” Hermogeno said in his social media tribute.
He said Cobarrubias stood for empowerment of Filipina and Asian women and the Filipino American community.
Advancing the Fil-Am community
When she spoke about her marketing company named 1587, one can instantly sense her devotion to advancing the Fil-Am community.
In a pinned post on Facebook, the late entrepreneur underscored the importance of giving back. “I love our 1587 family so much because not only do we push each other in the entertainment and music industry—but we constantly remind each other how we have to always give back and move in mission and purpose,” Cobarrubias said.
“We worked hard to be blessed with these opportunities by the universe and God that sometimes it feels like a dream,” she added.
Her dedication to community service gained recognition from notable members of the local Fil-Am community.
“In our brief time of knowing and working with each other, we both knew enough to mutually respect the work we both were doing to elevate the community and its talents,” Fil-Am entrepreneur Ted Benito told Inquirer.net.
“Roslynn was smart and built an amazing business,” Benito said. “And as a Filipina working in a predominantly male, non-white world, she proved her knowledge and her worth.”
“She will be missed tremendously by those whose lives she touched,” he added.
City of Carson Planning Commissioner Fred Docdocil said Cobarrubias always ensured that the Filipino community was well-represented. “She will be sorely missed,” he said.
