Fil-Am artists distribute toys in LA’s Historic Filipinotown

Dante Basco, Jeppy Parisio (Comedian “Tita Che”) and Roslyn Cobarrubias (MYX Channel) have been added to a council of Filipino American artists and entertainers who advocate for the Filipino community. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES – Fil-Am artists and influencers performed and distributed toys to the Historic Filipinotown community over the holiday season.

“We got a call from Lyle Del Mundo about an event he put together with Funko at Rideback Ranch in Historic Filipinotown,” said  Nate Calima, a Los Angeles based director. “We immediately said yes because of his long history serving the Filipino American community”.

Filipino and Filipino-American identity has long been a source of conversation in the entertainment industry. Today’s celebrities are passionate about educating the public on the contributions of Filipinos, proudly proclaiming “I am a Filipino.”

Dante Basco, who played Rufio in the 1991 film “Hook,” once said, “No one even knew what a Filipino was.” In 2021, times have changed.

With the advent of social media, community organizers are utilizing a valuable tool in sharing information. Filipinos are entering all facets of media and inspiring a new generation of youth who are proud to be Filipino and want to participate in the community.

“As we celebrate the holiday season, let’s reflect on our accomplishments and celebrate them with our loved ones!” said Richard Mendoza of ArcaVia Studios CEO.

“Mother Teresa once said, ‘Life isn’t worth living unless it’s lived for others,’” said Fil-Am Actor Sean Afable. “Today was beautiful and humbling to see all of these incredibly talented Filipino artists come together to give the kids in the community more than just a show – a picture of what the giving season is all about”.

“It’s incredible to see how the entertainment industry is now coupled with education and advocacy. Filipino and Filipino American celebrities have a passion to use their influence to be an example to the next generation” says Nate Calima.

Jorge “Jerry” Perez de Tagle, PhD, lives in the U.S. and the Philippines. He is an author, a change management practitioner and a thought leader in the private and public sector. He taught at Syracuse University, New York.  [email protected]