Artists launch Fil-Am Creative Council

Creative Council Cultural Ambassadors being inducted by Ambassador Romualdez. CONTRIBUTED

Fil-Am celebrities recently gathered for a summit and were inducted as cultural envoys by Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.

Artists are a mirror of the community’s collective consciousness and conscience. Filipino American artists have a unique role in influencing, not only the arts, media and Hollywood in the United States but also in the whole world.

This critical role is reflected in the formation of a Fil-Am Creative Council with its mission of “Community-building through Bayanihan Spirit.”

In addition to discussing Filipino Americans and their place in entertainment, they also dove into critically important issues such as anti-Asian hate and systemic racism in Hollywood. This will be the first launch of the Filipino American Creative Council whose goal is to amplify the visibility and social impact of Filipinos, bringing our stories and issues to the mainstream.

“Our mission is “Community-building through Bayanihan Spirit.” This is an opportunity to make history in unifying and empowering the Filipino community in a way that will have significant social impact for decades,” says Brad Baldia, national executive director for FPACC United.

“It truly was awe inspiring to see so many Filipino American creative minds excited about a platform where they can network and amplify their voices in order to unite the community and promote projects and causes, they are passionate about in the United States and beyond” says Nate Calima, Creative Council cultural ambassador.

Confirmed council members include: Dante Basco, Darion Basco, Krista Kleiner, Bailey Munoz, Troy Laureta, Ruby Ibarra, Princess Punzalan, Francis Lara Ho, Arnel Pineda, Jake Zyrus, Phil Tayag, Clint Ramos, Geena Rocero, Byron Atienza, Josie Smith Malave, Vallerie Castillo-Archer, Regina Aquino, Carlos “C-TRU” Santos, Shamus Murphy, Nate Calima, Reggie Lee, Sean Michael Afable, Diane Paragas, Nicole Ponseca, Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias, Josie Harrison, Tom Cunanan, Jeppy “Tita Che” Paraiso, and  Heart Defensor.

Arca Via CEO & Chairman Richard Mendoza, says, “What’s important is that we stay in the path of community, the bayanihan spirit! We as Filipino Americans will rise together!”

Organizers (from left to right) Krista Kleiner, Francis Lara Ho, Brad Baldia, Richard Mendoza, Ace Doligosa, Carlos “C-TRU” Santos, Sean Afable, Nate Calima. (Not Pictured Michael San Juan and Rose Aquino-Valeriano). CONTRIBUTED

Fil-Am Rapper C-TRU: “You can’t hate what you love. Filipino artists and creators making excellent content can have a positive impact on American culture. That’s why it’s so important to have this creative council come together to align the goals and focus of our most prominent and leading Filipinos in arts and entertainment”

Actor Sean Michael Afable: “In the past, Filipino American creatives have long been missing an important aspect as a community – unity. That’s what this summit and creative council is all about. Today is a new day with a new mindset, and it’s time to lift each other up, motivate each other to excellence, and shock the world.”

Yamashiro Hollywood Executive Chef Vallerie Castillio Archer: “I love the passion everyone had at the summit. I loved the atmosphere to be surrounded by amazing individuals that are eager to help and make the change because it is time and much needed. Now that the summit is over, this is where the hard work begins, we must start and put our words into action!”

Jorge “Jerry” Perez de Tagle, PhD, lives in the US and the Philippines. He is an author, a change management practitioner and a thought leader in the private and public sector.