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Silk butterfly sleeves flutter beneath garlands, the warm rhythm of Tagalog fills the night air, and a deep sense of belonging arises as you join a party celebrating joy. Looking around the crowd, with its exquisite interpretations of Barong Tagalog and the gorgeous silhouettes of Terno, it's clear we're all very happy to be here.
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Once a year, leaders of Filipino industries—music, film, fashion, politics, science, sports, and more—gather for the Philippine Armed Forces Celebration and Fiesta to celebrate our accomplishments and how far we've come as a community. Founder Rembrandt Flores recently hosted the 4th annual Philippine Armed Forces Celebration in West Hollywood at the Wheelhouse Club, joined by singer Jay Ray, Bay Area rapper Guapdad 4000, actress Christine Villanueva ( «Pitt» ), Miss Universe 2022 and fashion designer R'Bonnie Nola, girl group H3Rizon, rapper and producer P-Lo and many others.
The event's organizing committee is a powerful force in its own right: Flores is collaborating with Revolve's chief branding officer, Raissa Gerona; Lena Salatinjanz, Nike's senior director of celebrity and entertainment marketing; Cousin Music co-founder Marisa Pizarro; and Melissa Magsaysay, the host of the podcast Live + Well from Los Angeles Times .
After a four-course dinner from Sampa Chef Josh Espinosa, which included calamansi ricotta and key lime pie garnished with 24-karat gold, guests shared stories of how they challenged and celebrated what it means to be Filipino.
For Flores, what «started as a dinner to bring together Filipinos I admire has evolved into a platform that celebrates the extraordinary impact on our community,» he said. Rolling Stone . The publicist, wearing a barong adorned with a Jewelmer brooch in the shape of the Philippines, emphasized: «The Philippine Forces Project is a tribute to those who opened doors, a support for those who are creating the future, and a reminder to the world that Filipino culture is one of the most influential and dynamic forces shaping the global dialogue today.«.
Jay Ray, who has been touring with the Black Eyed Peas as the lead vocalist since 2018, traveling the world alongside will.i.am, APL.DE.AP, and Taboo, says an event like Filipino Forces "feels like home," recalling her journey from her hometown of San Pedro, Laguna, to Los Angeles. Jay Ray, who is of Filipino and African-American descent, is currently working on new music that she says reflects her roots, describing the songs as "soulful, inspiring, and resilient.".
«"I'm proud to be Filipina. It's the first thing I tell people: I'm from the Philippines. I carry that with me as a way of thanking my parents and the family who raised me," she says.
Meanwhile, Guapdad says the invitation "was really special for me, not only as an artist and businessman, but also as someone who is both African American and Filipino.".
«"I love inclusivity. I love representation," he continues. "Seeing other mixed-Asian artists there, like Aleali Mai, J.R. Soul of the Black Eyed Peas, and other Bay Area artists like P-Lo, made it even more personal," he says, adding, "It always feels like heritage in high definition.".
As the night wears on, the party picks up speed thanks to Donner Music, and suddenly—but quite predictably—someone comes out and starts singing, raising a speaker in the air. Like all good Filipino parties, it seems like the night is just beginning with karaoke.
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