The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast and Fiesta Was the AANHPI Dinner of the Year And the Kultura Was Served Hot

Written By Onelia Miller

Photos courtesy of The Lounge Booth.

On May 21st, West Hollywood wasn’t just hosting another AANHPI Month dinner, it was witnessing a full-on Filipino cultural flex. The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta closed out a magical month of AANHPI excellence as it transformed Wheelhouse into a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride that was anything but ordinary.

Photos Courtesy of The Lounge Booth

The event was the brainchild of Rembrandt Flores, who founded the Feast & Fiesta in 2023 with one goal: create a space where Filipino excellence isn’t just seen, it’s front and center. This year, he brought together a powerhouse host committee to make it happen: Raissa Gerona (Chief Brand Officer, REVOLVE), Lena Salatinjants (Head of Celebrity Partnerships, Nike), Marisa Pizarro (SVP of A&R, Def Jam), Melissa Magsaysay (Journalist & Author), and Shay Mitchell (Actress & Founder, BEIS).

What started as a fever dream over casual conversation is now one of the most anticipated annual events for Filipino creatives and changemakers. And to no one’s surprise, this annual homage to the Filipino community at large exists because Rembrandt Flores has a gift for putting Filipinos in rooms where decisions are made and stories get amplified. From the very beginning, Nike believed in that vision and signed on as the presenting partner, with major support from REVOLVE and Wheelhouse, helping elevate the event into a full-on cultural institution that celebrates not just representation, but real presence and impact.


“As a Filipino Force, I take pride in representing a community whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated,” said Flores, veteran PR powerhouse and Chief Brand Amplification Officer of the Flip app.

“Visibility is powerful, and it’s essential the next generation grows up knowing they belong in every space, from private boardrooms to big screens. My hope is to help break barriers and build bridges so young Filipino Americans can dream bigger and bolder than ever before.”

-Rembrandt Flores


From the jump, the event delivered early on. Guests were welcomed with Skyflake Caviar, oysters, and the now-iconic sinigang dumplings courtesy of SAMPA LA. Cocktails like the Filipinotini and Baryo Bramble set the tone for a night where flavor and flair were non-negotiable.

The plated dinner to follow was a next-level expression of Filipino food, crafted by Sampa LA’s Chef Josh Espinosa, a four-course love letter to the past, future, and remix culture of our cuisine. For dessert, Wanderlust Creamery scooped nostalgia in every cone with Filipino-inspired favorites like Ube Malted Crunch and Pandan Tres Leches. San Diego-based MOSTRA Coffee kept the energy going with their award-winning roasts and Filipino lattes, fueling conversations that lasted late into the night.

The guest list? As you guessed it: packed and star-powered, of course. Jo Koy, Ylona Garcia, Guapdad 4000, Aleali May, Chef Kuya Lord, Darren Barnet, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Kiana V, Mica Javier, Sean Malto, Paris Berelc, Jon Jon Briones, Christine Chiu, Shay Mitchell, Rocky Barnes, Timothy Granaderos, Bobby Berk, and more of the culture’s biggest players showed up and showed out.

At dinner, guests introduced themselves and shared what it means to be a Filipino Force in their world — in fashion, food, music, tech, film, philanthropy. These weren’t just job titles. They were declarations of identity and purpose and reminder of the Filipino spirit of innovation and constant reinvention. Rembrandt opened the floor with gratitude, acknowledging the community that helped make the night happen, and reminding everyone that this space was built for us, by us.

Photos courtesy of The Lounge Booth.

The evening closed the only way a true Filipino gathering should. With karaoke. The mic got passed, classics got belted, with a rotation of live accompaniment of someone behind the grand piano or acoustics. And everyone from pop stars to CEOs sang like they were back in their childhood living rooms. Of course, in true form, everyone was pitch perfect. In a room full of accomplished people, karaoke was the great equalizer — because one thing is certain in this community, no matter how high you rise, you never outgrow belting out “Sweet Caroline.”

The Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta is more than an event. It’s a cultural statement. It’s where community meets celebration, and where the next generation of Filipino talent sees what’s possible, not in theory, but at the table. Thanks to Rembrandt Flores, who is dubbed as the unofficial ambassador between Hollywood and Manila (and rightfully so), that table keeps getting bigger.


Written By Onelia Miller


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