Attorney General Rob Bonta, Pastor Danny Cortez, Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer, and DJ E-Man Honored at 51st Annual Barangay Awards & Gala

Past Barangay Awards honorees the Basco Family (2022).

Los Angeles, CA, September 13, 2023 - Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), now in their 51st year, hosted the 2023 Barangay Awards & Gala on Saturday, September 30 at the LINE Hotel (3515 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90005), from 6pm-10pm. Presented by Philippine Airlines, this evening honored the community leaders and organizations that have worked tirelessly in alignment with SIPA’s mission of enriching and empowering the lives of Filipino Americans.

As one of the largest and longest-running Filipino American nonprofits in the United States, SIPA is dedicated to improving the quality of the greater Filipino American community in Historic Filipinotown. SIPA does this by not only providing vital programming and resources, but by empowering Fil-Ams to be leaders and actively engaged citizens in their communities. 

With the Barangay Awards & Gala as their flagship fundraiser, SIPA aims to raise $250,000 to support the organization’s mental health services, cultural and community programming for youth, and a health and wellness center located in Lucena on Court that is opening in January 2024.

“SIPA’s 50+ year legacy of providing direct services to residents of Historic Filipinotown is as important today as it always has been,” shares Kimmy Maniquis, Executive Director. “SIPA has served as a place where immigrant and working class community members could not only go for help, but where the next generation of leaders would be developed so that circumstances would be transformed for generations to come.”

Meet the 2023 Honorees

Derived from the word balangay, which was a pre-colonial boat used to transport people from island to island and barangay (baa·raang·gai), the Tagalog word representing ‘village,’  or one’s most intimate community, the Barangay Awards recognize and celebrate community heroes, or barangay captains, who are helping to build more abundant futures where Filipino Americans can thrive.

• Lingkod Bayan Award: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American to serve as California's Attorney General whose dedication to social justice, inclusion, and criminal justice reform led to statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians.

• Bayani Award: Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer, first Filipino-American executive chef at the renowned Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro in Los Angeles, California, and is currently the new head of Catering Operations for Philippine Airlines. Her

  excellence in the culinary arts is now globally recognized.

• Bayanihan Award: Pastor Danny Cortez, a Community Pastor for Long Beach Christian Fellowship, faith leader and LGBTQIA+ ally who is committed to shifting congregations toward inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQIA+ people, and supporting parents and caregivers to be in loving relationships with their LGBTQIA+ children.

• Malikhain Award: DJ E-Man, is considered to be one of the premier disc jockeys and music radio executives in the nation. E-Man has been the music director for Power 106 and classic Hip Hop 93.5 KDAY for the past 20 years, and has demonstrated creative innovation and artistic excellence while elevating their craft within the arts.

What Would Los Angeles Be Without Filipinos?
Filipinos have had a longstanding presence in Los Angeles, and throughout California, and are integral to the city’s history and identity: 

• Filipinos represent 4% of all 45.3 million United States immigrants 

• Los Angeles is the most populous region for Filipinos in the United States with over 500,000 Filipino residents

• Los Angeles County is home to the second largest concentration of Filipinos in the world after Manila, Philippines 

• Currently, Filipino Americans are the largest Asian American group in 10 of the 13 western states, one of the most rapidly growing Asian American populations in the nation, and is the oldest Asian population in the nation.

SIPA has been pivotal in bringing Filipino American creativity, advocacy, and innovation into the spotlight. Alumni of the organization were essential in the creation of Stockton’s Little Manila (est. 2002) and the economic development of San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District, SOMA Pilipinas (est. 2016). Their support of local businesses and entrepreneurs has brought Filipino food and culture to the masses, with restaurants like The Park's Finest BBQ, HiFi Kitchen, Genever (recently shuttered), and Amboy becoming culinary destinations for Angelenos and tourists alike. Today, SIPA is one of the largest  and most well-respected Filipino American organizations in the country, serving 3,800 people every year.

“I am proud to be part of SIPA, an organization that continually strives to celebrate the successes of Filipino Americans while serving those who are in need of mental health, economic and housing assistance,” shares SIPA Board President, Edward Malicdem. “I am also optimistic about the direction of our organization, as we make strides to help bridge the socio-economic disparities in our community, one person at a time.”

Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia, the first Asian American to hold citywide office and the first Filipino elected official, annd Deputy Chief of Staff to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Jessica Caloza, whose placemaking initiatives include the Historic Filipinotown gateway; and the rise of Fil-Am women mayors reflect how leaders are shifting social and political paradigms for their communities. 

Along with politics, Filipino Americans continue to transform and shape the arts & culture landscape too. Five time Grammy winner H.E.R. portrayed Belle in the Beauty & the Beast 30th anniversary celebration, giving young Black and Filipino fans of the Disney classic a rare opportunity to see themselves represented in this iconic role. Recognized globally for his humor, versatility, and entrepreneurship, digital content creator Bretman Rock’s 2023 memoir, “You're That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself” and MTV reality series “Following: Bretman Rock'' shows audiences how to thrive in authenticity. From Josh De La Cruz (Blues Clues), Apl de Ap (Black Eyed Peas), Bruno Mars, and Saweetie, to Olivia Rodrigo and more, Filipino American entertainers are forging new paths for future generations of creatives to follow.

The Barangay Awards and Gala included cocktails, dinner, VIP desserts provided by Sampa and Wanderlust Creamery, awards presentations, dancing, and an after party. Photo moments provided by The Lounge photo booth and Under New Mgmt.

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About SIPA:
Search To Involve Pilipino American (SIPA) enriches and empowers generations of Pilipino Americans and others by providing health and human services, community economic development, arts and culture, and a place where people of all backgrounds come together to strengthen the community. SIPA was founded in 1972 by a group of young Filipino American activists who were inspired by the Civil Rights and Anti-War movements of the 1960s. The founders wanted to address the lack of resources and opportunities for the Filipino American community in Los Angeles, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and social services. In its early years, SIPA focused on organizing community events and cultural activities to promote Filipino heritage and identity. However, as the organization grew, it began to offer a wider range of services to the community, including job training, youth development programs, business development, health education, and social services. For more information visit www.sipacares.org.