SO MUCH Filipino excellence.
To celebrate Filipino American History Month, 34 legendary Fil-Ams from all over the U.S. got together for one epic photo.
Front row (sitting, from left): Kevin Nadal, Ayesha Vera-Cruz, Kalayaan Mendoza, Geena Rocero, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, Richard Mendoza, Mark Bustos; Second row (kneeling/sitting, from left): DJ Neil Armstrong, RJ Mendoza-Nadal, Ernabel Demillo, Lea Salonga, Stella Abrera, Judge Lorna Schofield, Liz Casasola, Chef Cristeta Comerford, Cecilia Pagkalinawan, Monette Rivera, Jaygee Macapugay, Lucille Javier; Third Row (standing, from left): Ken Natori, Luis Francia, Ryan Letada, EJ Samson, Mia Alvar, Rafe Totengco, Nancy Bulalacao-Leung, Ching Valdes-Aran, Nicole Ponseca, Jason Tengco, Marissa Aroy, Joe Bataan; Fourth Row (elevated, from left): Ben de Guzman, Marlo Gamora, Jose Llana.
Dreamscape Studio Photography / dreamscapestudio.net / Via Courtesy of Kevin Nadal
Nadal, an activist and professor, told BuzzFeed Philippines that the photo shoot gives more visibility to "many ways Fil-Ams have contributed to the fabric of this country, though we've remained unnoticed in history and other academic settings."
He believes these Filipino-Americans are empowering their fellow Filipinos and breaking boundaries in the U.S. In an essay for BuzzFeed Philippines, Nadal describes how the a country has largely erased and overlooked their history of excellence since 1587, when the first "Luzones Indios" set foot in Morro Bay, California — more than a century before the Mayflower even crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
Casasola — an actress, singer, and producer — added that the experience of the photo shoot was "sheer joy."
"It felt like a family reunion," she said. "Many of us met folks for the first time that night, but it felt like we had known each other much longer."
Lea Salonga
Handout / Via Getty Images Entertainment
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