Los Angeles, California —For a Filipino entertainment journalist like me, who spent a lifetime attending press conferences and red carpets in the Philippines and is now experiencing a bit of the same routine in the U.S., it’s one thing to attend a gathering of Fil-Am talents and community achievers, but another to cover an event by non-Filipinos where the atmosphere is interestingly different.
Here, you go beyond mingling with mostly Filipino-born immigrants or locals with Filipino roots, which is often a scenario where you find yourself joking that you must have been transported back to a spot somewhere in the Philippines. Here, you come in contact with a circle whose gestures and ways make you feel you’re in new territory, carrying the Philippine flag for a good cause
We’re talking about an entertainment event held last Sunday, right where the action is—Los Angeles. The media access I was provided, courtesy of a friend who wanted me to be there, allowed me to meet high-profile figures such as Kate Linder, a veteran actress with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; decorated music producer Pepper Jay; film producer John Duffy; and Dr. Eric Zuley, the CEO of eZWay Network and acknowledged main star of the big event amid the Labor Day long weekend.
The network, a multimedia service and software platform functioning as a digital ecosystem to promote brands, launched its new L.A. headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I’m really happy for Eric. I’ve known him since he was first starting, from the beginning. He never gives up. So, I’m honored to be with him to cut the ribbon,” said Linder of The Young and The Restless soap opera.
The seasoned actress has portrayed the character Esther Valentine in that series for 43 years and counting. She received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, as the Philippines’ very own Lea Salonga, a Tony Award winner, will get hers next year.
who has a star
on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Linder also appeared in the 2023 comedy film A Little White Lie, starring Kate Hudson, Michael Shannon, and Don Johnson.
Sunday’s occasion featured a red-carpet entrance for special guests covered by Hollywood media, including Michele Marotta, podcaster for Studio City Now, who also does photojournalism.
with singer-songwriter John Michael Ferrari
I didn’t feel like an odd man out. There’s a thrill in being among a handful of Filipinos in such an event, as if I had been pulled out of my comfort zone to be with important people from the other side of the showbiz world. An amiable PR guy, Freddy Krepistman, handed me his card and said he thought he’d seen me before. That felt like a warm welcome.
Including me, I could count on one hand the attendees with Filipino roots. There was Van Dichoso of RiverRock Films, who accompanied the outfit’s CEO, Paul Bunch. Van’s business manager, Jessica Rodriguez, also graced the occasion.
Duffy, who’s working on a feature film about “an incredible story of an American boxer from Texas,” noted, “Great to be here at the ribbon cutting. eZWay has great ways of doing promotions and connecting everybody.”
Actor-model and casting director Carlos Heredia described the launch as “very important,” as L.A., in his words, “sets the wave.”
Well, with my ID as a member of the Filipino-American Press Club of California (FAPCCA) as partly my badge in interacting with beautiful people circling Hollywood, some of whom later received recognition for their achievements, I could not help but think that this experience also set a new tone for my days ahead, trying to further assimilate myself in California, dreaming.
