Celebrating Filipino American Global Movers and Shakers of Urban Culture

October is when Filipino American History Month is celebrated in the United States of America. It is the commemoration of the Manila – Acapulco Galleon Trade era between 1565 to 1815 where on October 18, 1587, Nuestra Senora de Esperanza, a Manila Galleon entered what is now Morro Bay, California. “Luzon Indios” was part of the landing party sent to shore marking the first landing of Filipinos in the United States.

Filipinos are known to be great adopters, phase learners and keen observers. We take things very passionately and take it to our core, to our heart. For whatever profession it may be, we ensure that we learn and we go home with a huge takeaway or learning. As part of celebrating Filipino American History Month, We looked into Filipinos that are moving and shaping urban culture through their creative way. Thus, in this article, we have listed those who constantly pave paths and make waves globally. In terms of creativity and talent, Filipinos are known to always have their flavour and unique take for whatever culture they may be part in. The orientation that we normally have is tied up in the relationships we partake in. May it be with work/career, friends and especially family.

Willy Santos

Born in Olongapo, Subic, Philippines is a professional skateboarder in the US. Started skateboarding at 13 years old and became a pro at the age of 15 years old where he was discovered by the legend, Tony Hawk at a school fair where the superstar visited. Hailing in San Diego, California. Sometimes described as the Manny Pacquiao of Skateboarding, he has been recognized in the skateboarding scene along with the likes of Eric Koston and Tony Hawk.

With being 26 years in skateboarding, Willy Santos has been waiving not only a representation of Filipino-Americans but also Asian Americans as a whole. Santos is surely a pioneer in his chosen field–Skateboarding. Santos, a pro, is representing skateboard brands like Birdhouse project which he is lined up with another legend, Tony Hawk.

Aside from dedicating his life in professional skateboarding, he also built his own empire, WorkShop by Willy Santos which basically passing on the torch of skateboarding to the younger generation through his skate shop and actual workshop.

Jeremy Ives Viray AKA Icey Ives

A Filipino B-boy/born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Started dancing in his local community centre at an early age as a hobby then things got serious and Ives joined competition breakout and won his first title 2015.

Representing Rock Crew Tutelage. Notable also for winning titles in 2018 and 2019 RedBull BC One to name a few of the many titles that he won.

Truly a master of his own chosen craft-breaking!

JA Tecson

Born and raised in Los Angeles, a professional photographer who developed deep love at a young age and pursued passion and arts through photography. Acclaimed and renowned in his chosen field, he started doing weddings and social events.

Eventually, a gradual shift for lifestyle and worked with big brands with the likes of Converse, Nike, Stussy, Staple, Herschel to even Heineken and Hypebeast, UNDO magazine.

JA also founded a workshop called POWWOW which invites basically artists all over the world to gather in Hawaii. It is born on the desire to help others by sharing his talents and resources. With his love for the community and culture, truly JA is a global shaper with a heart.

Jian De Leon

Formerly the editorial director for Highsnobiety, a multidisciplinary magazine platform which is highly dipped in streetwear, sneaker news, luxury fashion and the likes, Jian De Leon has truly made waves with his bubbly, witty attitude in this industry.

He hosted the podcast by Highsnobiety–The Dropcast with a good colleague of his, Noah Thomas. Recently, he bid goodbye to pursue a new role at Nordstrom– a fashion giant distributor with global presence from the US to Canada and Australia.

Jian notably worked with known publishing companies specializing in lifestyle and fashion. These are Business of Fashion, Esquire, GQ, Complex and of course, Highsnobiety. Jian was recently named one of Adweek’s 2019 Young Influentials. Surely, Jian always brings his A-game and has been juicing out a big amount of fun and creativity.

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Omar Quiambao

One of a kind and truly a cultivator and innovator in the streetwear and lifestyle scene. Known as the brain behind the international known lifestyle boutique–Commonwealth, which carries international streetwear and lifestyle brands with locations in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Virginia Beach and motherland, Makati, Philippines.

He is based in LA and has truly flourished in his respective field doing creative direction, design and strategy. He has worked with big players with clientele like Puma Basketball, Stussy, Complex Con, Reebok, Asics, New Balance, Anti Social Social Club to name a few to artists like N.E.R.D, Pusha T and Travis Scott.

How crazy is that! And not to forget that he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Surely, he knows what’s up.

Chris Julian and Samantha Alonso of Fruition

Las Vegas heavyweights are founders of unique boutique–Fruition, Chris Julian and Samantha Jo Alonso founded in 2005, with a goal that is basically uplift and gives a new flare to street fashion. Fruition is continuously evolving as a go-to shop and notable clientele with the likes of Kim Jones, Jeremy Scott to Kanye West. Chris has always been fascinated in delivering new buying experience with the consistency of the look and feel of their hip and chic store. In fact, they have been offering hard-to-find vintage pieces aside from the rare releases that you may have missed from the past. Chris Julian is truly a proud Filipino yet very humble with the success he has. Not to mention, Julian has also partnered with Lebron James with Miami based boutique store–UNKNWN. But truly, Fruition for Chris Julian is a dream turned to reality as he and his team are truly bringing one-of-a-kind energy and experience to Las Vegas.

Another pillar is a girl power–Samantha Alonso, co-owner of Fruition Las Vegas, is also a frontrunner of the movement. She has been active in promoting women empowerment. She is definitely an achiever as she wears different hats, being an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, brand consultant, a philanthropist. She also built her own webstore-xosammy. Truly, Samantha is a today’s age renaissance woman who encourages to stay fit and healthy. A manifestation of this is, Mission IM’possible or MIP. Take a lead, take charge, make that choice. Go on!

Truly, accomplishments and results are testaments of hard work and learnings. Oftentimes, we are too afraid to jump the cliff or even lift a finger to start that long-shelved project. We have listed these movers and shapers that are prospering in their respective field, in their respective scene. Truly they have created their names and carved their path as they have unleashed their fullest potential. This kind of representation shows that there is nothing impossible. You just have to give it all and make it count.