Cover An unforgettable evening at Manila House celebrated Filipino-American stars Mark Dacascos and Nico Santos, shining a spotlight on Filipino excellence in Hollywood (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
An unforgettable evening at Manila House celebrated Filipino-American stars Mark Dacascos and Nico Santos, shining a spotlight on Filipino excellence in Hollywood (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
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In a heartwarming display of Filipino pride and creativity in Hollywood, the Philippines’ Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Tatler Philippines hosted an exclusive dinner at Manila House’s Rizal Room
In a heartwarming display of Filipino pride and creativity, the Philippines’ Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Tatler Philippines hosted an exclusive dinner at Manila House’s Rizal Room. The gathering brought together talented Filipino-Americans in Hollywood’s entertainment industry, cultural advocates, and industry leaders to celebrate Filipino culture and talent and its growing influence on the global stage.
The spotlight of the evening shone brightly on two outstanding stars, Mark Dacascos and Nico Santos, whose careers have paved the way for more excellent Filipino representation in Hollywood. Santos was accompanied by his mother, Tita Villanueva, and partner, Zeke Smith, while Dacascos was with his wife, American actor Julie Condra and children, Kapono and Noelani.
Read more: Who are the Filipino creative minds in Hollywood?
Above Nico Santos (right) was accompanied by his mother Tita Villanueva and husband Zeke Smith (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Nico Santos (right) was accompanied by his mother Tita Villanueva and husband Zeke Smith (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
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Santos and Dacascos attended the 50th anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), where they led insightful masterclass sessions designed to inspire future generations of Filipino filmmakers. Among the distinguished guests were Marga Nograles, TPB’s chief operating officer; Gissela Marie Romualdez Quisumbing, the Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications; Irene Martel Francisco, Tatler Philippines managing director; Anton San Diego, editor-in-chief; and Lisa Lew, the Emmy-winning producer and co-founder of MIFF.
Above Manila House was the venue of an intimate dinner celebrating Filipino creativity (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Manila House was the venue of an intimate dinner celebrating Filipino creativity (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
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The evening also attracted a curated group of Manila International Film Festival board members, strategic thinkers, and tourism advocates dedicated to showcasing the Philippines’ unique cultural and cinematic appeal. In his remarks, San Diego expressed the evening’s significance: “The event celebrated cinema, culture and the vibrant artistic community in the Philippines.”
See also: Jose Javier Reyes talks about the state of Philippine cinema
Guests enjoyed a curated dinner while passionately discussing the Philippines’ burgeoning role in the global film industry. These conversations underscored the country’s immense potential to become a hotspot for international productions.
In her remarks, Quisumbing highlighted the importance of such events in amplifying Filipino talents, like that of Santos and Dacascos: “We are privileged to celebrate two exceptional Filipino-American talents who have proudly brought Filipino artistry to the global stage. The industry has gained so much from your experiences, and there is a collective hope that sessions like these can happen again soon.”
Above Tourism Asec. Gissela Marie Romualdez Quisumbing gives a speech (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Above Tatler Philippines EIC Anton San Diego, Marga Nograles, Mark
Dacascos and Lisa Lew (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Tourism Asec. Gissela Marie Romualdez Quisumbing gives a speech (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
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From its tropical beaches to its historical landmarks, the country offers unparalleled settings for cinematic storytelling and is ready to attract international productions. As Filipino-American stars like Santos and Dacascos continue to break new ground, the country’s creative ecosystem is primed for collaboration. Nograles noted, “This event is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the strong ties between the Philippines and the global entertainment community.
More from Tatler: Filmmaker Zig Dulay is bringing Filipino soul to the global screen with depth and heart
Above Filmmakers Annalee Paulo, Winston Emano, David Magdael (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Above Mark Dacascos with wife Julie Condra and children, Kapono and Noelani (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
Filmmakers Annalee Paulo, Winston Emano, David Magdael (Photo: Kevin Prudon)
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We are excited about the future and confident that the Philippines will continue to shine brightly on the world stage as a premier destination for filmmaking.” The evening, with the promise of future partnerships and the commitment of key industry leaders, set the stage for the Philippines’ continued rise as a cinematic destination—where Filipino talent and global creativity converge.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
