On April 18, 2026, the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) transformed the Skirball Cultural Center into a beacon of modern Filipino luxury and cultural pride. Celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, the chamber hosted the Maharlika Modern Entrepreneurs and Trailblazers (M.E.T.) Gala 2026 as an immersive cultural and storytelling experience. As a sold-out biennial signature event, the gala has reached full capacity for the past six years, underscoring its stature as one of the Filipino American community’s most COMMUNITY THE DAWN OF THE LAKAS ERA: FACCGLA ELEVATES CULTURAL LEADERSHIP AT THE MAHARLIKA M.E.T. GALA 2026 94 anticipated leadership and recognition gatherings. The gala embraced the powerful spirit of Maharlika—symbolizing pre-colonial Filipino leadership, dignity through service, and a profound responsibility to the community. Guests arrived at a curated reception where they enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine, and premium gift bags set against a striking red-and-gold visual palette, creating an elegant and ceremonial atmosphere for high-level networking and authentic relationship-building. USHERING IN A NEW VISION The centerpiece of the evening was the formal installation of the 2026–2027 Board of Directors, proudly led by incoming President Celeste Rose Monderin. Officiated by the Honorable Consul General Adelio Cruz, the induction officially launched the chamber’s new LAKAS direction, a dynamic operational framework championing Leadership, Alliance, Knowledge, Action, and Support. Addressing the young entrepreneurs in the room, Monderin shared a powerful message: “The Filipino American community needs to be seen, needs to be counted; the data does not completely represent us out there. We have very unique needs and very unique opportunities. Let us elevate how we represent our community.” This moment marked FACCGLA’s continued evolution into a systems-driven, culture-centered institution. Honoring Trailblazers and Visionaries Seamlessly blending live entertainment with dynamic hosting, Lyndon Apostol and Annie Nepomuceno guided the audience through a meaningful recognition program. Los...... Read more on Full Issue!