On May 3 the East End Filipino Fest, an invitation by organizers for people all around to connect with Filipino community and culture, happens in Alameda.
“In 1587 Filipinos were the first Asian people to come to America,” said festival organizer Grey Starr. Starr is referring to the “Luzonians,” Filipino sailors who were part of a Spanish expedition to Morro Bay in the 16th century. “I wanted to do an AAPI celebration that highlights that heritage.”
Hosted at Studio 23 Gallery, the event will feature the work of Filipino and Asian artists like May Lo, Gerardo Chow and the exceptional Julia LaChica.
Julia LaChica is “a Japanese/Filipino multidisciplinary visual artist” whose work is in painting, printmaking, collage and “assemblage.” Her conscious, intimate art carries themes of justice, belonging and pride through bright colors in multimedia. Her work will be on sale and LaChica will surely share details about her printmaking workshops which offer “creative expression and community building” through dialogue, healing and empowerment learned by practicing art.
Pinoy alternative rock bands Mabuhay Gardens and Pretty Frankenstein, which Starr fronts, will provide entertainment for the evening. Versoul, Hunter Dane and Power Struggle will rock sets as well.
Filipino-owned businesses will also exhibit at the festival, including Ube Area Bakery, Coven of Stitches, Hello Murry, Macbox Desserts Lavendulangel, Superhero Desserts and Unggoy Comic. One business owner’s story shows the rich connection between her community and her company’s products for alternative self care.
Pia Barton is the CEO and founder of Malaya Botanicals, an Alameda Point storefront that produces and sells hemp-derived CBD products. A twisting path that included a chronic injury led Barton to her company.
“I discovered hemp-derived CBD as an injured triathlete,” Barton recalled. “After three years, basically, my only options were opiates, surgery or 12 Advil a day. So I took 12 Advil a day.”
Then Barton gave cannabis a try. It really worked for her pain. However, a problem arose. “I can’t really medicate in the morning and be able to function, to manage the 20 things that I have on my plate,” she said. “That’s when somebody [in the community] suggested I try CBD.”
She thought it through for herself.
“If inflammation is my issue,” she reasoned, “CBD, being anti-inflammatory with no psychoactive effect, then wouldn’t that be better for me? Sure enough, it changed my life. I have not taken Advil in six years.”
Malaya Botanicals makes about 80% of the products it sells, mostly topicals for stress, anxiety and sleep, among other things. Barton said different delivery methods work for different people, from pain relief cream and massage oil to bath bombs, gummies and tinctures.
Because it uses hemp-derived CBD, Malaya Botanicals’ products actually address the root cause of symptoms by providing the best anti-inflammatory effect, Barton said.
Barton is an organizer herself. The Alameda community showed up to support Malaya Botanicals during Covid. Local business owners bought gifts of lotions for their staff over the holidays to help keep the store going. To build a similar community in her new location, Barton started the Alameda Point Night Market in order to bring foot traffic to the neighborhood and the shop. Forty to 50 vendors now show up at each Market.
Coming together to experience the joy of gathering in pride and safety is something Filipinos share with every other ethnic heritage.
“It’s AAPI Heritage Month,” Starr said. “We have, like, so many Filipinos.”
And that’s something to celebrate.
The East End Filipino Fest takes place on Saturday, May 3, from 7–9pm, at Studio 23 Gallery, 2309 Encinal Ave., Alameda. All ages welcome. Free.
