The local Filipino community is the focus of the next iteration of the popular “Cultures of Las Vegas” television and podcast series. “Cultures of Las Vegas: The Filipinos” debuted on Clark County Television (CCTV) Wednesday, June 1 at 2 and 6 p.m. and airs throughout the month. The Philippines celebrates its independence on June 12.
Guest moderated by Marie Mortera, an anchorwoman and reporter for KSNV News 3 Las Vegas, the half-hour interview show features Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa of Philippine Nurses Association of Nevada, Noel Casimiro of Las Vegas Foodie Fest, community leader Gloria Caoili, documentarian Bev Llorente, Miss Nevada Kataluna Enriquez, Clark County Asian-American Pacific Islanders Community Commission Chairman Craig Valdez; entertainer Rizza Navales and Dr. Rhigel Alforque Tan of the Kalahi Folkloric ensemble.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the ‘kababayan’ spirit – the spirit of the fellow Filipino-American – through interviews with local leaders in business, medicine, politics and the arts,” said Mortera. “I hope viewers of Clark County TV will see the multi-faceted way the community shows up in all corners of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. At the same time, I believe this episode of ‘Cultures of Las Vegas’ will reflect how our shared passion for our culture brings us together in meaningful ways, especially through food, dance, song and shared vision.”
“I grew up watching Ate (big sister) Marie on television whenever my family put on the news,” said Valdez. “This felt surreal and reminded me just how important representation is.”
Besides appearing on CCTV, the show also may be viewed on Clark County’s YouTube channel. A direct link to the show can be viewed on YouTube. The special will also appear on the County’s social media channels.
Further, the discussion is available on Clark County’s “Cultures of Las Vegas” podcast available for iPhones and Androids.
The show will appear on CCTV throughout June, including Thursday, June 2 at 1 a.m. and 2 p.m., Friday, June 3 at 4:30 a.m. and 3 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 4 at 3:30 and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., Sunday, June 5 at 3 and 10:30 a.m., and Monday, June 6 at 1 and 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CCTV’s schedule may be found at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov.
“The most important message is that: whatever the dichotomy of the Filipino diaspora. The contributions of the Filipino American to Las Vegas is glaring and whatever historical revisions Las Vegas have. Fil-Am presence cannot be denied. We can tell the Fil-Am story in a linear narrative from the first migration of Fil-Ams to the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip. Filipino Americans will always be a part of the past the present and the future of Las Vegas, the city we call home.” (Bev Llorente)
