Beauty titleholder and award-winning television producer Lisa Lew is known for Judge Judy (1996), Cristina’s Court (2006) and Last Shot with Judge Gunn (2011).
For former Binibining Pilipinas International titleholder and four-time Emmy Award-winning television producer Lisa Lew, the Fourth of July holds a special place in her heart.
“Growing up, the Fourth of July was always more than just a holiday—it was a full-blown summer family celebration,”she begins. “My parents, siblings, aunties, uncles, and more than 25 cousins would gather for a giant swim party and barbecue. Like every great Filipino family feast, everyone brought their specialty dish to share, turning our backyard into an all-night buffet that welcomed the entire neighborhood.”
She further reminisces, “As night fell, we’d all wait excitedly for the dazzling fireworks to light up the sky. And no celebration ever ended without our traditional midnight karaoke and dance session—because in our homes, there’s always room for one more song, one more dance, one more memory.”
Those gatherings weren’t just about food and fun; they were a reflection of something deeper: “the freedom we have to celebrate who we are, to honor our roots, and to build community in our own unique, ever-embracing way.”
Her late father, Atty. Monty Manibog, loved a good family party. He also deeply loved his community. “Here in the U.S., where all six of my siblings and I were born and raised, my dad made history as the first Filipino ever elected to public office in the continental United States. He served three terms—12 years—as mayor of our hometown, Monterey Park, in California.”
Atty. Manibog earned the trust and admiration of a city with a predominantly Anglo constituency—not just through his leadership, but through his generosity and genuine connection.
“Almost everyone in Monterey Park had enjoyed his legendary Filipino breakfasts. My dad’s garlic fried rice was famous. But more than that, he brought with him a deep, unwavering pride in his identity and our culture. As an attorney, a leader, and a father, he carried our heritage with dignity and purpose. He believed that sharing our Filipino culture—our values, our humor, our history, and our resilience—was not only a joy, but a responsibility.”
Through him, Lisa learned that true patriotism means celebrating not just where you live, but who you are.
“As a second-generation Filipina in America, I’ve always held this blend of cultures close,” she says. “The Fourth of July, to me, is the freedom to celebrate not just America’s independence, but the parts of ourselves that make us whole—our language, our food, our stories, our songs. It’s about how we welcome others without losing ourselves.”
Her father arrived in the U.S. with dreams—and left behind a legacy. “He inspired so many Filipinos to raise their voices, to serve, and to lead in our beautifully diverse state of California.”
But it wasn’t the titles that defined her father—it was the way he brought Philippine culture to life in everything he did. “He showed us that service to the community is sacred, and that we honor our ancestors when we continue the traditions they gave us.”
Lisa shares that on every Fourth of July—and every other chance they get—her family carries forward her father’s commitment to culture, to community, and to his belief that “we must not only celebrate our heritage, but share it generously.”
This significant holiday, she says, reminds us that freedom is not just a right—it is a gift.
