(Cerritos, CA. – September 2026) – For the first time, Cerritos will celebrate Filipino American History Month with a special musical concert, “Heritage & Harmony”. The annual nationwide commemoration of the importance of the October celebration – designated as such by Congress in 2009 – will take place on Saturday, October 10 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. The concert is being sponsored by Athens Services and Century Engineers, Inc.
“It is especially meaningful that this inaugural concert for Mindanao is being held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing as we celebrate Filipino American History Month,” explained Cerritos Mayor Lynda Provido Johnson. “As Cerritos’ first Filipina mayor, I am honored to see our city’s large Filipino American community come together in the spirit of bayanihan to celebrate our culture and talent while showing compassion and support for our Kababayans in Mindanao. ”
The concert will feature musical performances by a wide variety of Filipino-American entertainers interspersed with presentations of Filipino-Americans who have made achievements in the fields of entertainment, sports, business and philanthropy, public service and other areas of society.
Slated to perform are Garth Garcia (the Philippine “Prince of Pop”) who will perform a special pre-show segment along with members of Starlink Entertainment; Broadway newcomer Lucy Acuna; Janice Javier, finalist on Season 1 of “The Voice: Philippines” who was mentored by Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas; musical theater and concert performer Tina Braganza; R&B/pop/soul duo Sheer Element; singer/songwriter Chris Chatman; and the Winner of “The Voice” Season 26, Sofronio Vasquez. Acclaimed and lauded musical director Troy Laureta (who has music directed for Andrea Bocelli, Ariana Grande and Nicole Sherzinger among others) will lead this stellar group of artists.
They will be joined by a talented team of co-hosts including Jennifer Paz (“Miss Saigon” and “Steven Universe”), Vincent Rodriguez III (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Ronson Provido (Filipino-American community leader) and Angela Grey (the first Filipino-American to wear the Miss America crown).
“What I’m most looking forward to is honoring Filipino Americans who are making a meaningful impact, while enjoying a great lineup of performers who showcase the depth of our talent and culture,” explained Ellen Swing, Founder and Board Chair of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos and Gateway Cities. “Even more meaningful, this celebration gives us an opportunity to give back and support our Kababayans in Mindanao.”
The celebration begins at 6:00pm in the CCPA lobby with “Where Street Meets Culture” featuring DJ Woodstock spinning favorites from the 80’s and 90’s, along with some high-energy popping and break-dancing performances by Shotime and Funny Bones. A special pre-show presentation by Garth Garcia and Starlink Entertainment takes the stage at 7:30pm followed by the main concert at 8:00pm.
On June 8 of this year, a series of earthquakes, the strongest being 7.8, struck off the coast of southern Mindanao. Over 100 people perished in the aftermath with 1300 people sustaining injuries and costing the region a little over $1 billion in damages. The area continues to be ravaged by earthquakes although not of the magnitude of the June ones.
“I’m very glad that we are able to help the citizens of Mindanao”, said producer/director Ted I. Benito. “It’s my hope that the talent we are bringing together on stage will translate into a hefty donation to the rebuild and recovery efforts in the homeland.” The net profits of the “Heritage & Harmony” concert will be sent to “BayanihanPH”, the fiscal manager for the “United Sarangani” campaign which was begun by the Alpha Phi Omega Philippines, Inc. and their Gamma Theta Chapter. For more information and to donate, please go to www.bayanihanph.org.
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“Heritage & Harmony”: Celebrating Filipino American History Month – A Fundraiser for Mindanao Earthquake Disaster Relief
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA. 90703
6:00pm – DJ Woodstock with Shotime and Funny Bones in Lobby
7:30pm – Pre-Show Entertainment with Garth Carcia and Starlink Entertainment
8:00pm – Concert
Featuring Lucy Acuna, Tina Braganza, Chris Chatman, Garth Garcia and Starlink Entertainment, Angela Grey, Janice Javier, Jennifer Paz, Ronson Provido, Sheer Element, Vincent Rodriguez III, Sofronio Vasquez and Troy Laureta (Musical Director).
For tickets and more information, visit ccpa.cerritos.gov or Ticketmaster.com.
