Photos from Filipino Town Las Vegas facebook
“Filipino Town is not just a location, it is a reflection of our cultural image, of who we are as Filipinos,” – Bernie Benito, President, Filipino Town Las Vegas
“Even when we experience homesickness in America for the Philippines, Filipino Town creates a home away from home.” – Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 10, 2025)–The inaugural launch of Filipino Town Las Vegas Cultural District on October 9, 2025 drew large crowds, including dignitaries and public officials from across the U.S. and the Philippines.
In the morning, Clark County led by Commissioner Tick Segerblom hosted the official unveiling of the sign marker at Boulevard Mall. “Today we all are Filipinos, including me,” Segerblom told the revelers, many dressed in traditional Filipino attire. “This has been a work of love by everybody,” he added.
Segerblom and Rozita Lee, Honorary Chair of the event hosted by Clark County and who submitted the application in September 2024 to the county towards the cultural designation, unveiled a replica of the street sign that will mark the district along Maryland Parkway, between Flamingo Road and Desert Inn Road.
But it was during the evening celebration held at +63FIFTY starting at 5pm that drew record-breaking attendance commemorating the occasion.
Over 400 people gathered at the “Community Night and Cultural Celebration”
“Gabi ng Pagdiriwang: Kislap at Saya” hosted by Filipino Town Las Vegas, Inc., the first and only nonprofit legal entity dedicated to leading efforts for the Cultural Designation of a Filipino cultural district in Las Vegas.
“Despite the standing-room-only crowd, most of the attendees stayed for the entire program which was originally meant to conclude at 9 pm but was extended to 10:20 pm,” confirmed Ernie Buo, VP of Filipino Town Las Vegas. “The attendees really enjoyed the program, which included song medleys in both English and Tagalog, cultural performances, a production number from the Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA 2026 candidates and inspirational speeches from dignitaries.”
“Filipino Town is not just a location, it is a reflection of our cultural image, of who we are as Filipinos,” remarked Bernie Benito, President of Filipino Town Las Vegas. Dressed in a custom Barong embroidered with the Filipino flag design that matched his fellow officers and board members, Benito credited the involvement of Filipino community leaders and organizations in Las Vegas for this achievement, as he has throughout his leadership since taking the reins after the resignation of Rozita Lee in July. “This is a historic day for all Filipinos and Filipino Americans of Las Vegas and Nevada!”
Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is in Las Vegas for several community events, congratulated the Filipino community and emphasized the significance of Filipino Town for all Filipinos not just in Las Vegas but also worldwide.
“Filipino Town is historic because it’s about Filipino identity wherever we are in the world,” Hontiveros said. “Even when we experience homesickness in America for the Philippines, Filipino Town creates a home away from home. Filipino Town is a physical place where our children and grandchildren can get in touch with our heritage and our values as Filipinos.”
Gerri Schroder, Chief of Staff of the office of Las Vegas Mayor, Shelly Berkly, introduced the officers and board members of FTLV. Schroder praised the official launch of the cultural district but reminded the audience that “you also have to take care of Filipino Town, and that’s where the board comes in!” She bestowed officers with certificates of appreciation as well as presided over the official board installation for 2025-2026.
Dr. Philip Paleracio, Executive Director of Filipino Town Las Vegas, thanked the evening’s sponsors. “We are so grateful to all our sponsors, and even some of whom wanted to lend their support as late as the day before this event!” Paleracio said.
PATHWAY TO CULTURAL DESIGNATION
Clark County approved the cultural designation for Filipino Town Las Vegas on April 15, 2025, ending a grueling 9-month long application process which included public town hall meetings and several hearings in front of the Clark County Board of Commissioners.
The more than 28-page application was submitted by Rozita Lee and Joel Enriquez and wife, Olive. Enriquez is founding president of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada.
The resolution adopted on April 15 cited that the establishment of Filipino Town Las Vegas “will help preserve and celebrate the culture, commerce, food, celebrations and religion of Filipino people who have made Clark County their home.”
Filipino Town Las Vegas stretches along a 1.2-mile designated area on Maryland Parkway, from Desert Inn Road to Flamingo Road. This corridor is home to iconic Filipino-owned businesses like Seafood City Supermarket, Jollibee and Max’s Restaurant.
Other businesses catering to Filipino clientele include the Boulevard Mall, Mang Felix Restaurant, +63Fifty Fil-Am Central, and Fil-Am TV Network and Filipino American Media Association of Nevada. Filipino Town Las Vegas is home to 30 other Filipino retail, restaurant and medical and professional brands.
Las Vegas and Southern Nevada is home to over 200,000 Filipinos, the largest Asian ethnic group in Nevada, according to the 2020 census.
Current Filipino Town Las Vegas Officers and Board of Directors are as follows:
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Bernie Benito – President
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Engr. Ernie Buo – Vice President
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Dr. Philip Paleracio – Executive Director
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Corin Ramos – Secretary /Public Relations Officer
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Sam Buban – Treasurer
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Jocelyn Borromeo – Assistant Treasurer
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Virgilio (Bing) Longakit – Auditor
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Connie Benito – Board Director
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Ron Sumbang – Board Director
Filipino Town Las Vegas is the second cultural designation in Clark County. The first cultural designation, Ethiopia Town Cultural District was established in 2023.
For more information, visit the website at www.FilipinoTownLasVegas.org
