Filipinos in Hollywood: A New Wave of Pinoy Storytelling and Pop Culture

May 9, 2026

Kumusta, Bookmates!

The landscape of entertainment is shifting. After moving back to the US from the Philippines in 2023 to focus on Filipino books and komiks from our base in Menifee, I didn't expect to be pulled back into the orbit of Hollywood so quickly. But the reality is undeniable: Filipinos are everywhere in entertainment right now.

In the past, Rexy and I were executive producing projects in the Philippines that ended up on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Back then, we were under corporate pressures to drive results, but this time around, we are doing it for us, and our only interest now is supporting the best stories from the Philippines and its diaspora. We’ve been working to get Maharlika animated film off the ground, and seeing the Pinoy presence in Hollywood has been a pleasant surprise. Shout out to Jeff and the Pinoy animators at Netflix Animation in Burbank... they have given us so much encouragement. If you want to see just how deep this movement goes! From Trese to Forgotten Island, check out our Quick Guide to Filipino Animation Right Now.

Industry Spotlight: A Fireside Chat with Mayor Karen Bass

I was recently invited to an incredible fireside chat in Hollywood hosted by Mayor Karen Bass. It was a powerful reminder of the elite level at which our community is performing. The panel featured a roster of high-level talent, including:

Kristin Villanueva (currently starring in the medical drama The Pitt)
Matt Groove (appearing in Apple TV+’s See and the David Fincher/Netflix project The Adventures of Cliff Booth)
JB Tadena (starring in the highly anticipated David Fincher/Quentin Tarantino film, The Adventures of Cliff Booth)

Seeing Matt and JB moving into the gritty, high-stakes world of a $200 million Fincher production...playing key roles in the expanding Once Upon a Time in Hollywood universe...is a testament to the incredible momentum of Filipino talent in "prestige" media.

Reimagining Maria Clara: The 'Royal Blood' Project

In a separate, equally inspiring discovery, I recently caught up with my friend Christine. It turns out her daughter, Elena Heuzé (who starred in Heart Shot on Netflix), is also at the forefront of this creative surge.

Elena is currently working on a special project titled Royal Blood. Directed by Bianca Catbagan as part of the prestigious AFI DWW+ program, the film asks a provocative question: "What if Maria Clara was written by a woman?" It is a period piece set in 1888 that re-imagines our culture’s most famous archetype through a modern, female, and queer lens...a bold step in reclaiming our historical narratives

The "Invisible No More" Movement

The momentum continued at IVC, where I joined a powerhouse group of creators for the "Invisible No More" panel. We discussed the genuine surge of interest in Filipino pop culture and the responsibility that comes with it. The panel included:

Gino Villanueva (Beef Season 2)
Emmie Nagata (The Flash)
Nathan Cayanan (DC Comics artist and creator of Suspicious Activity)
Ebony Tsoy (Creator of Maloles: The Reckoning)
Jill Lotenberg, Rachanee Lumayno, and Eli Villongco

It feels like it can "go left" quickly. We have to be careful with the culture as it gets this attention. While I don’t know exactly where it’s headed, I’m thrilled to be part of the journey...

What’s Next for Hot Tropiks?

While Hollywood has been a whirlwind, our hearts remain with physical books and indie creators. We are gearing up for the Bay Area Book Festival with new releases that celebrate the very stories these Hollywood creators are drawing inspiration from.

Explore the Stories Mentioned in this Post:

Suspicious Activity by Nathan Cayanan: Indie grit meets elite comic artistry.
Maloles: The Reckoning: A dark dive into the Philippine underworld.
Maharlika Volumes 1-3 Bundle: The epic saga we are working to bring to the screen.