Hot Tropiks Co-Presents with Dr. Joe Bernardo at FPAC 2025 in San Pedro Bringing Philippine Stories to the Festival

The Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) has been part of my story for decades. Growing up, I didn’t feel connected to Filipino culture. It wasn’t until I spent nearly 20 years living in the Philippines that I really learned to appreciate it.

When I moved back to the U.S. in 2023, I began to understand what events like FPAC mean to the diaspora, how they connect us to home, our history, and each other. That year, I walked through FPAC when Hot Tropiks was still just an idea. Now, two years later, we’re coming back not just as attendees but as exhibitors, bringing Philippine stories to the festival and co-presenting with historian and storyteller Dr. Joe Bernardo.

About Dr. Joe Bernardo

Dr. Joe Bernardo is a historian, educator, podcaster, and community advocate. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, he has a Ph.D. in History and works in Loyola Marymount University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where he also teaches the Filipino American Experience.

In August 2025, he released his latest book Filipinos in the San Fernando Valley, a visually rich chronicle of how Filipino Americans shaped suburban Los Angeles from the 1920s farmworker era to the present day. Joe also co-hosts the podcast This Filipino American Life (TFAL), which has released nearly 300 episodes exploring diaspora, culture, politics, and identity. He also helped bring the Filipino American WWII Veterans Memorial to life in Historic Filipinotown.

At FPAC, you can meet Joe, get books signed, and talk about the histories that deserve more attention.

Kami Ang LA — We Are LA

Hot Tropiks is bringing back the Hot Tropiks x Team Manila collab Kami Ang LA in two colorways, LA blue and the new purple & gold.

In Tagalog, “Kami” means “we,” a declaration of belonging. Kami Ang LA means We Are LA. It’s about claiming our place in this city we helped build and standing up to systems that try to push us out.

This drop is also about resisting the raids, the detentions, and the way immigrant communities like ours are targeted. We are immigrants, and we refuse to be erased.

Preorders for both designs will be available at the booth.

The Hot Tropiks Book Collection

Alongside apparel, Hot Tropiks will have a curated selection of Philippine and Filipino American books, including:

• Maharlika Vol. 1 & 2 by Rexy Dorado and John Ray, a futuristic Filipino superhero saga
• The Mythology Class by Arnold Arre, an award-winning modern myth adventure
• Philippine Spirits: Mythica Obscura by Karl Gaverza, an illustrated guide to folklore and mythological creatures
• Maloles: The Reckoning by Ebony Soy, a dark fantasy rooted in mythology and feminist themes

Publishers and Creators from the Philippines

Hot Tropiks is proud to bring work from some of the most creative publishers and artists from the Philippines, including:

• 19th Avenida Publishing House — Based in Imus, Cavite, they publish graphic novels, comics, crime, and speculative fiction with a mission to share authentic Filipino stories with the world
• Adarna House & Anino Comics — Founded in 1980 in Quezon City by National Artist Virgilio S. Almario, Adarna House is a leading publisher of children’s literature and educational materials. Its comics imprint, Anino Comics, is known for titles like The Mythology Class and other original Filipino graphic novels
• Komiket — The biggest indie comics marketplace and publishing platform in the Philippines, providing space for new and diverse voices

Event Details

Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture 2025
📅 Saturday, September 13, 2025
📍 Point Fermin Park, San Pedro, CA
🕙 10 AM – 6 PM

Come hang out, buy books, grab a shirt, talk stories, meet Joe, and connect with the community. Whether you’re here for the Kami Ang LA drop, the books, or just to feel that FPAC vibe, we’ll see you there.