Who Made It to the 75 MIFA 2026 List of Influential Filipino-Americans?
Filipino-American achievers in entertainment, music, media, filmmaking, business, healthcare, and community leadership are featured in the 2026 edition of the 75 Most Influential Filipino-Americans (75 MIFA), an initiative of BlogTalk with MJ Racadio released during Filipino-American History Month.
The recognition spotlights people whose work brings Filipino stories, creativity, professional contributions, and community leadership to wider audiences. This year’s announcement also introduces the inaugural Honorary Filipino Recognition for international allies and creative leaders who have used their platforms and influence to help bring the Filipino narrative to the global spotlight.
For readers in the Philippines and across the Filipino diaspora, the 2026 roster offers a broad picture of Filipino-American achievement. The honorees work in front of and behind the camera, in recording studios and newsrooms, in businesses and healthcare, and in organizations serving Filipino-American communities.
Filipino-American talent across 10 fields
The 75 MIFA 2026 recognizes Filipino-American achievers across entertainment, creative industries, business, healthcare, and community leadership. Its 75 honorees include 74 individuals featured in 10 professional categories, alongside internationally acclaimed actress Hilda Koronel, whose return to film adds another milestone to this year’s recognition.
Film, Television & Acting
- Liza Soberano — Hollywood Actress
- Jacob Batalon — Hollywood Actor (Spider-Man: Brand New Day)
- Isa Briones — Award-winning Actress (The Pitt, TIME100 Next)
- Vincent Rodriguez — Hollywood Actor
- Kristin Villanueva — Award-winning Actress (The Pitt)
- Princess Punzalan — Hollywood Actress / Nurse the Dead
- Gigette Reyes — Hollywood Actress / Nurse the Dead / Freakier Friday
- Cynthia San Luis — Hollywood Actress / Cinemasala
- Ruby Rodriguez — Hollywood Actress / Host
- Rachel Marsh — Hollywood Actress (The Morning Show, Fallout)
- Martha Millan — Hollywood Actress (The Cleaning Lady, The Gentlemen)
- Georgina Tolentino — Hollywood Actress / Producer
- Rhandy Torres — Actor (Dhar Mann, Hollywood)
- Shekinah Austria — Actress (Dhar Mann)
- Matt Groove — Hollywood Actor (The Adventures of Cliff Booth, The Cleaning Lady)
- Brandon English — Multi-talented Filipino-American actor, filmmaker, voice actor, and casting director (Manongs)
- Jeff Francisco — Hollywood Actor (Lincoln Lawyer, Manongs)
Media, Journalism & Public Relations
- Henni Ezpinosa — 3-Time Emmy-winning Journalist
- Jessica Rodriguez — Reporter / Host / Actress (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
- Winston Emano — Publicist, Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)
- Jessica del Mundo — Media Executive, Producer/Writer
Directing, Producing & Filmmaking
- Januel Mercado — Director (Forgotten Island)
- Colin Galeste — Director (Manongs)
- Charles Jon Gray — Filmmaker
- Randal Kamradt — Award-winning Filmmaker
- Ralph Torrefranca — Filmmaker / Director of FilAm
- Marie Jamora — Director / Cinemasala Founder
- Grace Santos — Hollywood Producer / Writer
- Leo Partible — Producer / Comic Artist / Recording Artist
- Walter Boholst — Filmmaker / Co-Founder of FilAm Creative
- Ed Malilin — Co-Founder of FilAm Creative
- Francis Cullado — Executive Director, Visual Communications
Post-Production, Sound & Visual Effects
- Jerry Lafuente — Emmy-winning Sound Editor (BEEF)
- Josh Simon — Visual Effects in Hollywood / Founder of Ayo
Music, Soundtracks & Recording Arts
- Jett Galindo — Grammy Winner / Recording Academy Secretary
- Nathan Mathew David — Film & TV Composer (Forgotten Island Soundtrack)
- Dodjie Simon — Award-winning Songwriter / Composer
- Annie Nepomuceno — Composer / Arranger / Performer
- Dr. Mary Lacanlale — Instrumentalist (Forgotten Island) / Educator
- DJ Rocky Rock — Turntablist / Producer / DJ
- CTru — Recording Artist
- Felson Palad — Christian Music Recording Artist
- Vanessa Béjine — Recording Artist / Grammy Contender
- Rane Rose — Recording Artist / Grammy Contender / Entrepreneur
- Tara Beire — Recording Artist / Grammy Contender
- Tracy Cruz — Recording Artist / Grammy Contender / Recording Academy Member
- Nin De Reyes — Recording Artist / Grammy Contender
Culinary Arts & Food Entrepreneurship
- Billy Dec — Restaurateur / TV Host (Food Roots) / Entrepreneur
- Rhoda Magbitang — Chef (Bravo’s Top Chef Season 23)
- Ginger Dimapasok — Owner, Cafe 86
- Jelynn Malone — Co-Owner, Mostra Coffee / Nurse the Dead
Fashion, Beauty & Design
- Chris Habana — New York-based Jewelry Designer
- Michael Ochs — NYFW Creative Director, Hervé Léger
- Kyra Buenviaje — Fashion Designer
- Amiel Noble — Founder, Noble Creations
- Colleen Lota — Brand Ambassador, Pixi Beauty
Literature, History & Advocacy
- Carren Jao — Author (Lee & Low New Voices Award winner for The Shape of Love)
- Kirby Araullo — Historian / Author
- Rosie Chua — Cultural Advocate
Healthcare & Medicine
- Dr. Warley Remegio — Hartford HealthCare Nursing Leadership Academy
- Dr. Pedro Morante — Mental Health Advocate / Host, Mindful Moments Podcast
- Dr. Chris Zacariah — Optometrist / Vocalist (“The Singing Eye Doctor”)
- Alan & Amabel De Leon — Founders, Vanura Health Services
- Catherine Rubio — Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)
Community Leadership, Civic Service & Non-Profit
- Joshua Ang Price — Executive Director, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
- Janet C. Salazar — Global Leadership Strategist / Humanitarian
- Marie Navarro — President (2026), Kalayaan Incorporated
- Mark Francisco — President of Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO), LA Chapter
- Linda Ravenscroft — Community Leader
- Tressa Ramirez — Community Leader, Filipino Cultural School (FCS)
- Maria Yepez — Community Leader / Educator
- Angeline Samson — Community Leader
- Jucevi Virtudes — Community Leader / Influencer / Nurse Practitioner
- Sally Esmena — Business Owner / Community Entrepreneur
Hilda Koronel: the 75th honoree
Internationally acclaimed actress Hilda Koronel completes the 75 MIFA 2026 roster. Known for her work in Insiang, Koronel returns to the screen after a 14-year hiatus with Sisa, her comeback film. She is also a Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) Lifetime Achievement Awardee.
BlogTalk Hall of Fame recognizes lifetime contributions
A major highlight of 75 MIFA 2026 is the BlogTalk Hall of Fame – Lifetime Recognition, conceived through BlogTalk with MJ Racadio. The distinction celebrates Filipino-American legacy figures whose work has made a lasting contribution to their respective fields and helped open doors for future generations of artists, media practitioners, and executives.
The nine Hall of Fame honorees represent achievements in entertainment, fashion, music, journalism, filmmaking, and community leadership.
- Marvin Aritrangco — Celebrity chef, actor, and producer behind Nurse the Dead.
- Mark Labella — Award-winning screenwriter, actor, and showrunner of Nurse the Dead.
- R’Bonney Gabriel — Fashion designer (Project Runway), model, and Miss Universe 2022.
- Jocelyn Enriquez — Dance-pop and freestyle recording artist widely recognized for her hits Do You Miss Me? and A Little Bit of Ecstasy.
- Garth Garcia — Pop recording artist (“FilAm Prince of Pop”) and founder of Doctors on the Go.
- Ranella Ferrer — Recording Academy voting member and acclaimed national anthem performer.
- Steve Angeles — Emmy Award-winning journalist and veteran news correspondent.
- Jason “Justin” Lustina — Community organizer and founder/CEO of SoCal Filipinos.
- Drea Castro — Award-winning director, writer, and founder of Little Beast Productions.
The BlogTalk Hall of Fame honors nine Filipino-American legacy figures with Lifetime Recognition, while the 75 MIFA 2026 campaign also introduces its inaugural Honorary Filipino Recognition for international allies Miranda Kwok, Septimius the Great, and Klubjumpers. (Photo courtesy of BlogTalk with MJ Racadio)
First-ever Honorary Filipino Recognition
The 2026 edition introduces the inaugural Honorary Filipino Recognition, honoring international allies and creative leaders who have used their platforms, art, and influence to bring the Filipino narrative to a wider global audience.
- Septimius the Great (Music) — International recording artist, performer, and industry voting member, honored for championing Filipino musicians, cross-cultural collaborations, and Fil-Am musical artistry.
- Miranda Kwok (Television) — Acclaimed screenwriter, showrunner, and executive producer of FOX’s hit drama The Cleaning Lady. Her work has helped bring Filipino immigrant experiences, including family dynamics, language, and resilience, to American prime-time television.
- Klubjumpers (Radio/Top 40 U.S. Charts) — American multi-platinum, three-time Grammy-nominated EDM production and remix duo helping Filipino-American recording artists bring their music to mainstream Top 40 radio.
BlogTalk names its 2026 Advisory
The 75 MIFA 2026 initiative brings together an advisory group of award-winning professionals, media leaders, and community advocates from the Filipino-American community and the Philippines.
BlogTalk’s Advisory of 2026 includes:
- Elton Lugay – Founder of TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards)
- Marc Anthony Nicolas – Two-time Emmy winner
- Ben Bulatao – Six-time Emmy-nominated editor
- Jun Aglipay – Community leader
- MJ Racadio – Founder of the 75 Most Influential Filipino-Americans since 2014; host and executive producer of BlogTalk with MJ Racadio
- Rico Hizon – Award-winning broadcaster and founder of Good News Pilipinas, media partner of 75 MIFA 2026
- Angie Quadra-Balibay – Head Writer and Editor of Good News Pilipinas
The inclusion of Good News Pilipinas founder Rico Hizon and editor Angie Quadra-Balibay in the advisory reflects the Philippine news platform’s participation in the initiative celebrating Filipino-American influence and achievement.
A legacy that points to the future
The 75 MIFA 2026 recognition celebrates more than individual accomplishments. It highlights the growing influence of Filipino-Americans across communities, industries, and generations, from Los Angeles to New York. Through its honorees, Hall of Fame inductees, and international Honorary Filipino recipients, the initiative recognizes people who continue to bring Filipino stories, talent, and contributions to wider audiences.
The breadth of the list is part of its message. Filipino-American contributions are represented not in one industry alone, but across film and television, music, journalism, business, healthcare, education, design, and community service. Together, these stories reflect the many ways people of Filipino heritage continue to shape culture and public life.
The 75 MIFA 2026 recognition is presented by BlogTalk with MJ Racadio during Filipino-American History Month.
Discover more stories celebrating Filipino achievement, innovation, and community impact on GoodNewsPilipinas.com. MAKING EVERY FILIPINO PROUD.
