A powerful conversation featuring trailblazing Filipino creatives who are using storytelling as a force for representation, cultural preservation, and impact — across animation, film, literature, and beyond. Let’s uplift our voices and write our legacy together. Moderated by Jeannie E. Celestial, best-selling author of The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook.
Speakers (in alphabetical order):
Abbie Serbins: Culinary Director & Executive Chef, International House at UC Berkeley; Bay Area Filipina Chef since 2004
Ara Chawdury: Award-winning transmedia artist; producer, director, screenwriter, production designer; children’s book author
Art Bautista: Penguin Random House Audio Narration Mentee 2025; voice actor; best-selling Filipino cookbook author/designer
Conrad Panganiban: Award-winning playwright
Gayle Romasanta: Writer/Executive Producer, Larry the Musical; author
Kristian Kabuay: Artist/entrepreneur/futurist
LeRoid David: Illustrator/ Graphic Designer
More about the speakers:
Jeannie E. Celestial (she/her) is a best-selling author of The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook and a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in Filipino mental health & wellness. With Eileen R. Tabios and Mel Vera Cruz, Jeannie has a forthcoming children’s book, Tata Efren’s Forever Laughter.
Connect: drcelestial.com | http://instagram.com/jeanniecelestial
Abbie Serbins has 19 years of combined experience in the hospitality and culinary industries with a specialty in worldwide cuisine and diverse demographic clientele. She is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu California Culinary Academy and a multi-award recipient from world-renowned food service companies. She has been featured on the Food Network, having won Guy’s Grocery Games with Guy and Hunter Fieri two times. Chef Abbie was also a runner-up for Food Network’s Chopped show. Chef Abbie is currently the Culinary Director and Executive Chef at the International House at the University of California, Berkeley. Go, Bears!
Connect: http://chefabbie.com
Ara Chawdhury is an award winning bisaya bengali transmedia artist who tells stories in English, Filipino, and Cebuano. Her debut feature Miss Bulalacao screened at the YBCA Best of Philippine Cinema program in 2016. She staged a devised theater performance “Maldisyon” with More Mas Marami in San Jose and was one of the featured playwrights at the Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival in 2024. She is currently developing “Oi Marichin Marukoy!”, a stop motion film based on her bilingual Cebuano/English children’s book, “Mangayo Ko’g Asin” (I Need Salt).
Art Bautista is a voice actor, singer, and character performer with a strong background in comedy, stage acting, and live performance. He grew up mimicking voices, accents, and emotional tones with precision, drawing inspiration from cartoons, family members, and the diverse voices in Oakland. As a lead singer and trained vocalist, he brings musicality and dynamic range to every read. Years caring for his father with schizophrenia—and channeling his childhood trauma into his fine art tuned him into deep emotional currents. Art brings raw honesty, empathy, and subtle nuance to every narration. Art is also a best-selling author of The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook.
Connect: artbautista.com; ahabtalent.com “Art Bautista”
Conrad A. Panganiban is an award-winning Filipino American playwright representing the San Francisco Bay Area. His plays include Daryo’s All-American Diner, Welga, and River’s Message. Conrad’s work has been produced by Bindlestiff Studio and The Chikahan Company in the Bay Area, CIRCA Pintig (in Chicago), the MaArte Theatre Collective (San Diego), and CATS (Contemporary Asian Theatre Scene of San Jose), and in the Philippines at Silliman University. Awards include: Best Play of 2023, Daryo’s All-American Diner (BroadwayWorldAwards Chicago), Best New Play, Daryo’s All-American Diner (Chicago Reader, Best of 2023), Susan Fairbrook Playwright Fund Awardee (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), 2023 New Voices in Comedy Writing Fellowship (Killing My Lobster), James Milton Highsmith Award Winner (SFSU), National Ten-Minute Play Festival Finalist (Actors Theatre of Louisville), and Bay Area Playwrights Festival Semi-Finalist (Playwrights Foundation). Resident Artist: Bindlestiff Studio. Member: Dramatist Guild of America, and Theatre Bay Area. MFA, San Francisco State University.
Connect: conradpanganiban.com and IG: @consplayspace
Gayle Romasanta’s work has appeared on television, radio, online, journals and books, such as the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, TIME Magazine, and more. She co-authored the first book about labor leader Larry Itliong, Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong. Gayle also wrote “Larry the Musical: An American Journey,” which had its sold out 2024 premiere in San Francisco at Brava Theater. She is also the executive director of the Filipino American Development Foundation, a Filipino American National Historical Society National Trustee, and serves on the Board of Directors at the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy in San Francisco. She was recently recognized by the Golden State Warriors with an Impact Warrior award and received a trailblazer award from the City of San Francisco.
Kristian Kabuay is an artist/entrepreneur/futurist specializing in endangered writing systems and tattoos from the Philippines. As a leader for the propagation and instruction of prePhilippine scripts, he launched his own edutainment business specializing in custom art, books, events, technology, and apparel. Kristian has spoken around the world at museums, schools, and companies. His work is wide-reaching, spanning across new media and traditional practices. He is working on his 10th book, 2nd documentary, education startup, and honing his traditional Batok tattooing practice.
LeRoid David is a Bay Area born and raised illustrator and graphic designer. His artwork reflects his passion for pop-culture, sports, and community. The SF State alum has worked for various industries and personalities- from film to radio, music, pro sports, restaurants, breweries, and non-profit organizations. His art has been featured with the SF Giants, Golden State Warriors, 49ers, San Jose Sharks, Sacramento Kings, and NBC Sports Bay Area. LeRoid is also Co-Producer and featured artist for the independent feature, "Lumpia with a Vengeance." Recently announced by FIFA and the The Bay Area Host Committee, LeRoid's design was selected for the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ SF Bay Area Host City Poster.
