Every October, Filipino American History Month honors more than a century of Filipino presence in the United States. In the Bay Area, that legacy runs deep: Cities such as San José, Milpitas and Daly City have long served as hubs for the Filipino diaspora. San José alone is home to around 109,000 Filipino residents, making it one of the 10 largest Filipino communities in the country, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data.
So it makes sense that San José plays host to a slew of cultural events this month — such as Kababayan Drag Brunch, which returns for its fourth year on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Strike Brewing Company. First organized in 2021, this drag brunch has become a South Bay fixture during Filipino American History Month, reflecting the area’s vibrant intersection of Filipino and LGBTQ+ culture.
Hosted by drag performers Manang and Tori Tia, the all-ages event blends Filipino food, queer artistry and community pride in an afternoon of performance. “Bring your lola (grandma), bring your auntie, and bring your parents who may be supportive of queerness but don’t usually go to nightclubs,” says Manang.
This year’s show features six performers, including Drag Race Philippines season three’s John Fedellaga, widely known online as the “Omegle Queen.” DJ Ayumi Please provides the soundtrack, while Filipino bites come courtesy of Gnosh Confections.
“This is a great event to bring people together to celebrate being Filipino, to have fun, to see queer joy,” adds Manang. “We hope Filipinos show up like we always do — yelling, cheering, laughing. It’s a big party for our community to celebrate the month and to celebrate queer joy, especially at a time when that is under threat.”
Kababayan Drag Brunch takes place Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Strike Brewing Company & Warehouse Taproom (2099 S 10th St #30, San Jose). Free; more information here.
