Filipino Community Events in San Jose, CA

FREE show with the legendary Joe Bataan in San Francisco, only at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Opening Set from MeloDious Festival favorite Joe Bataan, a Latin music legend since the mid-1960s, returns to the Gardens for his third performance in the past four years. He made an indelible mark as one of the early stars of Fania Records with a seductive combination of doo-wop vocals and boogaloo, one of the era’s defining sounds. Born Bataan Nitollano to a Filipino father and African-American mother and raised in Spanish Harlem, he is the father of the Latin soul sound, crooning hits like “Gypsy Woman” and “Ordinary Guy.” But Bataan never stayed in one groove for long. He went on to expand his sound in the ’70s with his Ghetto Records releases, co-coining the apt moniker “salsoul,” though he adapted to changing currents at the end of the decade with forays into disco and hip-hop (scoring the early rap hit “Rap-O Clap-O” in 1979). Stepping back from performing in the early ‘80s, he largely disappeared from the scene while working as a youth counselor in detention facilities. It’s a dramatic story that he recounts with humor and searing detail in his 2024 memoir Streetology: The Legacy of the Afro-Filipino, King of Latin Soul. Since returning to music in 2005, he’s reclaimed his crown and is still going strong in his 80s, a fact made evident by his triumphant YBG Festival performances. The last time MeloDious appeared at the Gardens the group was serving as house band for Cava Menzies’ glorious CO-LLAB choir in 2024. This year the rapidly ascending Oakland trio presents their own program of eclectic, soulful sounds. Grounded by keyboardist Micaiah, bassist Matthias and drummer Memphis Dempsey, MeloDious draws on a rich musical lineage that spans gospel, jazz, R&B and soul. Since forming in 2016, the band has captivated audiences with dynamic vocal harmonies, inventive arrangements and unmistakable creative chemistry. Their versatility and musicianship have led them to sharing stages with several Grammy Award-winning artists, solidifying their stature within the Bay Area’s vibrant musical ecosystem as stars on the rise. Pre-show music from KALW DJ Marcus at 1pm. In partnership with: KALW Museum of the African Diaspora

NAFCON is a national alliance of Filipino organizations, institutions, and individuals that responds to the concerns of Filipinos in the US and in the Philippines by creating an action-oriented platform that brings people together through culture & heritage, education, health & wellness, and advocacy.

Since its founding in 2002, the Filipino American Real Estate Professionals Association Silicon Valley has grown to become the largest Filipino-American real estate organization in the United States, serving the San Jose, CA community and beyond with a deep commitment to professional excellence and community empowerment. Operating as a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, FAREPA-SV embodies the spirit of Bayanihan—communal unity, work, and cooperation—in everything it does. FAREPA-SV is dedicated to promoting the interests of Filipino American real estate professionals while creating meaningful impact within the broader community. The organization has established numerous outreach projects including housing fairs, first-time homebuyer programs, and educational initiatives around Accessory Dwelling Units. Through strategic partnerships with local and national real estate associations, FAREPA-SV addresses shared housing policy issues while working to better serve its diverse membership. Community service is central to FAREPA-SV's identity. The organization has demonstrated its commitment through fundraising efforts that support local causes, including partnerships with LifeMoves (formerly Inn Vision) to assist abused women and children, and support for Family Supportive Housing Shelter to combat family homelessness in Silicon Valley. Additionally, FAREPA-SV established FAREPA Village in the Philippines through the Gawad Kalinga Development Foundation, extending its mission of care and cooperation internationally. FAREPA-SV welcomes volunteers, board members, and corporate sponsors who share its vision of creating a unified voice within the real estate industry. By joining FAREPA-SV in the San Jose area, professionals gain access to networking opportunities, educational resources, and the chance to give back to the community while advancing their careers in real estate.

Founded in 1977, Asian Law Alliance emerged from the vision of community leaders who recognized that the growing Asian Pacific Islander population in San Jose, CA faced significant barriers to justice despite prevailing stereotypes suggesting otherwise. What began as a grassroots effort to challenge the "model minority" myth has evolved into a cornerstone institution serving the Silicon Valley community for nearly five decades. The organization's founders conducted extensive outreach to uncover unmet legal needs within the Asian American community, discovering widespread challenges in housing access, immigration processes, and basic human rights protection. Today, Asian Law Alliance remains committed to its founding mission of promoting self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and improved quality of life through legal counseling, community education, and organizing efforts. The organization serves individuals who face language limitations, lack understanding of the legal system, cannot afford traditional legal fees, or experience discrimination. By keeping its doors open to those most vulnerable and underserved, Asian Law Alliance continues the work begun by its founders—ensuring that Asian Pacific Islanders in San Jose and surrounding areas receive equal access to justice. The organization actively welcomes volunteers and maintains strong community partnerships, reflecting its belief that lasting change requires collective effort and sustained commitment to serving those denied fundamental rights.