Event Recap: A Spring Sosyal in Sunnyside
Photos courtesy of Charles Drucker
Event Recap: A Spring Sosyal in Sunnyside
On Saturday, March 7, the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York (FADCNY) held its third annual Sosyal at Kora, the cult-favorite Filipino bakery in Sunnyside, Queens. The night drew more than 60 community members — longtime supporters, new faces, and allies across generations — gathered in the heart of the district that Assemblymember Steven Raga, one of FADCNY's co-founders, is running to represent in the State Senate. The Sosyal serves as the club's annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting FADCNY and Raga's campaign, and brought the community together ahead of a critical June primary and in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.
From the program, FADCNY President Michelle Amor recognized several civic leaders in the room: Hon. Eve Cho Guillergan, the first Korean American and Filipino woman elected to the Queens Civil Court bench and a FADCNY-endorsed judge sworn in earlier this year; Civil Court candidates Edmond Wong and Edward Irizarry; and Melissa Sklarz, District Leader for AD-30.
A year ago, when Kora opened its full Sunnyside location, Amor and Raga had floated the idea of someday hosting a club event there. On Thursday, they did. Amor marked the moment from the program: "In our tenth year as a club, it feels fitting that we're rallying behind one of our co-founders, Steven Raga, in a historic run for State Senate. A critical primary is ahead, and we are ready. Thank you for showing up tonight, and for believing in the work of building Filipino American power, visibility, and a rightful seat at the table."
"When someone dies not because care didn't exist, but because it wasn't accessible, you understand a hard truth: policy decisions are life and death. I'm running to build a New York where what happened to my family never happens to another."
Assemblymember Steven Raga
Raga spoke to the club's growing momentum: "The growth behind Fil Am Dems is real, and I am grateful to be running this race with this community behind me." He also shared more personal reflections on what motivates his public service and his run for State Senate. Speaking about his family's experience immigrating to Queens from the Philippines, he reflected on losing his father at age seven after his family struggled to afford emergency medical care. "When someone dies not because care didn't exist, but because it wasn't accessible, you understand a hard truth: policy decisions are life and death," Raga said. "I'm running to build a New York where what happened to my family never happens to another."
Kora opened its permanent Sunnyside bakery in March 2025. Co-owners Kevin Borja and Kim Camara opened the bakery with the hope of creating a space the community could call its own. Guests were treated to off-menu savory bites — adobo garlic rice tots and Spam & cheese pain suisse — alongside Kora's ube and coconut cookies and calamansi basil fried brioche. Gabe Etrata of Barangay, the Filipino DJ and artist collective, kept the night going.
"Filipino Americans are not a community without resources if we work together. Nationally, there are 4.6 million of us with a collective buying power of $163 billion. The question is not whether our community has talent, discipline, or economic strength — it's whether that strength is being translated into ownership and influence, and into races like this one."
Brian Velasquez Reid, Co-Founder & CFO of Dear Flor
Among the evening's sponsors was Dear Flor, the Filipina-owned brand inspired by Filipino flavors and culture and a constant supporter of FADCNY's work, returning as the Sosyal's Advocate-level sponsor.. Co-Founder and CFO Brian Velasquez Reid, who also serves as FADCNY Treasurer, connected the night to the bigger picture: "Filipino Americans are not a community without resources if we work together. Nationally, there are 4.6 million of us with a collective buying power of $163 billion. The question is not whether our community has talent, discipline, or economic strength — it's whether that strength is being translated into ownership and influence, and into races like this one." Joining Dear Flor at the Supporter level: Paulo Tonn Creative, Trip Yang Strategies, and Atty. Lara Gregory.
With the June primary ahead, FADCNY is going full force. The club is co-hosting the Sunnyside Canvass & Halo Halo Social with the Raga campaign on Saturday, May 16. A second Day of Action in Astoria is set for Saturday, June 6, with details to come. The room at Kora was just the start — we'll see you in the field.
