Together We Build: Empowering Filipino Arts in the UK
Who are we?
We are Maharlika UK, a creative platform dedicated to bringing creative opportunities and cultural-led spaces for Filipino communities in the UK.
Maharlika means 'Warrior class , Freedman, Nobleman' Symbolising the independence and freedom of the Filipino people.
Our vision is to become a cornerstone of Filipino cultural representation through the impact of art.
Our journey so far..
Founded in 2022 by British-Filipino dance artist Chris Reyes, Maharlika UK emerged to address the lack of representation and support for Filipino artists in the UK—a need made urgent by the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes exacerbated by the pandemic.
Since then, our platform has become a vital pillar in the cultural community, actively creating new spaces and programs that amplify the voices of Filipino creatives across generations through their artistic practice.
Why does it matter?
Despite being one of the UK’s fastest-growing communities—with over 200,000 Filipinos (UK Census 2011)—our artistic voices remain sidelined across film, music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.
In film, Southeast Asians make up less than 3% of UK industry professionals (BFI 2021), and Filipino stories are rarely told beyond stereotypes. In music, while Filipino artists thrive in grassroots scenes, they are conspicuously absent from major festival lineups and awards. Dance and theatre face a similar erasure—there has never been a UK theatre season centering Filipino narratives. Meanwhile, in visual arts, Filipino creators are underrepresented in galleries and grants, with Southeast Asian artists accounting for just a fraction of funded exhibitions.
This campaign aims to tackle these exclusions, and we believe that together, with the support of our communities, we can create meaningful change. By funding Filipino-led projects that foster artistic growth, including exhibitions showcasing diverse creative artforms, we’re carving out spaces where our stories are seen, heard, and celebrated. Not as footnotes, but as vital threads in the UK’s creative fabric.
The Impact of Maharlika UK
"Maharlika UK empowers the Filipino diaspora and allows people of various backgrounds to relate and reflect on their own experiences as well as celebrate Filipino creatives, something that has never been seen before"
- Audience member - The 3rd Wave attendee.
Since 2022, Maharlika UK has:
- Supported 80+ Filipino artists, facilitators, and freelancers through exhibitions, workshops, and professional opportunities.
- Engaged 600+ attendees in person and 500+ online through creative programming, empowering communities to explore and celebrate their heritage.
- Partnered with leading venues to produce Filipino-led arts events, breaking barriers and fostering cross-cultural connections across London.
The Challenge We Face
Over the past two years, the economic climate has strained our ability to sustain vital programs. Like many arts organisations, we’ve faced increasingly competitive and shrinking public funding pools—with rejection rates rising at a time when our community’s need for cultural representation has never been greater.
Without reliable support, we risk losing hard-won platforms that amplify Filipino artists and preserve our stories.
How your support will help:
Our strategy to enhance the visibility of Filipino identity and support the artistic growth of Filipino creatives, we are crowdfunding to:
- Launch a dedicated free & open access web-based digital platform - A permanent online cultural hub and archive of original works created by Filipino artists supported through Maharlika UK’s developmental programme - The Wave Project.
- Match funding support for The 4th Wave festival – Our biggest ambitious project to date...our aim is to support 15 Filipino artists to develop a series of short films and artworks for our 3-day celebration in October.
Positioned during ESEA Heritage Month, this festival will showcase Filipino creativity through art exhibitions, film screenings, and cultural discussions—amplifying untold narratives of the UK-Filipino experience.
Long-term impact..
We need to raise at least £2300 that to cover the essential supports, if we exceed this, the additional funds will trigger our long-term strategy - Organisational growth and Sustainability:
- Become an Established Organisation ( Target £2500 ) – We currently operate as a independent/individual entity. By Registering as an official creative organisation we will be able to secure larger partnerships, sponsorships, and funding – ensuring sustainable growth and greater impact.
- Employ fundraiser officer (Target £2750) to deliver our strategies to broaden and increase our creative programmes and spaces for beyond the 4th wave.
Your Support Matters
Filipinos form the largest Southeast Asian cultural population in the UK. Despite our long-standing contributions to the UK’s social and economic landscape, our community remains heavily underfunded.
It is up to us to drive change and demand greater recognition of Filipino identity in the UK, ensuring it is properly celebrated and valued.
Help Us Create Change..
Help us and share this movement to your communities, we want to be heard!
Together, We Build a future where impactful opportunities empower current and future UK- Filipino generations to embrace their heritage, thrive through art, and celebrate their roots.