Hella Pinay, 2611 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA (2026)

04/30/2026

What does it mean to hold multiple selves—and multiple histories—at once?

We sit down with , a Stockholm-based Filipina artist embodying a mysterious three-part entity: it, me, and i.

Their debut EP CHARCOAL opens a dark, immersive world of left-field electronica where obsession, devotion, self-destruction, and survival all collide.

Rooted in Filipino heritage and shaped by underground club culture, the project moves between ancestral memory and future sound—an intimate, unsettling reclamation of histories often erased, but still alive in the music.

Steph & Guerrilla explore identity across cultures, the making of CHARCOAL, and the layered inner world behind the project—including i, the mysterious human architect behind it all.

Listen + watch now — link in bio 🔗

Also special thanks to our dear friend for helping us with some audio engineering super last minute! You are theeee best love you 🖤

Hella Pinay: Icons is a podcast hosted by Steph Gancayco and Guerrilla Pump celebrating Filipina/o/x creatives, trailblazers, and agenda-setters across media, fashion, music, and beyond.

04/24/2026

What does it take to bring a cultural moment to the global stage?

We spoke to , CEO & Co-Founder of .la, on shaping ‘s historic Coachella debut—translating identity, movement, and meaning into a performance designed for both the desert and the world watching.

Hit the link in bio for the full interview 🔗

✍️:

📸: and

03/20/2026

🎙️ New episode alert!

Hella Pinay: Icons drops its first guest episode with Sarah Burke—journalist, filmmaker, and former editor-in-chief of Them, Condé Nast’s LGBTQ+ publication.

Born and raised on Oʻahu, q***r, mixed Filipino, and a longtime force behind the scenes, Sarah has helped shape the stories—and the standards—of what q***r and trans media can look like at scale.

In this episode, we get into what it actually means to lead a q***r publication inside one of the world’s largest media companies, the quiet constraints of brand safety, and the nuances within the current wave of Asian American representation.

We go deep on imposter syndrome, hapa identity, growing up in Hawaiʻi, going beyond surface narratives, and what it takes to carve your own path while uplifting your community. Sarah also shares what’s next: stepping beyond corporate media, starting her own production company, and developing a new trans documentary series.

This episode is for the creatives, the storytellers, and the culture-makers behind the scenes—doing the work, opening doors, and bringing others through with them.

▶️ Listen + watch now — link in bio

Hella Pinay: Icons is a podcast hosted by Steph Gancayco and Guerrilla Pump celebrating Filipina/o/x creatives, trailblazers, and agenda-setters across media, fashion, music, and beyond.

12/22/2025

So about a month ago, and I very quietly (as in… told like two people) dropped a brand new podcast called Hella Pinay: Icons.

But a few weeks before that, a heavy and unexpected family chapter shifted my priorities overnight. And this project—like everything else in my life—has sat quietly in the background while I do my best to not fall apart. I originally wanted this podcast to drop alongside a full Hella Pinay relaunch: redesigned site, fresh content, shiny brand strategy, the works. But I’m learning (again) that done is better than perfect.

So here we are. Imperfect. Growing. Still showing up. Come along with us as we slowly evolve Hella Pinay to her final form. We’re so stoked to be back 🖤

Why “Icons”? What actually makes someone iconic? In our first episode, Guerrilla and I reunite in the studio to kiki about Filipino representation, the creative underground, identity, authenticity in trying times—and yes, we absolutely had wine for lunch.

Hella Pinay: Icons is a bi-weekly podcast spotlighting FIL/AM trailblazers shaping the future of creative culture. Raw conversations, origin stories, identity, and ofc tea. New episodes every other Wednesday.

🌴(STILL) Streaming for the 🌴 The Kasamas, The Club Kids, The Bruhas & The Baddies. Keeping it Hella Real, Hella Raw &

xoxo,
Steph

11/05/2025

Hiiiieeee I know it’s been awhile and tbh we have some big HP announcements coming soon! But in the meantime, yr girl curated the absolutely incredible Pinayista summit that’s coming up this Saturday! We chose the theme of ‘Homecoming’ because in this time where we need each other more than ever, we wanted to create a space to reconnect, rebuild, and come back to ourselves and each other. This truly feels like a full circle moment. In the early days of Hella Pinay, Pinayista founder and I connected over our shared passion to create spaces for Pinays to be seen, held, and to thrive. When I moved back to the bay in 2018, she invited me to be on the first Summit planning committee, speak on a panel, and connected me to soooo many community legends. I owe so much to her and was honored when she asked me to curate the return of this 2025 summit at (the amazing, Filipina-owned) in Berkeley.

Swipe to see our super stacked lineup of speakers and facilitators (and HP fam) including .drtherapinay of of , and soooo many more (plus some hidden nuggets at the end hehe). We’re proud to be sponsored by and work with Filipina/o owned businesses and creatives incl. hallsf and and so many others (IG isn’t letting me tag y’all, booo) Also mega shoutouts to our INCREDIBLE planning committee who’ve held it completely down and without whom this event would not be possible.

This has been truly an honor and a homecoming and I can’t wait to share all our beautiful offerings and welcome you back in community (also it’s my birthday so please come celebrate with me this wknd!!!) Use code ‘HELLAPINAY20’ to get tickets at the early bird price! We also have some sponsored tickets left so if you need financial support, please don’t hesitate to apply! We got you!! Always.

06/06/2025

Had to this absolutely iconic look by from last weekend’s Rainbow Ball 🌈

Fashion Killa — Sari Sari Store 💥

Decided to walk this category literally five days before the ball and I’m so happy with how it turned out! Four sleepless nights of conceptualizing, creating, revising, and completing the look. Yes I did this by myself and IT’S ALL WORTH IT! 🫶🏽

Thank you icons for gracing our scene:

Thank you for the fab function and for bringing the icons here ate and 🫶🏽

📸: .verified ✨: .guerrera

05/30/2025

Savina Mizrahi—our radiant Issue 04 cover star—is no stranger to the Rainbow Ball 🌈✨ From her surprise start in ballroom to being inducted into the Iconic House of Mizrahi at this very event in 2023, her rise is one for the books.⁠
⁠
This year, the Rainbow Ball returns with Mizrahi Mother Xyza () as one of its visionary producers, alongside Father Misha De La Blanca (). Revisit Savina’s story and legacy in our Fashion Issue preview—link in bio ⁠🪩
⁠
Interview: Angelo Gabriel A. Dionora⁠
Photography: Belg Belgica⁠
Styling: Jodinand Aguillon using Vintage & Antique Textiles from Glorious Dias⁠
⁠

05/29/2025

🌈We’re thrilled to announce that Hella Pinay is an official media partner of the RAINBOW BALL AND GALA 2025! 🌈

Join us on May 31 and June 1 in Makati City as we kick off Pride Month with the biggest ballroom event in Asia. This year’s theme, “PERYA” (Philippine Carnival), celebrates the vibrant spirit of fashion, dance, community, culture, and love.

The festivities begin on Saturday, May 31, with the Rainbow Ball (Mainstream) at The Shooting Gallery Makati, featuring an ALL ICON Judges Panel from New York City’s ballroom scene. On Sunday, June 1, the celebration continues with the Rainbow Gala and Kiki Aftermath Ball at Octopus, Makati City, including a special archival fashion show and talks on Trans Advocacy and HIV and Reproductive Health.

Stay tuned this weekend for more updates and behind-the-scenes coverage ✨🌈✨

05/13/2025

🌟 CONGRATULATIONS to Ruby Ibarra () — winner of the 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest! 🏆🎤

Back in 2021, Ruby graced our Issue 02 cover, sharing her journey from Tacloban to the Bay, from biotech to hip-hop — and now, she’s making history. We couldn’t be prouder to see her voice, vision, and truth-telling bars get the spotlight they deserve.

✨ Feels extra special seeing her shine like this. Tap the link in bio to revisit the full convo.

Interview: Adelle Platon
Photography: B. Milky
Creative Direction & Styling: Stephanie Gancayco
Beauty: Amanda Arroyo

05/07/2025

HP ARCHIVES: ANARCHY IN THE UKAY-UKAY starring Nica Tan an eclectic new/vintage mix. From Hella Pinay 03: The Culture Issue.

Creative Direction & Photography: Bishop Elegino
Styling: Parmis Katouzian
Model/MUA: Nica Tan
Hair: Annabelle Cushman
Light Assist: Aja Halloway

Hella Pinay

04/30/2026

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12/22/2025

11/05/2025

06/06/2025

05/30/2025

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