AFILIPINO-AMERICAN figure in Hollywood, Thomas Orlina is in the business of content creation. Thomas is a host, an executive producer, and a recording artist. With over ten years of experience in the entertainment industry under his belt, Thomas has had experience in celebrity entertainment news, unscripted and scripted television, production, public relations, and many others.

His YouTube show, “Your Time with Thomas,” has gained a steady following and depicts Thomas’ daily life, and highlights his passions as well as his Filipino heritage. Thomas says it was a recent trip to the Philippines with his father that made him fall even more in love with his ancestry. “[It] was a life-changing experience. It allowed me to see the country, visit Boracay and Coron, meet remarkable people, learn more about my heritage, and get a full understanding of my cultural background.”

Other than that, Thomas is passionate about promoting inclusivity and diversity.

“I love being able to give that voice to others who don’t have the courage or are looking for inspiration to be brave and live their authentic self,” he expressed.

This is then also translated in the content he creates. “In my new music video, ‘Brush It Off,’ I included important subject matters that mean a lot to me including the LGBTQ community, the Stop Asian Hate movement, the Black Lives Matter movement, mental health and much more. It’s a true representation of the causes I feel are important to highlight and discuss.”

When asked what it was like to be a Filipino in Hollywood, Thomas responded, “It feels amazing. I couldn’t be happier living in Hollywood and being able to share my content, music, be around celebrities and attend social events — it’s a great feeling.

“I believe having more Filipinos represented is extremely important. We’re beautiful, talented, and have a lot of things to offer. I hope in the near future, we see more Filipinos on the big screen and in mainstream entertainment.”

Another area that he is showcasing Filipino talent is through his music. His foray into music is another way to showcase his creativity and a way to speak his voice about issues that matter most to him. His first single, “Brush It Off,” is actually something he wrote over ten years ago, but felt that the pandemic period is the right time to finally share this message with the world.

“I’m a singer and songwriter who loves to develop ideas so this was one I carefully put together along with my co-songwriter.”

He continued, “This message is so important to bring a sense of unity to the world. It’s a universal song so anyone can really vibe to it. I’ve gotten a huge response since its release and countless comments and messages. It’s wonderful to see the impact it’s making on social media and how it’s touched the lives of so many.””

And as for what’s next, Thomas answered with optimism, “My goals are endless. I’m developing the third season of ‘Your Time With Thomas,’ working on new music and other areas I’d like to focus on. You’ll have to stay tuned!”