Filipino designer Rafé Totengco honors his roots
Sophia Chen
Sophia Chen
Reporter · Garden City, NY
Sophia Chen is a dedicated education reporter with a background in teaching, having earned her Master’s in Education from Columbia University. With a focus on the Garden City School District, she previously reported for the New York Times’ local section, bringing a teacher's perspective to her coverage.
More from Sophia →Reporter · Friday, October 30, 2026 at 9:01 PM · 1 min read
His creations have been carried by Hollywood stars, and he remains a prominent figure in New York's Filipino community for both his designs and what his success represents.