USF Alumnus John Eric Sanchez Pioneers Filipino Food in SoMa

The establishment features cuisine around Sanchez’s cultural ties in the history of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Executive Order stands as a testament to USF alumni excellence and its enduring impact on the local culinary scene.

How have your studies or experiences as a USF student influence your connection to your own heritage?

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My exposure to other students from so many diverse backgrounds and hearing their stories and experiences made me even more curious about learning more about my own heritage.

Growing up bi-racial (Filipino and white), I never quite felt like I fit in with either group. My cultural experience continued at USF, where I still didn’t feel like I fit in with the students in the Filipino-American club because I didn’t look like them.

I eventually found the connection I was longing for with other students through involvement in  Associated Students of the University of San Francisco Senate (ASUSF). Eventually, I became the ASUSF President my senior year, which gave me the opportunity to interact with USF’s administrators, the Board of Trustees, and help with the University’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation.
 
I also pledged to a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). Through the fraternity, I found brotherhood. After attending SAE’s summer Leadership School in Evanston, Illinois before my senior year, I realized how unique our chapter was in its rich diversity of brothers compared to other fraternities throughout North America.

How do you think Executive Order contributes to the Filipino Culture of SF?

Executive Order is partly meant to tell the story of America––its origins, struggles, the great contributions of immigrants and hard-working people, its ability to look forward and to overcome adversity. Executive Order SF is an emblem of my personal story.

Executive Order is partly meant to tell the story of America—its origins, struggles, the great contributions of immigrants and hard-working people, its ability to look forward and to overcome adversity. Executive Order SF is an emblem of my personal story.

My business was the first, large-scale, high-profile Filipino-American-owned small business established in the SoMa Pilipinas Cultural District in 2018.

We are a pioneer in developing Mission Street in SoMa as the district’s economic corridor. Because of how many worked so hard to help us secure our location, we have done everything in our power to stay alive during and post-COVID-19.

Simply being a Filipino-American-owned small business in the heart of downtown San Francisco serves as a beacon of hope to other aspiring Filipino-American small business owners that there is a home for us here.

Why is it important to show pride in being Filipino, especially in a city with such a rich Asian culture?

We live in a nation and a city that was built on the shoulders, blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants. We are at a time in history, where it’s no longer considered “sinful” to show pride in one’s heritage, it’s important to proudly celebrate and share it with others.

Filipino culture is unique in that it’s not just the story of its first indigenous populations but of the blending of its first peoples, Spanish/European and American cultures.

As an alumnus, do you think it’s important for alumni to give back?

We are where we are today because someone before us gave back. If you have the means financially, or through sharing your experience or expertise, your one act of giving will exponentially grow to impact a larger community.

Learn more about how you can get involved with USF affinity groups like the Asia Pacific Alumni Network.