05/26/2026
Silverstein Properties is celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander ( ) Heritage Month, and we want to recognize the many contributions, cultures, histories, and achievements of AANHPI communities that have helped shape our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society.
We are proud to feature Ryan Cabahug, Vice President, who joined our Accounting team in January 2023. In sharing his story, Ryan reflects on the importance of family, cultural identity, resilience, and the personal connection he feels to both Downtown Manhattan and Silverstein Properties.
❓Tell us about yourself and your journey to Silverstein Properties.
🔵 My journey to Silverstein Properties is one that is deeply personal to me.
From a young age, I viewed Downtown Manhattan as the place where ambitious and successful professionals built their careers. Whenever someone mentioned working “in the City,” that is immediately where my mind went. I grew up in Queens, NY during the tragic events of 9/11, while both of my parents were working in Manhattan. I vividly remember being stuck at my after-school program for hours after dismissal, uncertain when my parents would make it home safely. Over the 20+ years that followed, I watched Downtown Manhattan transform into the thriving central business district that it is today, due in large part to the vision and resilience of the Silverstein organization.
Early in my career, my previous employer hired my now-wife to serve as an external auditor for several assets of the firm. A few years later, I assumed responsibility for that same project, and through that experience, I realized this was exactly where I wanted my career to head.
Several years later, I had the opportunity to join Silverstein Properties, and the way I felt then has not changed. I value my professional life immensely and remain grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to an organization that holds such personal significance to me.
❓Can you share a bit about your background and heritage?
🔵 I was born in Queens to immigrant parents from Cebu, Philippines, who raised me with strong values centered around family and hard work. Growing up in a close-knit Filipino household shaped much of who I am today, both personally and professionally. While much of our extended family has since relocated to the United States, the core values and sense of community have remained unchanged. To me, it’s the same family and culture – simply in a different setting.
❓What does Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?
🔵 AANHPI Heritage Month is an opportunity for reflection, appreciation, and recognition of the generations before us who made sacrifices to create opportunities for their families and future generations. It serves as a reminder that every second-generation immigrant’s story began long before them.
It serves as a reminder of the values I was raised with – resilience and a strong sense of family and community. It is also meaningful to see the growing representation of AANHPI folks across leadership roles and industries that may have once felt out of reach to many immigrant families generations ago.
❓How have your cultural roots influenced your career journey?
🔵 My cultural roots have influenced my career journey primarily through the values I was raised with – hard work, accountability, and a strong sense of responsibility toward family. Growing up in an immigrant household, there was always a clear understanding that opportunities should never be taken for granted.
I’ve always believed in being dependable, putting in consistent effort, and continuously learning from the people around me.
❓Does your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?
🔵 Family gatherings have always been especially important to me. In Filipino culture, there’s a strong emphasis on staying closely-connected across generations, whether it’s birthdays, holidays, or simple weekend gatherings centered around food and conversation. These moments have always reinforced the importance of family, community, and, most importantly – showing up for one another. Even as our family has grown and relocated over the years, maintaining those connections and traditions has remained incredibly meaningful.
