30 October 2014 – The fourth The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) was an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Filipinos in the New York area during Filipino American History Month. On its fourth year on October 25, held at the Carnegie Hall in New York, it became a time of reflection as well, as keynote speakers congratulated the 14 winners and five Heritage Awardees and voiced the hope that the time has come to take professional success and achievement to the next level.
With their accomplishments, said Jason Tengco, senior advisor at White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), Filipinos have made “a huge dent in the glass and bamboo ceiling.” It is time, he stressed, “not just to have a seat at the table but to lead the meeting.”
Consul General Mario Lopez de Leon Jr. recognized the community’s efforts in elevating the profile of Filipinos in the US, especially during celebrations during the Filipino-American History Month. He said he would like to see more Filipinos assume leadership roles, as he gave kudos to TOFA-NY awardees for their “noteworthy skills, competence and social impact” in New York and throughout the US. He further acknowledged the rising visibility of the Filipinos in every field imaginable in the mainstream US society, and the recognition given by their American counterparts to the exemplary Filipinos.
Journalist and Rappler founder Maria Ressa, who hosted the awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall, said being Filipino American can cut both ways. “It is both a blessing and a curse,” she said. “If you don’t navigate the waters well, you’ll drown. But if you hold the values from both worlds, we create something new, we create a community that defines us.”
CEO and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis urged this year’s awardees to remain proud Filipino Americans not easily disheartened by failures. She urged them to “fight bigotry and discrimination,” and to keep going whatever obstacles are in the way.
This year’s 14 TOFA awardees are: Kinding Sindaw for Arts and Culture, Dennis Josue for Business and Entrepreneurship, Roger Santos for Community Service and Advocacy, Geena Rocer for Courage of Conviction, Michael Vea for Education, Reasearch and Technology, Jhett Tolentino fir Entertainment, Elle Madrona for Fashion and Style, Joel Javier for Food and Restaurants, Nemby Duran for Health Care, Jenab-i Pareja for LGBT Advocacy, Ritz Mazon Craves for Media and Publishing, Ludi di Asis Hughes for Public Service and Politics, Juliet Payabyab for Senior Welfare Advocacy, and Team Takbo for yOuth and Sports
This year’s Heritage Awardees are award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez, fashion designer and philanthropist Josie Natori; Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia University Sheila Coronel; the founder of Fiesta In America trade and cultural expo; and the medical mission volunteers of Philippine Medical Association in America (PMAA).
A brief but poignant moment came when Miss USA first runner-up Audra Mari recalled her Filipino roots. Her Filipino grandfather, surgeon Justo Mari, married an American woman and raised a family in North Dakota. She is witness to the enduring love between her grandparents who just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Expressing thanks on behalf of the TOFA-NY board, founder and executive producer Elton Lugay said, “Trust and transparency are two things we take to heart. We have reached our fourth year because of the open process by which the winners are nominated and voted and because the support and trust of the community have grown over the years.”
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo was represented by Gil Quiniones, CEO of the New York Power Authority. Through Quiniones, the only Filipino in the governor’s Cabinet, Cuomo offered his congratulations to the honorees as well as gratitude for Filipino-American contributions to the state.
AARP, which supported the event, reached out to the Filipino-American community with its core message about taking care of the elderly. AARP Ambassador, Retired Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, noted that caregiving is a family matter but is something some tight-lipped Filipino families hardly talk about until the parents become ill and the need is there.
He urged Filipino-American families to “start a conversation early” and invited them to visit the AARP website for resources on caregiving.
The evening’s emotional and empowering moments were stitched together with musical entertainment courtesy of the Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles, Broadway Barkada, Enteng Evangelista, UST Alumni Singers, Voice of McDonald’s’ Richard Lelis Tuozo, Pilipino American Cultural Arts Society of Washington D.C., Elaine Ficarra, pianist Yasuhiko Fukuoka, Pilipinas Got Talent’s Geo Ed Rebucas, and Voice Kids Philippines’ Darren Espanto. END