New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. AP FILE PHOTO
NEW YORK, New York — Mayor Bill de Blasio congratulated the annual, independent search for exemplary Filipino Americans in the New York metropolitan area that will highlight Filipino American History Month in October.
The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) are chosen by popular vote conducted via social media, and awardees will be honored at a ceremony set for October 25 at Carnegie Hall.
“With an estimated 200 spoken languages and more than three million residents born outside of the US, New York’s diversity in unparalleled,” de Blasio said in a statement. “Our large and thriving Filipino population is an invaluable thread in the fabric of our city.”
As in previous years, Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. andbusinesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis will deliver inspirational messages.
The other speakers are retired Army Gen. Tony Taguba, AARP’s community ambassador; Jason Tengco, senior advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and Miss USA 1st runner-up Audra Mari, who is a Fil-Am.
Maria Ressa, formerly CNN’s bureau chief in Manila and Jakarta, and one ofthe founders of Rappler, the Philippines’ first Internet-based news organization, will host the event. She has been covering Asia for more than 25 years. She lived in Toms River, New Jersey with her family, and graduated from Princeton University where she studied biology and English.
This year’s TOFA-NY awards will also feature a stellar lineup of entertainers led by Darren Espanto of “The Voice Kids Philippines ”and Geo Ed Rebucas, a “Pilipinas Got Talent” finalist.
Also featured are Broadway Barkada, Enteng Evangelista and the UST Singers, “Voice of McDonald’s” finalist Richard Tuozo and the Pilipino American Cultural Arts Society of Washington, DC.
The following are nominees for 2014:
Arts & Culture
Kinding Sindaw
Society of Philippine American Artists
Teresa Rodriguez
Business & Entrepreneurship
Pete & Shirley Domingo
Dennis Josue
Gary Reloj
Community Service & Advocacy
Ryan Letada
Rommel del Rosario
Roger Santos
Courage of Conviction
Nancy Bulalacao
Geena Rocero
Education, Research & Technology
Emelyn de la Pena
Lemuel Sison
Michael Vea
Entertainment
Broadway Barkada
Deep Foundation
Jhett Tolentino
Fashion & Style
Ryan Jordan
Elle Madrona
Danica Magpantay
Food & Restaurants
Liza de Guia
Joel Javier
Papa’s Kitchen
Health Care
Nemcy Cavite Duran RN
Randolf Palmaira
Corge Reyes
LGBT Advocacy
RJ Mendoza-Nadal
Jenab-i Pareja
Marin Watts
Media & Publishing
Gina Apostol
Ritz Mazon Craves
Tina Pamintuan
Public Service & Politics
Ludi Hughes
R Sonny Sampayan
Maria Torres-Springer
Senior Welfare & Advocacy
Filipino American Senior Citizens Association Queens NYC
Juliet Payabyab
PAGASA Social Foundation Inc.
Youth & Sports
Frenie Acoba
Jonathan de Castro
Team Takbo
Heritage Awards will be awarded to five individuals and organizations whose skills, competence, professionalism and talent helped elevate the profile of Filipino Americans throughout the Tri-State.
This year’s recipients are Oscar Award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez, CEO Josie Natori of The Natori Company, Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia Journalism School Sheila Coronel, Fiesta in America business and cultural trade exposition, and the Philippine Medical Association of America.
The people behind TOFA-NY are multimedia professionals and entrepreneurs, with Elton Lugay as founding chair, and Sally Nunez, Cristina DC Pastor (Nominations) and Oliver Oliveros (Publicity) composing the board.
Here is the link to vote:
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