PH consul lauds contributions of TOFA-NY awardees

PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL in New York General Mario de Leon Jr. PHOTO BY ELTON LUGAY

NEW YORK CITY—In anticipation of The Outstanding Filipino-Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) Awards on October 31, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario De Leon Jr. saluted honorees of for their “positive contribution to the rich heritage shared by Filipinos all over the world.”

Mark Bustos, a professional hair stylist who gives free services to the homeless during his day off; Maharlika and Jeepney’s Nicole Ponseca, an award-winning restaurateur who propels modern Filipino cuisine into the mainstream; and Councilmember Jonathan Wong, who at 23 became the youngest Filipino American elected to office in Mahwah, New Jersey, are among this year’s awardees.

They are honored alongside Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis, NY City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) chair; Steven Raga, NY state chairperson for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA); Dr. Richard Holsman, founder of Holsman Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Kevin Nadal, executive director of The Center for LGBTQ Studies; and Chelle Lhuillier, a member of the transgender engagement team of the Human Rights Campaign’s Greater New York Steering Committee.

“Each of you have conveyed the dedication and passion for consistent hard work and productivity which speaks well of the Filipino-American community not just here in New York City, but throughout the U.S. and the globe,” he said in a message to this year’s 15 TOFA-NY awardees. “Positive change is indeed synonymous with the work that each of you has ably delivered.”

Award-winning soprano Katrina Saporsantos, fashion designer Betina Ocampo, model and singer Gail Banawis, entrepreneur John Gadia, Makilala TV and PAG-ASA Social Foundation round out this year’s honorees. Popular TV and film actress KC Concepcion, national ambassador against hunger of the United Nations’ World Food Programme in the Philippines, will be presented with TOFA-NY’s Special Humanitarian Award.

“Whether as civil servants, news and lifestyle reporters, business entrepreneurs, fashion designers, law enforcers, athletes and performing artists, you – the TOFA awardees – have been exemplary representatives of our homeland in your respective profession,” De Leon said.

Presented by AARP, TOFA-NY Awards caps the month-long Filipino American Heritage celebrations in the New York tri-state area. Philippine concert king Martin Nievera and “Asia’s King of Talk” Boy Abunda headline this year’s awarding ceremony, which starts at 8 p.m. on October 31.

Flying in from California are international singer and actress Stephanie Reese, World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) gold medalist Jelly Balbuena and the Parangal Dance Company. Together with local talents Angel Ram, Demi Valonzo, Enrico Lagasca, and Elaine Ficarra, they embody an amazing breadth of talent with Filipino roots.

“As this milestone evening highlights the successes that you have achieved in your career and livelihood, may you continue to maintain strong links with our homeland and culture, and likewise inspire millions of our kababayans back home that there is absolutely no goal that can be achieved without persistency and constant eyes on the prize,” De Leon told this year’s TOFA-NY awardees.

The backdrop for this exciting evening is the beautiful Carnegie Hall. Keynote speakers are Loida Nicolas Lewis, co-founder of U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance; Janet Nepales, member of the Hollywood Foreign Press; Gil  Quiniones, president and CEO of New York Power Authority; and Ken Natori, vice president of the Natori Company. Cristeta Comerford, the first woman and Asian to hold the post of White House executive chef, is this year’s special guest.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), NY City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NY Southern District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, along with Tony winners and past TOFA-NY awardees Lea Salonga and Robert Lopez, join De Leon in congratulating this year’s honorees.

Founded by NY-based journalist Elton Lugay in 2011, TOFA-NY Awards were created to give recognition to organizations and individuals who have raised the profile of Filipino Americans in the NY tri-state area. Serving on the board along with Lugay are Edwin Josue, Jerry Sibal, and Oliver Oliveros, director of nominations, publicity and promotions.

Notable TOFA-NY Award winners include Tony winners Lea Salonga, Bobby Lopez, and Jhett Tolentino, Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas, fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, transgender activist Geena Rocero, and multi-awarded seasoned journalist Sheila Coronel.

Presented by AARP, the fifth annual TOFA-NY Awards are sponsored by Philippine Airlines, The Lewis College, The Blakely Hotel, DirecTV, Santos Enterprises, Apple One Banawa Heights, Vynnz Entertainment, Cuisine Studios, Inquirer.net, Conzerge Hotel Collection, Sweet Habana Catering, and One Philippines.

Event tickets ($60-100) may be purchased via www.carnegiehall.org, or call CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, Monday–Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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