Fil-Am teachers’ group hails top students, educators in NY

Recipients of PERLAS (Phil-Am Exemplary Responsive Leadership Award for Students) Monica Grace Sanagustin, Samantha Abaya Ocampo, Gary Pesola, Elaine Ficarra and Andrea Cadornigara. PHOTOS BY JELO M. PECANA

NEW YORK CITY–Twenty-five star students, educators and leaders dazzled and inspired the guests at the Gabi Ng Parangal of the Association of Fil-American Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA) on November 14 at Astoria World Manor in Queens.

The organization gave the honorees the PERLAS, AFTA-UG, AFTA-LEADS and DTA awards for exemplifying excellence, leadership and dedicated service in their respective places of study and work.

Dr. Raul Cajigas, AFTA president, explained that a rigorous selection process–two interviews for both the PERLAS AND AFTA-UG and an actual demonstration lesson for the UFTA-UG nominees—determined the award recipients. All nominations “were thoroughly fact-checked to ensure fair selection. We are very pleased and proud of our awardees tonight,” he declared.

Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan Asuzena congratulated AFTA on its effort to recognize Fil-Am teachers who, by their accomplishments, give honor and prestige to the Philippines and Filipinos.

DCG Kira Azucena (top left), Councilman Rolando Lavarro (bottom left), AFTA President Dr. Raul Cajigas (bottom right), and America’s Finest Teacher Award-Ulirang Guro awardees Divina Forneas, Helen Rostata-Pesola, Dr. Josefina Goodwin, Julieta Sasuman, Gina Vallejera, Dr. Eleuterio Timbol, Rodolfo Macasinag, Regie Zamora and Regan Duka.

“We are also very happy to have AFTA as our partner in the Paaralan Sa Konsulado for propagating the Filipino culture, which we in the PCGNY, aim to accomplish here in the U.S. and in other parts of the world,” Asuzena said. Paaralan Sa Konsulado is a five-Saturday summer workshop on Philippine culture for young children that has been held at the Philippine Center since 1999. “For the many other projects of AFTA in the Philippines, we are grateful to them as well.”

The five PERLAS (Phil-Am Exemplary Responsive Leadership Award for Students) awards were for the confidence, civic-mindedness and many talents that the honorees use to serve the community, beyond their outstanding academic accomplishments. The PERLAS awardees are Monica Grace Sanagustin, Samantha Abaya Ocampo, Gary Pesola, Elaine Ficarra and Andrea Cadornigara.

Competent, innovative and inspiring are some qualities the AFTA Ulirang Guro (AFTA-UG) awardees possess. Varied in their fields of expertise, the nine educators who “bring the same dedication and passion to their daily encounter with students, endearing them to children, parents and colleagues,” are Divina Forneas, Helen Rostata-Pesola, Dr. Josefina Goodwin, Julieta Sasuman, Gina Vallejera, Dr. Eleuterio Timbol, Rodolfo Macasinag, Regie Zamora and Regan Duka.

LEADS (Leadership in Educational Administration Distinguished Service) awardees (left to right) Enrico Domingo, Perlita Recaido, Cindy Dy Buncio, Dolores Tolentino, Mercedes Dungog, Efigenia Ubaldo, Girlie Mercado, Zenaida Ramirez, and Ira Ching.

The AFTA LEADS award (Leadership in Educational Administration Distinguished Service) was given to ten Fil-American school administrators who have a proven track record of creating an exceptional environment of learning for students, teachers and staff in their schools. The ten awardees are Enrico Domingo, Perlita Recaido, Cindy Dy Buncio, Dolores Tolentino, Mercedes Dungog, Efigenia Ubaldo, Girlie Mercado, Zenaida Ramirez, and Ira Ching.

Carol Tanjutco, lawyer and CPA, is AFTA’s 20^th Dona Teodora Alonzo awardee. She has been a moral booster, cheerleader, and supporter of the organization for many years. She helps raise AFTA’s profile by her published press releases and assisting in many projects of the association like the Paaralan Sa Konsulado.

Carol Tanjutco, AFTA’s 20th Dona Teodora Alonzo Award recipient.

Fil-Am organizations like Order of the Knights of Rizal New York City Chapter, KAPWA, Highbridge Advisory Council Head Start, MSU eVillage Eastern America, Filipino Social Club of New York, Inc., Cdo Mis. Or. Association of NY, Philippine Heritage Center, Federation of Biliran, Leyte and Samar Associations and Youth Global Success Foundations were recognized for supporting AFTA for the past years, with their presence during gatherings as well as generous donations and moral support.

AFTA’s supporters include leaders from 10 organizations that support AFTA projects: Order of the Knights of Rizal New York City Chapter, Youth Success Global Foundation, Filipino Social Club of New York, Cdo Mis. Or. Association of New York, Highbridge Advisory Council Head Start, MSU eVillage International-Eastern Region, Federation of Biliran, Leyte, Samar Associations, KAPWA, Philippine Heritage Center, St. Ann St. Brendan’s Filipino Parishioners.

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