Transgender activist, chef, educator lead TOFA New York awardees

Photos from top clockwise: transgender activist Geena Rocero, chef Joel Javier, and teacher Michael Vea; Heritage Awardee Bobby Lopez. THE FILAM PHOTO

NEW YORK CITY — A transgender activist, a chef who is part of a campaign to promote healthy lunches for public school children, and an educator for Teach for the Philippines lead this year’s awardees of The Outstanding Filipino Americans of New York (TOFA-NY), a celebration that rounds up the month-long celebration of Filipino American History Month in New York.

Model Geena Rocero, who founded Gender Proud, wins the Courage of Conviction award. Chef de cuisine Joel Javier of Telepan Local is the Food honoree, and teacher Michael Vea, who is the US director for the grassroots initiative Teach for the Philippines, topped the Education category.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Arts & Culture

Kinding Sindaw

Business & Entrepreneurship

Dennis Josue

Community Service & Advocacy

Roger Santos

Courage of Conviction

Geena Rocero

Education, Research & Technology

Michael Vea

Entertainment

Jhett Tolentino

Fashion & Style

Elle Madrona

Food & Restaurants

Joel Javier

Health Care

Nemcy Duran

LGBT Advocacy

Jenab-i Pareja

Media & Publishing

Ritz Mazon Craves

Public Service & Politics

Ludi de Asis Hughes

Senior Welfare Advocacy

Juliet Payabyab

Youth & Sports

Team Takbo

“I congratulate The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) 2014 at a most fitting time this October when we celebrate Filipino American History month,” said Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. in a message to TOFA-NY. “The awardees and nominees are a testament to the excellence of the Filipinos in every field imaginable, and their significant contribution to the progress of both the U.S. and the Philippines.”

Five individuals and organizations will be feted with the highest honors—The Heritage Awards—at the awards ceremony to be held at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on October 25, at 7 p.m. They are award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez, fashion designer and philanthropist Josie Natori; Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia University Sheila Coronel; the people behind Fiesta In America trade and cultural expo; and the medical mission volunteers of Philippine Medical Association in America (PMAA).

Lopez, whose global hit song, “Let It Go,” which he co-wrote with his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, won all 4 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) academy awards, said, “I am so proud of my Filipino-American heritage, which comes from my father’s side and from which I learned a tireless work ethic and a challenge to always do my best. I’m honored to be one of the recipients of this year’s Heritage Awards.”

“With an estimated 200 spoken languages and more than three million residents born outside of the U.S., New York’s diversity is unparalleled,” said Mayor Bill De Blasio in a message to TOFA-NY. “Our large and thriving Filipino population is an invaluable thread in the fabric of our city.”

To make the celebration even more momentous, Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., CEO and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis, AARP Ambassador retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Senior Adviser Jason Tengco, and Miss USA First Runner-up Audra Mari will speak about what it is to means to be Filipino American and the issues they face. Journalist and Rappler founder Maria Ressa will host this year’s awards night.

The VOICE Kids Philippines’ Darren Espanto, multi-award winning composer-pianist Yasuhiko Fukuoka, Pilipinas Got Talent finalist Geo Ed Rebucas, Philippine Chamber Singers Los Angeles, Broadway Barkada, UST Alumni Singers of New York, Enteng Evangelista, Richard Lelis Tuozo, Elaine Ficarra, and Pilipino-American Cultural Arts Society of Washington, D.C. are among the artists set to perform.

The annual TOFA-NY Awards is an independent search for exemplary FilAms in the New York metropolitan area. Voting is conducted via social media, and the awardees are celebrated at Carnegie Hall. It is organized by multimedia professionals and entrepreneurs, with Elton Lugay as founding chair, board members Sally Nunez, Cristina DC Pastor and Oliver Oliveros comprising the board. It has been recognized by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, a premier organization focusing on multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry.