Photo Coverage: 4th The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York Awards at Carnegie Hall

Tony Award winners Bobby Lopez ("The Book of Mormon," "Avenue Q") and Jhett Tolentino ("Here Lies Love," "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder"), among others, receive Filipino American community honors.

Broadway Barkada, a group of Filipino American theater performers, Enteng Evangelista and University of Santo Tomas Singers alums, and THE VOICE KIDS of the Philippines's Darren Espanto, among others, bring the packed crowd to their feet at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall Saturday night.

Co-written by Khrys Corpuz

New York--The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) awards ceremony was an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Filipinos in the New York Tri-State area during Filipino American History Month in October. Now in its fourth year, it also became a time of reflection as keynote speakers emphasized it's time 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, Filipinos have made "a huge dent in the glass and bamboo ceiling." It's time, he stressed, "not just to have a seat at the table but to lead the meeting."

Philippine Consul General in New York 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.com founder Maria Ressa, who hosted the awards ceremony, said being Filipino American can cut both ways. "It's both a blessing and a curse. 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."

TLC Beatrice 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-NY special category awardees are: 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; and Youth & Sports-Team Takbo.

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).

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 Gov. 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 to 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 Community Ambassador, Retired Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, said 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.

Photos: Rolan Gutierrez

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