Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

US Open Juniors Champ Alex Eala Joins Roster of Filipino Achievers at the 12th TOFA Awards

Financial Rescue LLC and GMA Pinoy TV co-present the 12th Annual TOFA Awards at The Town Hall in Times Square, September 16.

US Open Juniors Champ Alex Eala Joins Roster of Filipino Achievers at the 12th TOFA Awards

New York City--The Outstanding Filipinos in America Awards honor the triumph of a 17-year-old Filipino tennis player, Alex Eala, who just won the grand slam juniors singles title at the U.S. Open--a first from any tennis player from the Philippines. Ms. Eala, who is now back to training in California, is conferred the TOFA Global Awards for Sports, given to global Filipinos who made exceptional achievements in their field of endeavor.

"I'm so honored and thankful to accept this TOFA Global Awards for Sports," said Ms. Eala in a message given to TOFA. "Receiving this award will drive me to work even harder, to excel even further, in a sport I love so much. Hopefully, in the process, I hope to inspire others to excel and work harder, too, in the sport they love."

Since the awards' inception in 2010, TOFA has been expanding its roster of recipients from the closely-knit Filipino-American community in the New York Tri-State to Filipinos with illustrious careers and tenacious, special advocacies on the West Coast to the most admirable global Filipinos. In the Global Awards category, which is introduced at this year's awarding ceremony, Ms. Eala shares the recognition with Dubai-based fashion couture designer Michael Cinco.

"TOFA is evolving alongside the Fil-Am community, and we're excited to transition from an NYC event to a platform for outstanding Filipinos anywhere in the world," TOFA Awards founder Elton Lugay said.

38 other outstanding Filipinos based in the United States are joining the sprawling stage at the Town Hall in Times Square, where the TOFA Awards are held for the first time after 11 years of residency at the famed Carnegie Hall. Among them are NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne Del Castillo, Public Works Commissioner in Los Angeles Jessica Caloza, Hollywood actor Reggie Lee, eight-time Emmy Award winner Lisa Lew, Live Nation Philippines Managing Director Rhiza Pascua, photographer Edwin Santiago, Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida, Ty Penserga, social media fashion star Bretman Rock, and UERM Foundation founder Dr. Emilio Quines.

The Philippines' King of Talk Boy Abunda returns to the TOFA Awards as its longtime main host, along with Emmy Award winner Hazel Sanchez, also a news anchor at PIX11 Morning News, and women's rights activist Farah Delance Linot as special segment co-hosts. They are also presenting the inaugural recipients of the TOFA x President Biden Lifetime Achievement Awards, whose awardees include Ambassador Mario de Leon, Jr., Honorable Steven Raga, National Federation of Filipino Americans leader Brendan Flores, Hollywood journalists-power couple Ruben and Janet Nepales, business leaders Rod Mercado and Rely Manacay, community leader Juliet Payabyab, and fashion designer Alexis Monsanto.

Cultural dance groups Parangal Dance Company, Kinding Sindaw, and the Sinulog Dancers of Cebu are poised to open the show, whose entertainment segments are also headlined by Broadway and movie actress Lydia Gaston, all-male vocal trio AFTER 3, and exemplary session musicians Maestro Bobby Ramiro, Adrian Daryl, Niel Valero Manapat, and Alroy Teves.

Doors at the Town Hall open at 7 p.m.

A limited number of tickets are available here.

Photo: Alex Eala



Related Stories
At 12, TOFA Awards Brim With Historic Firsts Photo
In its 12th year, The Outstanding Filipino American Awards (TOFA), founded by journalist Elton Lugay, were still brimming with historic firsts. From the Carnegie Hall on 56th Street, TOFA’s venue has moved down 13 streets to the Town Hall. TOFA has also launched its newest sets of excellence in leadership awards: the Lifetime Achievement Awards, endorsed by President Joe Biden, and the Global Awards. Remarkably, it was also the first time an incumbent mayor of the city has physically graced a Fil-Am event.

New York City Now Back in CDCs High-Risk Category for COVID Spread Photo
All five New York City boroughs of are back in the CDC's high-risk category for COVID community spread. The current strain of the omicron variant of COVID is being called the 'worst version.' 

Broadway’s Mask and Vaccination Policy Continues Through April Photo
The Broadway League announced today that the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City will continue to uphold current mask and vaccine requirements through April 30, 2022.

BroadwayWorld Seeks Cabaret Contributors in New York City Photo
As a member of our community, you will have the opportunity to review the shows of your choice, conduct interviews with local and touring talent, design features of your own choosing for publishing, and work/network with your local theater community and our global network of passionate enthusiasts!


From This Author - Oliver Oliveros

Oliver is a seasoned organizational communication, public relations, and digital marketing professional who works with CEOs and young professionals to hone their creativity, stakeholders' engag... (read more about this author)


PHOTOS: Take a First Look at MINTeatro's ROMEO AND JULIETPHOTOS: Take a First Look at MINTeatro's ROMEO AND JULIET
March 19, 2023

Take a first look at MINTeatro’s production of William Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet,' a timeless and tragic tale of young love, from an edited text by Nelsito Gomez and Giselle Giorgia, who also directs the play, featuring an all-student cast.

Photos: Take a Peek at ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang)Photos: Take a Peek at ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang)
March 18, 2023

Ateneo Blue Repertory rises from the pandemic with its in-person production of the cult classic 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah, The Musical' ('Yun Lang), based on the comic book superheroine of the same name created by National Book Awardee Carlo Vergara.

Video: ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang) Cast Take their Opening Weekend BowsVideo: ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang) Cast Take their Opening Weekend Bows
March 18, 2023

Ateneo Blue Repertory rises from the pandemic with its in-person production of the cult classic 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah, The Musical' (‘Yun Lang), based on the comic book superheroine of the same name created by National Book Awardee Carlo Vergara.

VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'
March 17, 2023

Lauren Kidwell, who plays Mother Abbess in the US National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' reprises the same role in the Asian tour engagements of the beloved family musical, which plays the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.

VIDEO: Jack O'Brien-Directed THE SOUND OF MUSIC Opens in ManilaVIDEO: Jack O'Brien-Directed THE SOUND OF MUSIC Opens in Manila
March 13, 2023

The North American touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien, has reached Manila and plays at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Ayala Malls’ Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.