TOFA to honor 38 outstanding Filipinos in America

Thirty-eight honorees will receive The Outstanding Filipinos in America Awards for 2022.

TOFA is held annually in New York to recognize Filipino-Americans who have excelled in business, politics, entertainment, fashion, health, community service, culinary arts, culture, sports and finance.

It was founded in 2011 by New York-based journalist Elton Lugay.

The honorees are:

• Michael Cinco (fashion designer) — Global TOFA.

• Vilma and Elizabeth Kari (AAP founders) — Courage of Conviction

• Vallerie Archer (baking entrepreneur) — Food & Restaurants

• Anne del Castillo (NYC Mayor's Office of media and entertainment commissioner) — Media & Entertainment

• Mayor Arvin Amatorio (immigration lawyer) — Politics

• Gerald Tabios (long-distance runner) — Sports

• Jessica Caloza (first Filipino-American to serve as Public Works commissioner in Los Angeles) — Public Service

• Reggie Lee (Hollywood performer) — Entertainment

• Kelly Ilagan (National Federation of Filipino American Associations executive director) — Public Policy

• Lisa Lew (eight-time Emmy Award winner) —Philanthropy

• Richard and Imee Maghanoy (iSkin Face and Body Spa and Image Spa MD owners) — Business

•Rhiza Pascua (managing director, Live Nation Philippines) — Entertainment

• Eric Bustamante (banker) — Banking and Finance

• Maria Clarissa Morcilla Ramos (licensed physical therapist and certified clinical instructor) — Healthcare

• Edwin Santiago (photographer) — Philanthropy

• Mayor Ty Penserga (first openly gay man elected as Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach in Florida) — LGBT visibility

• Bretman Rock (influential beauty guru and reality TV star) — Social media

• Garth Garcia (MOR 101.9 Pinoy Music Award New Artist of the Year) — Youth

• Deeke Gaerlan (health and fitness advocate)

• Eddie Echavez (founder, Queens-based Emb Cargo Services)

• Mountaintop Entertainment (concert production company)

• Miguel Braganza (Broadway performer)

• GMA Pinoy TV (Fastest growing Filipino channel)

• Dr. Emilio Quines (UERM Medical Foundation founder)

• Dr. Winston Umali (pediatrician and choral concert singer)

• Dr. Alice Almendral (family physician, geriatrician and medical aesthetic doctor)

• Dr. Georgio Dano (family medicine nurse)

• Maria Ruth Lopez (nurse)

• Odelia Tablit (served in the US Army Corps for almost 30 years)

• Homer Mendoza (Montage Skin Science & Aesthetics founder)

• Amb. Mario de Leon Jr. (Diplomat) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Brendan Flores (youngest leader of NaFFAA) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Hon. Steven Raga (Democratic Party candidate for New York State's District 30 Assembly seat)

— Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Ruben and Janet Nepales (journalists) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardees

• Rod Mercado (business leader) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Juliet Payabyab (community leader)

— Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Rely Manacay (President of Senator Construction Group) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

• Alexis Monsanto (Designer and founder of Alexis Monsanto Atelier) — Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee

The honorees will receive the TOFA in a ceremony at The Town Hall in New York on 16 September. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $62 at Ticketmaster.