Carlos Yulo to receive award for global Filipino excellence in Hawaii

HONOLULU, HI — Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, is set to receive an award for global Filipino excellence at the prestigious 14th annual TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards).

This premier event is set to take place on Oct. 27, 2024, at the iconic Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu. TOFA celebrates the remarkable achievements of global Filipinos, coinciding with Filipino American History Month.

TOFA has established itself as the foremost Filipino awards event in the United States, recognizing excellence across various fields such as arts, business, politics, community service, entertainment, healthcare, among others.

After being held in New York for several years and Los Angeles last year, this year’s ceremony will honor Hawaii’s vibrant Filipino community, home to the second-largest Filipino population in the country.

Hosted by the renowned “King of Talk,” Boy Abunda, the live ceremony will feature performances by 4th Impact of X Factor UK fame and San Francisco’s Parangal Dance Company. Emmy-winning producer Marc Nicolas will host the red carpet, with performances by OPM diva Tootsie Guevara, Fil-Am “Prince of Pop,” Garth Garcia, powerhouse vocalist Ranella Ferrer and mental health advocate Thomas Orlina.

Several local artists from the TOFA performing group in New York and Starlink Music in LA will also make appearances.

This year’s global awardees include two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, Filipina Women’s Network global awardee Maria Victoria Acosta, veteran journalist Nimfa Rueda, Fil-Canadian serial entrepreneur Limuel Hayag and Filipino girl group 4th Impact, whose inspirational journey from Manila to Las Vegas has touched many.

More than 20 national awardees will be honored this year, including Hercules Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin, California Teacher of the Year Joseph Alvarico, Las Vegas Fil-Am radio pioneer Johann Sayson, award-winning novelist Gina Apostol, concert promoter Lyra Venaglia, and Dr. Audrey Cruz, the first Fil-Am honored with a Barbie.

Also among the honorees are Amiel Noble, noted for promoting Filipino culture through his intricate barong designs; millennial investigative journalist from the Bay Area Ryan Macasero; Jonathan Maravilla, lead engineer at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; celebrity fitness coach Maricris Hyland; longtime community advocate Cosme Suguitan; and mental health professional Dr. Peter Morante.

The celebration continues with the recognition of entrepreneur Alvin Francia, politician-turned-baby nurse Florinda Rabat, Hollywood singer Ranella Ferrer, veteran dentist Dr. Gil de Chavez, realtor Alona Quinonez and Chef Alvin Cailan, founder of global sandwich chain Eggslut. 

Rounding out the list are philanthropist Jean Pioso, celebrity designer Kenneth Barlis, veteran musical director Bobby Ramiro, tourism advocate Evelyn Clough, singer-turned-healthcare professional Tootsie Guevara and The Fil-Com Center in Waipahu, inaugurated in 2002, almost a century after the first 15 Filipino farmers sailed for Hawai’i. It is the largest Filipino community center outside the Philippines.

In collaboration with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and Starlink, the event is presented with support from NYC Pride, Enteng the Dragon, Farah de Lance Foundation, Megaworld International, Magnolia Ice Cream USA, Resilient Care Physical Therapy, Make Your Marc and KUBO.com.ph. 

Other event and media partners for this year’s TOFA in Hawaii include Honolulu’s FilAm Courier, Blessed Prod and Travel, INQUIRER.net, PHLV Radio, OAGOT, BlogTalk with MJ Racadio, 808 Filipinos and celebrity hair and makeup artist Michelle Molina.

Premium tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are available for $100 in the loge and bar sections. These tickets provide access to the show, with dinner and drinks available for purchase on-site.

For event info, please contact Rasmin Diaz, TOFA press relations officer at 212-417-0419 or via email at [email protected]. Tickets are available here.

TOFA is excited to host two pre-events in New York and Waipahu in celebration of this year’s Hawaii gala.

On October 6, OPM diva Tootsie Guevara, Fil-Am “Prince of Pop” Garth Garcia, and NYC’s Queen of Soul Angel Ram will perform in a concert titled “Three As One” at the Triad Theatre in Manhattan. This event is part of TOFA’s FilAm History Month commemoration. For tickets, please contact Angel at (347) 357-4995.

Garth Garcia / FILE PHOTO

Then, on October 26, the night before TOFA Hawaii, 4th Impact, Garth Garcia and TOFA resident artist Rasmin Diaz will join local talents from Hawaii, Millie Guillermo, Kyra Pesebre, and host Raymond Sebastian to honor this year’s TOFA recipients and guests at a welcome reception and mini concert at the iconic FilCom Center in Waipahu. Tickets are just $50. For more information, contact producer Nimfa Ilagan at (808) 386-2664.

Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s TOFA presidential honorees in the coming weeks.

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