Pres. Biden’s message highlights Filipino trailblazers at TOFA Awards

President Joe Biden waves during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s top brass and more Filipino trailblazers are slated for Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards at the TOFA event.

On Oct. 27, Hawaii’s former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, former state senator Bennette Misalucha and incumbent state representative Trish La Chica will receive the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, along with 10 other Filipino trailblazers at the 14th Annual TOFA—The Outstanding Filipino Awards.

Cayetano, the first Filipino American to serve as a state governor in the United States, led the island state from 1994–2002.

Misalucha served as a state senator from 2020–2022, and La Chica holds the District 37 seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives.

Other Filipino trailblazers to receive the lifetime achievement award include Fil-Am community stalwart Rozita Lee, Emmy award-winning producer Marc Anthony Nicolas, real estate and elderly care executive Rosemarie Koerner, entrepreneur Alexander Tecson, immigration lawyer Ed Allan Lindain, concert promoter Vicente Perez, Parangal Dance Company founder Prof. Eric Solano, entertainment writer Nancy Bernal, Knights of Rizal area commander for Hawaii Jerry Felicitas, construction industry leader Engr. Edmund Aczon, health advocate Arnold Villafuerte and healthcare entrepreneur Dr. Nancy Atmospera-Walch.

“Each one of you is part of a long line of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things—pushing our country ever forward,” President Joe Biden said in his message for the 14th Annual TOFA.

The President Biden Lifetime Achievement Awards is a special category introduced in 2022 when TOFA became the first Filipino award-giving organization accredited by the Office of Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.

The lifetime achievement awards honor and recognize outstanding commitment and service to communities in the United States. Biden himself was a guest speaker at the 10th Annual TOFA held virtually in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was then the Democratic Party presidential candidate.

The awarding ceremony at Blue Note Hawaii is extra special for Lee, the tireless Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) advocate who co-founded the Nevada chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

A respected Las Vegas Filipino community figure affectionately known as Manang Rozita, she was among the first Filipino White House commissioners on AAPI selected by former president Barack Obama. An inspiration to many for her dedication to social justice and civility, Lee was born in Lahaina, Hawaii, and moved to Las Vegas in 1979. She comes full circle on Oct. 27 as she celebrates her 90th birthday at the TOFA event.

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“We are delighted to showcase Filipino perseverance and dedication every year as the nation celebrates Filipino American History Month. The Filipino sense of community is not only a source of pride but more importantly a pillar of our collective strength,” says Brendan Flores, chair of the TOFA board. The former NaFFAA executive, the organization’s first millennial president and board chairman, will lead the awarding ceremony for the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Awards. He will be joined by TOFA board members in presenting the awards.

This year’s TOFA board members are Dr. Farah Delance Linot, founder of TOFA community partner Farah Delance Foundation; serial entrepreneur Garth Garcia; Miles dela Cruz, also TOFA’s chief finance officer; Knights of Rizal’s Manny and Ditas Malasig; Mithi Aquino Thomas; Dr. Claire Morcilla; Chris Clark; and Loida Nicolas Lewis, TOFA’s honorary adviser.

“As TOFA opens a fresh chapter at Blue Note Hawaii, we will uncover life stories that will deepen our understanding of the Filipino spirit. It is our privilege to be able to share their stories with Filipinos all around the world,” says TOFA founder and CEO Elton Lugay.