http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-fi...ans-honored-ny

MANILA - Fourteen Filipino personalities were named as "The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York" (TOFA-NY) in a ceremony held at the Carnegie Hall last weekend.

This year’s 14 TOFA 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

Youth & Sports
Team Takbo

Jason Tengco, senior advisor at White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), said with the awardees' accomplishments Filipinos have made "a huge dent in the glass and bamboo ceiling". He added that it is time "not just to have a seat at the table but to lead the meeting."

Consul General Mario Lopez de Leon Jr. recognized the community's efforts in elevating the profile of Filipinos in the US. He said he would like to see more Pinoys assume leadership roles in the US.

He congratulated the 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 Maria Ressa who hosted the event said being Filipino American can cut both ways.

"It is 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," Ressa said.

Filipino-American leader 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.

Meanwhile, 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) are also this year's Heritage Awardees.

@Sumpit can you put this thread in the sticky thread... Also it possible to take off the the poll in the pretty and hot sexy filpinas worldwide? .. I want to put a new poll