HONOLULU, HI, USA — The 14th annual TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) is set to take place on October 27, 2024, at the Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu. This event 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, and healthcare, among others. After being held in New York for several years and Los Angeles last year, this year’s ceremony will honor the vibrant Filipino community in Hawaii—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, and there will be 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.
More than 20 national awardees will be honored this year, including singer turned healthcare professional Tootsie Guevara, the first Fil-Am honored with a Barbie Dr. Audrey Cruz, California Teacher of the Year Joseph Alvarico, Las Vegas Fil-Am radio pioneer Johann Sayson, and celebrity fitness coach Maricris Hyland.
Also among the honorees are millennial investigative journalist from the Bay Area Ryan Macasero; Jonathan Maravilla, lead engineer at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; longtime community advocate Cosme Suguitan; award-winning novelist Gina Apostol; and mental health professional Dr. Peter Morante.
The celebration continues with the recognition of Amiel Noble, noted for promoting Filipino culture through his intricate barong designs; entrepreneur Alvin Francia; Hollywood singer Ranella Ferrer; veteran dentist Dr. Gil de Chavez; celebrity designer Kenneth Barlis; concert promoter Lyra Venaglia; and founder of global sandwich chain Eggslut Chef Alvin Cailan.
Rounding out the list are philanthropist Jean Pioso, veteran musical director Bobby Ramiro, tourism advocate Evelyn Clough, politician turned baby nurse Florinda Rabat, Hercules Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin, realtor Alona Quinonez, 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, Farah de Lance Foundation, Megaworld International, Make Your Marc, and KUBO.com.ph, among many others. (KUBO Ed: Visit the KUBO booth if you’ll be at the event, we’d love to meet you!)
Premium tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are available for USD100 in the loge and bar sections. These tickets provide access to the show, with dinner and drinks available for purchase on-site.
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 UDS50. For more information, contact producer Nimfa Ilagan at (808) 386-2664.
For event info, you may contact Rasmin Diaz, TOFA press relations officer at 212-417-0419 or via email at [email protected]. For ticket purchases, click here.
