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The National Federation of Filipino American Associations New York The Outstanding Fathers of the Year 2018 September 22, 2018 • 1PM DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Newark Airport, New Jersey

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Elmer O. Abustan,Jr. Elmer O. Abustan, Jr. is an architect who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1975, College of Architecture. He passed the Board and got his license the same year. He practiced Architecture and Design Interior with Maricar Zaldarriaga Z-Design in Makati. He formed his own company, Abustan Guevarra and Associates, doing commercial and residential design and construction.

Mr. Abustan is married to Rheci Cabungcal from Lucban, Quezon, a graduate of St. Paul’s College, Manila. They are blessed with two children. Their first child, Jerrome, graduated in 1997 from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), and is an Executive Chef of Club Metropolitan. Their daughter, Giselle, completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Administration from the State University of New York College at Oneonta, in 2003. She has been working as a Store Manager for Gucci for eight years and works in Greenwich, CT. She held several beauty titles including: Miss Philippines-USA 1998, Mutya ng Lucban and Miss QPA to name a few.

Mr. Abustan and his family migrated to the United States in 1985 and landed a job at Kajima International in Fort Lee, NJ. He worked as a Project Manager handling Design and Construction of Commercial Banks in New York City like Daiwa Securities, Mitsui Bank and Securities, and the Long Term Credit Bank, which earned his mark as the most successful project published in Interior Design. He also worked with SLCE Architechts as a Project Manager handing high-rise condominiums in NYC. Mr. Abustan was the President of the Filipino Association of Rockland (FAR), Inc. from 2007 to 2015. He was also the President of the Philippine American Communities of the East Coast (PACEC), Inc. for four years, 2014-2017. He is currently the President of the Philippine American Community of Bergen County (PACBC), Inc. and was re-elected this year for another term, 2019-2020. He is the Vice-President of the Filipino American Bonding (FAB), Inc. He is affiliated with Lucbanin USA, Inc. and Quezon Province Association, Inc. As a community leader, his projects involved aiding in Medical Mission, scholarship programs, fund-raising programs for disaster relief here and in the Philippines, Santacruzan in Rockland, and distributing bread donations to the less fortunate.

Mr. Abustan is a recipient of various awards and recognitions including: Involvement in the Community Affairs and in Supporting the Goals and Objectives of the Council, PACEC 1998; Outstanding and Dedicated Service to PACEC, 2011; Outstanding and Unselfish Support to PACBC's Goals and Objectives, PACBC 2012; Outstanding Services and Relentless Efforts in Pursuing the Organizations Cause and Goals, PACEC 2013; and For Outstanding and Dedicated Services to the Filipino Association of Rockland, President 2007-2015, F.A.R. 2015.

Mr. Abustan is still currently practicing as an architect privately doing residential interior while enjoying retired life.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

CaesarSamonteBarangan Mr. Caesar S. Barangan is number five of five children. He was born in Manila on November 10, 1954. His father Santiago, was a General in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the erstwhile Commanding General of the Presidential Security Command tasked to protect the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his family. His mother, Floy, was a Pharmacist and an amazing homemaker who took on the enormous responsibility of taking care of the five children while Dad was away on assignments.

Mr. Barangan’s early education started at the University of the Philippines Elementary School in Diliman, Quezon City. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Psychology studies at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila.

Mr. Barangan first worked at the Technology Resource Center, an attached agency of the Ministry of Human Settlements, as Personnel Officer. He then moved on to become the Deputy Administrator of the Philippine Tourism Authority Golf and Sports Complex and the MalacaĂąang of the North, in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. He earned an Executive Commission from the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and was given the rank of Major in 1984.

Currently, Mr. Barangan works for ACLD Inc. on Long Island as the Program Coordinator of a day habilitation program for the mentally and developmentally challenged individuals residing on Long Island, a job he has held since 2001 and one that is very near and dear to his heart. While on sabbatical leave in 2006 in San Francisco, California, he acquired, co-owned and operated a six-bed Intermediate Care Facility that housed and cared for physically and developmentally disabled people. He also founded and organized a community-based Adult Development program in Hayward, California, which is still being run and overseen by his brotherin-law to this day. These programs help teach, develop and improve daily living skills of the participants as well as provide them with pre-vocational supports and services to help them lead more productive lives.

Mr. Barangan is married to Atty. Dulce Valdes-Barangan, a very active community leader and organizer being the current President of the Ilocano American Association Inc., Vice President of the Philippine Association of Communities in the East Coast and member/officer of the Ladies for Rizal, Long Island. They have two children, Zack, 33 and Anna Rosa, 24. Zack graduated from the New York University with a degree in Journalism in 2007 while Anna Rosa graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in Brain Cognitive Science in 2017. Zack recently got married to his long-time girlfriend, Kelly Carr, who is originally from North Carolina and who is a beautiful and awesome addition to the family.

Mr. Barangan is an active member of the Ilocano American Association, a member/officer of the Knights of Rizal, Long Island Chapter and a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus, John W. Mackay Council, Roslyn, NY.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Rolan Gutierrez A highly motivated and productive self-driven professional, Rolan Gutierrez has extensive experience in marketing, event production, real estate sales, consultative account management, computer programming consultancy, publication and professional photography.

Dedicated to the efficient media coverage and welfare of the Fil-Am community, his very excellence stems from his reliability, prolific social skills, and cunningness to consistently yield excellence in his varied goals and enterprises for the community and his family alike.

A Bachelor of Science degree holder in Industrial Engineering, Mr. Gutierrez’ proud career as a seasoned computer programmer and analyst began in 1978 when he had worked on several projects in the Philippines for large companies as PLDT, SGV and Soriamont Shipping.

Having moved to Sydney, Australia in 1984, he then provided his information technology (IT) talents to the New South Wales Department of Health, CSR Corporation, Kellogg’sAustralia and the Digital Equipment Corporation. Mr. Gutierrez accepted a U.S. consulting job offer in 1991 and made the big move to New York soon after. In succeeding years, he had successfully applied his multi-services to several more well-known corporations that include Bantam Dell Doubleday, Citibank Private Banking, AT&T Wireless, Toys R’ Us, New Jersey Transit, Bank of America, Bank of New York and General Telecom.

Currently, Mr. Gutierrez works together with his loving wife, Myrna De Guia-Gutierrez, and son, Miguel, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Villanova, in some of their inspiring entrepreneur ventures. Mr. Gutierrez proudly co-founded Thera International Associates, a corporation engaged in real estate business servicing clients, as well as dealing with specialized property developers and real estate companies in both New York and the Philippines. In 2011, he also co-founded the Queens Asian Fest, a company engaged in numerous event productions, such as the Job Fair and Home-Based Business Expo, DZMM Global Pinoy Singing Idol, and recent concerts with OPM luminaries Rey Valera, Basil Valdez, Aiza Seguerra, Rachel Alejandro, Jam Morales, Home for Christmas (Morrisette Amon, Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto) and The Drifters.

Then in 2013, Mr. Gutierrez coined the title and co-founded Fil-Am Who’s Who (FAWW) magazine, a publication which devoutly covers prominent news beats within the Fil-Am community of the New York Tri-State region, featuring spotlight profiles on notable and everyday Filipinos of various professional and personal backgrounds, who have all made strides to further elevate and promote the Philippines to the public. FAWW also co-produced the fashion shows Renee Salud’s TatakSalud and Fashion Arts Autism Benefit.

Mr. Gutierrez’ natural abilities to effectively network with professionals of any occupation are well reflected by the fact that he is currently a licensed New York State Real Estate Associate Broker. His past networking experience runs all the way back to 1973 when he joined the University of the Philippines College of Engineering Tau Alpha fraternity, going on to become a member of the University of the Philippines Mountaineers in 1975, the Long Island Board of Realtors in 2005, the New York State Association of Realtors in 2006, and then the Filipino-American Press Club of New York (FAPCNY) in 2014. Since 2016, he has been a loyal member of the Knights of Rizal - Long Island chapter (KORLI) and presently serving as an officer/trustee Persuivant. And in 2017, as yet another feather in his cap, he became an honorable NY Mets Filipino Heritage Awardee and also as a co-recipient of the People’s Ball Empowerment Award.

Mr. Gutierrez is as steadfastly committed to his lifetime hobbies as he is to his work, a few of which are photography, golf, tennis, billiards, bowling, bicycling, bushwalking, surf fishing and traveling.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Dr. EdgarLerias Dr. Edgar Lerias is a long-standing community leader and practicing physician. He was born in Davao City, Philippines and received a Medical Doctor Degree from Southwestern University College of Medicine in the Philippines in 1980.

He migrated to the United States in 1981, and worked as a house physician in Union Hospital in Bronx, NY. He received a pediatric internship at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and completed his residency at Nassau County Medical Center. Dr. Lerias completed a fellowship in Ambulatory Pediatrics at Winthrop University Hospital.

He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics.

He is married to Mary Jane Lerias, who is also a community leader. Mrs. Lerias was First Vice President of Sterling National Bank, managing the multi-million dollar Global Trade Finance Department. She was the past President of Auxiliary to the Philippine Medical Association in America and Northern Mindanao Association. In 2014, Dr. and Mrs. Lerias were the Grand marshals of the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The couple is blessed with three beautiful children: Brandon, who completed his biology degree at Boston University; Nicholas, a pediatric resident at Good Samaritan Hospital; and Tara, who completed her bachelor’s degree in communications at Colorado University at Boulder in 2017.

Dr. and Mrs. Lerias have a long history of community service and charity work.

Dr. Lerias has coordinated medical missions in Cebu City in 2017, and Vigan Ilocos Sur earlier this year. He also coordinated medical missions in remote areas in Mindanao, partnering with local government. He pioneered a program for indigent patients from the Philippines to come to the United States for congenital heart defect repairs through the Gift of Life Program of the Rotary Club of New York.

Some of the beneficiaries of Dr. and Mrs. Lerias’ charity work included four burnt victims from different islands in the Philippines, who were brought to the United States and treated for reconstructive surgeries at Hilton Head, South Carolina; a joint effort with Hilton Head Rotary. They financially support scholars in the Philippines and send medicines and equipments to various local hospitals there.

Dr. Lerias is a member of the American Pediatric Society; member of the Board of Directors for the Home Reach Foundation; past President of the Philippine Medical Association in America; past President of the Philippine Physicians of New York, past President of the Northern Mindanao Association of Eastern Seaboard; and past President of the Fil-Am Golfer’s Association.

Currently, Dr. Lerias has two Pediatric offices in Farmingdale and Deer Park, NY. He is also a Pediatric Attending and Consultant at St. Francis Hospital Heart Center.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Leon C. Magalona Leon Cabarroguis Magalona, son of Atty. Carmen Cabarroguis Magalona and Mr. Enrique Magalona, was born in 1946 in Manila. He was raised in Iloilo City and moved back to Manila to attend secondary school in Centro Escolar. He went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree from Mapua Institute of Technology and his Master’s in Business Administration from Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

As a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Banking and Finance, Leon was much more involved in his chosen career being with the Foreign Department of the Philippine Veterans Bank. When assigned to handle the task of Imports and Exports Operations with the Foreign Department, the real and factual rudiments of banking and finance became his introduction to the reciprocal relationships of all banking institutions of the world. It was an eye-opener which showed him the unlimited resources of trade and commerce among nations.

After his banking years, Leon completed his Master in Business Administration from the Graduate School of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Once again, management of business, its establishment and development became a precursor to new challenges for Leon.

Applying the essentials of business entrepreneurship into productive new beginnings, he was one of the founding brains behind their family’s school for special children: Integrity Development Center for Exceptional Children. This school caters mainly to children with special needs, particularly those with autism, down syndrome, intellectual disability, developmental delays and speech delays. Having relatives with special needs and disabilities, helping these exceptional individuals became his family’s vocation. Through the Integrity Development Center, Leon and his family are able to carry out their advocacy for the development of these children so they too, can become functioning members of the society.

Outside of business, Leon’s passion involves gamefowl breeding and the sports of table tennis.

As a passionate gamefowl breeder, he successfully authored a book about gamefowl genetics and breeding in 1998. He is actively connected with American breeders and farmers in the North East and Mid-West, as well as with gamefowl breeders in the Philippines. He is now in the process of writing his 2nd book focused on the historical events leading to the development and improvement of game fowls.

As an avid table tennis player, he held positions in several table tennis associations in the Philippines. Specifically, he was a Member of the Board of the Philippine National Police Table Tennis Club in Camp Crame, Quezon City. He was also the Chairman and Head of the Table Tennis Plans & Programs Committee of the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines in Manila. Lastly, he was the Chairman of the Board of Marikina Table Tennis Club in Marikina City.

Leon was frequently invited to be a resource speaker by different government agencies and schools to speak about the benefits of sports, particularly table tennis, in the promotion of balanced physical and mental health. Specifically, Leon has been a frequent resource speaker for the Philippine National Police Academy, University of Santo Tomas and Dela Salle University. He is a recipient of several recognitions for his undeterred dedication and perseverance in promoting the sports of table tennis to the youth through sports development programs sponsored by Table Tennis Association and select city mayors in the Philippines Leon is married to his wife of 47 years, Nancy Ann Gallo Dacio Magalona. He is a devoted father to their four daughters and one son: Ethel, Eunice, Elaine, Essen & Erwin, who are all successful professionals in their chosen field. Leon is also a doting grandfather to their five wonderful grandchildren: Elline, Erin, Yuan, Gavin and Ellise.

Leon and Nancy maintains residency in both the US and the Philippines. Whenever they are in the US, they spend quality time with their grandchild in New Jersey, daughter in Canada, good friends in Queens, and enjoys a daily game of table tennis with professional players from Queens.

When in the Philippines, they spend quality time with their children & grandchildren, manages the family business and pursues his love for breeding gamefowls in their modest home farm.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Pedro “Butch”Nuñez, Jr. Pedro ‘Butch’ Nunez was born on March 7, 1949 in Ilagan City, Isabela, Philippines. He is the youngest of eight siblings born to Pedro, Sr., from Basco, Batanes and Irene Allam Nunez of Calamagui, Isabela. His father was one of the town tailors of Ilagan which was where he and his siblings were all raised.

Pedro graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the East in Manila, Philippines. He married his beautiful wife, Antonette Costales in December 1977. Their first daughter, Anjanette Costales Nunez, PT, DPT, is a Bachelor of Arts graduate from Vassar College in New York and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy after having graduated from Georgia State University in 2014. Their second daughter, Christine Costales Nunez Viloria, RN finished her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Long Island University in New York in 2006, and is now residing at San Jose, California.

Butch, as he is fondly called by family and friends, immigrated to the USA in 1979 where he had his very first job as a stock clerk in Albany Supermarket in Schenectady, NY. He then moved to Queens, NY and became a Portfolio Manager at the Paine Webber Stock Brokerage at the Avenues of the Americas, NY for 11 years.

In 1990, Pedro became the Systems Specialist at the Association for Services for the Aged, a Home Attendant Agency in Long Island city and then retired in 2013.

Pedro, for many years, has been active in the Catholic Church and the Filipino American community. It’s a task that he truly loves to do. Music has always been an integral part of his service and since 1980, he has served as choir member at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates, NY. Pedro has been the Music Director of the Charismatic Filipino Pastoral team of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens from 1995 to present and represents the Filipino music group in every Regional and National Charismatic Conventions. He has also served as the Servant Leader of their prayer group, Mary, Mother of the Divine Healer Prayer Community.

Pedro is also avid member of the Legion of Mary. Serving the Immaculate Conception Church community, he has been a core member of the Phil-Am Association, one of the biggest fund raisers of the Church. Pedro also serves as cantor for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena every Wednesday.

He is proud to be the recipient of the Outstanding Community leader awarded by the Friends of the Filipino Catholic magazine. With his Ilocano heritage, he served as a Past President of the Ilocano American Association, Inc. for two years and is still serving as one of their Board of Directors. He was a Past Grand Knight of the Jamaica Council # 337 of the Knights of Columbus and is serving as a Trustee at present. A proud Filipino, he is one of the important core members of the Knights of Rizal, Long Island Chapter.

Butch and his wife Tonette live in Kew Gardens, NY, where they can stay connected to their families and friends and continue to contribute to a better and bigger community through service and music.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Vitaliano “Nonoy” Villavicencio Rafael Vitaliano Villavicencio Rafael was born in Manila and is the youngest son of the late Justice & Judge Vicente Rafael and Dr. Felicita Rafael. He is a graduate of Industrial Management and Mechanical Engineering at the De La Salle University and the Computer Technology specializing in Networks at Columbia University, NYC. “Nonoy” as he is fondly known, had worked for almost three decades in U.S. as an Engineer, Production & Network Manager in a manufacturing company and as a Program Manager for an aerospace corporation where he managed parts fabrication for the landing gear of F-18 Hornet and F-22 Raptor Stealth fighter planes.

He is married to Josephine, also known as Joji, for thirty three years. Joji is a Quality Management Laboratory Manager at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. They reside in New Hyde Park, Nassau County (Long Island) for more than twenty years. They have three children – Dr. Justin and Dr. Jermyn, both NY State Registered Pharmacists and daughter Jacqueline, who will complete her doctor of Pharmacy degree in a year. All three are in their Doctor of Pharmacy program at St John’s University, Queens, NY. Jermyn just got married to Dr. Valerie Mabia, also a Doctor of Pharmacy. Mr. Rafael has seven siblings; all professionals and all siblings are residing in U.S. Mr. Rafael is an Engineer-turned-Realtor and has been licensed by the State of New York for thirteen years. He is involved with many Filipino-American associations and has decades of community service. Mr. Rafael is a recipient of Leadership and Community Service Citations from Nassau County Executive Office and Nassau County Legislature in April 2018. He served two terms as President of the De La Salle Alumni Assoc–Metro NY. He has been a VicePresident and a Director of Fil-Am Association of Engineers (FAAE), Inc. for two decades.

FAAE has a great cause of financially supporting a dozen engineering students in the Philippines. He co-chaired the annual Philippine Day Grand Parade in Madison Ave and the Mrs. Kalayaan Coronation and Gala in 2015 and the Street Fairs in 2016 & 2017.

Mr. Rafael is also known as a tactical chess player with extensive opening repertoire.

He started playing at the age of ten. He was a chess champion from elementary to college, a Philippine Junior Finalist, and was an NCAA Board-1 Gold Medalist. He recently captained the all-Pinoy team to capture a record-breaking six consecutive years of championship, at the Commercial Chess League of NY competing against sixteen other teams.

Mr. Rafael is also an insured professional DJ and has played at parties and events for more than a decade. He was also an unofficial national “Rubik’s Cube” Champion in the early 80’s.

A home mechanic is among Mr. Rafael’s many talents, and he services all his cars. He loves photography too and is famed for taking hundreds of shots from various events for social media postings.

Mr. Rafael is an active officer of the Knights of Rizal of Long Island chapter since 2016. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors from Fiesta In America, Friends Indeed, Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, NAFA-NJ, FAAE, and many other organizations and associations. He also has a passion for home renovation, guitar/bass playing, and line and ballroom dancing.

“I aspire to continue volunteering and serving our communities,” he wholeheartedly asserts. His favorite quote, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." – Sir Albert Einstein.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Dr. Rommel Rivera Dr. Rommel Rivera received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, College of Medicine, Quezon City, Philippines. He finished his Medical Internship and Residency Training in Psychiatry at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and pursued a Fellowship in Special Immunology at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital and a Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a licensed Physician and Surgeon in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He serves as a Medical Consultant and a Speaker for Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. and Lundbeck.

Dr. Rivera has a long history of community and business leadership. As president of the umbrella organization, Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (2006-2010), he led the construction of the FECGP Gawad Kalinga Village of 20 housing units for the poorest of the poor in Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines. He brought to Philadelphia the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition of “Singgalot” (The Ties That Bind), a pictorial display of the history of Filipinos in America.

As President of the Filipino American Association of Philadelphia (2006-2015) and in collaboration with Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, he spearheaded the creation of the first-ever outdoor Filipino Mural in the East Coast and the first Filipino landmark in Philadelphia, “Alab Ng Puso” (Hearts Ablaze). As Chairman of the Board of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, he worked closely with the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC and the Philippine Consulate General in NY in staging the successful 3rd Philippine Investment Roadshow in Philadelphia in May 2014 and with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans in holding a Business Boot Camp in Philadelphia in April 2015. Dr. Rivera led the reactivation of the Knights of Rizal TriState (Greater Philadelphia) on October 10, 2015. He served as a Commissioner of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs (2009-2015) and focused on addressing the health and healthcare disparities in the Asian American community.

Dr. Rivera continues to be passionate with causes that empower and advocate for Filipino Americans and Asian Americans especially in improving health and healthcare disparities in these communities and promoting economic relations between the Asia, the Philippines, and the United States.

Dr. Rivera is a recipient of several awards including the Laughlin Fellow and Merit Award for Professional Achievement, Dedication, and Scholarship, at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dangal Ng Lahi Award for Healthcare by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. He is a Commonwealth Fellow of the State of Pennsylvania.

His currently holds a position as Co-Medical Director, Acute In-Patient Psychiatric Unit at Crozer Chester Medical Center, Chester, Pennsylvania. He is a Principal Psychiatrist and Co-owner of Rommel Rivera, M.D., P.C., a private medical practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a Clinical Faculty at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and President-Elect of the Association of Philippine Physicians of America (APPA).

Dr. Rivera is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine at Temple University School of Medicine, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was Chairman of the Board and Past President of the Philippine Medical Society of Greater Philadelphia; was Commander of the Knights of Rizal TriState (Greater Philadelphia) Chapter; Chairman of the Board, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – PA & SNJ; and Past President of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Filipino American Association of Philadelphia, Inc., and the Philippine Folk Arts Society, Inc. Dr. Rivera is married to Dr. Aida Navidad Rivera, who herself is a very active community leader in the northeast region and on the national level. They are blessed with three children who consider him an outstanding, loving and devoted father.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Fiorello C. Salvo Born on July 8, 1946, in Naga City, Philippines, Mr. Fiorello C. Salvo graduated at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City with a Bachelor of Science Education degree and Special Studies in Mass Communications and Broadcast Journalism. Months after migrating to the US, he was commissioned by his former Manila employer, Radio Mindanao Network, where he worked for twelve years to do a project study on operating a mainstream radio station here in the US. However, because of some American laws on media ownership, he ended up operating and managing the first subsidiary communications authority or SCA – a radio station in the United States – WRMN-NY in 1989. Two years later, he left to work in the mainstream radio, WNJR-NY. When the company was sold, he decided to do full time work in Real Estate in 1993.

Mr. Salvo is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, a Broadcast journalist and the owner of ThesalvoGroup.com, WFGS Webradio, and Internet marketing websites. He is also a Professional Host, Voiceover Artist, and language editor and translator and a former Commissioner of Jersey City Board of Assessment.

Mr. Salvo's community or civic affiliations include the following: Current president of Bicolandia Association of Eastern Seaboard; Chairman of the 100 Year Celebration of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Jersey City; Hudson County Board of Realtors, Inc.; National and New Jersey Association of Realtors; International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA); American International Real Estate Expo and Conference Organization (AIREEC); Community Programmers of America; Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA); Radio and Television Community Programmers Association of America; Knights of Columbus; Knights of Rizal, lifetime member; Co-founder of Jersey Toastmasters; Cofounder of Jersey City Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce; and Our Lady of Penafrancia Devotees Association.

Mr. Salvo has received numerous awards for his dedication and exemplary services both in the Philippines and the United States. In the United States, as President, co-founder and member of the Jersey Toastmasters and Toastmasters International, he was awarded trophies, medals and plaques for various achievements. Other organizations also recognized him for various services and works he contributed to, including the following: Centennial Chairman of Our Lady of Victories Parish; Topnotch Advertising Executive for Comcast Television; and as Top Broker by HomeOwners Realty. He also received distinguished awards from the Knights of Rizal, New Jersey Chapter; Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL); Philippine Friendship Committee (PAFCOM); Philippine American League of Educators (PAGE); and Philippine Day Organizing Council (PDOC). In the Philippines, he received awards from Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and Radio Mindanao Network for exemplary services and contribution in media performance; Multiple awards as Chairman, Tiger Civic Action Group, Inc. and Chairman, IDI HomeOwners Association. Government and organizations also contributed to his collections of plaques, such as: Ministry of Human Services; Girl Scouts of the Philippines; Makati Executive Lions Club; Philippine Tuberculosis Society; Constabulary Highway Patrol Group, NCR; Metropolitan Police District, Manila; Philippine Medical Association; and Safety Association of the Philippines, to name a few.

Mr. Salvo is married to Gilda P. Salvo who graduated in the Philippine Normal College in 1987 with a Masters in Education degree. They have five children namely: Anthony Fiorello Alain Salvo who graduated in New Jersey City State University in 2001 with Bachelor of Science and Computer Science; Joseph Fiorello Zachary Salvo who graduated in CHUBB Institute in 1999 with a college Degree in Network Engineering and Data Communications; Maria Gilda Lidwynne Salvo who graduated in 2004 at St. Peter’s College with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance; and Maria Gilda Martzoille Salvo who graduated in 1998 at St Peter’s College with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance; and Frances Gilda May Salvo who graduated in 2002 at St. Peter’s College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Atty.Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq. Born to Felix, a lawyer and Melania, a teacher, Ferdinand or Dean as he is fondly called by relatives and friends, migrated in 1986 to the United States of America after graduating from the Ateneo de Manila University with a law degree in 1984. He took up post graduate studies in Elder Law (Wills and Trusts) at the New York University.

He is admitted to practice law in New York State and also in Federal Courts: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and U. S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

He first worked as an Associate with the law firm of Lichtenberg & Goss in Wall Street. Soon after he passed and got admitted to the New York State Bar, he established The Law Offices of Ferdinand G. Suba in 1989.

Married to Carina C. Suba, an Asst. Vice President at St. Francis Hospital in Port Washington, New York and together, they are blessed with two wonderful children. A proud father to Katrina, the eldest, who graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences and pursued her graduate studies at Hofstra University earning a Master’s Degree in Health Administration (MHA), Summa Cum Laude. She is the Senior Residency Program Coordinator for the Department of Pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. Their son, Ferdinand, Jr. graduated from Cornell University with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR) with a GPA equivalency of Magna Cum Laude. He is pursuing his law degree at Cornell University where he is now on his 2nd year of studies. He just recently concluded his summer internship with the U.S. Attorneys Office at the Southern District of New York (SDNY).

Atty. Suba is a philanthropist, providing financial assistance to seminarians to priesthood in addition to supporting church related projects and programs in the New York metropolitan area. He continues to serve as legal counsel, pro bono to The Association of the Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), Philippine American Communities Of The East Coast (PACEC), UST Nurses Association in the Northeast, and was legal counsel to New York State Jaycees & Philippine New York State Jaycees. He also served as Board Director at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in Broome St., Manhattan. He is currently a Trustee of the Society of Philippine American Artists (SPAA).

He is currently the Regional Commander of the Knights of Rizal, USA Eastern Region.

Awarded with the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Star, and Distinguished Service Cross and holds the 4th highest degree of Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR). He is also the Dona Teodora Alonzo Awardee and Presidential awardee as Best Parliamentarian Of The Philippines.

He wrote various articles on the law in his column, Legal Critique which was published monthly at the Filipino Catholic from March, 2011 - September, 2015. He has been a resource speaker on many fora sponsored by different organizations in the New York metropolitan area.

A successful and acclaimed international lawyer, Atty. Suba represented and continues to represent nationals from the Philippines, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, St. Lucia, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America.

Truly trained in the Jesuit tradition of being a man for others, Ferdinand Suba is an outstanding father and a great provider to his children.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations - New York Outstanding Father of the Year 2018

Rene M. Tuballa Rene M. Tuballa was born in the Philippines and studied Electrical Engineering at Silliman University (SU) located in Dumaguete City, where he claims, part of his leadership skills was molded. He was a varsity member in volleyball and basketball, active in many university civic activities, and was elected as Vice President for the Council of Student Organizations.

In 1986, Tuballa moved to the United States where he spent twelve years in the United States Navy. There, he was trained in propulsion engineering and machinery electrical control systems for assignment on three warships as well as four years stint as Engineering Systems instructor at the US NAVAL Training Center in Great Lakes, IL. His last assignment prior to the civilian world was the construction, commissioning, and operations of USS Cole (DDG 67). During his time working on the USS Cole (DDG 67), he spent four years as an Engineering Officer of the Watch, Engineering Duty Officer, and Engineering Program Manager.

He was also employed by EXELON as a General Engineer and while there, completed his first graduate degree from Stuart Graduate School of Business of Illinois Institute of Technology. Two years later, he moved to General Electric (GE) as a project and turbine control engineer where he designed control systems and commissioned power plants all over the country and abroad.

He is married to Ilona Gamo Tuballa, whom he has met at Silliman University.

They have two children – Bonnie Susan Gamo Tuballa who graduated in May 2012 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in International Relations and Communications in Boston, MA and Mihaela Gamo Tuballa, a graduate from Boston, MA with a degree of Bachelor of Science in History and Business in May 2018.

To be closer to their relatives, the Tuballa family moved to the east coast where he worked as a Project Manager of an engineering testing company and another utility company. He obtained another graduated degree – the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the WPI in Worcester, MA and has written and presented technical papers on the largest power utility conferences in Europe and in Boston.

Currently, Rene works at PSE&G, but has previously worked with ABB Inc. as a Technical Manager – ABB Inc. is one of the largest energy innovators in the world.

Tuballa’s future plans involves Dumaguete City and Dauin. Every August, Dumaguete City is in hyper mode as it welcomes the SU alumni from all over the world, a city considered by Forbes Magazine in 2015 as the one of the top 10 retirement cities in the world and this year, voted as the best place to retire in the Philippines.

He is currently in consultation with experts about the development of an academy that deals with AI, robotics, machine learning, and data analytics. In preparation, he is continuing studies at the Johns Hopkins University studying for his M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations New York

Laura Garcia, DNP State Chair NaFFAA -NY Steven VanDerodar State Executive Director NaFFAA -NY Roderick Hidalgo State Secretary Janette Andrada State Treasurer Advisory Board Ma. Consuelo Almonte Dr. Angie Cruz Steven Raga Jose Ramos Design & Published by Nanding Mendez Fiesta in America Expo