Fil-Am Who's Who April 2017

fil-am who’S WHo APRIL 2017

Cesar B. Holgado, M.D.

One Of ‘NJ Top Docs’

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At Your Service At• Your Service Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega • Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega Community Shakers Community Shakers • Dennis Sy / Pia Hamilton • Dennis Sy Organizations We Love Rewind • Saleaflor Foundation • Event Photos by Rolan Gutierrez Rewind • Event Photos byLove Rolan Gutierrez Organizations We • Saleaflor Cover Story Foundation • Dr. Cesar Cover Story B. Holgado • Dr. Cesar B. By Holgado Where to Next Rachel Davis • Hijo Resorts Davao Milestones & Moments • JCI Icons&ofMoments Impace / Jhett Tolentino Milestones • JCI Icons of Impact / Jhett Tolentino

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A Word from The Editor

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Oliver Oliveros

Seeing The World With New Eyes “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

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I first set my eyes on special children when I did a documentary film about the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI) in the early ‘90s. The DSAPI, borne out of the lack of a local parental support group and informational literature on children living with Down syndrome, reminds me of another special kid-friendly organization, the Autism Hearts Foundation (AHF) whose Fashion Arts Autism Benefits’ (FAAB) projects such as the art exhibit at the United Nations, artists workshops and art auction, and the “Fashion for Hope” at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue are all happening in the first week of April this year.

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The DSAPI’s co-founder Gerry Walmsley could very well relate to AHF’s founder and president Erlinda Borromeo, especially on the story about how the latter organization was born and vice versa. Besides the earlier frustrations of not having a concerted effort to create a wider awareness of the plight and promise of special children, both advocates of youth with special needs, as a matter of fact, have also one in their own homes: with Gerry, it’s his son; with Erlinda, her grandson—thus how DSAPI and AHF came to be.

On display at the Asia Society Philippine Gold Exhibit on 725 Park Avenue, NYC One of NJ top doctors Cesar B. Holgado, M.D.

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

On a more positive note, the fruition of Gerry and Erlinda’s labor of love for these distinct individuals did not only create a world that’s less ignorant about these human conditions, but also a world that’s more vibrant because of these special children’s strong inclination to the visual arts, where they give us a sneak peek into how they see the world with new eyes.

A fine example is one of AHF’s featured visual artists Nick Huang. As a child with autism, Nick always asked others to draw for him. He would look closely, absorbing and relishing each drawing. Consequently, in a rare moment of selfinitiative, he took a blank sheet of paper and started to create his own coloring book from scratch. Through further travels, museum visits, and the guidance of his art teacher, Nick has become a more competent artist. His original artworks have turned into his medium to communicate with the world and to touch as many people’s hearts around him.

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fil-am who’s who

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Oliver Oliveros • Managing Editor Myrna Gutierrez • Layout Artist & Photo Editor Rolan Gutierrez • Contributing Writer Maricar CP Hampton • Contributing Writer Rachel Davis • Philippines Marketing and Sales Manager Jekelyn Nisola • Publisher Fil-Am Who’s Who, Inc. Copyright © 2017 Fil-Am Who’s Who, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fil-Am Who’s Who invites you to contribute articles, letters, comments, or pictures to the editor. Please email submissions to filamwhoswho@gmail.com. For advertising inquiries, please email

adsfilamwhoswho@gmail.com or call (917) 502-9887 • (917) 502-9891.

APRIL 2017

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 3

New York Filipino Community Welcomes the New

At Your Service

Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega

By Wendell Gaa

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

community in promoting and advancing Philippine-American relations on the political, economic, and cultural front, while simultaneously pushing for improved consular services at the Consulate General to ensure top notch and highquality service. In fact, her vibrant leadership and persistence has led to holding successful collaborative projects with the community on flagship initiatives such as the Fifth Homecoming Sa Konsulado, reuniting various Philippine university alumni organizations within the Tri-State area; the Commemoration of Veterans Day in Jersey City on 11 November; the nine-day Simbang Gabi ceremonies at the Consulate last December, and the visits by various high-ranking officials such as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Secretary Martin Andanar, Senate President Koko Pimentel, and Secretary Gina Lopez.

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Her personal touch and innate fondness to promote linkages with second-generation FilipinoAmerican (Fil-Am) youth were exemplified through her briefings with the newest delegates of the annual Fil-Am Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO), which she helped oversee and nurture during its inception in 2012 by former Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.

Consul General De Vega is certainly no stranger to the Filipino community, having left an indelible mark when she served as deputy consul general in N.Y. from 2011 to 2013.

In her role as a top lady Philippine diplomat in the Big Apple, she becomes only the third female Consul General to represent the country. A staunch advocate of women’s empowerment and rights, she has helped make the community more aware and appreciative of International Women’s Month in March, as illustrated through her recent hosting of a forum at the Philippine Center recognizing the achievements of four accomplished female Fil-Ams: N.Y. Housing Commissioner Maria TorresSpringer, CBS news anchor-woman and moderator of the U.S. Vice Presidential debate last year, Elaine Quijano, Broadway performer Ali Ewoldt, and WOMENSPHERE CEO and rights advocate Analisa Balares.

he Filipino community in the U.S. Northeast has a new Consul General in the person of Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega who officially assumed her duties at the Philippine Consulate General in Manhattan on 1 November 2016. As the top Philippine diplomat based in New York, she succeeds well-loved Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr.

A proud native of Porac, Pampanga, Capas, Tarlac, and Bangued, Abra, Consul General De Vega began reconnecting with her established linkages and calling on community leaders since her arrival in N.Y. A trailblazer in public diplomacy and social media in the Foreign Service, she hopes to lead the Filipino community in notable projects and community-oriented activities that she helped conceive when she was deputy consul general.

Her background and experience speak of her ingrained expertise in the field of community and cultural affairs. She joined the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after having placed 1st in the Foreign Service Officers Examination in 1994.

In successive years, she served in key roles in the DFA and during her foreign postings in Mexico, Hong Kong, China, and the United Kingdom. Prior to her assumption as Consul General, she served as chief coordinator to Secretaries of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario and Perfecto Yasay.

Since her term began, Consul General De Vega has displayed passionate leadership and hard work as she engages the

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Fluent in English, Filipino, Spanish, French, and German, she is married to Eduardo Jose De Vega, currently the Philippine Ambassador to Mexico and who is another familiar and wellrespected figure in the community after serving in N.Y. for a few years as deputy permanent representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations. Together, the two top diplomats have a daughter, Montserrat.

In the city that never sleeps and as a united community, let’s give a rousing welcome to Consul General De Vega who is already off to a very productive start.

By Maricar CP Hampton

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ouldn’t it be a welcome change to hear songs of hope in an upbeat sound--amidst all uncertainties and social unrest in today’s troubling times?

and producer Darick DDS Spears and jazz-pop singersongwriter Natalie Jean.

“I got to know Natalie and Darick and their music during last year’s Grammy campaign. When the idea of taking a Sensing the need for more optimistic songs is Dennis Sy, a FilipinoAmerican independent recording artist, songwriter, and performer who collaborative approach to ‘Shine On’ came about,” Dennis shared, “I immediately thought of Natalie’s voice to add a wasted no time in coming up with the single “Shine On.” jazz component to the song. Then when the idea of adding a “I wanted to write a song about positivity and embracing diversity, a hip-hop-rap component to the song arose, I was reminded of message I believe the youth can easily accept and embrace,” he said. Darick and he readily agreed to do the song.”

“Shine On” first appeared on his award-winning album “Stronger Than “Shine On” was on the Grammy ballot for Best Pop Duo/ Before” where it was well received.

Group Performance.

“The song was originally written for a young female singer who came “‘Shine On’ is starting to open a lot of doors for us, and I feel to me for an original song. I decided to include the demo version of I still have things to express and share to the world through ‘Shine On ‘ in the ‘Stronger Than Before’ album.” music. God willing, the opportunities to create and share music will continue to present themselves on this amazing With its positive message and encouraging reception, Dennis journey.” stressed the need for ‘Shine On’ to be “shared and heard more.”

A newer version of “Shine On,” released last September 15, is a mix of rap, hip-hop, and jazz, which brings power and enthusiasm to an inspiring music. Joining Dennis in this recording are hip-hop emcee

Meet Pia Hamilton (Disney’s ‘The Lion King’)

Community Movers & Shakers

By Oliver Oliveros

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esides the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Broadway actors that never fail to bring the audience to their feet in “Miss Saigon,” Fil-Am Broadway dancer Pia Hamilton (Gazelle Wheel, Ensemble Dancer) in “The Lion King,” together with the show’s vibrant full company, is keeping the show fresh—and the audience engaged—after all these years.

Pia, who starred in the children’s TV series “Barney and Friends” when she was nine, first joined “The Lion King,” the 1998 Tony Award recipient for Best Musical, in August 2014. “This show [her Broadway debut] has always been my dream show! After performing in ‘The Lion King’ for over three and a half years, I still feel challenged and motivated as a performer,” she told Fil-Am Whos Who in an exclusive interview.

“I really love the storyline, the dancing, and my castmates—they make going to work a joy!” she said. Prior to her stint in the “The Lion King,” Pia also appeared in the productions of “A Chorus Line” as Connie, “Aida,” and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.”

She also runs a dance studio in Chicago called Intrigue Dance and Performing Arts Center whose students benefit a lot from Pia’s professional experience on Broadway. “It has taught me to ‘give’ even when I feel like I have nothing left to give. After a week-long run of rehearsals and shows, when we were tired and our bodies were sore, we still give a true and authentic show at the end of the week. Our resident director once said, ‘Every show, there is someone in the audience that will see their very first show and someone that will see their very last show.’ That really stuck with me, and helps me perform my best each day.”

“I try to instill this drive and passion in my students at Intrigue Dance and Performing Arts Center. Anyone can learn how to

dance, but how to make dance come alive is what makes an artist,” shared Pia, whose musical theater influences include Tony winners Lea Salonga, Sutton Foster, and Julie Taymor, visionary director who blends the use of masks, puppetry, and dance to bring the giraffes, the birds, and the gazelles in Africa’s Serengeti come to life on stage every night in “The Lion King.”

“This show is timeless. It speaks to everyone in all walks of life— every race, every age, every person,” Pia said when we asked why should people come out and see their show. She said further, “We can all relate to the story, the actors make you feel the story, and you walk out of the theatre with a love for the experience of live musical theater.”

A spectacular visual feast, “The Lion King” is the stage adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated full-length feature film, which follows the story of Simba and his epic journey from a wide-eyed cub to his ascent to kinghood of the Pridelands, an expansive African grassland where most African lions live.

“The Lion King” plays eight times a week at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). To buy tickets, visit LionKing.com.

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Organizations We Love

By Cristina DC Pastor

When one is blessed with a series of successful business ventures, what is next?

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

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f you are Sally Nunez, CEO of RN Express staffing agency, Manhattan Employment Services, Inc., and Saleaflor Entertainment events planning, the urge to “give back” becomes very compelling.

Thus, on March 14, 2016 Saleaflor Foundation was born. The non-profit organizes medical missions to the Philippines, and returns to the Motherland the kindness that has nurtured the officers of the foundation who have done well as professional nurses in the U.S. “Giving back” comes with a sense of hope that the initiatives will be well received by the community, and a responsibility that the people will be served well.

L-R: Florida Lucas, Alex Alejandrino, Lea Batomalaque, Vanessa Santiago and Sally Nunez

On October 7, the first medical mission to Caramoan, Camarines Sur was launched. Six medical doctors, 2 dentists, 16 nurses, 2 pharmacists, 1 EKG technician, and dozens of volunteers sprang into action. They took over the St. Michael the Archangel Parish grounds, setting up tables and tents, doing intakes, diagnosing patients, and providing medicines. They also provided snacks and some music to keep the patients’ caregivers entertained.

The medical mission listened to adults and children describe their physical conditions: cannot walk, hard of hearing, shaking hands, continuously losing weight, leg wound won’t heal, not to mention the conditions common among Filipinos, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The mission offered dental services, including teeth extractions. More important, they attended to hordes of residents who have not seen doctors or visited health centers in years.

At the end of a long day, almost a thousand residents of Caramoan and nearby towns were served. The medical mission officers, health professionals, and volunteers capped the day exhausted but fulfilled.

“If you want to help,” said Nunez, a retired RN, “why not make it legit.” Having your own foundation, she said, you know where your money is going.

More than a charity mission, Saleaflor Foundation is ‘an act of kindness.’

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Rewind Rewind

SHANE ERICKS Concert Cutting Room, New York City

Rolan Gutierrez

Shane Ericks and Angel Ram

PIDCI Grand Marshal Ball Marriott Newark Airport Hotel

Grand Marshals Elma and Rod Castillo

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Rigodon dancers

FIL-AM NBA LAKERS JORDAN CLARKSON Philippine Center, New York City

XTINE MERCADO Concert Perlas New York, Woodside NY

Xtine Mercado and her mother Louanne Cuenco

3rd FIL-AM COMMUNITY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Photo by Myrna Gutierrez

Assembly participant Jhett Tolentino and Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega

Photo by Myrna Gutierrez

Philippine Center, New York City

APRIL 2017

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 9

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Does being a male OBGYN pose a challenge in the practice? “In the Philippines, it was-maybe because of religious influences, but in the US I don’t see that issue.

Dr. Cesar B. Holgado

Not Your Average OB-GYN

By Maricar CP Hampton

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had all begun 27 years ago when Dr. Cesar Holgado, an Obstetrics and Gynecologist (OB-GYN) specialist ventured from the Philippines to the United States. His story is an example of how migrants help make American women feel better through different forms of medicine. He says, “I treat my patients like l want to be treated. So if I don’t want to take a lot of medication, I really would like to identify and target the root cause of the disease and offer options to optimize one’s health and educate about the simple healthy choices.”

In the Philippines, he was already a full-fledged medical doctor, but the advancement of science and the many opportunities in the U.S. lured him. He continued to work and even put up his own practice before coming to the U.S. “I worked as a company physician for General Motors, International School, and Manila Hotel, and, eventually, I opened my own practice before migrating.”

Born to equally successful parents, a lawyer and a teacher, Dr. Holgado was a product of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Medicine and Surgery where he also finished his residency training in OB-GYN after taking his internship at the Makati Medical Center.

Growing up, Dr. Holgado had other interests; it never crossed his mind that one day he would be a health care provider. Initially, it was his mother who wanted him to be a cardiologist. And then he met a man who served as his mentor and inspiration to become an OB-GYN. “During my internship at Makati Medical Center, the chairman of the OB-GYN department then was Dr. Manahan.

He was different. He displayed not only academic and surgical excellence, but he also displayed what a complete physician is—equipped with compassion and full of generosity towards his charity care patients. He was kind to his patients. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and that made me decide to become an OB-GYN,” he tells Fil-Am Who’s Who. Armed with determination and the willingness to work hard, he went through rigorous training and tests to revalidate his profession as an OB-GYN in the U.S. “When I came to the U.S. I repeated my residency at St. Michaels Medical Center in New Jersey. After that, I joined a group practice at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Union County in 1996. I was then appointed Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2001.”

His journey to being a medical practitioner in the U.S. was never that easy. “When I first came to the U.S., we had a family friend in California who was also an OB-GYN. Knowing that I was an OB-GYN doctor in the Philippines who wanted to work in the same specialty here, she told me to just forget about it because I wasn’t going to get into any surgical position as a foreigner. I took that as a challenge and ignored it and decided to continue with my dream,” he shares, “There were challenges but I was able to rise above those. I just had to work a little bit harder than the rest.”

U.S. board certified since 1998, he has been providing reproductive health treatment and screening to thousands of women at his solo practice located at Elizabeth and Edison, N.J. Today his patients, 15 percent of whom are Filipinos, rave at his down to earth compassionate and friendly style of caring for them. He is also a practicing primary care doctor. He believes in taking care of the “whole person” not just the reproductive health.

“I am also a primary care physician of females. That is why I can

integrate functional medicine into my practice.”

Integrative and Functional Medicine is the newest type of medicine, which is a healing-oriented medicine that focuses on the whole person including all aspects of lifestyle. It may still be in its infancy, but Dr. Holgado’s patients appreciate his approach as it combines both the traditional and functional medicine. “A regular OB-GYN focuses on the reproductive organs and the reproductive health of patients, but in some cases, there are issues like irregular periods, migraines, thyroid disorders, and complications of pregnancy like high blood pressure and diabetes,” he points out, “Most of the time we find out the root cause of the problem is the immune system. The gut, the intestines, it’s basically what you eat. If your intestines are not working properly issues like a

Does being a male OB-GYN pose a challenge in the practice? “In the Philippines, it was--maybe because of cultural influences, but in the US I don’t

see that issue. “

migraine, thyroid, depression, or chronic fatigue happens.”

He learned about Integrative and Functional Medicine the “hard way” though. He recalls, “I have always had this question even in the medical school: why is somebody getting sick? Over the years, I have had family members who had illnesses affecting them. So that led me to find the cause, which then led me to this branch of medicine called Integrative and Functional Medicine.”

He continues, “In this kind of practice, most often, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications and supplementation along with traditional medicine can be used to assist in the healing of the patient. These changes are often necessary to help avoid, prevent and in some cases reverse the disease.”

A doting father of two, he encourages his sons, Christian, a 20-year-old pre-medical student at UST and Coby, a 16-year-old, whose interest is in computer science, to help out in his practice whenever possible. “Both my sons are knowledgeable in the healthy lifestyle and healthy eating. I try to involve them in my office during their spare time.”

Does being a male OB-GYN pose a challenge in the practice? “In the Philippines, it was--maybe because of cultural influences, but in the U.S. I don’t see that issue. The reception today is better. In the Philippines, I presume it is also changing.”

Moving forward, Dr. Holgado plans to expand and give back to the community and to his country. “My mindset is to possibly establish an Integrative Functional Medicine practice here that focuses on women’s health care. Eventually, I would like branch out, go back to my country and put up a branch there and help people back home,” he maintains.

An advocate of quality medical care, Dr. Holgado is also into charity work for the less fortunate and uninsured women. Right now, I am the head of the Women’s Express Clinic at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, N.J. There we give out a free breast and cervical screening for indigent patients.”

Whenever time permits, Dr. Holgado is seen playing musical instruments and writing songs. He also enjoys photography. “In the Philippines, I wrote music, which was my hobby, and also joined songwriting contests,” he quips.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Cesar B. Holgado Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Dr. Cesar Holgado (center) with his two sons Coby (left) and Christian (right)

L-R: Coby Holgado, Gulnaz Zangirova RN, Dr. Cesar Holgado, Myra Alfajora, and Carol Regalado Not included in picture: Christian Holgado, Stacy Perez, Armand Balbin M.D., Marizell Santiago (phlebotomist), and sonographers- Katie Benenati, Zairene Herrera and Allison Wyzykowski.

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Where to

Next

Rachel Davis

Hijo Resorts Davao

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re you flying to the Philippines in the next few months? If you haven’t solidified your travel plans yet, consider a visit to Hijo Resorts Davao (Tagum City). More than just a beach trip, Hijo will give you and your family a really unique Filipino experience.

You’ll be stepping away from the shopping malls and stepping into the world that many of our countrymen in the Davao region live every day.

Photos By Rachel Davis

A visit to Hijo has at least four components.

1) Beach What is a resort in the Philippines without a beach, right? Just be ready for a black sand beach. It isn’t the largest or longest beach in the country, but there are tons of things to do! Banana boats, kayaks, and SCUBA divings just to name a few. Hijo has been working to preserve the marine life in the Davao Gulf, and it has recently installed bommies which have just started to grow coral and attract some of the Philippines’ best marine life.

2) Dining While many Filipino dishes have made across international waters, there’s definitely more to our cuisine once you visit the different provinces. Hijo is home to The Spot, a Halal restaurant accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). Be sure to try the dyampok, the traditional Kalagan, an ethnic group, way of cooking bananas, fried in a light batter and served with coconut sugar and roasted sesame seeds!

3) Tours Hijo is situated inside a plantation, giving it the chance to offer tours no one else can. It offers two plantation tours, one to the coconut plantation and another to the banana plantation. You can learn about how both are grown and harvested. Think that’s boring? It really isn’t!

Apart from the plantations, you can take a mangrove boat tour. Mangrove forests are endangered, and Davao is home to a large chunk of what’s left in the world. The boat tour will take you through the Madaum river, where the Kalagan tribe still live.

4) Tagum Unlike other cities in the Philippines, Tagum is full of parks. You can rent a bike, take a ride, have a picnic, or just enjoy some of the Philippine plants. The botanical garden, which is not quite full of flowers as it grows a variety of Philippine trees, is a lovely spot to visit if you like strolling through the greenery.

Learn more at HijoResortsDavao.com.

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JCI Philippine-NY

Icons of Impact

Milestones & Moments

Myrna Gutierrez

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fter 9-Year Hiatus, The Jaycees Bring Back Icons of Impact Awards JCI (Jaycee) Philippine-New York, a group of young leaders, recently awarded three outstanding individuals with the 2016 Icons of Impact: Distinguished Icons to Dr. Michael Avaricio, social innovator Janet Salazar, and performing arts mentor Miguel Braganza II. These awards were the highest awards a non-member can receive from a Jaycee chapter, which recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership qualities, and outstanding record of personal and professional achievements, contributions, and service in various fields of endeavor.

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

The chapter also recognized three Icon Honorees for their contributions in the community: Medical technologist Ismael Jampayas received the Outstanding Humanitarian award; Founder and President of the Philippine American Group for Aging Seniors of America Ma. Consuelo Almonte, Champion for the Aging, and investment advisor Carol Tanjutco, Outstanding Legal & Finance Advocacy.

JCI’s Distinguised Icon awardee Dr. Michael Avariocio

In addition to the top awards, newly introduced were The Young Icons of Impact category awards. These awards recognized a select group of outstanding young men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 who exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s youth.

Recipients were Percival Cunanan, Tiffany Ma, Vanesssa Manzano, Steven Raga, and Jessica Robinson.

Outstanding current Jaycee members and alumni were also presented: Fiesta in America Co-Founder Fernando Mendez received the 2016 Phoenix Award for Exemplary Community Leadership; Co-Founder/Festival Director and Programmer of the International Film Festival Manhattan Luis Pedron, Outstanding Community Leadership by an Alumnus, and Mahwah, New Jersey Township Councilman Jonathan Wong, Outstanding Community Leadership by a Current Jaycee.

Jhett Tolentino Congratulations, Jhett Tolentino on Winning His First Grammy Award!

Three-time Tony Award winner Jhett Tolentino, a native of Iloilo, Philippines, won his first Grammy Award by co-producing the new Broadway cast recording of the critically-acclaimed revival of “The Color Purple,” based on the the novel by Alice Walker that won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction.

At the 59th Grammy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles last February 12, Jhett, who helped raise funds to produce “The Color Purple” album, shared the prestigious recognition with principal soloists Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson; co-producers Stephen Bray, Van Dean, Frank Filipetti, Roy Furman, and Scott Sanders, and composers/lyricists Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, and Allee Willis.

Previously on Broadway, Jhett won three Tony Awards for coproducing “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” (Best Play, 2013), “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” (Best Musical, 2014), and “A Raisin in the Sun” (Best Revival of a Play, 2014).

Via the newly-formed Jhett Tolentino Productions, he plans to produce Broadway titles in the Philippines.

He is also currently working on his autobiographical documentary film, “Life is What You Make it.”

You can help Jhett fund his short film by donating at www.gofundme.com/life-is-what-you-make-it.

APRIL 2017

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Community Calendar Aug 3-6

FAAB Art Exhibit at the United Nations

Oct 28

7th TOFA Awards at Carnegie Hall

Autism Hearts Foundation, via its Fashion Arts Autism Benefits (FAAB), presents the original artworks created by children with autism from the Philippines at the United Nations. Its opening reception, which is by invitation only, is on April 3, 2017 at 6 p.m.

In celebration of the Filipino-American History Month, The Outstanding Filipino-Americans (TOFA) will be honoring individuals and organizations that have made invaluable contributions to the Fil-Am community. To buy tickets, visit CarnegieHall.org.

Apr 7

Ongoing

FAAB Fashion for Hope Show

Autism Hearts Foundation, via its Fashion Arts Autism Benefits (FAAB), and International Runway Show present “Fashion of Hope” Show. This unique fashion event features the original artworks created by children with autism from the Philippines, which were incorporated into fashion designs by Anthony Cruz Legarda and Patis Tesoro. A ticket includes admission to the pre-show reception at 6 p.m. and the “Fashion for Hope” Show at 7 p.m. Call Myrna at 917-5029887.

May 9-22 Below

Lea Salonga Live at Feinstein’s/54

Tony winner Lea Salonga will return to Feinstein’s/54 Below (245 West 54th Street) for an encore of her sold-out solo concert last year. To buy tickets, visit 54Below.com.

Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway

Come out and see our featured Broadway performer in this issue, Pia Hamilton, in Disney’s “The Lion King” at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). To buy tickets, visit LionKing.com/worldwide/united-states Ongoing

Miss Saigon is Back!

Filipino talent is gushing on stage at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) via the first Broadway revival of the megamusical “Miss Saigon.” Support our very own Jon-Jon Briones (The Engineer), Eva Noblezada (Kim), Lianah Santa Ana (Kim), Devin Ilaw (Thuy), Catherine Ricafort (Ensemble Player), and Rachelle Ann Go (Gigi) in this acclaimed new production. To buy tickets, visit SaigonBroadway.com.

SHOOTER’S TIP I met my pretty model Azahra at a function in Astoria Manor and asked her to pose in front of the chandeliers.

This shot was at f2.8 with an 80-200mm lens and turned the backgroound into a beautiful bokeh.

I framed it at an angle to give it a light playful mood.

Happy shooting!

18 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

APRIL 2017

WHO We Are

We’re Now A One-Stop-Shop Media Company

Fil-Am Who’s Who recently

Rey Valera, Jam Morales, and Rachel Alejandro, the marquee show Pinoy Singing Idol, a fashion show by Rene Salud, and business functions as requested. She is also an NYS licensed real estate salesperson at Citi Habitats.

added to its monthly magazine other products and services such as public relations and social media management, photography and videography, instant photo print services, journal production, event management and production. Of note, our instant photo print service has proved to be a big hit at various Filipino-American community events. Attendees to these events are photographed by professional photographer Rolan Gutierrez; photo prints—enclosed in classy cardboard frames—are made available in just a few minutes for an affordable price.

With more than 50 years of combined experience in media and communication, Fil-Am Who’s Who Inc.’s experienced senior staff members Rolan Gutierrez, Myrna Gutierrez, Oliver Oliveros,

Rolan Gutierrez

Myrna Gutierrez

Rachel Davis, and Maricar CP Hampton assure our growing list of clients only quality outputs and consistent communication campaigns from corporate headshots to single, multiple camera event coverage, from publicity efforts to social media engagement, and from brand positioning to integrated marketing communications.

Rolan Gutierrez, a computer programmer turned photographer and print layout designer, began his photography career as a landscape photographer with the UP-Diliman Mountaineers during his college days. For so many years later, he has been doing portraiture, event coverage, and designing organizational publications. He served as the official photographer during 2013 Miss World Megan Young’s recent visit to New York and New Jersey, which successfully raised funds for super typhoon Haiyan victims in central Philippines. He is cofounder of Queens Asian Fest, an event company. Rolan is also is a Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker with Citi Habitats.

Oliver Oliveros

Myrna Gutierrez is our business manager and is currently a computer programmer. An alumna from Maryknoll College, Myrna is a sought-after community organizer and entertainment producer who co-founded Queens Asian Rachel Davis Fest. Some of her major productions include: concerts by Basil Valdez,

Oliver Oliveros holds a master’s degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University. For more than 20 years, he has been handling reputation and media management for various brands, including Pepsi and Nickelodeon, Broadway shows and stars, and international recording and concert artists.Besides Fil-Am Who’s Who, his column also appears regularly on BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theater news site on the Internet primarily covering Broadway, London’s West End, and regional and international theater productions.

Rachel Davis is a literature loving foodie that suffers from occasional bouts of wanderlust. A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, she has been in print and online publishing since 2005, having first been published as a teen by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She has since coauthored a book on Philippine kitchen design, written for numerous magazines and websites, and founded the online magazine, Homegrown.ph, which aims to aid Philippine start-ups by providing tips, how-tos, and feature stories. Formerly based in New York, Rachel is Fil-Am Whos Who’s travel and food writer in the Philippines. Catch her adventures and tips in every issue.

Maricar CP Hampton

Maricar CP Hampton is our staff writer and interviewer. An AB Mass Communication graduate of Philippine Christian University, Maricar is also the editor of The FilAm Metro D.C., an affiliate of The FilAm, an online magazine based in New York. She was a correspondent for the oldest Filipino-American newspaper in the U.S.--Philippine News-- and for the FilAm Star in San Francisco, covering the Metro DC area. In 2010, Maricar was an Ethnic Elders Fellow of New America Media, the national news service for ethnic media in the United States.

To engage our newest services call 917-502-9887 or email filamwhoswho@gmail.com

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