Filmmaker Roman Polanski with the columnist, Ruben Nepales, in Paris. PHOTO BY RUBEN V. NEPALES
NEW YORK—Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist in Hollywood Ruben Nepales, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario de Leon Jr. and US District Judge for the Southern District of New York Lorna Schofield will keynote the third annual The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) Awards Saturday night at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall—the official venue of the TOFA-NY Awards ceremonies for the past three years.
Organized by founder and NY-based journalist Elton Lugay, the TOFA-NY Awards, scheduled during the Filipino-American History Month in October, recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals and organizations that have raised the profile of the emerging leaders in the Filipino-American community in the New York Tri-State area.
Joining the ranks of previous Heritage Award winners are Joe Bataan, Filipino-African Latin soul musician; and Monique Lhuillier, leading couture bridal and ready-to-wear designer, among others.