honoring carefully selected Pilipinos for their Lifetime and Outstanding Achievement, Leadership Excellence and Emerging Business Leaders in their fields of expertise and chosen professions, as well as Community Leaders and Young Ambassadors of Goodwill
JANUARY 26, 2020 SUNDAY • 6:00 PM DOUBLETREE BY HILTON WHITTIER
Special Message Hello and congratulations to all who have generously participated in the making of the Annual TOP AWARDS (The Outstanding Pilipinos Awards), which is now on its sixth year. I organized the very first TOP AWARDS in 2014 and I have not ceased to produce this event because I never fail to witness the wonderful results it delivers to our community. TOP AWARDS continue to inspire achievement and success. Here at the TOP AWARDS, we honor carefully selected and very distinguished Pilipinos who have achieved exemplary success, made invaluable contributions of outstanding significance to their profession and field of expertise, as well as being influential to the enrichment of everything Filipino in the community. We also give recognition to those who have displayed leadership excellence in the arts, business and community, especially those who have led the empowerment of the Filipino in our community through civic leadership and getting elected to city and state government. For the second time, we are naming Young Ambassadors of Goodwill who will promote everything that is wonderful and great in our Filipino race and culture. They will be role models who will and can inspire Filipinas of all ages to be vibrant, energetic, beautiful, ambitious, eloquent and constant achievers. Tonight, my utmost gratitude to my event partners for your unwavering support towards the success of this event. Ditto to my ever-supportive colleagues and production staff -Alice Gonzalez, Janice Jimenez, Shirley Lumanog, Ellen Samson, Andy Edralin, Joe Cobilla, Thelma Aranda Sugay, Randy Trinidad, Pol Joaquin, Honey Rose Cristobal, and Erik Ovanespour. To Grace Hu and Trese Childs of DoubleTree by Hilton - Whittier, thank you. To everyone else, thank you for your unselfish support with your time, money and effort in making this event a memorable one. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.
MUTCH CARINO Founder - Producer TOP AWARDS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
RICHARD JIMENEZ
ATTY. ROMAN MOSQUEDA
Richmond Patrick L. Jimenez assumed his duties as Philippine Tourism Attachè at the Philippine Department of Tourism Office- Los Angeles in 2016. In 2014, he headed the Philippine Department of Tourism’s Market Development Group as a Tourism Operations Officer for Russia, India, Middle East and Europe desks and was a Supervising Tourism Operations Officer for the Americas Division. Before joining the Philippine Department of Tourism, Jimenez worked at the U.S. Embassy in Manila for over 12 years. He has been recognized by the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Manila on numerous occasions for his wide range of duties with the Public Affairs Section as country Coordinator for Alumni Affairs and the American Citizen Services Unit as Special Consular Assistant for emergency services to Americans living and traveling in the Philippines.
One of the few lawyers who passed the California bar exam in a single take, Atty. Roman Mosqueda takes pride in handling clients globally such as in the U.S., Canada, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He has been cited as a Super Lawyer in the year 2014 and specializes in Family Law & Products Liability,. A Professor of Law, Proctor In Admiralty, Mosqueda was selected as Outstanding Fil-Am Attorney 2019, Trial Masters’ Best Attorney Personal Injury 2020, and Civil Law Litigator 2020. He has authored 2 law books: Marriage and its Dissolution and Products Liability: A Comparative Study. He is Multi-Awarded Scholar: Valedictorian: Grade School and High School; Magna Cum Laude, Economics; Cum Laude, Law, LL.M., S.J. D. degrees; DeWitt Scholarship and doctoral research grantee.
TOURISM
LAW
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
JIMMY BORJA
MELETTE LAMPINO
MUSIC
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Jimmy Borja is a songwriter/musician born and raised in the Philippines but now a citizen of the United States. He has written numerous hits including “Sana Ngayong Pasko,” “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin,” “If The Feeling Is Gone” and many others. He has over 200 songs recorded by major record labels in the Philippines for their artists as well as upcoming American and Canadian artists. Some of the biggest Filipino superstars have recorded his songs, like Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Ogie Alcasid, Jed Madela, etc. He has won 3 Awit Awards. Recently, his songs were featured on the TV series “Seal Team” on CBS and a Korean telenovela on GMA Network.
Melette Lampino is a BS Chemistry graduate of the University of the Philippines who served as the Chair, Vice Chair and is now, a member of the City of Cerritos Economic Development Commission. For 42 years, Melette worked as an Environmental Scientist and Public Health Chemist with California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). She retired as a Branch Chief, Cypress / San Diego Enforcement Branch, Department of Toxic Substances Control, CalEPA. She managed and supervised Environmental Scientists and Engineers that conducted thousands of inspections, settled about 200 enforcement cases, resulting in over $4 million in penalties against violators of the hazardous waste laws and regulations. This scientist also happens to be one graceful dancer - dancing being her favorite past time.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
CECILIA DE CASTRO
VAL ABELGAS
Cecilia M. de Castro has a distinguished career in the culinary arts industry. At Ma Cuisine/Ma Maison under Chef Wolfgang Puck, she served as Associate Director for their Cooking School. In 1985, UCLA invited her to develop a certificate program in Culinary Arts. During her 13 years at UCLA, Cecilia was awarded the Educator of the Year Award. She was also nominated as Educator of the Year for the International Association of Culinary Professionals. In 2009, Cecilia developed the Academy of Culinary Education and continues to mentor students from all over the world. For 3 decades, together with Wolfgang Puck, she was the culinary producer of Puck’s Emmy Award Winning show on the Food Network. Cecilia was featured in publications such as Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Los Angeles Times, among others.
A professional journalist for over 48 years, Val Abelgas started as a sportswriter in Philippine Daily Express in 1972 while still in his junior year in journalism at UP. He became its city editor at 24 and managing editor at 34. He was the first managing editor of Manila Standard. He was managing editor of Philippine Times Journal when he migrated in 1991 and later obtained his green card as an alien of extraordinary ability in journalism. He has edited several Filipino publications, and currently publishes and edits the Philippine Post and Hiyas Magazine. He won Newspaper of the Year and Columnist of the Year for two straight years in 1993 and 1994. In 1993, he organized the first convention of Fil-Am editors in Los Angeles with then Philippine President Fidel Ramos as guest speaker.
CULINARY ARTS
MEDIA
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADER
BRENDAN FLORES
BOBBY CANSECO
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations made history during the 12th National Empowerment Conference when they elected Brendan Flores, a leader, a philanthropist, and an advocate of Filipino-Americans as its first millennial and youngest ever national chairman. As National Chairman of NaFFAA, Brendan is responsible for leading the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, organizations and individuals to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans living in the United States. Currently, he is Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Performance Manager at Bank of America in Florida. Flores also held a position as Vice President and Regional Banking District Manager at Wells Fargo. He hails from Sarasota, Florida.
Bobby is the current president of UPHPEIS-AANA and was a Board member of UPAAGLA as well as a Toastmaster Area Governor. Very passionate about upgrading the teaching skills of Public School teachers in the Philippines, Bobby partnered with the UP Integrated School External Services Committee to make sure he did everything he could to be part of the Solution. Bobby has also held critical posts in the corporate world, such as Industrial Engineering Supervisor, Operation Systems Project Manager, Systems Integration Services Manager, Supply Chain Systems Manager, and Inventory Control Manager. Bobby currently works as a Benefits Counselor for several SME companies. Bobby holds a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from UP College of Engineering and has an MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADER
RODEL LUMANOG
RUDY EMPERADO
Rodel is a formidable community builder. Currently, he is the president of the United Batanguenos of Southern California Inc. He was the former President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce in the San Fernando Valley, as well the L.A. Brilliant Lions Club. Because of his distinct leadership skills, Rodel Lumanog was also selected as Commissioner of the Pampanga Day Celebration USA and was Vice Chair of the Angeles City Association USA. As a real estate professional for over 25 years, he has joined some of the top realtors namely Coldwell Banker and is associated with some of the more prestigious law firms as its real estate consultant. Rodel Lumanog is the proprietor of RL Investment Corporation and Prime Properties Realty and Lending.
Rudy is the commissioner of the 2019 UAAP-NCAA Alumni Friendship Games. He led this annual basketball tournament participated in by eight (8) teams that represented the alumni associations that included the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle, San Sebastian College, UST, Letran, Mapua and San Beda. With over 35 years of diverse national and international sales, Rudy founded Signsplus, a business he started in 1999. Signsplus received the Small Business of the Year award in 2004 from the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. Rudy is supports and is involved with American Cancer Society, Chino Youth Museum, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity GLA, TNT Basketball League committee and is coach of SSC Alumni Basketball Team.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
DR. SUSAN LIM
ABNER GALINO
PATHOLOGY
JOURNALISM
A graduate of medicine from SWU-MHAM College of Medicine in Cebu, Philippines, Susan worked as a research fellow at Kenneth Norris Comprehensive Cancer Medical Center. After passing all her US Medical board exams, she had her residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with fellowship in surgical pathology at Los Angeles County Medical Center, USC Keck School of Medicine. She earned three specializations in the field of Pathology with one fellowship in Cytopathology at UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles California. She is an active staff at Los Alamitos Medical Center and a Laboratory Medical Director at Kindred Hospital Westminster.
Abner Galino is the news editor of Weekend Balita, a leading Filipino Americam publication in Southern California. He shares that “It always feels good when we are tapped on our shoulders for doing a good job. And I believe that this is the reason why I am, and my fellow awardees, are here tonight. Brothers and sisters, journalism is a vocation more than a profession. And as a vocation, we don’t pursue it for personal aggrandisement, but rather for the purposes and ideals for which journalism stands for. This is a very challenging time for journalism, particularly community newspapering, and you and I know why. But I tell you this, community newspapering is as important as it was before there was internet. Ethnic communities are the cradles of our democracy. And democracy cannot thrive on barren hearts and minds. Your community newspapers, not only inform the public about you, but as well as hold you up and present you beautifully to the society at large.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
BELINA CALDERON NERNBERG
JENNIFER TY DE GUZMAN
FRANCHISE OPERATIONS
HOME HEALTH CARE
Belina Calderon-Nernberg is an accomplished selfstarter with over 25 years of business experience in HR Recruitment and Senior Healthcare Services. As the founder and CEO of a number of successful companies, that includes 1Heart Caregiver Services, one of the few Filipino-owned Franchise operations, Belina provides the vision, leadership and direction that her companies need to be able to achieve their goals. Her principle-centered leadership and ability to utilize corporate talents paved the way for the company’s success in achieving profitability and business growth objectives. This has equipped 1Heart Caregiver Services with the expertise and proven system to expand its business operations on a national level. 1Heart has rapidly expanded from a single office in Los Angeles to multiple locations in California and its neighboring states.
An accomplished professional in Home Health Care, Dr. Jennifer Ty De Guzman is being recognized for her acumen in all aspects of home health. Born in the Philippines, Jennifer received a Master of Arts degree in Nursing from the University of the Philippines. She later pursued another MA degree in Nursing & Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Phoenix. She later obtained her Doctorate degree in Nursing Practice & Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Brandman University. A writer for NCLEX for Nursing. She was a faculty and a program director for the Nursing Program and has demonstrated her exceptional leadership through her membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Adaptive Business Leaders & Forbes Councils.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
GEOFFREY JIMENEZ
MICHELLE MOLINA
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MAKE-UP ARTISTRY
Geoffrey Lapuz Jimenez is an outstanding community leader and businessman with a keen knowledge of the Medical field and has over two decades of experience in Palliative Care. He is the proprietor of the Geoffrey Jimenez Group of Companies which is a Medical organization dedicated to the discipline of Palliative and Hospice care. His coverage extends throughout the West coast up to the Midwest parts of the United States. Geoffrey has been voted as the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the United States. He is a visionary and an active philanthropist with participation in various charitable organizations.
Michelle’s career in the make-up industry was propelled as the protégé of Ricky Reyes (owner of a chain of salons in Metro Manila). Michelle was appointed the officer in charge at his most prestigious salons. In his quest to further diversify his beauty skills, he moved to Australia and worked at high end salons in Sydney. Michelle was part of the first Miss Phil-Australia beauty pageant in 1986 and has served the Filipino community through sponsored events and festivities. He moved to the US in 1998. Michelle was among the recipients for Most Outstanding Filipino Americans in the USA, 2015 Excellence in Makeup Artistry as recognized by Reflections in 2016 and by Spotlight Awards 2017, Gawad America 2018, Beautiful Life 2018, and Amer-Asia Awards 2019.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
REYNOSA ESPADERO
GREG DE GRANO
Reynosa is a mother first, and a nurse and entrepreneur second. Reynosa Espadero graduated with a Bachelors Science Degree in Economics at Ateneo de Naga University. She also completed Vocational Nursing in California and has had extensive administrative experience in the fields of home health and hospice care. She currently owns and manages five (5) hospice care facilities in Southern California that provide highly skilled and experienced compassionate care for the sick and terminally ill. On top of that, Reynosa is the President/CEO of Infinity Beauty Medical Spa -- a true haven for health, wellness and beautification for all.
Gregorio L. De Grano graduated from the Makati Medical Center College of Nursing in 1997 with a B.S. Degree in Nursing and also earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from De La Salle University College of Medicine. Greg migrated in 2006 and pursued nursing specializing in critical care as well as acute dialysis nursing. He graduated with a degree of Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Tract and is currently a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Greg is now completing his Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree sub-specializing in psychiatric and mental health. He has 22 years of extensive nursing experience ranging from emergency and acute care nursing, medical surgical nursing, acute dialysis nursing, advanced practice nursing of family and primary health care as well as geriatric, psychiatric and mental health.
HOSPICE CARE
NURSING
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
BENNY UY
MEDIA RELATIONS Currently the President of the Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA). Benny is a very active award-winning photo journalist in the Filipino American community of Southern California. He represents various publications here in Los Angeles. Through years of hard work, Benny Uy has earned the title of department photographer for the Workforce Development Aging and Community Service (WDACS) L.A. County. The 3rd son among 5 boys who grew up in Manila, Benny migrated to the USA in 1980. His passion include motorcycling, road and mountain biking, skiing, gardening, playing classical guitar and, of course, hotography. Benny Uy is a graduate of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos.
THE AMFM BAND ENTERTAINMENT
The Am Fm Band is a multi awarded pop cover band who first received their Best Show Band Award in 2015. Since then, the band has been consistently recognized for excelling in different categories such as Best in Band Sound Engineering. Led by Ellery Atienza, The Am Fm Band is composed of multi-racial members and this is what makes them unique. Their choice of repertoire, combined with seasoned singers and veteran rhythm section players, makes their music even more appealing. They cover a wide range of genres from the 60’s till 2000. Their Motown selection is one of the crowd’s favorites. Now, they are the house band for NOYPITZ group of restaurants all over Southern California
OUTSTANDING YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT
MAIREEN BARNACHEA ACADEMICS
Maireen Rebolledo Barnachea is a young beauty and brains 18-year-old stunner that graduated as Magna Cum Laude last June. She is now a freshman at San Diego State University, hoping to major in Public Health. She was the 2018 Miss Filipina Teen International First Runner-Up and 2016 Miss Junior Teen California. Maireen is actively involved in both her school and local community. She is also a recipient of the 2018 Filipino-American Youth Achiever award from San Diego Humanitarian Foundation and has been gifted the 2017 President Fidel V. Ramos Youth Leadership award. Maireen is a gifted singer and her passion for music will make her star soar.
SHANE SELLORIA
PERFORMING ARTS Shane is a self taught singing ventriloquist. At the recent 2019 World Championship of Performing Arts or WCOPA held in Hollywood, he won as the Junior Grand Champion for Variety Acts. Prior to this, Shane has won as Best Young Star in the 2019 Spotlight Awards. This multi-talented young talent is slowly become a force in performing arts in the Filipino American of Southern California with never-ending invitations to perform in numerous shows and spectacles. Most recently, he was a top five finalist among thousands of talents that auditioned for role of young Simba for the Broadway Musicale Lion King in New York.
EMERGING LEADER
MARVIN RESO
KHAYE RODRIGUEZ
Marvin Reso started his nursing career twelve years ago. Initially, he earned a degree in BS Civil Engineering at Silliman Üniversity in Dumaguete City and worked for 12 years at the Senate committee on Public works, Senate of the Philippines. He later expanded his career and went to nursing school at UMC. Later, he migrated to America and passed the US nursing licensure. He started working in a nursing home for a sub-acute setting hospital until he built his own hospice care called Always Care Hospice Inc. With over twenty employees, Marvin has expanded into the Board and Care business. He is a family man and to this date takes care of his family.
Khaye’s love for Mrs Fields led her to the fulfillment of her dream - to be a franchise owner of this iconic cookie company. In fact, she is the only Filipino franchise owner of Mrs. Fields. She saw a need and pursued the solution by applying at the Mrs. Fields corporate office. With great tenacity, Khaye Rodriguez completed her one week training in Utah and through the grace of God finally got her certification as a Franchisee on August 2019. Khaye’s other passion is singing and she truly loves to perform. A people person, she takes the time to use her people skills to market and further expand her Business. This beautiful lady with a bubbly personality is on her way to greater heights of success.
PATIENT CARE
FOOD RETAIL
EMERGING LEADER
RUBY QUINTANA
KATHERINE BERCASIO
INSURANCE
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ruby Quintana started working at Colonial Life as an Opener, offering the voluntary products of the company. Though new to the process but a fast learner, she was soon promoted as Agency Development Manager within 6 months. This presented different challenges but her persistency earned her a promotion to District Manager in November 2019. She believes that her personal service to her clients and flexibility with her agents is what makes her successful and thrive in this, a very challenging economy. She is humbled and honored to be the First Filipino Manager of the Company. In the words of her Territory Manager, Todd Mason, “Extremely excited to promote this beautiful and successful young lady.�
Katherine Bercasio is a true artist of Visual Communications. Her work has left an indelible imprint across the globe. She was the Art Director of Cosmopolitan and Maxim magazines, Philippine editions. She also had a two-year stint as Art Director for Media Corp in Singapore. Katherine developed a passion for teaching and became a faculty member at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in Manila. She authored graphic design textbooks and various course modules. Katherine writes poetry and essays and one can view her work at wordsbyirene.com. She is a founding Board of Director for Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce - Hollywood (FACCHO) and was recently r-elected as a Board of Director of Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce South Bay Los Angeles Area.
YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL
DIANE CANEDA
ALYSSA SANTOS
Diane Caneda is the newly crowned Miss Asia USA 2019. She won 6 Major Awards while in the competition namely, Best in Swimsuit, Best In Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality, Miss Popularity, Miss Friendship and People’s Choice Award. A working model in LA, Diane earned her degree in nursing and learned she was passionate about health and wellness. She built Vertex Fitness and is proud to be serving the senior community through her center. As a philanthropist, she is also keen in helping the youth with mental illnesses and depression get the help they need. Using her talents, Diane is now involved with the American Cancer Society and National Prevention of Suicide Association.
19-year-old Alyssa is the 2018 Miss Filipina Teen International title holder and is a full-time student. After graduating high school with Summa Cum Laude honors and with over 200 hours of community service under her belt, she began studying to earn her Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Alyssa continues to give back to her community by sharing her musical talents in flute and piano. She serves her parish as its keyboard worship leader and plays the flute for local senior homes and charity events. She makes time for runway and print modeling,, when she has some to spare and has participated at the LA Fashion Week and OC Fashion Week.
YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL
ARIA GALVEZ Aria Pauline Galvez is currently the title holder of Miss Philippines USA Tourism 2019 and Miss Photogenic 2019. She is a 23 year old college student of Saddleback College, majoring in Biology. She wishes to pursue a career in the medical field. Aria is also a singer, dancer and a budding model. Her advocacy in life is to help little kids with mental disabilities learn to live independently.
BREANNA TOMENIS Breanna Tomenis is a recent California State Fullerton Graduate and currently reigns as Miss Popularity for Miss Philippines USA 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology and is starting her career with a software company. Breanna has always had a passion for giving back to her community and, currently, she will be joining the Harvard Ignite team as a mental health advocate.
YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL
JEANINE DETORIO Jeanine Detorio has had the privilege of joining the Miss Filipina Teen International Pageant. In her pursuit, she has earned the title Miss Filipina Teen Popularity. Furthermore, she was also recognized nationwide by receiving the title: Miss Worldwide International of Carson. She gained the endorsements of designers Miss Nathaly Pinzon, and Miss Kirsten Regalado. These two designers serve the Miss Universe Pageant. Jeanine has showcased young Filipinas through her modelling but at the same time serves the community by leading a blood drive that,to date, has saved over 129 lives.
Congratulations
KATHERINE BERCASIO
Come meet her at our Annual Gala Fundraiser! Contact us for tickets and sponsorships.
FACC-SLAA.org ph (424) 222-9236
KATHERINE BERCASIO Board of Director - 2020
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