Photo Flash: Salonga, Ayesa, Marcos et al. at TOFA-NY Awards

New York, October 30, 2011 -- While the city was being pummelled by a historic October snowstorm yesterday, Broadway actor-singers Lea Salonga, MiG Ayesa, J. Elaine Marcos, and members of the Filipino-American community braved the bad weather to get to Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall for The Oustanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) Awards, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have influenced the Filipino-American community in a positive way.

Salonga, dancers Craig and Samantha Abaya, who were junior champions on ABC's hit show Dancing with the Stars Season 7; philanthropist and community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis; organizations Filipino-American Human Services Inc. and Filipino-American National Historical Society; and weekly newspaper Filipino Reporter were awarded TOFA-NY Awards' highest honors, the Heritage Awards.

Ayesa, Marcos, and T.V. Carpio, were nominated for TOFA-NY's community-determined awards for entertainment for their performances in Broadway musicals Rock of Ages, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark, respectively.

Other awardees have included Roland Ubaldo for public service; Jose Antonio Vargas for courage of conviction; Bessie Badilla for arts and culture; Grace Hufano-Labaguis for business and entrepreneurship; Philippine Forum for community service and advocacy; Sounds of Manila for entertainment; Jerry Sibal for fashion and style; Rena Avendula for food and restaurant; Dr. Lorna Bayes for health care; Michelle Manangan for LGBT and advocacy; Don Tagala for media and publishing; and the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey for youth and sports.

TOFA-NY Awards' winners were picked by Facebook users.

Photos by Troi Santos

Oliver is about to earn his M.S. degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional editor for BroadwayWorld.com. Over the past 18 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He also teaches public relations at De La Salle University-Manila. Follow Oliver on Twitter: @OliverOliveros

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