New York, October 25, 2012 - Broadway's "Les Miserables" stars Adam Jacobs, who also recently appeared as Simba in Disney's "The Lion King," and Ali Ewoldt are reuniting on stage to perform before a predominantly Filipino-American audience at this year's "The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York" (TOFA-NY) awarding rites at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall tonight, October 27, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Fox TV hit "Glee" former guest star Charice, who was recently seen promoting her movie "Here Comes the Boom," a comedy film starring Kevin James and Salma Hayek, is also performing at the TOFA-NY formal event, where the Drama Desk Award-winning theater group Ma-Yi Theater Company, and set and costume designer Eduardo Sicangco ("Gentlemen Prefer Blondes") are two of the awardees.
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has elaborated on the TOFA-NY Awards, "New York has always been a city of promise and opportunity, making us a magnet for talented individuals from across the globe. From Woodside [Queens, New York] to neighborhoods across the five boroughs, our Filipino communities are some of the most vibrant, and this event [TOFA-NY awarding rites] is a wonderful chance to celebrate the many contributions that Filipino Americans have made in everything from government and business to medicine and the arts."
"This October, as we celebrate the Filipino American History Month, we are proud to honor the many men and women of Filipino descent who remain committed to making our great city even better," Mayor Bloomberg added.
Besides Ma-Yi Theater Company and Sicangco, other TOFA-NY Award recipients this year include the following:
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Edwin Josue of Halstead Realty, a real estate broker
COMMUNITY SERVICE & ADVOCACY
Yves Nibungco of Anakbayan NY/NJ, chair of Anakbayan serving mostly new immigrant youths
EDUCATION, RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
Agnes 'Bing' Magtoto, an adjunct professor teaching Elementary Filipino I & II, a language and culture course at New York University
ENTERTAINMENT
Kirby Asunto, a young singer and a protégé of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao
FASHION & STYLE
Danelle Izza Dungca, a fashion designer and creative director of ONE 10 Collection
FOOD & RESTAURANTS
Anthony and Lisa Siopongo of Casa Manila, restauranteurs
HEALTH CARE
Jona Jane Tajonera, a health care consultant
LGBT ADVOCACY
Cecilio Asuncion, a writer-producer behind the documentary "What's the T, " which tells about the lives of five transgender women
MEDIA & PUBLISHING
Ryan Songalia, a boxing reporter for RingTV
PUBLIC SERVICE & POLITICS
Mayor Guillermo Udarbe, a doctor and mayor of Ridgway, Pennsylvania
YOUTH & SPORTS
Advancement for Rural Kids, Inc., a nonprofit that raises funds to improve the health and provide education for school-age children in the Philippines
Tickets for the TOFA-NY Awards night are sold out.
For more information, visit CarnegieHall.org.
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