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