Lea, AJ honored by award-giving bodies

Tony Award-winning thespian Lea Salonga was one of 12 individuals who were given the Heritage Award at the Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York Awards (TOFA-NY) held on Oct. 29 at Carnegie Hall.

“I am happy to be in this community…I'm glad to be here and thankful to everyone - mom, friends, community,” Salonga was quoted as saying in a report by abs-cbnnews.com on Nov. 2.

Salonga, touted by the TOFA-NY as “the most celebrated Filipino talent on Broadway,” has appeared in “Flower Drum Song” and “Les Miserables.” In 1991, she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical award at the prestigious Tony Awards for her performance as Kim in "Miss Saigon."

According to its official Facebook page, the TOFA-NY “was created to give recognition to individuals and organizations that have raised the profile of the Filipino American community in a unique and positive way – and to celebrate their achievements.”

Selection of winners was done via Facebook for the first time “to make this year’s TOFA truly a people’s award.”

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in a statement, "New York has always been proud to be a city of promise and opportunity for people of every background, including generations of Filipino Americans.

“We take this opportunity to honor the men and women who contribute to our city's amazing energy and spirit.”

The other personalities honored by the TOFA-NY were “Dancing with the Stars” junior champs Craig and Samantha Abaya; CEO, lawyer, philanthropist and advocate Loida Nicolas Lewis; organizations Filipino-American Human Services Inc. and Filipino-American National Historical Society; weekly newspaper Filipino Reporter; Pulitzer Award-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas; reporter and videographer at ABS-CBN International Don Tagala; and film and music entrepreneur/indie film producer Bessie Badilla.

AJ receives posthumous nomination at 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards

The 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards recently revealed its list of nominees, and among them is late actor AJ Perez for his performance in the “Tsinelas” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” He was nominated for the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Single Drama or Telemovie Program award.

“I'm so proud of him. Dream talaga ni AJ na magkaroon ng acting award,” Perez’s father Gerry told ABS-CBN news in an article posted on Nov. 1.

“Tsinelas” was aired on April 30 this year, two weeks after the young actor's death. He was killed in a highway accident in Tarlac en route to Manila from a show in Dagupan on April 17.

Perez’s co-nominees under said category were Enchong Dee (“Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Parol” episode), Coco Martin (“Maalaala Mo Kaya,” "Silbato" episode), Alwyn Uytingco (“Star Confession: The Makata Tawanan Story") and Phillip Salvador (“Star Confession: Malayang Pamamahayag: The Ramon Tulfo Story”).

The 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards will be held on Nov. 29 at the Teatrino in Greenhills.

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA
mb.com.ph

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