10 questions for TOFA founder Elton Lugay
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‘Carnegie Hall has become like a home to us.’ Photo by Geo Rebucas
Yet, through its bumpy yet engrossing eight-year run, The Outstanding Filipinos in America remains in place, expanding its reach as an important search platform for the best and the brightest FilAms.
Elton Lugay who founded TOFA in 2011 with some friends in New York had misgivings it would get this far. He had no resources, no knowledge about organizing an awards night at Carnegie Hall, and no clue what he was getting into. All he had was the seed of an idea: A platform that would honor Filipino American achievers in the most spectacular way possible. A Carnegie Hall moment with breathtaking entertainment. The objective was simple enough, but logistics was monumental.
“We want our awardees to sit back, relax, and feel truly special,” Lugay, a journalist and community events organizer, told The FilAm.
TOFA’s previous honorees are among the community’s trailblazing FilAm professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, educators and advocates. Just to name a few, there’s Ridgway, PA. Mayor Guillermo Udarbe for Public Service; Rockette Christine Sienicki for Entertainment; humanitarian haircutter Mark Bustos for Courage of Conviction, restaurateur Nicole Ponseca for Food & Restaurants; Tony Award winning actress Lea Salonga, Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia Journalism School Sheila Coronel, and Oscar Award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez as Heritage Award recipients. Truly a “large and thriving Filipino population (that) is an invaluable thread in the fabric of our city,” declared Mayor Bill de Blasio.
More about TOFA and its fearless founder in the Q-A below
:The FilAm: What are the misconceptions about TOFA?
Elton Lugay: That TOFA is about me. There are some who do not believe in me but believe in TOFA. And I appreciate that they see the big picture, that TOFA is a celebration of Filipinos’ presence in the U.S. It just happened that I was the one who organized the event that is now a recognized platform for Filipino American History Month every October.
TF: Do you get comments like TOFA is too ambitious and way over your head?
EL: Oh yeah. In the beginning especially, and even now that we are on our eighth year. That is why we have to work harder to earn people’s trust. Every year, we need to sell tickets, raise funds, be grateful for the generosity of people who believe in what we’re doing, and there are so many of them.
TF: Will it help TOFA become sustainable if it’s a formal organization?
EL: I’ve seen so many organizations fail because everyone wanted to be the leader. One of our awardees once told me that when people trust and support their leader, goals are achieved. I am fortunate to have the support of the TOFA board that is formed each year to make sure that the funding and logistics are in place. It has worked for the past seven years until now.
With previous TOFA speakers Federal Judge Lorna Schofield (left) and CEO and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis. Photo by RJ Ensalada
TF: What do you think makes TOFA special?
EL: We’re saying, hey, you’re an awardee, you don’t have to do this and that to get an award. You’re getting an award because you deserve it. And that we as a community will celebrate you for being an inspiration to all of us. I think TOFA awardees appreciate this sort of recognition from fellow Filipinos.
TF: Do you see TOFA having a life 20-30 years from now?
EL: I’ve faced countless challenges to the point where every year I’m on the verge of giving up. But when TOFA season comes around, I see the signs — so many people sending nominations, sending support, encouragement. That gives me hope.
TF: How is this year’s TOFA any different?
EL: We’re on our eighth year. As they say, if a marriage has reached eight years it means it’s over the hump and will go all the way. Every year is special but this year more so because we have a new Consul General, Claro Cristobal; we’re glad that Boy Abunda is joining us again on his fourth year of hosting; and we have Nobel and Pulitzer winners in this batch of honorees who are all very inspiring people.
TF: Will it always be Carnegie Hall?
EL: No other Filipino event is held there annually. I know it’s expensive, it’s challenging. Carnegie has rules and policies that are very tight, like we cannot decorate the stage because they would like to preserve their look. But Carnegie Hall has become like a home to us. It is already associated with the TOFA name. Every time TOFA season kicks in, people look forward to stepping into Carnegie Hall dressed in their best.
TF: What are the challenges?
EL: Every year, it seems I make new enemies. All very petty, really, so I remain passionate about TOFA and aim for perfection.
TF: Perfection is a big word. Are you anywhere close to achieving it?
EL: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the saying goes. We try our best to make improvements every year, to learn from the mistakes of the past and apply the lessons moving forward. I think the community appreciates the effort.
TF: Why get a talent from the Philippines to host TOFA?
EL: I know we are already here in the U.S. but the fact remains we are all Filipinos. Getting a talent from the Philippines is a way of reconnecting us with our roots. It’s bridging the culture of two countries.
Boy Abunda is not a so-so talent. He is an excellent, wonderful host—Asia’s King of Talk. I like the fact that he knows so many FilAms and vice-versa, he is widely recognized by FilAms given his long experience as a TV personality. He also shares TOFA’s vision. In his words: ‘We need TOFA. We want to celebrate our FilAm heroes, the people we want to emulate.’ — Cristina DC Pastor
© The FilAm 2018
TOFA Night with four-time emcee Boy Abunda: ‘We’re on our eighth year. If it were a marriage it means we’re over the hump and will go all the way.’ Photo by RJ Ensalada
