‘Make Your Marc’ finale features TOFA’s global Filipino honorees

“Make Your Marc” will close its third season on GMA Pinoy TV with an episode devoted to TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World celebration in Las Vegas.

The season finale airs Sunday, May 17, at 4 p.m. Pacific on GMA Pinoy TV. Hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winning producer Marc Anthony Nicolas, the episode will feature red carpet interviews and conversations with Filipino achievers in entertainment, business, media, food, culture and the arts.

The featured personalities include Tootsie Guevara, Christian Bautista, Mark Mabasa, Manila Luzon, Jaya and Abi Marquez, along with other honorees and guests recognized at the TOFA celebration.

The episode is not only a showcase of celebrity appearances. It also captures a broader story about how Filipinos continue to shape culture and communities across borders.

“Make Your Marc,” which launched on GMA Pinoy TV in 2024, was created as a platform for global Pinoys whose work has made an impact in their fields and communities. Nicolas, whose television credits include “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “The Talk,” has used the series to highlight artists, entrepreneurs, educators, chefs and community leaders whose stories reflect Filipino talent and representation on a larger stage.

TOFA, founded in New York by journalist and community organizer Elton Lugay, began as an awards platform honoring outstanding Filipinos in America. Over the years, it has expanded its reach to recognize Filipino excellence in public service, entertainment, business, media, education, health care, advocacy and the arts.

The TOFA 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World celebration marked the organization’s 15th year and broadened its focus to Filipinos making an impact globally. The Las Vegas event honored 100 individuals and groups whose work reflects leadership, influence and service across industries and communities.

“To have TOFA 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World serve as our Season 3 finale is incredibly meaningful,” Nicolas said. “The event represents excellence, resilience and the power of the Filipino community. This finale is more than entertainment. It is a celebration of trailblazers whose work continues to inspire future generations.”

The finale also reflects the growing visibility of Filipino stories on international platforms. For many viewers, the episode offers a look at the range of Filipino influence today, from performers and media personalities to culinary figures, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural advocates.

“Representation matters, especially when we are telling stories with purpose and authenticity,” Nicolas said. “I’m proud that ‘Make Your Marc’ continues to create a platform where Filipino voices and achievements are celebrated on a larger stage.”

By bringing the TOFA celebration to GMA Pinoy TV audiences, the finale places individual success stories within a larger conversation about identity, diaspora and influence. It shows how Filipino achievement is no longer confined to one country or one industry, but is increasingly visible in global entertainment, public service, culture and community leadership.