Fil-Ams who make a difference

Los Angeles – Receiving an award and being appreciated for achieving something is the best part after all the hard work.

As an artist, having a trophy or an award for something is one of the most important things we could have in our homes.

For me, an acting award is more precious than diamonds. It’s something that takes a whole lot of hard work.

It’s priceless and can only be earned through sweat, time and effort. There’s absolutely nothing better than feeling appreciated.

It was such a pleasure to take part in the 18th Reflections Awards (Monet Lu is the founding organizer) last Nov. 12. Oliver Carnay, a friend of ours, was the one who contacted me for this event.

I was not really sure exactly what this awards night was all about, until I saw the beautiful red carpet with all the photographers taking endless shots of every single guest they had.

Reflections, in fact has been annually celebrated over the past 18 years. This year’s theme was Styles and Visions.

Reflections is the longest annual awards celebration of the Filipino-American community. This is the one night when all the hardworking Filipino-Americans are praised and recognized for being able to make an influence through their skills.

I didn’t realize there are so many Filipinos out here who have already done so much for the community.

Last year was one of their biggest celebrations where they had The Black Eyed Peas, and a few other Hollywood celebrities in the event.

Among the special guests of this year were Griff O’Neil (founder and president of World Championships of the Performing Arts), three-time Emmy winner Angelo Santos (couture designer of CBS’ The Bold & The Beautiful), Sthanlee Mirador (Hollywood celebrity photographer) and Mark Temple (Hollywood entertainment lawyer).

There were a few entertainers for the night as well. One who really stuck out for me was 12-year-old fast-rising singer Jasmine Villegas, who sang the American National Anthem and a song from Alicia Keys’ collections. She was fabulous.

Her voice is unbelievably striking. The girl has a great career ahead of her if she pursues her singing.

Fil-Am Hollywood actor Sean Michael Afable, who recently appeared in Akeelah and the Bee, got the Young Achiever’s Award, Alex Pineda (Man of Style) of Seafood City Supermarket won the Award of Recognition in Education for raising P1.3-M to help improve education in the Philippines.

Other awardees are Loi Herrera (Humanitarian of the Year Award), Charles Torroba (Outstanding Young Man in Community Service), Paul Ireton (Outstanding Young Man in Finance), Joseph Pagsibigan Lopez (Outstanding Young Man in Realty) and Ana Puno of Starmedia Entertainment Group for Concert of the Year for the US tour of Forever After topbilling Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Rico J. Puno and Ai-Ai de las Alas.

The Panopio family (headed by founder and CEO Ruben Panopio) of R-Page, Inc. received the Cultural Award for the successful staging of the recently-concluded U.S.-Philippines Expo in which I won an award.

You may visit www.HollywoodFlip.com for more pictures.

Have a great Sunday!

(E-mail me at [email protected].)