Celebrating the Success of the 3rd TOFSA (The Outstanding Filipinos of San Antonio) Gala

Written By Gene Carangal

The 3rd Outstanding Filipinos of San Antonio (TOFSA) Gala was an extraordinary evening of celebration, community, and inspiration. On behalf of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce-Greater San Antonio (PACC-GSA), we extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who made this year’s gala a resounding success. Themed "Enshrining Excellence in Community Service, Professionalism, and Leadership," this year’s gala brought together community leaders, dignitaries, and supporters, all unified in recognizing the exceptional achievements of Filipino-Americans in San Antonio.

Special Thanks to Our Main Sponsors

We offer a heartfelt thank you to our main sponsors whose generosity and support were instrumental in making the TOFSA Gala a truly unforgettable evening:

  • Platinum Sponsor - Dominion Mobile Wound Care

  • Gold Sponsor - Powerhouse America LLC

  • Gold Sponsor - RF3 World USA

Your support played a key role in helping us celebrate the Filipino-American community and honor outstanding leaders with elegance and purpose. We are truly grateful for your partnership!

Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries

We were honored by the presence of esteemed dignitaries and distinguished guests who have made significant contributions to the local and national community, including:

  • Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia

  • Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

  • Retired USAF Colonel Nonie C. Cabana

  • Retired USAF Colonel Dr. Maggie Beato

  • Sheriff Javier Salazar

  • Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones

  • Vice Consul Gilbert Segarra

  • Carl Bell, Assistant Vice President, Business and Data Analytics at USAA

Their attendance was a testament to the importance of Filipino-American contributions within San Antonio and beyond, inspiring all attendees to continue serving and uplifting our communities. We are grateful for their support and encouragement in making the TOFSA Gala a night to remember.

TOFSA Committee: Behind the Scenes of a Memorable Event

A successful event like TOFSA requires meticulous planning, dedication, and a shared passion for excellence. Our heartfelt thanks go to the TOFSA Committee for their hard work, vision, and commitment:

  • Ms. Almie P. Latimore (Chair), whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for an exceptional gala experience

  • Ms. Elcee Cortez (Co-Chair), for expertly managing resources and ensuring an optimal experience for honorees and guests

  • Col. Nonie Cabana, for providing guidance and attention to detail that ensured the event’s success

  • Dr. May Zamuco, whose dedication to decor and presentation created a beautiful and inspiring atmosphere

  • Jennie Tabios and Shara Andigan, for their contributions that enhanced every element of the evening

Each member of the committee worked tirelessly to make the gala a truly elegant and memorable celebration, honoring our community’s leaders in an atmosphere of unity and pride.

Our Generous Sponsors: Partners in Excellence

This year’s gala would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Their contributions enabled us to celebrate excellence while inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.

Ad Sponsors

A special thank you to our ad sponsors for supporting the TOFSA Gala through their generous contributions:

  • Effy's Balikbayan Services

  • BSB Adventure Channel

  • Fong Ilagan LLP

  • Hilltop Animal Hospital

  • Legacy Ensured Group

  • Angle Marketing and Virtual Services

  • PACC-RGV

  • CHL Unshakable Faith

  • JMG Realtors (Marcie Morales)

  • The Children's Clinic

  • May Zamuco, MD, PA

  • Adobo Throwdown

  • Elsie's Egg Rolls

  • Ai's Kitchen

  • RF3 Worldwide

  • Usana

  • Dominion Mobile Wound Care

  • Powerhouse America LLC

Additional Sponsors

Our deepest thanks go to those whose additional support and contributions helped make this event unforgettable:

  • Nelson Tuazon

  • Dr. M. Danet Bluhm

  • Love Duka & Gaston

  • Nonie (Mike dela Cruz)

  • Almie Latimore

  • OFT

  • Dr. Erlinda E. Belvis, MD

  • CABSAT

  • Joseph Meyer

  • Bob Mayne

  • NASA

  • Col. Nonie Cabana

  • Drs. Beato

  • Affinity Homecare - Arnold Ballesteros

Your dedication to supporting the Filipino-American community helps us continue our mission to inspire and empower.

A Night to Remember

This year’s TOFSA Gala set a high standard for excellence in recognizing the contributions of Filipino-Americans in San Antonio. The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, breathtaking performances, and inspiring stories of leadership, dedication, and service. Each honoree and attendee left the gala feeling inspired, uplifted, and empowered to continue making a positive impact in our communities.

We look forward to future opportunities to celebrate and recognize the incredible achievements within our community. Thank you once again to all who supported the TOFSA Gala—we are excited to continue building upon this success and creating lasting impact together.

Join Us in Celebrating Filipino-American Excellence

As we move forward, the PACC-GSA remains dedicated to fostering business growth, cultural exchange, and community support. We invite you to join us in our mission, as we continue to strengthen the bonds between the United States and the Philippines, elevate Filipino-American contributions, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are making a difference.

Gene Carangal
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