Jaena Valles honored at TOFA

Jaena Valles with Judge Lorna Schofield of the Southern District of New York after the awarding.

JAENA VALLES, the wife of Mambulaoan Nelson Valles, has been recognized for her outstanding business and entrepreneurship capabilities during the third annual The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA) Awards.

The award was given away last Oct 26 at the Weill Recital Hall in Cargenie Hall in New York City.

                      

Right: The much-coveted TOFA

                                       trophy.

The TOFA-NY is an annual search for role models in the region, which is estimated to have a population of more than 300,000 Filipino-Americans. 

The awards program coincided with the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October.

This award was given to individuals and organizations that were seen as pillars of the community for their consistent community engagement through their talent, skills and professional acumen.

Valles won in the category of business and entrepreneurship.

Others voted as most outstanding in their respective fields include US-based fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, Filipino-African soul musician Joe Bataan, Pinay beauty queen-model and Rockette Christine Sienicki, Sibyl Santiago (arts and culture), Maya Rowencak (community service and advocacy), Jen Furer (courage of conviction), Marietta Geraldino (education, research, and technology), Guenevere Rodriguez (fashion and style), Aris Tuazon (food and restaurants), Irma Bajar.

In a private message to MWBuzz, Jaena's husband Nelsn, a native of Mambulao, thanked all Mambulaoans who helped her wife gather the winning votes from Mambulaoan Facebookers.