After a year’s hiatus, the Migrant Heritage Commission’s People’s Ball is back, none the less for wear from the deadly Covid 19 pandemic as it recognized the contributions of Fil-Am groups and individuals in the Metro DC region.
The party drew a good-sized post-pandemic crowd - a vaccination card or negative test result was required at the entrance. Live music alternated with disc jocks that kept people on their feet.
The highlight though remained to be the awards.
Receiving community service awards were: the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition for helping engage the Fil-Am community for disaster relief from Typhoon Haiyan to Covid Food Aid for the Philippines;
Baltimore-based Mabuhay Inc’s Romero Paredes Cobo, the Ilocano Society of America’s Rebecca “Ruby” Lopez, Malou Cadacio of the United Federation of Filipino-American Educators, Roy Torres of the Alexandria Asian American Lions Club;
Lorna Vasquez Kivlehan of the Fil-Am Association of Stafford, Jojo and Ednora for their work with the MHC Dance Ensemble and Fil-Am Ministry of St. Michael; the Culpeper Filipino American Community, the Family Alliance Veterans Care; and
Arnis exponents Walter, Wesley and Lexi Crisostomo of Ultima Eskrima-Pinakatay Arnis Sigidas.
Posthumous awards for outstanding community service were given to US Navy veteran Celso Santos Antonio of the Ilocano Society of America, and Leonora “Nora” Mendoza of the Philippine Nurses Association of Metro Washington.
Ofelia Valentos and Wilmer Acebron of the Filipino Global Market (Falls Church, Va. and Oxon Hill, Md.) received the outstanding migrant award in business.
Gift of Life awards were given to cancer survivor and advocate Nita Mortensen, nurse Elena Odonzo, and entrepreneur and philantrhropist Edward Penaflor Logan.
Medical assistant Maricar Salazar Galsim, teachers Olga Moon and Leila Rodulfa; nurses Rannie and Ruth Abo, and Raymundo and Jocelyn Akiatan received the Assistance to Nationals community service award.
Philippine Labor Attache Angela Trinidad was handed the “Kaakibat Award”.
Special awards were also given to Yvonne Inventor Taneza, 2019-21 Mrs. Heritage Philippines and the reigning title holder, Melanie Dua, as well as Roxanne Hodzic as 2021 Miss Pre-Teen Heritage Philippines.
2012 ISA Miss Teen Philippines-America Iana Kozelsky, World Champion of Performing Arts Dave Valeriano and journalist Kristina Maralit shared emcee duties for the night.
Entertainment also provided by the MHC Dance Ensemble and FAASVA Carinosas.
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