FASGI honors community’s movers and shapers
By KRISTINE MOSQUEDA-KELLY

Balitang America, which airs on ABS-CBN International Filipino Channel, was awarded the President’s Award. ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief Regina Reyes (right), Balitang America News Executive Producer Odette O’Keeley (second from right) traveled all the way from Burlingame up North to accept the award. With them are correspondents (from left) Cora Pastrana, Charisse Yu (partially hidden), Peachy Mathias, and Sam Simbulan, editor.

Emelyn Gamboa (left) and Javier Puentes (right) accepts the Corporate Award on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank from FASGI president Vicente Ching.

Tony Armada, President’s Award recipient

Ray Mangelo and Tom Bauhmann of Good Samaritan Hospital receives the Humanitarian Award from Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor

The Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI) marked its 23rd year by paying tribute to the people whose dedicated service to the community has created a better life for the disadvantaged in Los Angeles.

Headed by executive director Susan Espiritu-Dilkes, FASGI has been providing individualized assistance to the community, including the homeless, through food and nutrition services, client advocacy, information and referrals, care management, and emergency and transitional housing services.

This year’s recipients of the prestigious Founder’s Award are U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi and Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. The three U.S. officials were honored for selflessly serving the needs of the Filipino-American community.

Dr. Tony Armada, president and CEO of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI and ABS-CBN International Filipino Channel’s Balitang America received the President’s Award.

The Corporate Award was presented to Wells Fargo, while Good Samaritan Hospital and Dr. Raymond Jallow, Ph.D. were recognized with a Humanitarian Award.

FASGI’s vision and work wouldn’t have taken shape, said Espiritu-Dilkes, without the untiring support of this year’s awardees.

Francisco ‘Frank’ Quiambao, the first Filipino-American president of the West Los Angeles College, was the emcee of the program.

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