Lingkod Bayan Award

The Lingkod Bayan Award is given to a person who demonstrates excellence in the field of public or civil service.

Attorney General Rob Bonta - On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. Attorney General Bonta's passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America's most important social justice movements. It's why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School. Attorney General Bonta has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians. He previously worked as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the City and County and its employees, and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. He went on to pursue elected office in Alameda County, first as an Alameda Council Member and later as an Assemblymember representing Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People's Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. He is married to Assemblymember Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres, as well as their dog Legolas.

Bayani Award

The Bayani Award is given to an individual who embodies the spirit of a hero or heroine through their achievements in the face of adversity.

Filipino-American executive chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer who is originally from Ilocos Norte was raised by her grandparents, who ran a bakery. Due to her father's employment with the US Air Force, their family later relocated to Hawaii. She spent 30 years living in California since they relocated there before departing for the Philippines in December 2022. She found her career in the US as the first executive chef at the renowned Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro in Los Angeles, California, and the first Filipino American executive chef which makes her a rare gem. She ran her own pastry shop before working at Yamashiro. Chef Vallerie has developed a sizable network of clients, some of them are famous people from Hollywood which has been a great impact for Yamashiro as she was able to draw crowds and traffic for the said esteemed restaurant in LA.

Now back in the Philippines after almost 30 years, Philippine Airlines has appointed Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer as its new head of Catering Operations and is regarded as someone who can lead innovation and progress. With her impressive track record and outstanding achievements as an executive chef, PAL says Chef Vallerie is a valuable addition to the team and is an asset for the organization. With her wealth of experience and imaginative vision they are definite she will pave the way for innovation at PAL.

One of the good deeds that Chef Vallerie has been constantly organizing are her charitable initiatives -- like giving shoes to the needy in the Philippines and supplying free meals in US hospitals. This serves as her way of giving it back and helping the Filipino People.

Malikhain Award

The Malikhain Award is given to an individual or group who have demonstrated creative innovation and artistic excellence while elevating their craft within the arts.

Growing up in Long Beach, California, Emmanuel Joseph Coquia or best known as DJ E-Man started djing when he was 13 years old. He started DJing as a hobby. Years later, he started to DJ various events: school proms, birthdays, anniversaries, organization dances, weddings and many others; it became his business.

E-Man is considered to be one of the premier disc jockeys and music radio executives in the nation. His well earned and respected reputation stems from his vast experience in the industry and the professional demeanor he emanates in meeting with industry executives. This reputation has afforded him to perform with popular recording artists for large audiences in high capacity venues nationwide. He has performed as the DJ superstar artists such as Mariah Carey, Trey Songz, Bone Thugs N Harmony, The Game, Baby Bash, and Far East Movement to name a few. He was also the headliner DJ with Randy Jackson’s "America’s Dance Crew Tour” which featured The Jabbawockeez. He also was the DJ in the movie “The Debut”, a Filipino film shot and produced in the United States.

In January 1995, E-Man was hired as a Powermixer/DJ at KPWR Power 106 FM, a popular radio station in Los Angeles. In July 2022, E-Man was promoted to Vice President, Music and Artist Relations for Meruelo Media heading up all music initiatives for Meruelo's radio brands and at that same time, continues to entertain millions of listeners with his mixes 7 days a week on Power 106.

E-Man is married to his high school sweetheart, Joidie Quinto. They have three beautiful children, daughters Maliya Joi and Alana Mailee and son Kalani Joseph. They currently reside in Los Angeles, California.

Bayanihan Award

The Bayanihan Award is given to a community leader who exemplifies unity and one-ness by serving as a bridge builder in the spirit of community.

Danny Cortez (he/him) was the founding pastor of New Heart, a church dismissed from the Southern Baptist Convention for becoming an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people. After 25 years of pastoring, he founded Estuary Space, a non-profit that helps people and churches navigate the complexities of faith, gender, and sexuality. He also serves as a pastor at Long Beach Christian Fellowship in Long Beach, CA. He serves as a board member of PFLAG San Gabriel Valley. He also co-founded My Refuge House, a shelter in Cebu that helps bring restoration to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse. He authored The Clergy Guide, a manual to help churches navigate conversations to become fully affirming of LGBTQ people. Most recently, he co-founded Bridges in Africa, a non-profit that seeks to help alleviate the persecution and discrimination of LGBTQ people in African countries. Danny is married to Abby, and together they actively engage with parent support groups across the US to help parents love and accept their LGBTQ children.