ABS-CBN International Announces Finalists for Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards; Filipino-American ''Unsung Heroes'' to be Honored at Gala.

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. -- ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi), the U.S.-based subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting, the Philippines' largest entertainment and broadcasting company, today announced the finalists for its Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards, jointly hosted with the Ugnayan at Tulong para sa Maralitang Pamilya (UGAT) Foundation. The seven finalists, chosen from hundreds of nominees across America, will be honored at a private awards gala on April 8th at the JTS Northside Community Center in San Jose, California.

"This year's finalists represent a breed of extraordinary individuals who have made public service their personal mission as well as their personal responsibility," said Raffy Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBNi. "These unsung heroes of the Filipino-American community embody all that is good about humanity and inspire Americans of all types."

Only one of the nominees will take home the award and represent North America in Manila at a final awards ceremony later this year. This year marks the second time the award has been issued in North America.

The North America finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

Norma Benzon, Texas

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Norma Benzon was one of the first community volunteers responding to the pleas of evacuees by delivering food to affected areas. Based on her established credibility as a volunteer and community leader, Norma was elected Executive Director of a Filipino Disaster Relief Task Force and worked tirelessly in relief efforts. She is a frequent speaker for hurricane recovery efforts and has helped countless people affected by the calamity.

Calderon-Alarcon, Virginia

In 1983, Teresita Calderon-Alarcon founded the Feed the Hungry Foundation with her husband. Since then, they have recruited Filipino volunteers in the U.S., distributing food, toys, medicine, school supplies and toiletries to those in need in the motherland. To date, the program has serviced almost 97% of the provinces in the Philippines. Teresita's enthusiasm and generosity has served as a strategic link between those with a desire to help, and the opportunities where help is needed.

Ken Mendoza, Virginia

Ken Mendoza has taught many young people in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area valuable lessons in life on the basketball courts of the Filipino-American Basketball Association (FABA) that he founded. Through FABA, Ken helped local youths find not only their heritage, culture and roots, but their unique identity as Filipinos-Americans living and thriving in the U.S.

Joel Sebag, Arkansas

Joel Sebag is a registered physical therapist and a gifted pianist who utilizes his skills to help people. In 2004, after seeing the unfortunate condition of the abused children in Bulacan, he established the MountainCrest Foundation, providing physical and occupational therapy, rehabilitation and medical supplies to the area. Joel regularly participates in community activities by giving lectures and workshops on health and wellness issues. He also holds concerts to raise the awareness of the Filipinos and Americans in Harrison, Arkansas about the children in the Philippines who are in need of help.

Felipe Tolentino, Massachusetts

Dr. Felipe Tolentino is a distinguished scientist and ophthalmologist. Not only is he a pioneer in the study of the vitreous and retina, Dr. Tolentino has consistently led the way for charitable projects benefiting the marginalized sectors in the Philippines. Dr. Tolentino has founded and headed three medical institutions that have together provided free eye consultations and treatment to more than 65,000 patients in the City of Manila.

Honesto Tria, California

Honesto Tria is a 77-year old retiree and active philanthropist. In his 20-plus years of public service, Honesto has founded and lead several charitable organizations such as Save-a-Tahanan, Inc. (STI), Save a Tahanan Movement Philippines (STMP), and the Association of Former MERALCO Employees (AFME). Knowing and believing in the importance of education, he and his wife also started the self-funded scholarship program, The Concerned Citizens Scholarship Program of USA, in 1996. To date, more than 30 poor students have benefited from the scholarship.

Alejandro Vinluan, Wisconsin

Alejandro Vinluan is a physician who obtained his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1955. Inspired by charitable causes while in practice in the Philippines, he continued his desire to help when he moved to the U.S. He helped establish the Filipino American Medical Association and the Rizal-MacArthur Memorial Foundation, Inc. Raising funds and sometimes even donating his own money, Alejandro and his medical missions have provided medical treatment, supply, and facilities to many in the Philippines.

About The Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards

The Bayaning Pilipino Awards is a tribute to Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry, determination and dedication to service. The award recognizes every day heroes who have rendered exemplary service to Filipinos everywhere and can be emulated by ordinary people around the world. North America will have one top finalist to be sent to Manila for a final awards event later this year.

About ABS-CBN International

ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi) was created to be of service for all Filipinos 12 years ago. With the launch of The Filipino Channel, the company was the first and most successful Filipino broadcaster in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, money remittance and cargo forwarding services along with philanthropic support of Filipinos and the communities they now call home. Based in Redwood Shores, Calif., ABS-CBNi is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN, the Philippines largest entertainment and broadcasting company. For more information, visit www.abs-cbni.com.