San Francisco Mayor Daniel L. Lurie (7th from left) and Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes (6th from left) join Filipino American Voice United (FAVU) President Jorge Perez de Tagle (3rd from right), the four honorees of the 5th Larry Itliong Leadership Awards, and other FAVU officers and members of the Filipino American community. The awardees are writer and artist Gayle Romasanta (2nd from right), Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo (8th from left), Daly City Arts & Culture Commissioner Dorie Paniza (5th from left), and San Francisco Arts Commissioner Al Perez (4th from right)
(San Francisco PCG photo)
San Francisco, California – Four Filipino Americans were recognized for their contributions to public service, arts and culture, storytelling, and community engagement during the 5th Larry Itliong Leadership Awards held on 24 October 2026, at Sentro Filipino in San Francisco.
The Filipino American Voice United (FAVU), in partnership with Caring Hearts Foundation, Inc., presented the awards to writer and artist Gayle Romasanta; Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo; Daly City Arts & Culture Commissioner Dorie Paniza; and San Francisco Arts Commissioner Al Perez.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie attended the ceremony to congratulate the awardees and recognize the Filipino American community’s spirit of warmth, graciousness, and selflessness. He also highlighted the City’s commitment to investing in the community and giving back in recognition of its generosity and contributions.
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes (leftmost) joins Ms. Juanita Nimfa Gamez (4th from left), President/CEO of the Caring Hearts Foundation and Chair of the Filipino American Voice United (FAVU) in presenting the awards to San Francisco Arts Commissioner Al Perez (2nd from left); Daly City Arts & Culture Commissioner Dorie Paniza (3rd from left); writer and artist Gayle Romasanta (5th from left); and Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo (rightmost). (San Francisco PCG photo)
The four honorees were recognized for their respective achievements and service. Ms. Romasanta is a writer and artist whose work focuses on the Filipino American experience. She authored Larry the Musical: An American Journey, which depicts the life of Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong.
Councilmember Manalo has served on the Daly City Council since 2016 and has served three terms as mayor. Ms. Paniza, Daly City’s Arts & Culture Commissioner, is an active community leader involved in organizations dedicated to community empowerment, senior services, cultural enrichment, business development, and alumni engagement.
Mr. Perez, San Francisco’s Arts Commissioner, is a longtime community organizer and president of the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE), which produces the annual Pistahan Parade and Festival in August and the Filipino American History Month celebration at San Francisco City Hall in October, among other cultural initiatives.
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez. In his message, Ambassador Romualdez extended his congratulations to the awardees, commending their achievements and dedication to service as reflections of the values of leadership, perseverance, and community that the awards seek to uphold.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a recipient of the 2023 Larry Itliong Leadership Award, also delivered a video message. He reflected on the importance of collective action in confronting injustice and creating meaningful change, recalling how his parents joined community efforts to address injustice. He also recognized the significance of honoring Larry Itliong’s legacy and continuing the work toward justice and equality that Itliong championed.
During the ceremony, FAVU President Jorge Perez de Tagle provided an overview of Itliong’s legacy and his pivotal role in the farmworker movement and the struggle for labor rights, dignity, and justice. He emphasized that the annual awards honor Itliong’s legacy by celebrating the service, courage, and strength of Filipino American leaders whose contributions advance storytelling, public service, community engagement, and the promotion of arts and culture. The 5th Larry Itliong Leadership Awards brought together community leaders, public officials, and members of the Filipino American community to celebrate the enduring legacy of Itliong and the continued contributions of Filipino Americans to their communities and society. Through the annual event, FAVU and Caring Hearts Foundation, Inc. reaffirmed the importance of recognizing Filipino American leadership and preserving the legacy of those who have advanced workers’ rights, cultural heritage, and community empowerment.END