GMA News Online contributor Ryan Songalia cited as outstanding Filipino in New York

Filipino-American writer and sports analyst Ryan Songalia, a GMA News Online contributor, was named one of the winners of this year's "The Outstanding Filipino Awards in New York" (TOFA-NY). He and the other winners will be officially recognized at Carnegie Hall in New York on October 27.

Songalia was cited in the Media and Publishing category after garnering over 2,700 votes through Facebook. In an interview with GMA News Online, Songalia said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Filipino community of New York.” He said the award meant the world to him, especially after his unlikely journey to success -- from living in a one-room shack as a teenager six years ago to becoming an accomplished sports writer and analyst. “Even with this award, I still look at myself as the little guy fighting to break down doors for myself and others like me starving to get a chance,” he said. “I still maintain that mindset that I have to work ten times harder than the next guy to achieve the same results, and that always served me well."   Motivation and journey   During the awarding ceremonies night, Songalia will be with the people who motivated him.   “There will be so many people there that I respect like Jose Antonio Vargas, Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. and Loida Nicolas-Lewis. It will be worth the trip just to be in their company,” he said.   He also wishes that he could share his story during the awards night to encourage other struggling people.   “They're only giving us 45 seconds to speak, but if I can get two minutes, I want to share a quick story about a young teenager from New Jersey who had dreams of becoming a writer,” he said.   “[E]very day he would climb on top of his roof with his laptop to get WiFi connection and [he] never stopped believing in his dream. And six years later, that focus brought him to Carnegie Hall,” he continued. Next agenda What's next on Songalia's agenda? For now, he said he plans “to recharge my batteries a little and see family.”   “I'm not exactly sure when I'll be back in the Philippines, but I do believe this is my home now,” he said.   “I'll be covering boxing events, but I have plans to expand my horizons a bit and write about inspiring individuals in other genres as well,” he added.   Songalia said he is also planning "something special" when he visits the Philippines, including challenging former President Fidel Ramos to a rematch of their pushup challenge.   Last year, when Ramos was at a speaking engagement in the US, he surprised Songalia, who was covering the event, with a pushup challenge. Ramos "won" the challenge by completing 50 pushups a little faster than Songalia.   Giving back the gratitude   As someone who has gone through a lot of challenges in life, Songalia reflects with gratitude on the people who have helped him. One such person is GMA sportscaster Chino Trinidad who paved the way for Songalia to commentate for GMA News' “All Sports” program.  “These are opportunities that I had dreamed about,” Songalia said.   “There was a time when I used to get denied credentials to minor boxing events in New York and felt like giving up, but people who have helped me along the way have inspired me to continue to this point,” he continued.   Songalia quoted from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” starring the late Heath Ledger. “He (Ledger) said, ‘Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want.’ A healthy aggression in life is vital to achieving your dreams,” Songalia said.   — LBG/VVP/HS, GMA News