Celebrating Filipino excellence at TOFA, 'Magellan,' 'Quezon,' Fil-Am actress Sam Morelos

When we celebrate Filipino American History Month in October, we are proud to showcase Filipino excellence during the 15th The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) which was recently held at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.

The event recognized 100 of the most influential Filipinos in the world in a three-hour celebration of culture, excellence, and pride. "King of Talk," Boy Abunda, hosted the well-attended event once more.

Founded by journalist and advocate Elton Lugay in New York in 2010 to celebrate exceptional Filipino Americans, TOFA has expanded since 2022 to honor influential Filipinos worldwide. Lugay said in his opening remarks that TOFA's mission remains "a living, forward-looking tribute to Filipino excellence," emphasizing that no past honoree is repeated to ensure that "new changemakers are given their rightful spotlight."

"As we celebrate Filipino American History Month this October, we remember trailblazers who paved the way and honor achievers who inspire the next generation," Lugay said during his speech. "TOFA stands as proof of the Filipino spirit – hardworking yet visionary, humble yet powerful."

My husband, Ruben, and I were standing onstage not only as TOFA Board of Directors members but as proud parents of Bianca Nicole R. Nepales, our older daughter, who was the keynote speaker that night.

The former vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Lionsgate, Bianca's fiery address reframed the evening's message. "This isn't just a variety show," she said. "This is a movement builder."

In her speech titled "Filipinos Uprising," Bianca declared, "The stories told about us will never be as powerful as the stories told by us." She challenged the audience to embrace a reimagined identity she called "TOFU: The Outstanding Filipinos Uprising."

"Not your soft, bland, forgettable tofu," she said to laughter and applause. "We absorb whatever adversity gets thrown our way and make it taste so good. The uprising isn't coming – we're already here. And we're just getting started."

Her spirited message drew standing ovations and became an unofficial theme for the 15th TOFA – a reminder that recognition is not the end, but a platform for continued advocacy.

The audience featured honorees, community leaders, and artists from across the U.S., the Philippines, and the Middle East. Among the luminaries honored were musical powerhouses Nonoy Zuñiga, Pops Fernandez, Jaya, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Christian Bautista, Kris Lawrence, Rachel Alejandro, and Dessa.

Cultural icons like Cher Calvin, Larry the Musical, Manila Luzon, Chef Abi Marquez, Imah Dumagay, RS Francisco, and Nonito and Rachel Donaire also graced the TOFA100 roster. The Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) was also recognized on the TOFA stage for its contribution to film and entertainment, and for bridging the cultural gaps between the Philippines and the US. MIFF co-founders Omen Ortiz, Lisa Lew, and Ruben and Janet Nepales received the award.

A special posthumous tribute was presented to the late superstar Nora Aunor for her enduring impact on Philippine cinema and culture.

Accepting the award on Aunor's behalf, attorney Claire Espina shared emotional reflections from her time as the actress's former counsel. "Nora carried an entire nation's aching in her bones," Espina said, quoting critic Cleve Arguelles. "We face overwhelming challenges, but I hope no child ever grows up like Nora – selling water by the train tracks. Thank you for honoring my client and loving her."

TOFA's 15th anniversary reflected on its growth from a local recognition in New York to a global celebration of Filipino impact. From Broadway to healthcare, politics to culinary arts, each awardee symbolized a chapter of a global Filipino story still being written.

"Filipinos are innovators, leaders, and culture-shapers," Lugay said. "From state capitols to the White House, from Hollywood to our hometowns – we continue to shine, loudly and proudly."

As the cheers echoed through the Orleans Showroom that night, Bianca's words became the evening's gentle refrain: the uprising isn't coming. It's already here.

'Magellan'

A special screening Lav Diaz's "Magellan," the official entry of the Philippines to the Oscar Awards, coordinated by Ruben, Janet and Bianca Nepales in cooperation with UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, was held at the James Bridges Theater.

Filmmaker Lav Diaz and Golden Globe award-winning actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who portrayed Ferdinand Magellan, were in attendance and participated in a Q & A moderated by Ruben V. Nepales.

The epic historical drama which is written, directed and co-edited by Diaz, stars Gael as the Portuguese explorer, Ronnie Lazaro as Rajah Humabon, Hazel Orencio as Juana, Amado Arjay Babon as Enrique de Malaca, among others.

Diaz disclosed during the Q & A that he almost died during the filming. "I was sick for four days, coughing and throwing up blood. I finally asked to be brought to the hospital, and I was diagnosed with tuberculosis," he narrated. "I wanted to be able to finish the film and see 'Magellan' and I am glad I got better," he added.

The filming of the movie took place in Sampaloc and Mauban towns in Quezon, Philippines, followed by filming in southern Portugal and Cadiz, Spain.

Students, film aficionados and entertainment industry people who attended the special event were able to mingle and ask questions to Diaz after the Q & A. A reception was also held after the screening and the Q & A and was hosted by Manila Inasal led by CEO Dodjie Simon and Max & Lucy's bakery for desserts.

'Quezon'

We recently watched the epic historical drama of filmmaker Jerrold Tarog, "Quezon," which is the third installment in TBA Studios' Bayaniverse trilogy – "Heneral Luna" (2015, starring John Arcilla), "Goyo: The Boy General" (2018, starring Paulo Avelino) and now the final installment "Quezon" (2025, starring Jericho Rosales).

The film focuses on the life of Manuel L. Quezon who served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 until his death in 1944. In the film, Benjamin Alves portrays the young Quezon while Jericho Rosales portrays the older Quezon.

Also in the film are Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmena, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, Cris Villanueva as Joven Hernando, Karylle as Aurora Quezon and Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo.

In an interview, Tarog said that the movie was "inspired by Nick Joaquin's 'A Question of Heroes,' where key historical figures were dissected and their legacies questioned."

Tarog also said that "In 'Quezon,' the war is not on battlefields but inside rooms, in hallways and bedrooms. It's a war of words and a battle of wills."

In the Q & A that followed, a lively discussion with panelists Tarog, Rosales, Alves, producer Daphne O. Chiu, cinematographer Pong Ignacio and production designer Monica Sebial, and audience members ensued.

Sam Morelos in 'Regretting You'

Fil-Am actress Sam Morelos, 20, who is best known for her roles as Nikki in the teen sitcom "That '90s Show" and Abby in the comedy film, "Summer of '69", is back in the limelight as she portrays Lexie in the Josh Boone-helmed romantic drama, "Regretting You," which is based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover.

The film, which highlights relationships between parents and children or more specifically between mothers and daughters, also stars Allison Williams as Morgan Grant, Mckenna Grace as Clara Grant, Dave Franco as Jonah Sullivan and Mason Thames as Miller Adams, Ethan Costanilla as Efren among others.

We were able to virtually interview Morelos recently and we asked her what inspired her to take on the role of Lexie in the movie.

The Los Angeles native Morelos replied, "So many things. Colleen (Hoover) is just such an amazing storyteller. When I read the script, it was just so rich and full of relationships, which is something that I'm always interested in as an actor. And Lexie is such a breath of fresh air to me, and she's such a genuine character that I was just really excited. And the team is incredible. Josh Boone, I remember seeing his name right before the audition, I was like, oh my God, I have to get ready for this audition. It's so huge. I was honestly inspired just by the fact that they'd see me."

Since the movie is a coming-of-age story and talks about relationships between mothers and daughters we asked her about her relationship with her mother and how much she could relate to the story.

The spunky and candid Morelos said, "Oh my goodness. Well, my mother is going to overhear this in the other room. My relationship with my mom has been such a touchstone for me. I feel like throughout my life and my career, she's just the one constant that I have. And I feel like the crossover with that. Like looking at Claire and Morgan's relationship, throughout it all, there's just this consistency of we could fight, we could have all these disagreements. But at the end of the day, I can't do this without you. And it's just a tale as old as time. Mother-daughter relationships are always so strained. But at the end of the day, there's something there. So, like primal."

As for working with Dave Franco and the rest of the cast, Morelos disclosed, "Oh my gosh. Well, I mean, Dave and Allison, they're such lovely people. Honestly, like Allison, we clicked a lot because like, her movie 'Megan 2' was coming out, and we were talking about what do the kids say nowadays. Like Gen Z-wise, I was kind of like her Gen Z slang consultant, which was really funny to me. But Mason, McKenna, and Ethan, like all of us, were just like a little friend group because we were each other's ages, and we just hung out. We would go out and go to, like, the World of Coke in Atlanta and just hang out and just have a jolly, fun time. I just love hanging out with them."

In the production notes, we pointed out that she also mentioned that she was sometimes laughing at the jokes of her character Lexie.

She explained, "Josh and I, we riffed off of this. I would come in with a few alts that we could possibly use. So, I wrote some of her jokes, which was like a very new experience for me. She just makes me laugh. Just being Lexie was an opportunity to, oh my God, I can just tease and be goofy and funny and just throw caution to the wind and be myself a little bit because Lexie is a little too much like Sam. It was just a really fun time."

So how was it filming in Georgia, Atlanta, and how long did you film, we asked Morelos.

"I think the whole shoot in total was about four to five weeks for me," she replied. "Georgia, Atlanta is such a cool city. I had a few (free) whole dates, so I would explore the city. It was so rich with culture and art. Like the murals are insane. I would just like to have a ball walking around. We shot in the spring, so there was just a sheen, a blanket of pollen everywhere. So, my allergies were acting up. But I digress. It was a really fun time, regardless of how much I was sneezing." —MGP, GMA Integrated News