Fil-Am boxer Ana Julaton receives Trailblazer Award from The Shadow League: 'To be a Filipino is an empowering thing'

Professional boxer Ana Julaton said she feels empowered to be the first ever Filipino-American to receive a Trailblazer Award from The Shadow League.

Moments before receiving the award last week in New York, Ana had the chance to chat with GMA Pinoy TV, where she said she is honored and thrilled to be receiving the award.

"I'm doing great, a little nervous but at the same time very excited, we're here at New York, we're getting ready to go to the Shadow League awards tonight and I'm super thrilled to be the first Filipino-American to receive an award with them."

She mentioned there are "a lot of things that's in the works, being outside of the ring opens up a new world for me."

Ana is working with the first Filipino Mayor in Daly City, Juslyn Manalo, to reach out to the youth and the whole community.

"One of the biggest initiatives I'm looking at is reaching out to the youth, the communities, perpetuating growth and  supporting those who are rising up and working with our first Filipina Mayor Josielyn Manalo.

"She's been a great advocate of Daly City and also the bay area region, it's nice that all Filipinos are banding together and we look forward to showcasing or announcing something in the near future."

When asked what she loves about being a Filipino, she answered,"It's the resiliency and the community."

Ana Julaton receiving the award. Photo courtesy of GMA Pinoy TV

Ana commended Filipinos all over the world who are representing her fellow countrymen with strength.

"We [Filipinos] have gone through a lot of colonization and for the past close to 500 years and it's now that it's surfacing we're being more aware of it, out venturing outside of that round and developing a new identity and I think to battle out there, it inspires me, to be a Filipino especially this time is an empowering thing," she said.

Ana also had beautiful words to say for people who are still in the process of making their dreams happen:

Follow your dream, we only live once and for you to listen to everyone else who tells you that you can't, you can't do it, that you don't fit the bill to pursue what you want to do. I say you just go do it at the end of the day you're the one that's experiencing it, you're the one that has to go through it, you're the one who has to fight your way in.

Live for the moment because that opportunity may not happen again so love yourself, when you love yourself, you'll be able to love other people. You have that understanding, if you reach out and help other people, you can help out your community, you can in turn make the world a better place so follow your passions, live a lesson through it and live for the moment.

— LA, GMA News