The STARBlazers & TOP HATS “Giving Back and Beyond” Awards Gala (The Outstanding Professionals and High Achieving Teams) is one of San Diego’s prestigious and highly successful annual celebrations. The Awards recognize members of the community for their integrity and professional success and pay tribute to their selfless service in the true spirit of “giving back and beyond”. This year, 2015, ACCE
SS International (American Commerce, Culture, Education and Social Services International) and Phil Am BID (Philippine American Business Improvement and Development Organization) who host the Awards Gala celebrate their 10th year! The mission of connecting commerce, culture and community is alive!! This 2015, Phil Am BID received more than a hundred nominations. The Selection Board had to reduce the list of nominees from more than a hundred to twenty five to finally, thirteen TOPs (The Outstanding Professionals) and four HATS (High Achieving Teams). The following will be honored with the 2015 STARBlazer Medal: Honorable Nani Coloretti, HUD Deputy Secretary, Honorable Mona Pasquil, CA Governor Appointments Secretary, Honorable Sean Reyes, Utah’s Attorney General, and Honorable Juan Vargas, Congressional Representative of the 51st District. Benigno Aquino “Yellow Ribbon” for renaming a part of a freeway the Filipino American Highway. In 2014, Veterans Village of San Diego, the Asian Heritage Society, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox and TOP HAT “Man of the Hour”, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer were among those presented with the STARBlazer & TOP HATs Award. Phil Am BID honored Loida Nicolas Lewis as our STARBlazer in 2013 and Atty. Bibianne Fell, Broadcast Journalist Gel Santos Relos and Dr. James Lee among our TOP HATS. In 2012, Phil Am BID proudly presented the “Lifetime Achievement” Award to Senator Dianne Feinstein for her 20th year in the Senate and 40 years of public service
and to Father Joe Carroll of Father Joe’s Villages for his 30 years of dedicated and total support for the homeless. Lorna Schofield, Esq., the first American of Filipino descent to be appointed and confirmed to the U S Federal Court was our 2012 STARBlazer honoree and keynote speaker. In 2011, we had California Chief Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye as our keynote speaker and STARBLazer 2011 honoree. In 2010, we honored Dr. Connie Mariano (Rear Admiral, USN Ret.), The White House Doctor to three sitting Presidents -- Bush, Clinton, Bush. In 2007, we honored California Legislator Shirley Horton with the STARBlazer "Benigno Aquino Yellow Ribbon. Allan Camaisa, Judge Lillian Lim, Noynoy Mendoza, Atty. Myrna Pascual, Tony Pizarro,
Dr. Ceferina Ruiz are among our STARblazers honored over the years.
