Elton Lugay

Founder, TOFA

Elton Lugay is a go-getter. He has been a youth leader, teacher, writer, publicist, graphic designer, events producer and LGBT rights activist—all in a span of 40 years. He proves to all that life, indeed, is what we make it. He has turned personal challenges into opportunities to excel in his communities in the Philippines, the San Francisco Bay Area and Tri-State New York. Over the past two decades, he has served as NY bureau chief of Philippine News, managing editor of Manila Mail, and correspondent for The FilAm, GMA News and INQUIRER.net. In these capacities, he has covered countless community and mainstream events across the US. He had founded The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards in 2010 to recognize individuals and organizations that uphold Filipino heritage across America, drawing inspiration from success stories within the FilAm community. TOFA Awards has gathered more than 200 distinguished honorees, many of whom were nominated by community leaders and organizations.