2nd Year Anniversary Celebration

Philippine Heritage Night

On October 18, 2025, Villa Manila Restaurant hosted the inaugural Buy Filipino Network Annual Benefit Dinner and Awards Night—an evening dedicated to honoring excellence, uplifting community, and giving back. The event marked the beginning of a cherished tradition, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates who embody the spirit of Bayanihan.

Three distinguished awards were presented to individuals whose work reflects outstanding dedication to the Filipino-American community. Proceeds from the evening benefited Warrior Freedom Station, supporting veterans in their journey toward healing and independence.

A highlight of the night was the presentation of the Heart of Community Service Award to Melanie Azcuna, founder of Buy Filipino Network. The award was graciously presented by National City District 3 Council Member Ditas Yamane, recognizing Melanie’s unwavering commitment to empowering Filipino-owned businesses and fostering cultural pride through service and advocacy.

The evening was filled with meaningful connections, inspiring stories, and a shared vision for a stronger, united Filipino-American community. We look forward to continuing this tradition and celebrating more changemakers in the years to come.

2025 Outstanding Filipino-American

Florino Agpaoa

Entrepreneur, U.S. Navy Veteran, Community Trailblazer

Born on December 17, 1939, in Baguio, Philippines, Florino P. Agpaoa’s life story is a testament to grit, ingenuity, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino-American dream. Raised in the farming provinces, Florino’s entrepreneurial spark ignited early—selling newspapers, ice cream, and shining shoes to help support his family. By adolescence, he was tending tobacco, sugar cane, and livestock, embodying a work ethic that would define his life.

Florino earned his degree in accounting from the University of the East in Manila while working full-time to fund his education. After passing the CPA exam, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1964, serving with distinction during the Vietnam War aboard a minesweeper. His naval career spanned 20 years, with assignments in Long Beach, Guam, and San Diego, where he balanced military service with part-time jobs and budding business ventures. While stationed in Guam, Florino began preparing taxes and working in bookkeeping—skills that would later anchor his entrepreneurial success. In San Diego, he launched his own tax practice and became the first Filipino to establish a money remittance company in the city, connecting families across continents. His remittance business grew to 800 agencies across 25 states and thousands of payout locations in 67 countries, powered by the involvement of his sons.

After retiring from the Navy in 1984, Florino expanded his ventures into healthcare, founding home health, hospice, and board-and-care businesses. He also became a founding partner in Novo Brazil Brewing, a thriving brewery with multiple locations in California and Texas. Ever the innovator, he even tried his hand at ranching, raising goats and sheep in Campo before the pandemic shifted the landscape.

Now in his 80s, Florino continues to prepare taxes and nurture his chickens and ducks—returning to the rhythms of his childhood farm life. His legacy lives on through his children, who manage the family’s healthcare enterprises, and through the countless lives he’s touched with his generosity, leadership, and unwavering dedication. Florino P. Agpaoa exemplifies the Filipino-American spirit: resilient, resourceful, and rooted in service. His journey from the fields of the Philippines to the forefront of business and community impact in America is nothing short of extraordinary.

2025 Professional of the Year

Jojo Seva

Chief Information Officer at Mission Fed Credit Union, Visionary Technologist

Born in Malate and raised in Sta. Ana, Manila, Jojo Seva immigrated to the United States at the age of age of 20 in search of new opportunities and a better future. His early years in America were marked by struggles learning the language, hard work across various industries, each role adding to his resilience, adaptability, and determination to succeed.

With a strong passion for technology and business, Jojo earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Cal State Fullerton, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and later Executive Certifications in Blockchain Technology, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from UC Berkeley, equipping him with both the technical expertise and leadership acumen to excel in the modern financial world.

He found his professional calling in the financial services sector, where he combined his skills in technology with a deep understanding of operational strategy to drive innovation and growth. Over the course of his career, Jojo has served as Chief Information Officer for multiple financial institutions in both California and New York, leading transformative technology initiatives, strengthening cybersecurity, modernizing core banking systems and enhancing customer experiences through digital innovation.

Today, as CIO of Mission Federal Credit Union, Jojo leads with a philosophy rooted in serbisyo, inobasyon, at integridad, embodying the values of both his Filipino heritage and his adopted homeland. His journey stands as a testament to the American dream: that through hard work, perseverance, and the courage to embrace change, anything is possible.

Beyond the boardroom, Jojo is a proud father of two talented teenage daughters who thrive in both club and school volleyball. His personal life is a whirlwind of tournaments, practice sessions and cheering from the sidelines.

2025 Entrepreneur of the Year

Mike Torres

Founder of Porky’s Lechon, Filipino-American Culinary Visionary

Born in Bacolod City, Philippines, Mike Torres carries a legacy of entrepreneurship rooted in family, food, and Filipino pride. After migrating to the United States with his parents in 1998, Mike brought with him the values of hard work and resilience—traits passed down from generations of business-minded men. His grandfather roasted pork lechon as a livelihood, his father distributed newspapers and magazines before running an auto body shop, and today, Mike continues that legacy through his thriving business, Porky’s Lechon.

Mike’s journey began with the opening of The Tropical in Spring Valley in 2007, a Filipino restaurant that faced steep challenges—including supplier issues and a $100,000 debt. But Mike didn’t give up. He pivoted, expanded into fresh pork delivery, and tirelessly promoted his business to recover and rebuild. In 2011, he launched Porky’s Lechon, a culinary homage to his heritage that quickly became a beloved staple in the community.

Driven by a dream to distribute lechon across California, Mike’s motivation is deeply personal: to provide a bright future for his children. His secret to success? Customer satisfaction, relentless hard work, and a deep love for his culture.

Beyond business, Mike is a generous supporter of the Filipino-American community, donating over two dozen lechon each year to local events and causes. His story is one of grit, growth, and giving back—a true embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit.

Mike Torres is more than a restaurateur; he’s a cultural ambassador, a community champion, and a proud Filipino-American whose journey inspires others to dream big and never give up.