In 2017, Garcia migrated to the US and pursued his postgraduate studies at Harvard Business School while [still] making music on the side. He established his events business named Starlink Productions–a licensed LLC that holds events and concerts in Los Angeles and other cities and states.
Garth Garcia, dubbed by FilAm media in California as the” FilAm Prince of Pop,” will join the rest of the 39 honorees, including Michael Cinco and Alex Eala, on September 16 at the annual ceremony of The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards, and will be held at a national historic landmark located in the heart of New York City, The Town Hall.
He will receive his award as a youth who earned the MOR 101.9 Pinoy Music Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Michael Cinco will lead the list of honorees as the “Global TOFA.” Another prominent name on the honorees’ list in the sports’ category is Filipina tennis teen star Alex Eala already made history by becoming the first-ever Filipino to make the singles finals of a grand slam junior event. Eala was the No. 2-ranked ITF junior on October 6, 2020. Eala has a career-high singles ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association of 280, achieved on August 1, 2022.
As a recording artist and songwriter, Garcia takes pride in some of his awards: PMPC Star Awards for Music as “New Male Recording Artist of the Year” (2015), Asian Excellence Awards’ “Outstanding Recording Artist Award” (2016), Gawad Musika‘s “Best Male Recording Artist of the Year” (2017), a WCOPA Multi Medalist, “Best RNB Artist” for Spotlight Awards ( Los Angeles, CA, 2018), and he was the only Filipino nominated at Asians on Film Festival (Hollywood, CA) for “Best Music Video” (2019).
This year, it launched the new set of honorees endorsed by the 46th and current US President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. through the Office of Presidential Volunteer Service Awards (OPVSA). Nine individuals who excelled in serving the community in their respective professions earned the nod of the TOFA’s OPVSA. They are Amb. Mario de Leon Jr. (diplomat), Brendan Flores (youngest leader of NaFFAA), Hon. Steven Raga (Democratic Party candidate for New York State District 30 Assembly seat), Ruben and Janet Nepales (journalists), Rod Mercado (business leader), Juliet Payabyab (community leader), Rely Manacay (President of Senator Construction Group), and Alexis Monsanto (designer and founder of Alexis Monsanto Atelier).
The rest of the honorees include Vilma and Elizabeth Kari, AAP founders (Courage of Conviction); Vallerie Archer, entrepreneur (Food & Restaurants); Anne del Castillo, NYC Mayor’s Office of media and entertainment commissioner (Media and Entertainment); Mayor Arvin Amatorio, immigration lawyer (Politics); Gerald Tabios, long-distance runner (Sports); Jessica Caloza, first Filipino-American to serve as Public Works commissioner in Los Angeles (Public Service); Reggie Lee, Hollywood performer (Entertainment); Kelly Ilagan, National Federation of Filipino American Associations executive director (Public Policy); Lisa Lew, eight-time Emmy Award winner (Philanthropy); Richard and Imee Maghanoy, iSkin Face and Body Spa and Image Spa MD owners (Business); Rhiza Pascua, Live Nation Philippines managing director (Entertainment); Eric Bustamante, banker (Banking and Finance); Maria Clarissa Morcilla Ramos, licensed physical therapist and certified clinical instructor (Healthcare); Edwin Santiago, photographer (Philanthropy); Mayor Ty Penserga, first openly gay man elected as Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach in Florida (LGBTQIA+ visibility); and Bretman Rock, influential beauty guru and reality TV star (Social Media). Meanwhile the individual and professional honorees are Deeke Gaerlan (health and fitness advocate); Eddie Echavez, Queens-based Emb Cargo Services founder; Mountaintop Entertainment, concert production company; Miguel Braganza, Broadway performer; GMA Pinoy TV (The fastest growing Filipino channel); Dr. Emilio Quines, UERM Medical Foundation founder; Dr. Winston Umali (pediatrician and choral concert singer); Dr. Alice Almendral, family physician, geriatrician, and medical aesthetic doctor; Dr. Georgio Dano, family medicine nurse; Maria Ruth Lopez, nurse; Odelia Tablit, served in the US Army Corps for almost 30 years; and Homer Mendoza, Montage Skin Science & Aesthetics founder.
Last year, Garcia got nominated but he didn’t make it to the list of honorees. “The President of TOFA sent me an official email saying I’m an awardee. I’m super surprised when I learned about it. It is hard to get selected for TOFA, all nominees are screened rigorously by its board. I’m grateful for the recognition,” Garcia shared.
Over the years, TOFA has gained distinction for its community service and top-quality productions, including winning the Bronze Telly Award and Silver Anthem Awards last year alone. Dr. Boy Abunda, also known as Asia’s King of Talk, once again will host the 12th Annual TOFA Awards.
