Assemblymember Steven Raga was named a Bayani, or hero, awardee at the Filipino American National Historical Society Metro New York chapter’s 2026 Community Awards, held Sept. 19 at the Queens Museum as Filipino American History Month began.
Raga, who represents parts of Queens in the New York State Assembly, was among seven honorees recognized by FANHS-MNY for work in public service, the arts, historical preservation and community building. The annual gathering recognizes people in the metropolitan New York area who have worked to preserve, share or teach Filipino American history and who have made contributions to the wider community.
The chapter selected Raga for its Bayani award, a category recognizing service during moments of crisis or uncertainty. The 2026 awards also recognized Billy Bustamante as outstanding artist; violinist Adeline Baban as distinguished young professional; and Joey Tabaco with a lifetime achievement award. Noel Gamboa, Kathryn Serrano and Jason Hortillas of the Future Ancestors podcast received contributions to excellence awards.
Bustamante, a multidisciplinary artist and co-creator of Broadway Barkada, received a tribute from members of the Filipino American theater collective. The performance honored his work in the arts and his role in supporting fellow artists, according to an account shared by a member of Broadway Barkada.
The awards ceremony was held shortly before the official start of Filipino American History Month in October. FANHS-MNY has presented the annual awards as a way to acknowledge local people whose work connects culture, history and community service. The chapter’s award categories also include distinguished young professional, outstanding artist, contributions to excellence, Bayani and lifetime achievement. Community members nominate candidates, and the chapter’s board reviews nominations using its scoring rubric.
FANHS is a national organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Filipino American history. Its work includes archives, public programs, conferences and a peer-reviewed journal featuring academic and community-based research. The organization’s 2026 Filipino American History Month theme is “Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American Histories.”
The Metro New York chapter brings that work into local settings through public-history programs, awards, education and community events. Its board for the 2025-27 term is led by President John Sapida and Vice President and Communications Chair Trisha Hautéa. Danika Sapida serves as secretary, and Samantha Dayon is treasurer.
Other board members are Emily Remington, Xenia Diente, Lorial Crowder, Joey Tabaco, Elvin Galarza, Brian Velasquez Reid, Caroline C. Pasion, Christa Lei Sonido, Love Ablan, Melinda Basaca, Niña Mata, Theresa DeCicco-Dizon and Kathleen “Kathy” Agaton. The board combines public historians, artists, educators, nonprofit leaders, finance professionals and cultural workers — the range of experience reflected in the chapter’s programming.
The 2026 ceremony placed elected officials, artists, podcasters and longtime community figures in the same room, illustrating the chapter’s broad definition of Filipino American history: it is preserved not only in archives and classrooms, but in public service, performances, oral histories and the work of people who build institutions for others.
