EmpowErmEnt AwArds 2023

DNP, RN, FNYAM Honorary Chair senen caBaLFin

Laura Garcia is associate professor of Nursing at the College of Mount St. Vincent and a clinical instructor at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She received the Pamana Ng Pilipino Award in 2021, Presidential Awards for Individual and Organization Overseas (PAFIOO). Dr. Garcia is currently Vice President for Community Relations at Fiesta In America and President of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Northeast Region. Her Doctorate in Nursing Practice was conferred by Fairleigh Dickinson University. She sits on the Manhattan Community Board District Five.

RN, MSN, CNOR Grand Marshal, Fiesta in America Honoree: Entrepreneurship rev. MsGr.

“Senen Cabalfin is a successful entrepreneur who broke down barriers to business ownership by women in the U.S.,” said Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America’s President and CEO.

“As our first Grand Marshal, Senen will set the mold for her successors.” Cabalfin, RN, MSN, CNOR founded Special Care Community Services, which initially built two New Jersey group facilities for older adults. She and her partners followed up this venture by purchasing Harbor Hall at Egg Harbor City, Freehold Manor at Freehold Township and other facilities. To date, Cabalfin counts 11 group homes in Central-South Jersey and in Boca Raton and Broward, FL among their holdings. She has received numerous awards for Community Service and Clinical Excellence.

Oscar aquinO

JCD

Honoree: Spiritual and Civic Stewardship

A Doctorate degree in Canon Law earned in Rome (summa cum laude), a Bachelor of Laws degree and Diplomate in International Pastoral Sociology, his dissertation published by the Vatican…testify to the Rev. Msgr. Aquino’s standing from the start of his career in the church. Since his ordination in 1962 and appointments as Chancellor and Oeconomous of the Archdiocese of Dagupan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Philippines and Vicar General, he has blazed a trail as spiritual and lay leader. For New York Fil-Ams who grappled with various needs, he has mediated on drug cases, discrimination, work disputes, domestic abuse, hunger, affordable housing and immigration. “Monsignor Oscar” is a strong advocate for, and spiritual adviser to, faithbased and lay groups.