Organized by PositivelyFilipino.com in partnership with The Filipino Story, the celebration paid tribute to 10 outstanding Filipino American pioneers whose lifelong work and advocacies have enriched Filipino consciousness in America, preserved culture, and paved the way with a legacy defined by their enduring courage and tenacity. The term, "manongs and manangs," refers to the elder, pioneering generation of Filipinos who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century and beyond. The program started promptly at 1:00 p.m. with welcome remarks from Jaena Rae Cabrera, Program Manager of the Filipino American Center at the San Francisco Public Library, followed by Mona Lisa Yuchengco, Positively Filipino Publisher. Veteran TV broadcaster Lloyd LaCuesta then took the stage as host, infusing his introductions with humor and reverence. The mood in the packed auditorium was both festive and reflective, on an afternoon where stories, memories, and music created a dynamic archive of Filipino American history.