May 16, 2008
Sacramento - The California State Assembly observed May as Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage Month on May 12, 2008 with the adoption of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 135 and a special Floor ceremony featuring the presentation of the Fourth Annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Awards. Awards were presented to prominent APIs who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of arts and entertainment, medicine, business, civil rights, community service and journalism.
Joey Quinto, publisher of the California Journal For Filipino Americans, is the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Journalism.
California Journal For Filipino Americans, a weekly newspaper located in Torrance, California, provides readers news about the Philippines, as well as local news, consumer news, business news, and community events. It publicizes updates from several government agencies.
In 1996, California Journal For Filipino Americans was awarded as the Media Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, in 1997 the Journal was awarded with the Minority Media Award for journalistic excellence in the ethnic community by the Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Committee.
Quinto has won many awards, including the Star Suppliers of the Year of the Southern California Regional Purchasing Council (SCRPC) in 1999 and a leadership award from the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce based in Los Angeles. Quinto was also the Chair of the California Small Business Board and an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business.
He was born and educated in the Philippines and has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Marketing from San Beda College in Manila, Philippines. He is also a graduate of the Minority Business Executive Programs of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire.
"This award gives me more inspiration as well as challenge in my life and career. Thank you to the ten Asian American Members of the Legislature who appreciate the quality and importance of our work. Having been recognized by the Filipino community, Asian community, Fortune 500 companies, local government, federal agencies and now the State of California is indeed gratifying," Quinto said.
"We are grateful for the countless warm greetings and congratulations. Moreover, meeting the other honorees is a very humbling experience. They have their own stories to share - their successes and their struggles along the way." he added.
"Indeed, successful people in the US are my inspirations. Also, the community, corporate, church and political leaders who make our community a better place to live are certainly one of the reasons that led to this award. Apparently, we only live once so let us do our best. Let us do our best and God will do the rest. Saying this, I want to remind the youth that there is nothing impossible, so work on your dreams," he said.
"Being a journalist is not an easy job. There are times that readers will not agree in our views, but that is alright since that is part of this business. Also, being an immigrant in this country, we need to prove our excellence in our work, and that is exactly what California Journal For Filipino Americans is trying to attain. Too, I share this award to all the journalists since we all have the same mission. As journalists, we do not wait for applauses, what matter is the number of readers we could help when we bring out vital news that could better their lives," he stressed.
"In my 24 years in the US, I have been helping in the recognition of small businesses, both in federal and state levels, aiding on minority issues, especially the concerns of the Filipino Americans, and helping the causes of people of color. I have helped on several passages of legislation to help minority and small businesses. Hence, I hope to see several Filipino American businesses be in the fortune 500 one day." Quinto emphasized.
"As the former chairman of the State of California Small Business Board, appointed by California Governor Gray Davis, I had to attend many town hall meetings across the State of California. There, I was often asked if I am a guru and an expert of small business, I quickly responded with a no, that I am neither a guru nor an expert but I am here to guide you to go out and be prepared to compete. They asked me what is the best business to go to and my instant answer is that look for your passion and make it the best you could, and huge profits would follow," he added.
"I will not stop advocating until most Filipino Americans would be elevated to the corporate ladder of various Fortune 500 and also see them to be board members of the largest corporations. Filipino Americans are qualified individuals, we are not asking for hand-outs so let us hope and work for the top positions. Keep on dreaming and make it a reality," Quinto said. "Also, one of my visions is to see Filipino Americans be elected in the California Legislature and to the US Congress too. Further, I hope someday, there could be a Filipino American to be a cabinet secretary of the US President. I do hope too that we could have more Filipinos in Hollywood - in films, arts and music."
"We will continue to connect our readers to mainstream America and at the same time keep on letting them know the latest and various news in the Philippines. This is certainly the emphasis of our newspaper that the mainstream media don’t cover," Quinto said.
"To the corporations who support us continuously, thank you very much. Without you, California Journal for Filipino Americans will not reach its almost 14 years of publication and would have not received the Award for Excellence in Journalism," he added.