Golden Pearl Awards 2026: Meet the Fil-Am Leaders FAHF Will Honor Oct. 10

Reported by Gloria T. Caoile · Adapted for the web by the PTSNV newsroom · Masthead

This year’s Golden Pearls include an Air Force veteran, a UNLV biostatistician and Southern Nevada’s first Philippine honorary consul. The Filipino American Heritage Foundation (FAHF) will present the 2026 Golden Pearl Awards on Saturday, October 10, at 6 p.m. in the Nevada Ballroom of the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino. The gala honors leaders whose service, advocacy and professional excellence have lifted the Filipino American community across Nevada and beyond. Gloria T. Caoile reports the honorees on page D-6 of the October 5, 2026 Philippine Times of Southern Nevada.

The 2026 Golden Pearl Honorees

FAHF is recognizing four individual honorees this year, plus the first recipients of a brand-new couples award.

Sonny Vinuya

Vinuya is Southern Nevada Outreach Director for Governor Joe Lombardo, acting as the governor’s main liaison to the region’s diverse communities and local governments. He has championed small businesses, economic development and community engagement, including his leadership as president and CEO of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Clark County Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and the Nevada Attorney General’s Tech Crime Board. Originally from Quezon City, he has called Las Vegas home since 2004.

Alex D. Peña

Peña retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service, then served the public through the U.S. Postal Service until retiring in 2020. As president of the U.S. Filipino Veterans Group and the Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Association, he has championed initiatives honoring Filipino veterans, expanded scholarship opportunities and led charitable and civic programs in the United States and the Philippines.

Jacqueline “Jacque” De Joya

A Las Vegas resident since 1977 and a UNLV accounting graduate, De Joya is immediate past president of NaFFAA Nevada and president of the Filipino American Professional Association. She has led the Filipiniana Dance Company of Las Vegas since 2009, keeping traditional folk dance alive for new generations. She has also held leadership roles with the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, the St. Viator Foundation and Boy Scouts of America Troop 143.

Dr. Miguel Antonio Fudolig

Fudolig is an assistant professor at the UNLV School of Public Health, where he works as a biostatistician and quantitative researcher. His work advances Filipino and Filipino American health research, with a special focus on mental health. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of the Philippines Diliman, then a master’s and Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Hon. Con. Bella Aurora “Amie” P. Belmonte and Leo L. Belmonte

FAHF created the Couples Golden Pearl Award this year for a pair whose shared leadership has strengthened the community for more than two decades. Amie Belmonte, Southern Nevada’s first Philippine honorary consul, is a public health professional, entrepreneur and community advocate. Leo Belmonte is a retired FAA aviation professional and longtime civic leader with roles in NaFFAA, Fil-Am in POWER and FilVets REP. Both are deeply hands-on in the consular office, and both are active members of New Hope Christian Fellowship Las Vegas.

What the Golden Pearl Stands For

“The Golden Pearl Awards honor individuals whose work embodies Filipino American values — empowerment, unity, cultural pride, heritage, and service to community,” said Dr. Romualdo Aragon Jr., FAHF’s founder and president.

Founded in 2008, the Filipino American Heritage Foundation Nevada is a Las Vegas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes awareness and appreciation of Filipino culture. It runs cultural, educational and social programs, with a strong emphasis on leadership programs and scholarships that pass Filipino heritage to the next generation.

Golden Pearl Awards Gala: Date, Venue, Attire and Tickets

Ticket contacts from the foundation’s notice are listed on our Golden Pearl Awards event page. The gala is one of the marquee nights of Filipino American History Month in Las Vegas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Golden Pearl Awards gala?

Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Where is the Golden Pearl Awards gala?

In the Nevada Ballroom of the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, 4000 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103.

Who are the 2026 Golden Pearl honorees?

Sonny Vinuya, Alex D. Peña, Jacqueline “Jacque” De Joya and Dr. Miguel Antonio Fudolig, plus Hon. Con. Bella Aurora “Amie” P. Belmonte and Leo L. Belmonte, the first Couples Golden Pearl awardees.

What should I wear to the gala?

Filipiniana or formal attire.

How much are Golden Pearl Awards tickets?

Admission is $100. Ticket contacts are listed on the Philippine Times event page for the gala.

Related in this issue: The full October 5, 2026 edition · City Hall glows red for Filipino American History Month · Meet the 2027 Fil-Am Nevada USA queens · Asian Lantern Festival, Oct. 24

Honoring someone in the community? Send awards and gala news to editor@ptsnv.com. Subscribe free to get every issue. To advertise in the October 19 edition, email info@ptsnv.com or call 702-530-0706.