March 7, 2008: First Visionary Awards honor the Filipino and Fil-Am artists at the Kodak Theater, touted as the home of Hollywood’s biggest events including the Oscar Awards, in California, USA. Some of the personalities who gave their nods were: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (Outstanding Variety Show Hosts); Senator Bong Revilla (Visionary Award for Honor and Courage); Francis Magalona (Pioneer Award for Music); former senator and basketball legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski (Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports and Public Service); boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (Athlete of the Year); ex-senator and action legend Ramon Revilla, Sr. (Vanguard Award for Entertainment/Action Performances). Others who were invited include Megastar Sharon Cuneta (Legend Award for Acting); Comedy King Dolphy (Vanguard Award for Entertainment/Comedy); Richard Gutierrez (Outstanding Performance—Actor); Bea Alonzo (Outstanding Performance—Actress); Christopher de Leon (Legend Award for Acting); and Batangas governor and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos (Legend Award for Entertainment).

Sharing the honor with the Philippine based awardees are Fil-Am artists like Apl. de. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas (Vanguard Award for Music); Lou Diamond Phillips (Visionary Vanguard Award for Entertainment); and Tia Carrere (Visionary Vanguard Award for Entertainment). Also invited were Cheryl Burke, Rob Schneider, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Cris Judd, and producer Dean Devlin. Lani Misalucha and Martin Nievera—who are both recipients of the Entertainer of the Year Award—were invited to perform along with newbie Anna Marie Perez de Tagle of Hannah Montana fame and Jessa Zaragoza. Hosting the event is Dingdong Avanzado together with Jannelle So, producer-host of KSCI Channel 18’s Kababayan L.A.