Ms. Clamor was joined by the evening's Guest of Honor, Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba, the Filipino-American hero who earned international respect for delivering the comprehensive military report on the atrocities at Abu Ghraib.
 
The Asian Heritage Awards, administered by ASIA Magazine, recognizes Asian and Pacific Islander leaders in various fields, including Medicine, Education, Government, and the Performing Arts. Up to ten nominees in each category are selected through a blue-ribbon committee. Winners are chosen by the public, who complete ballots online and in the magazine.
 
"The Asian Heritage Award is a powerful affirmation," said Ms. Clamor, following the ceremony. "My musical mission is to bring pride and visibility to my Filipino Community, to honor my culture while simultaneously reaching beyond imaginary boundaries. This kind of recognition reminds me that I'm on the right path."
 
Ms. Clamor's Asian Heritage Award comes on the heels of a just-announced multi-record deal with Viva Records, the leading label of the Philippines. Her debut album on Viva, appropriately entitled Jazzipino, launches in September. Ms. Clamor will spend the month in Manila, supporting the release with a full schedule of concerts and TV appearances. In October, she returns to the United States for a series of concerts, including a special guest appearance at Hollywood's Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club on October 4th, lending her talent to the debut American CD Release of her Filipino colleague and collaborator Mon David.
 
Ms. Clamor is the first and only Filipino to place two consecutive albums in the top-10 of JazzWeek's World Music radio chart. Fans can monitor her schedule and see concert footage at her official Website: http://www.CharmaineClamor.com
or her American record label: http://www.freehamrecords.com/