A celebration of Filipino innovation, leadership, and purpose on the global stage.
Las Vegas, Nevada — October 17, 2025 — Filipino technology visionary Maner Puyawan, Founder and Chairman of Xentra Solutions and Chief Innovation Officer at Koin Payments, has been named one of TOFA’s 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World at the 15th Annual TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) — a recognition that honors individuals whose work exemplifies Filipino excellence, innovation, and leadership worldwide.
A Global Celebration of Filipino Excellence
Founded in 2010 by journalist and community leader Elton Lugay, the TOFA Awards have grown from recognizing Filipino-Americans in New York to celebrating Filipinos around the world whose achievements redefine leadership, creativity, and community impact.
This year’s 15th-anniversary celebration was held at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the U.S., marking the event’s expansion into a truly global platform. The two-day program gathered Filipino leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across continents — a reflection of how far the Filipino story of excellence and resilience has traveled.
In his anniversary message, Lugay described TOFA 2025 as “a global celebration of Filipino influence — from innovation to culture, from communities to corporations.”
From Manila Roots to Global Leadership
Born in Manila, Philippines, Maner Puyawan built his journey from local beginnings to global leadership — founding Xentra Solutions as a startup of five and growing it into a multinational technology organization with over 150 professionals, while simultaneously leading technology innovation at Koin Payments as Chief Innovation Officer.
Under his leadership, Xentra has become known for building secure, scalable, and human-centered digital platforms that empower enterprises, advance financial inclusion, and elevate Filipino innovation on the world stage.
“These milestones are not mine alone,” Maner shared. “They belong to every Filipino who dares to innovate and lead with purpose. At Xentra, our success is built on that spirit — purpose-driven, people-first, and proudly Filipino.”
The Spirit of TOFA and the Filipino Story
The 15th Outstanding Filipino Awards celebrated a diverse range of Filipino excellence — from arts and culture to business, advocacy, and technology.
This year’s awardees, as noted by coverage in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, represent a new wave of leaders shaping industries while carrying forward a legacy of pride and community.
“TOFA stands as proof of the Filipino spirit — hardworking yet visionary, humble yet powerful, deeply rooted in heritage yet globally impactful,” Lugay emphasized.
Leadership with Purpose
For Xentra Solutions, this recognition reaffirms a mission long at the heart of the company — to champion Filipino ingenuity as a global force for transformation.
Through innovations such as Koin Payments and a growing network of international partnerships, Xentra continues to push boundaries in technology, trust, and collaboration.
“Our journey at Xentra is the Filipino story — one of resilience, creativity, and global impact,” said Maner. “This recognition is not the destination; it’s a reminder to keep building, inspiring, and transforming lives through innovation.”
Filipino Brilliance Without Borders
As TOFA celebrates its 15th year, it continues to highlight not only achievement but also the values that sustain success — leadership grounded in compassion, excellence anchored in service, and influence that uplifts others.
For Maner Puyawan, being named among TOFA’s 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World is both a celebration and a responsibility — to continue proving that Filipino talent can lead, inspire, and innovate across borders.
Congratulations to Mr. Maner Puyawan and all TOFA 2025 awardees — celebrating Filipino brilliance that transcends borders.
