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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider MOVIEGOER: Meet one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinos worldwide

MOVIEGOER: Meet one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinos worldwide

Published Oct 30, 2025 07:46 am
Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover with husband Dennis.
Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover with husband Dennis.

From traipsing mountain villages to bring meaningful Filipino films to farmers and other common folk, Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover, founder and CEO of EdukSine Studios and EdukSine USA, has stepped up as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World at the The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) 2025 held Oct. 17 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Awardees included Nora Aunor, Nonoy Zuniga, Rachel Alejandro, and Pops Fernandez.

Radiant and five months pregnant, Karen took the stage with confidence to receive her first-ever U.S. award. She was accompanied by her husband, executive producer Dennis Krukover.

“This award is a symbol of resilience, faith, and hope. No matter how many storms we face, there’s always light waiting for us at the end,” she said.

Karen’s journey is one of courage and transformation. She moved to the United States in 2023 to begin a new life as a wife and entrepreneur. Two months later, her mother died, followed in 2024 by her father.

“I have been through the most challenging years of my life,” Karen said. “I became a new wife, a new immigrant, a founder, and now a mother-to-be. I went through so much pain, but I found strength in faith and love. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but I’m not ashamed to share that part of my story. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to be broken. What matters is having the courage to heal and rebuild yourself.”

On that special TOFA night, Karen wore a Monarch Butterfly Filipiniana created by Renren Barcera of Sibalom, Antique. The Monarch butterfly—known for its long journey, endurance, and transformation—symbolizes her life as a migrant woman who continues to evolve and rise through every challenge.

“The Monarch Butterfly represents my immigration journey,” she said. “It flies thousands of miles, endure storms, yet still finds its way home. That’s me. I’ve learned to focus on what I can control, to live in the present moment, and to find beauty in every stage of my life. Now, with the miracle growing inside me, I’m reminded that every ending can lead to a new and beautiful beginning.”

Through EdukSine (www.eduksine.com), Karen continues her mission to bridge the gap between independent Filipino filmmakers and their audiences. EdukSine brings meaningful, socially relevant films to far-flung communities in the Philippines and to Filipino audiences worldwide through online, hybrid, and in-person block screenings.

“EdukSine is more than a company, it’s a platform built for service towards arts, film, culture, and humanity,” Karen said.

The TOFA Awards, founded by Elton Lugay, honors exceptional Filipinos who uplift and inspire communities around the globe. This year’s ceremony, held during Filipino American History Month, celebrated outstanding individuals in entrepreneurship, arts, culture, etc.

“Don’t be afraid of being broken,” Karen shared. “Be brave enough to fix yourself. Because every scar you carry is proof that you survived, still shining, still choosing to live with love.”

 Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover graduated with a degree in Business Management at the College of Saint Benilde.

She recently produced and directed  EdukSine’s first original film, "Mambabatok: Lubo and Tulgao."

EdukSine was named Technology Company of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards in 2023.

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