In October 1986, Esclamado was recognized as the only Filipino-American recipient of the congressionally sponsored Ellis Island Medal of Honor award.[2]
Esclamado returned to the Philippines in August 2011. On November 4, 2012, he died in his home town of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, from pneumonia, after a 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 83. He is survived by his wife, Lourdes, 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.[1]
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and GMA Network continue to acknowledge and give tribute to Esclamado's works and contributions to Filipino-American Community by giving the Alex Esclamado Memorial Award for Community Service to deserving Filipino people. The winners for the awards are screened by the Council for Filipino American Organizations of Central Florida, the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service, Inc., Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas, and the Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc.[4]
