PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Sa Manhattan, Bida ang Saya!: Jollibee Launches 3rd Branch in Manhattan Consul General Senen T. Mangalile joins Ms. Mackey Dimaculangan, Jollibee Vice President for Operations, Ms. Jefy Auxillo, Jollibee Senior Director of Operations for East Coast, Ms. Divine Angeles, Jollibee District Operations Coach for East Coast Region, and investors of Jollibee North America in officially launching Jollibee’s seventh branch in New York City at 14 East 42nd Street. (Photo by Nikka Arenal). NEW YORK CITY, 30 March 2026 – Consul General Senen T. Mangalile joined Jollibee North America executives and investors in the inauguration of Jollibee’s 7th branch in New York City, located at 14 East 42nd Street. The new location marks Jollibee’s third branch in the borough of Manhattan, the seventh in New York City, and the eightieth in the United States. This expansion underscores the brand's growing presence across the city. In his remarks, Consul General Mangalile emphasized the Consulate’s continued efforts to promote Filipino cuisine in the Northeastern United States. He further highlighted that as Jollibee opens its 80th store in the United States, the Philippines and the United States also celebrate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which reflects the strong and enduring partnership between the…

Philippine Consulate General and Ladies for Rizal-New York Honor the "Modern Babaylan" at Women’s Month Forum The first panel featured Filipina authors Ms. Rose Marie Sabangan, Ms. Marissa Bañez, and Ms. Elizabeth Besa-Quirino, who shared how the ideals and values espoused by Jose Rizal influence their work. (Photo by Ms. Sherlyn M. Roxas) NEW YORK CITY, 24 March 2026 – To mark National Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in New York, in partnership with the Ladies for Rizal (LFR) – New York Chapter, hosted a forum titled “Voices of Malolos, Visions of Today: A Panel on Rizal and the Modern Filipina.” Aligned with the 2026 national theme, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” and the sub-theme, “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, the program reclaimed pre-colonial values of wisdom, empathy, and service as a blueprint for contemporary leadership. The second panel featured Filipinas from diverse backgrounds - Ms. Jenny Santi (Mental Wellness), Ms. Jessel Robel (Finance), Ms. Jenna Agatep (Law), Ms. Xyza Bacani (Arts). Both discussions were moderated by Ms. Beatriz Torre (UP Diliman Professor and CUNY PhD Student). (Photo by Ms. Sherlyn M. Roxas) In his opening remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile underscored the mission…

Philippine Consulate General and NaFFAA NY Convene 2nd Annual Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook In-person and online participants actively engaged in the workshop facilitated by Mr. Clifford Temprosa Li, Director of Policy at NaFFAA New York and Founder of Dare to Change Consulting, Inc.(Photos by Mr. Noli Susi). NEW YORK CITY, 16 MARCH 2026 — Building on the initiative established last year, the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) New York Chapter held the second annual “Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook” on Saturday, 14 March 2026. The hybrid seminar brought together community leaders — both attending in person at the Philippine Center and joining via Zoom from various regions where NaFFAA operates —all focused on the professionalization of community service. Consul Anna Guerra and NaFFAA President Rachelle Ocampo delivered their remarks during the workshop (Photos by Mr. Noli Susi). In her opening remarks, Consul Anna Guerra welcomed participants back to the Philippine Center for the program's second year. “Good intentions are our foundation, but today is about the ‘how’: how we design programs that reflect reality, secure funding without compromising our integrity, and most importantly, how we measure the real difference we make,”…

Rowan University Explores Collaborations with Key Philippine Academic Institutions Consul General Senen T. Mangalile together with officials from Rowan University and the University of the Philippines System during their meeting on 05 February 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman. MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 2026 – Consul General Senen T. Mangalile accompanied officials from Rowan University, a public university in New Jersey, on a visit to the Philippines in February 2026, where they explored potential areas of collaboration in biomedical engineering and other health-related fields with key Philippine academic institutions. Rowan University officials met with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), University of the Philippines (UP) System, University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, University of Santo Tomas (UST), De la Salle University (DLSU), University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and Cebu Institute of Technology – University. The engagements opened several avenues for academic collaboration between the Philippines and the U.S.Northeast focused on stronger institutional partnerships, faculty and student exchanges, and joint research initiatives in priority health and technology fields. (left to right) Dr. Anthony Lowman, Dr. Richard Jermyn, (4th from left) Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Ms. Lita…

PH Consulate General in New York Commemorates International Women's Day 2026 Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in New York wear purple to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026. (Photos by Mr. Erik Miguel Aguilar) NEW YORK CITY, 08 March 2026 — In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Philippine Consulate General in New York stands in solidarity with women worldwide, honoring the invaluable contributions of Filipinas across the US Northeast and on the global stage. Embracing the national theme, “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, Consulate personnel donned purple to symbolize commitment to women’s empowerment and the enduring legacy of Filipina leadership. This observance reaffirms that the voices, achievements, and leadership of Filipinas are vital pillars of a progressive society. To translate the advocacy into tangible action, the Consulate will be hosting several initiatives throughout March, namely,  gender-fair language and Bawal Bastos Act training for personnel to ensure inclusive service; a forum aimed at examining how Jose Rizal’s vision for the empowered Filipina is mirrored in the leadership and lives of modern-day women; and a Saturday Consular Service on 28 March 2026 to better serve the community. The Philippine Consulate General remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, championing gender equality, and delivering excellent…

Secretary Lazaro Highlights ASEAN's Role in Indo-Pacific at Foreign Policy Association Event in New York Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivers her remarks, describing ASEAN as an anchor of stability in the Indo-Pacific for nearly six decades. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK CITY, 06 March 2026 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro presented the Philippines’ vision for its ASEAN Chairship in 2026 and highlighted ASEAN’s role in advancing cooperation and stability across the Indo-Pacific during a dialogue titled “Keeping It Steady at the Center of the Indo-Pacific: The Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026,” held on 06 March 2026 at Baruch College in New York City.Dr. Bruce W. Weber, Willem Kooyker Dean of the Zicklin School of Business, welcomed participants and cited New York City as a global crossroads of finance, commerce, and diplomacy that provides an ideal setting for discussions on international economic and policy issues. Mr. Noel V. Lateef, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), stressed the value of engaging students and policy audiences in conversations on international affairs.In her keynote address, Secretary Lazaro underscored the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific to global stability and economic growth,…

Secretary Lazaro Outlines Philippine Priorities as ASEAN Chair at Dialogue in New York Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivers remarks at Asia Society in New York, underscoring ASEAN’s role in advancing dialogue, cooperation, and a rules-based international order. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK CITY, 05 March 2026 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro spoke before members of the diplomatic, academic, and policy community during a dialogue hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) in New York City on 05 March 2026.During the event, Secretary Lazaro outlined the Philippines’ priorities for its 2026 ASEAN Chairship, guided by the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” She noted that the Chairship focuses on advancing regional peace and security, strengthening economic cooperation and resilience, and promoting a more people-centered ASEAN community.Secretary Lazaro also reflected on the shifting geopolitical landscape and the pressures confronting the multilateral system built over decades, noting that the world is entering a period marked by what she described as the “three U’s”: upheaval, uncertainty, and unpredictability.Amid these developments, she underscored the continuing importance of ASEAN as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among nations, describing it as “an honest broker and an effective…

PCG New York Hosts 2026 Unity Iftar: A Call for Solidarity and Heritage NEW YORK, February 27, 2026 – The Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center served as a beacon of interfaith and international solidarity as the Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted the 2026 Unity Iftar. The event, held in partnership with the Kinding Sindaw Heritage Foundation, brought together a diverse assembly of Filipinos and guests of various nationalities and religions to honor the traditions of the Southern Philippines and the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims of various nationalities performed the Maghrib prayer at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York during the Unity Iftar held on 26 February 2026 (photos by Joey Magaso). In his remarks, Consul General Senen Mangalile reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that the stories of Mindanao—of the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakans, and Samals—are the stories of the Filipino people.  He noted that the national recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in the Philippines underscores the government's commitment to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Consul General Senen Mangalile delivers his remarks to a diverse assembly of Filipinos and guests of various nationalities (photo by Joey Magaso). The evening…