PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

“Eight Decades Of Harmony”: Philippine Consulate General, New York City Opera, and Manhattan School of Music Celebrate 80 Years of PH-US Relations in Landmark Concert NEW YORK, 14 April 2026 — In a resonant display of cultural diplomacy, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the New York City Opera (NYCO), and the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) presented "Eight Decades of Harmony" on 13 April 2026. Held at the Miller Recital Hall of MSM, the concert served as the centerpiece for the 80th anniversary of Philippine-United States diplomatic relations and the 250th anniversary of American independence. Artists from the New York City Opera, including Kristina Reiko Cooper on cello and Vladimir Petrov on piano, performed European orchestral pieces, while Opera singer Kirstin Sampson performed songs from Broadway (Photos by Sherlyn Roxas). More than a musical showcase, the event served as a profound testament to the ties that form the true bedrock of the bilateral relationship. Addressing a capacity audience of diplomats, cultural leaders, and the Filipino-American community, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile remarked, “Music has a unique way of articulating what diplomacy sometimes cannot. The bond between our two nations is not found in the ink of a treaty,…

Philippine Consulate General in New York Honors Filipino Bravery and WWII Heroes at 84th Day of Valor Commemoration NEW YORK, 10 April 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York marked the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) with a commemorative program held on April 8, 2026 at Kalayaan Hall in the Philippine Center. The event, titled "Valor Across Centuries: 80 Years of PH-US Ties and Evolution of the Filipino Hero," took place within the context of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States. The program explored the lineage of Kagitingan (valor) through a three-part narrative. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile opened the session by tracing the foundations of Philippine sovereignty to the revolutionary era. Col. Sonny Busa, Regional Director for the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), followed with a focus on the shared sacrifices at Bataan and Corregidor as the bedrock of the 80-year PH-US partnership. The session concluded with Col. Ralph Hibionada, Military and Police Adviser to the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN, who highlighted the 21st-century heroism of peacekeepers, global essential workers, and the diaspora community. Following a musical interlude by singer-songwriter Mark Anthony…

Philippine Consul General and New York Consular Corps Strengthen Cooperation with NYPD Members of the diplomatic community attend briefings by the New York Police Department Community Affairs Bureau, Public Security Section, and Intelligence Bureau during a presentation at One Police Plaza in New York City. (Photos by Ms. Nikka Arenal) NEW YORK CITY, 31 March 2026 – Consul General Senen T. Mangalile joined members of the consular corps in a meet and greet session with the New York Police Department (NYPD). The session was followed by a guided tour of NYPD’s Joint Operation Center at One Police Plaza in New York City.Organized by NYPD, in partnership with the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York (SOFCNY), the engagement provided an overview of the NYPD’s command, control, and coordination mechanism, including how the Joint Operation Center sustains real-time monitoring and response to incidents across the city. Members of the consular corps observe the facilities of NYPD’s Joint Operation Center at One Police Plaza. (Photos by Ms. Nikka Arenal) NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner, in her welcome remarks, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the New York Police Department and the diplomatic community, noting that the initiative…

New York PCG and Philippine Airlines Strengthens Partnership to Boost Philippine Tourism (left to right) Mr. Goldwyn Salazar, Mr. Jose Maria “Chema” Alvarado, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Mr. Syed Shahid, Ms. Aleana Sol Cruz, and Ms. Katherine Alcantara discuss areas of collaboration to boost tourism between the Philippines and North America. (Photo by Ms. Marianne Olfindo) NEW YORK CITY, 30 March 2026 – Consul General Senen T. Mangalile received officials of Philippine Airlines (PAL) at the Philippine Center in New York for a courtesy visit to discuss areas of cooperation to promote Philippine tourism.The PAL delegation included Mr. Jose Maria “Chema” Alvarado, the new Regional Head for North America, and Ms. Aleana Sol Cruz, the new Account Manager for New York. Mr. Alvarado assumed his post in February 2026 and oversees PAL operations across the United States and Canada.Consul General Mangalile conveyed appreciation for PAL’s continued support to the Filipino community in the United States.Both sides affirmed the importance of close coordination to support tourism promotion and strengthen engagement with the Filipino diaspora in North America and reaffirmed the strong and growing partnership between the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Philippine Airlines. END

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,…