Will you accept walk ins?

No. As a policy, all consular applicants are required to have a confirmed appointment prior to coming to the Consulate.

Will there be considerations for ballot drop offs as another option aside from mailing them to the Consulate?

Yes, a ballot receptacle box will be provided at the Philippine Center for voters who wish to personally drop off their sealed accomplished ballots.

Will there be a courtesy lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and others with special circumstances?

As a policy the Philippine Consulate General in New York requires all consular applicants to have a booked appointment prior to coming to the Consulate. The Consulate may give exception to meritorious cases, such as those with valid and immediate urgency to their requests. To make a request in case you are unable to book an appointment, you can send an email so we can review the merits of your particular situation to: newyorkpcg.notarials@dfa.gov.ph for Notarization, newyorkpcg.dual@dfa.gov.ph for Dual Citizenship, newyorkpcg.passport@dfa.gov.ph for Passport applications. All requests are subject to evaluation and approval is not guaranteed.

Will the Consulate be open on the weekend of May 7-8?

Yes, the Consulate is open 24 /7 for the entire voting period (including weekends and holidays) from 09 April 2022 to 08 May 2022 for registered voters who wish to personally drop off their ballots at the Consulate. The Consulate will be open on 09 May 2022, the last day for the casting of ballots until 7:00 a.m. Ballots received after 7:00am will no longer be counted.

Will my foreign spouse, who will travel with me to the Philippines, be required to secure additional travel documents from the Philippine Consulate before leaving?

The answer would depend on the intended period of stay in the Philippines and if the spouse is a visa-required national under the Philippine visa regulation. Foreign spouse (as well as children) included in the visa waiver category may avail of the Balikbayan-Program for stays of up to one (1) year. Otherwise, they would need to apply for an appropriate visa.

Filipino Yakan Weaver to Showcase Indigenous Art in New York & Philadelphia

The Philippine Consulate General in New York, with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Office of Senator Loren B. Legarda, is proud to announce two special events featuring fourth-generation Yakan weaver Evelinda Otong-Hamja, who will share the rich cultural heritage of Yakan weaving through demonstrations, talks, and a hands-on workshop in December 2024. Known for their intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors, Yakan textiles are handwoven from fibers like piña (pineapple) and abaca (Manila hemp).

These events are part of the Consulate’s Philippine Fiber, Fabric, and Textile Promotion Program, aimed at raising global awareness and appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance of Philippine textiles.

New York City: December 6, 2024 | Fridman Gallery

In collaboration with Weaving Hand and the Fridman Gallery, Ms. Otong-Hamja will bring her craft to New York City. This event will include a cultural talk and weaving demonstration to be followed by an interactive workshop to be facilitated by Ms. Cynthia Alberto of Weaving Hand where participants can try their hand at weaving.

Registration for the cultural talk and demonstration and weaving workshop is available through the Weaving Hand’s Eventbrite page.

Program Schedule:

4:00–5:00 PM: Cultural Talk and Weaving Demonstration with Ms. Otong-Hamja

6:00–7:30 PM: Weaving Workshop with Weaving Hand

Philadelphia: December 7, 2024 | Penn Museum

Hosted in partnership with the Penn Museum, this event will feature a weaving demonstration and cultural talk at the Widener Lecture Hall. This session will give attendees a rare opportunity to learn directly from Ms. Otong-Hamja about the Indigenous stories and traditions woven into these remarkable fabrics.

Program Schedule:

12:00–12:30 PM: Weaving Demonstration and Q&A

2:00–3:30 PM: Weaving Demonstration and Cultural Talk

Penn students, faculty, and staff may attend for free with their Penn ID. Registration for the general public is available on the Penn Museum website.

Attendees at both events will also have the chance to purchase handwoven Yakan textiles, directly supporting the Indigenous Yakan weaving community.

Follow the Story

Stay updated on the events and share your experiences using the hashtags: #YakanWeavingNYC and #YakanWeavingAtPenn

Quotation to be attributed to Hon. Senen T. Mangalile, Consul General, Philippine Consulate General in New York:

“Weaving is more than a craft; it is a narrative of identity, history, and resilience. This special series of events featuring Ms. Evelinda Otong-Hamja allows us to bring the vibrant legacy of Yakan weaving directly to audiences in New York and Philadelphia. Following the success of the recent ‘HABI: Discovering Possibilities for Philippine Fibers’ exhibit at Thomas Jefferson University, this initiative builds on our mission to celebrate Philippine textiles as a living heritage while inspiring future innovations and cross-cultural collaborations.”

Quotation to be attributed to Weaving Hand and Fridman Gallery

“Fridman Gallery and Weaving Hand are honored to host Evelinda Otong-Hamja, an acclaimed Yakan weaver and founder of Tuwas Yakan, a collective dedicated to preserving and promoting Yakan weaving traditions. Featured in Vogue Philippines, her work has reached global audiences through collaborations with designers and artists. This event is presented by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Senator Loren Legarda’s office. Fridman Gallery remains dedicated to fostering dialogue, culture, and collaboration in contemporary art.”

Quotation to be attributed to Ms. Jennifer Brehm, Merle-Smith Director of Learning and Public Engagement, Penn Museum:

“Preserving cultural heritage in partnership with community organizations is an important part of our educational and public engagement efforts at the Penn Museum. We are thrilled to partner with the Philippine Consulate General in expanding appreciation for Indigenous traditions as we welcome Yakan weaver Evelinda Otong-Hamja to Philadelphia. What a wonderful and valuable opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn directly from her through this program at the Museum.”

About Evelinda Otong-Hamja

Ms. Otong-Hamja is a fourth-generation Yakan weaver and founder of Tuwas Yakan, a collective supporting Yakan weavers and promoting their work to a global audience. Her artistry has been featured in Vogue Philippines, and she is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of her community while exploring innovative collaborations with designers and artists.

About the Philippine Fiber, Fabric, and Textile Promotion Program

Spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York, this multi-year program aims to promote Philippine fibers, fabrics, and indigenous textiles; foster partnerships between Filipino artisans and global institutions; and raise awareness of the economic and cultural value of Philippine fibers.

For more information about the events, please contact the Philippine Consulate General in New York at newyorkpcg.political-economic@dfa.gov.ph.

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA