On 28 May, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile hosted a luncheon for the members of the Filipino-American media in New York during the quarterly Media Hour. During the luncheon, the Consul General announced the Consulate’s upcoming events for June and July. Tourism Attaché Francisco M. Lardizabal, Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar, and Atty. Alejandra Clemente of Rajah Tours Philippines attended the event.

For June, the Consulate has organized or co-organized a number of events to commemorate Philippine Independence Day. These include the Philippine Independence Day celebration on 4 June in Albany in partnership with the Office of New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga and the illumination of iconic landmarks in New York and Philadelphia on 12 June. On 17 June, a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green, in collaboration with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, will honor the economic contributions of Filipinos in New York City. The Consulate will also host an economic diplomacy forum on 24 June focused on Filipino leadership in artificial intelligence. The celebrations will culminate with the inaugural Pistahang Bayan on 30 June at New Jersey City University.

In July, the Consulate will conduct its 25th edition of “Paaralan sa Konsulado,” an annual summer workshop for Filipino and Filipino-American children held every Saturday at the Philippine Center.

Consul General Mangalile announced that registration for the 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, which will take place from 21 to 30 July, is ongoing. This year’s tour will feature new destinations in Northern Mindanao, such as Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan. According to Atty. Clemente, “We are excited to present these new destinations to our participants and provide them with an unforgettable experience with support from the local governments of the destinations.”

Tourism Attaché Lardizabal shared positive developments about the Philippine tourism industry, including the U.S. State Department’s downgrading of travel advisories in four areas of Mindanao. “We are pleased to announce this significant development, which reflects the improved security situation in these beautiful destinations,” said Lardizabal. “The Department of Tourism (DOT) is committed to dispersing tourism arrivals and focusing on creative tourism development that will offer more experiential and innovative opportunities, especially for the younger generation.”

Consul General Mangalile expressed his appreciation for the media’s support and emphasized the importance of their role in promoting Philippine culture and tourism. “It is vital to have the support of our media partners in sharing our stories and achievements,” said Mangalile. “We look forward to your ongoing participation and support in the Consulate’s upcoming activities.”

The event wrapped up with an open forum, which allowed the press to share their insights and ask questions. END