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.

First Filipino Cultural Showcase at Times Square Kicks Off Philippine Independence Day Celebrations in New York City

NEW YORK CITY, 07 June 2026 – Filipino heritage and talent took center stage at the iconic Times Square as the Filipino-American community in New York kicked off the 128ᵗʰ Philippine Independence Day celebrations and marked the 80ᵗʰ anniversary of Philippines-United States diplomatic relations.

Mabuhay, Philippines!, organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, presented the first-ever Filipino cultural showcase in Times Square, bringing Filipino music, dance, and festival traditions to one of the world’s most recognizable public spaces.

In her remarks, PIDCI President Leah Frain described the event as a milestone for the Filipino-American community, noting that it offered an opportunity to share the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture not only with New York City, but with the world.

Representing Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez and Consul General in New York Senen T. Mangalile, Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz welcomed guests to the celebration, which honored both Philippine Independence Day and eight decades of Philippines-United States bilateral relations.

“The connection between our two countries has grown tremendously over the years, and this has been boosted by relations grounded on mutual trust, equality, and respect,” Deputy Consul General Cruz said, adding that the bonds of friendship continue to flourish through strong people-to-people relations.

The program featured a dynamic lineup of performances that showcased the country’s regional traditions and artistic range, including the Lambayok Festival of San Juan, Batangas; Sinulog and Kaliga Festival presentations; Tinikling; Bulaklakan and Subli; Maguindanao dances; and modern Filipino dance numbers.

The musical lineup featured performances by ABS-CBN artist Kyle Echarri and singer JMKO from the Philippines, soprano Kay Habana, who performed classic Filipino songs, and Manhattan School of Music artists Riley Bragg and Ramon Tenefrancia, who presented kundiman selections.

In closing, PIDCI Executive Director Nora Galleros, said the program transformed the heart of Manhattan into a stage for the Filipino story, reaffirming that Filipino talent belongs on the world stage.

The showcase offered New Yorkers, spectators, and the wider Filipino diaspora a vivid glimpse of the Philippines’ cultural richness, bringing together tradition and contemporary artistry in a tribute to freedom, identity, and the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the United States. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA