PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Philippine Consulate General in New York Marks 4th Anniversary of Sentro Rizal with Visit from Rizal Descendant Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (left) presents a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Sandra Medel (center) for her efforts in digitizing the catalogs of the book collection of the Consulate and Sentro Rizal. They are joined in the photo by Mrs. Maria Luisa Tinio Bayot, a descendant of José Rizal (right). (Photo by Nikka Arenal) NEW YORK, 6 January 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York celebrated the 4th anniversary of the inauguration of Sentro Rizal New York by reaffirming its mission to be a premier "house of culture" for the Filipino diaspora in the US Northeast. Established on 06 January 2022, as the 36th Sentro Rizal in the world, the center serves as a vital repository and hub for promoting Philippine arts, language, and heritage in the heart of Manhattan. To mark the occasion, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, accompanied by Sentro Rizal New York Manager Consul Anna Guerra and Assistant Nikka Arenal, met at the Philippine Center with Ms. Lisa Bayot, a direct descendant of Dr. Jose Rizal, and Ms. Sandra Medel, a dedicated Filipino community volunteer. Consul General…

PH Consul General Attends Inauguration of New York City Mayor, Welcomes New Leadership From Left: US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mayor Zohran K. Mamdani, US Senator Bernie Sanders. (Photos by Consul General Senen T. Mangalile) NEW YORK, 03 January 2026 - Consul General Senen T. Mangalile attended the public inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran K. Mamdani held at City Hall on 01 January 2026.The public ceremony followed Mayor Mamdani’s formal assumption of office earlier that day, after taking his oath administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The inauguration at City Hall was attended by city officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of various communities across New York City. Consul General Mangalile was invited to attend the ceremony and to represent the ASEAN Consuls General, in view of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship this year.During the program, Mayor Mamdani was sworn in by US Senator Bernie Sanders. US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in her welcome remarks, described the inauguration as marking a new chapter for New York City and highlighted Mayor Mamdani’s historic election and commitment to working-class communities, encouraging attendees to view the occasion as a moment of renewed civic engagement.In his inaugural address, Mayor Mamdani…

PH Consulate in New York, Knights of Rizal Commemorate 129th Anniversary of Rizal's Martyrdom Knights of Rizal Officers marched as they prepare to offer the memorial wreaths before the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at Philippine Center lobby. (Photos by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK, 29 December 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter (KOR-NY) commemorated the 129th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Center in New York on 26 December 2025. The event brought together officers and members of the Knights of Rizal, and members of the Filipino community to honor the national hero’s enduring legacy. Consul General Mangalile delivers remarks reflecting on Dr. Jose Rizal’s life and values during the Rizal Day commemoration at the Philippine Center in New York. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) In his remarks, Consul General Sir Senen T. Mangalile, KGOR, highlighted the quiet moral courage consistently demonstrated by Dr. Rizal throughout his life, stating that, “his life challenges us to act with courage, even in silence, to love our country and fellow Filipinos, even when recognition is absent, and to do what is right even when no…

PH Consulate General in New York and Media Partners Reaffirm Collaboration at Year-End Fellowship Consul General Senen T. Mangalile with the Filipino-American members of the press who attended the appreciation dinner. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK, 18 December 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted its Media Appreciation Dinner for the Filipino-American members of the press on 17 December 2025 at 87 Ludlow, a Filipino-American owned restaurant in Lower Manhattan.In his remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile thanked the Fil-Am press for its consistent support of the Philippine Consulate General in New York’s programs and initiatives, noting that media coverage of community engagements and events helped broaden public awareness of Filipino achievements and issues affecting Filipino-Americans in the US.He further underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in 2026, as various activities are planned to mark the milestone 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the US.In a video message, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez emphasized the importance of the Fil-Am press as partners of US Foreign Service Posts in strengthening Philippine-US relations. In marking the milestone 80th anniversary of PH-US diplomatic relations, he described the Fil-Am press’ role as “even…

New York Names Street after Dr. José Rizal, Honoring his Ideals and the Filipino Migrant Community On 12 December 2025, the intersection of Woodside Avenue and 58th Street was officially co-named Dr. José Rizal Way. This new street sign honors the Philippine national hero and celebrates the vibrant Filipino community that calls Woodside home. (Photos by Sir Michael Magsombol Knights of Rizal - Astoria Chapter) NEW YORK, 14 December 2025 – An intersection in Woodside, Queens, New York has been named "Dr. José Rizal Way," an enduring recognition of the Philippine national hero’s significant influence on the Filipino and Filipino American community in an area known for its large Filipino population.The street co-naming was made possible through the initiative of Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly, with New York City Council Member Julie Won advancing the necessary legislation for the intersection of Woodside Avenue and 58th Street in Queens, the largest borough of New York City.New York City Council Member Julie Won noted the co-naming reflects the growing Filipino presence in her district and Woodside’s identity as a community shaped by generations of immigrants. “It’s an honor to co-name an intersection in Woodside…

Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado Returns to New York for 37th Year, Uniting Filipino Community in Peace and Hope Fr. Rizalino Garcia, Chaplain for the Filipino Catholic Apostolate in the Archdiocese of New York, celebrates Mass during the last night of the 37th Annual Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado on 12 December 2025, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York. (Photo by Nikka Arenal) NEW YORK CITY, 13 December 2025 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with Filipino community organizations across the U.S. Northeast, successfully celebrated the completion of the 37th Annual Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado on 12 December 2025. This cherished nine-day novena Mass series reinforces strong community bonds and keeps vibrant Filipino Christmas traditions alive in the diaspora. (Left-Right) Consul General Senen T. Mangalile delivered the welcome remarks, and Fr. Rizalino Garcia blessed the parol ng pag-asa during the closing night of the 37th Annual Simbang Gabi on 12 December 2025 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York. (Photos by Nikka Arenal) The series culminated in a festive final evening in Kalayaan Hall that gathered over 170 members of the Filipino-American community. The program featured significant cultural and…

Balik*Bayan NY 2025 Gathers Fil-Am Founders, Funders, and Mentors to Elevate Philippine Startup Ecosystem Attendees gather for a group photo after an insightful panel discussion during the Balik*Bayan NY 2025 event. (Photo by Erik Aguilar) NEW YORK, 04 December 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York, in partnership with Endeavor Philippines, hosted “Balik*Bayan NY 2025” at the Philippine Center in New York on 03 December 2025. The gathering brought together Filipino-American founders, innovation leaders, funders, ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs to learn, collaborate, and network with the goal to reconnect back home and fuel economic growth in the Philippines. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile delivers his welcome remarks highlighting the event’s objectives. In his video message, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile hoped that the event would achieve three objectives: to facilitate connections between the talented US-based professionals, investors, and mentors and the dynamic entrepreneurs in the Philippines; to showcase opportunities for attendees to be part of the growing startup community in the Philippines by contributing as investors, by being founders themselves, or by mentoring those who are trying to innovate their way to success; and to inspire action  to…