PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Press Release EGC-039-20222 December 2022 PAMPANGA GIANT LANTERNS LIGHT UP THE PHILIPPINE CENTER IN NEW YORK The Philippine Consulate General in New York, together with the Filipino-American Community, commenced the Christmas season in New York City, on the first day of December, through the first ever giant Christmas lantern lighting ceremony held at the Philippine Center. Almost a hundred people attended the historic lighting of two parols, shipped all the way from the province of Pampanga, through the support of its local government, led by Governor Dennis Pineda. Installed as Christmas window decors of the Philippine Center, one measures eight feet in diameter with close to a thousand light bulbs, while the other measures six feet tall with more than five hundred light bulbs. “With many Filipinos working in New York missing their families and friends in the Philippines, during the Christmas season, we wanted to spread a little holiday cheer – the Filipino way – by having our parols light up the street outside the Philippine Center,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato, during his welcome remarks. “For the Filipino, the parol is a symbol of hope, an expression of faith, and a reminder to remain resilient amidst personal hardships…

Press Release EGC-038-202228 November 2022 THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN NEW YORK KICKS OFF THE 18-DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General in New York joins the Department of Foreign Affairs and all Philippine foreign service posts in supporting the annual 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW), which runs from 25 November to 12 December. This year, male personnel of the Philippine Consulate were asked to provide their insights on how they help create a world where men and boys are respectful toward women. “Respect for women and girls must start with teaching and training one’s self before it can be taught to others,” said Deputy Consul General Arman R. Talbo. “Being mindful of our own thoughts, words, and actions is a good start.” This entry, among others, will be featured on the Philippine Consulate’s social media pages throughout the campaign. “The Philippine Consulate General in New York is committed to respecting and protecting the dignity of our female personnel and female clientele,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato. “With the 2022 theme, United for a VAW-free Philippines, the Philippine Consulate seeks the support of the entire Filipino-American Community for the common pursuit…

Press Release EGC-037-202215 November 2022 FILIPINO BOY BAND BRINGS P-POP TO NEW YORK Rising Filipino boy group, SB19, marked its maiden tour of the United States of America with a visit to Sentro Rizal New York at the Philippine Center on Thursday, 03 November 2022. Officially proclaimed the Youth Ambassador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Sentro Rizal, SB19, aims to encourage the Filipino-American youth – particularly the second and third generations - to learn more about their Philippine culture and heritage by visiting Sentro Rizal New York, which is under the supervision of the Philippine Consulate General in New York. A five-member group composed of John Paulo B. Nase, Josh Cullen A. Santos, Stellvester Q. Ajero, Felip Jhon D. Suson, and Justin T. De Dios, SB19 is making headway in the international music scene with its introduction of P-Pop (Pinoy/Philippine) music, through songs such as MAPA, Hanggang Sa Huli, and Tilaluha. SB19’s music videos have been viewed as many as 78 million times with its hit, MAPA (a portmanteau of “mama” and “papa”), which honors Filipino parents for the sacrifices they endure for their children. Nase, the leader of the group, has a father who is…

Press Release EGC-036-202215 November 2022 KONSULADO ON THE GO SERVES KABABAYAN IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA The Philippine Consulate General in New York concluded this year’s “Konsulado on the Go” by serving one of the most far flung areas under its jurisdiction – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It takes approximately seven hours to travel to Pittsburgh by land.Carried out with the support of the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP), the consular outreach was held at FAAP-owned Philippine Center on Saturday, 05 November 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A total of 122 consular services were processed.The consular outreach provided the following services – passport renewal, retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, civil registry (birth, marriage, and death), notarization, and general consultation with the officer in charge.Complimenting the consular outreach was a labor desk manned by Ms. Karen Welton, the Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist of the Pittsburgh District Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division. Kababayan with labor concerns approached Ms. Welton before or after their respective appointments.This consular outreach is the eleventh of the year. The Konsulado on the Go schedule for 2023 will be released by the first quarter of next year. END. Photo Release EGC-149-202215 November…

Press Release EGC-035-2022 10 November 2022 FIRST FILIPINO-AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY On Tuesday, 08 November 2022, Steven Raga (D) made history as the first ever Filipino-American elected to any state-level position in New York, if not in the entire United States of America. “Raga’s groundbreaking victory is a triumph of the entire Filipino community,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato. “For the first time in history, Filipinos finally have a voice in the New York State government,” he further added. Garnering more than 54 percent of the votes cast over opponent, Sean Lally (R), Raga will be serving as the Assemblyman for Assembly District 30, an area of the Borough of Queens, where “Little Manila Avenue” is located. Located in Little Manila are Filipino businesses, such as Jollibee, Max’s, Philippine National Bank, Filipino convenience stores, and cash remittance centers. Raised by a single mother, Raga, has a long track record in public service and community organization. He currently serves as the executive director of “Woodside on the Move,” a grassroots community organization in Western Queens. Raga, an alumnus of FYLPRO (Filipino Young Leaders Program), is also staunch partner of the Philippine Consulate General in New York,…

Photo Release EGC-143-20223 November 2022 PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATRE DANCES TO ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC IN NEW YORK On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Philippine Ballet Theatre performed at the Philippine Center in New York City, after a three-year hiatus, where they danced to Original Pilipino Music, in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) Photo Release EGC-144-20223 November 2022 PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATRE DANCES TO ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC IN NEW YORK On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Philippine Ballet Theatre performed at the Philippine Center in New York City, after a three-year hiatus, where they danced to Original Pilipino Music, in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) Photo Release EGC-145-20223 November 2022 PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATRE DANCES TO ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC IN NEW YORK On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Philippine Ballet Theatre performed at the Philippine Center in New York City, after a three-year hiatus, where they danced to Original Pilipino Music, in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) Photo Release EGC-146-20223 November 2022 PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATRE DANCES TO ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC IN NEW YORK On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Philippine Ballet Theatre performed at the Philippine…

Press Release EGC-034-20223 November 2022 PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATER DANCES TO ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC IN NEW YORK The pre-eminent classical ballet company of the Philippines – the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) – held its premiere presentation, “On the Wings of Song” at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, where the ballerinas danced to Original Pilipino Music (OPM[1]) such as the songs of Filipino music icon, Jose Mari Chan. This celebration of Filipino-American History Month was made possible through the collaboration among the Philippine Consulate General in New York, Sentro Rizal New York, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Hiraya Foundation for Filipino American Heritage Preservation. Jose Mari Chan’s classic songs, such as “Perhaps Love,” “Can’t We Start Over Again,” and “Please Be Careful with my Heart,” among others, inspired the graceful choreography and elegant costumes of the ballerinas.   Other OPM, which served as musical background during the almost 2-hour show, included “Mamang Sorbetero,” “Hiram,” and “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin.” “This month, we not only celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Filipinos to American society, throughout the years, but we also mark this month by celebrating our rich heritage and our world-class Filipino talents,” said Vice…

Photo Release EGC-139-20222 November 2022 PHILIPPINE JOURNALISTS PAY A VISIT ON FIL-AM MAYOR ARVIN AMATORIO On Monday, 31 October 2022, a group of eight Philippine-based journalists paid a visit on Filipino American Mayor Arvin Amatorio at Bergenfield, New Jersey to have a more in-depth and on-the-ground perspective on concerns involving Filipinos, such as the welfare and rights of migrants. John Paul Soriano of GMA News shakes hands with Mayor Amatorio. (Photo by Nikka B. Arenal) Photo Release EGC-140-20222 November 2022 PHILIPPINE JOURNALISTS PAY A VISIT ON FIL-AM MAYOR ARVIN AMATORIO On Monday, 31 October 2022, a group of eight Philippine-based journalists paid a visit on Filipino American Mayor Arvin Amatorio at Bergenfield, New Jersey to have a more in-depth and on-the-ground perspective on concerns involving Filipinos, such as the welfare and rights of migrants. John Paul Soriano of GMA News and Willard Cheng of ABS-CBN ask the Mayor questions. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) Photo Release EGC-141-20222 November 2022 PHILIPPINE JOURNALISTS PAY A VISIT ON FIL-AM MAYOR ARVIN AMATORIO On Monday, 31 October 2022, a group of eight Philippine-based journalists paid a visit on Filipino American Mayor Arvin Amatorio at Bergenfield, New Jersey to have a more in-depth and on-the-ground perspective on concerns involving Filipinos,…

Photo Release EGC-136-20221 November 2022 NEW YORK CITY MAYOR DONS A BARONG TAGALOG On Friday, 28 October 2022, the Philippine Flag was raised for the very first time by the City of New York at the Financial District in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. Consul General Elmer G. Cato presents a Barong Tagalog to Mayor Eric Adams. (Photo by Marc Lacanlale) Photo Release EGC-137-20221 November 2022 NEW YORK CITY MAYOR DONS A BARONG TAGALOG On Friday, 28 October 2022, the Philippine Flag was raised for the very first time by the City of New York at the Financial District in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. New York City Mayor Eric Adams tries on the Barong Tagalog gifted to him by Consul General Elmer G. Cato. (Photo by Marc Lacanlale) Photo Release EGC-138-20221 November 2022 NEW YORK CITY MAYOR DONS A BARONG TAGALOG On Friday, 28 October 2022, the Philippine Flag was raised for the very first time by the City of New York at the Financial District in commemoration of Filipino-American History Month. New York City Mayor Eric Adams tries on the Barong Tagalog gifted to him by Consul General Elmer G. Cato. (Photo by Marc Lacanlale)