World-Class Filipino Chocolate Brand Making Its Mark in New York

Press Release EGC-014-2022 26 February 2022 WORLD-CLASS FILIPINO CHOCOLATE BRAND MAKING ITS MARK IN NEW YORK Mark Mendoza Ocampo, co-founder and Managing Director of Auro Chocolate, the internationally awarded premium bean-to-bar chocolate brand of the Philippines, describes to Consul General Elmer G. Cato the variety of chocolates the company offers during a courtesy call at the Philippine Consulate General in New York on Wednesday, 16 February. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) NEW YORK - Auro Chocolate, the internationally awarded premium bean-to-bar chocolate brand, proudly made in the Philippines, is making headway in New York City.  Auro Chocolate Co-founder and Managing Director Mark Mendoza Ocampo has expressed the company’s desire to strengthen its presence in the American market during a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General in New York on Wednesday, 16 February. “We are now in search of bigger distributors for Auro here in the United States.” Mendoza said.  Committed to empowering cacao farmers in the Philippines, Auro Chocolate has been partnering directly with farms and cooperatives. The Filipino confectionary brand currently supplies to over 30 countries worldwide, including the United States. “Cacao has been in the Philippines for over 300 years…

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Pili Oil-Infused Philippine Skin Care Line Offers Something Unique to New Yorkers

Press Release EGC-013-202225 February 2022 PILI OIL-INFUSED PHILIPPINE SKIN CARE LINE OFFERS SOMETHING UNIQUE TO NEW YORKERS PILI OIL-INFUSED PHILIPPINE SKIN CARE LINE PENETRATES US MARKET: Ana Amigo Antonio (left), the North American representative of Pili Ani, explains the benefits of Pili Ani’s skincare products to Consul General Elmer G. Cato (center) during the latter’s visit at a pop-up store in SoHo on Thursday, 10 February. Pili Ani, a pioneering Filipino skincare line is the only brand in the world that uses pili and elemi oils in all of its beauty products. These oils are extracted from Pili trees that can only grow in Bicol. (Photo by Tanya Faye O. Ramiro) NEW YORK - A pioneering Philippine skincare line established six years ago and the only brand in the world that uses pili and elemi oils in all its beauty products has been successfully penetrating the United States market.Pili Ani has been making its presence felt in the US since it debuted on the popular Home Shopping Network Channel last year. Just recently, it began its efforts to reach out to more New Yorkers with its recent pop-up store in SoHo during New York Fashion Week.Ana Amigo Antonio, Pili Ani’s…

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PCG New York Welcomes Added Protection for Domestic Workers

Press Release EGC-012-202225 February 2022 PCG NEW YORK WELCOMES ADDED PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS NEW YORK - The Philippine Consulate General in New York has welcomed the expanded protection that Filipinos and other domestic workers who live or work in New York City will now enjoy as a result of recent initiatives by local and state authorities. “The Philippine Consulate General welcomes these positive developments that will improve employment security and enhance work benefits of kababayan employed in the household service industry,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said in a statement. The Consul General was referring to two recent legislations signed into law by New York Governor Kathleen Hochul and then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio last year. The landmark law signed by Governor Hochul on 31 December 2021 legally considers domestic workers as “employees” for all intents and purposes under the New York State Human Rights Law while Intro 39 signed by then Mayor Bill de Blasio on 25 August 2021, extends anti-discrimination protections to domestic workers of New York City. Domestic workers are individuals employed at a home or residence as housekeepers, nannies, home healthcare aides, or similar positions. A person does not need to live with their employer to…

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New York City’s Trailblazing Deputy Mayor Wants to Reconnect with Her Filipino Roots

Press Release EGC-011-202225 February 2022 NEW YORK CITY’S TRAILBLAZING DEPUTY MAYOR WANTS TO RECONNECT WITH HER FILIPINO ROOTS FIL-AM DEPUTY MAYOR TORRES-SPRINGER MEETS CONGEN CATO. New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, Maria Torres-Springer, listens to Consul General Elmer G. Cato speak about the Philippine Consulate’s initiatives towards strengthening Filipino community empowerment during the latter’s courtesy call on Monday, 07 February 2022 at the City Hall. (Photo by Beverly Pellosis) NEW YORK - Maria Torres-Springer, the Filipina-American deputy mayor of New York who was put in charge of ensuring the economic recovery of the city in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is looking forward to reconnecting with her roots. As Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, Torres-Springer is considered to be one of the most powerful Filipino-Americans in the United States Northeast. She was among the first officials to be appointed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he won his election bid in December. Saying she has been away for a long time, the 44-year-old daughter of Filipino immigrants expressed her desire to visit the Philippines again soon with her husband and their two daughters. Born in Los Angeles, Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer’s father was from…

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Public Advisory: Certified List of Voters Now Available

Public Advisory 011-202210 February 2022 CERTIFIED LIST OF VOTERS NOW AVAILABLE The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs kababayan under our jurisdiction that the Certified List of Voters (CLOV) for the 2022 national elections who have registered under the jurisdiction of the Consulate is now available on our website at https://newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/consular-services/overseas-voting/The list covers registered voters who reside in the following states: ConnecticutDelawareMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermont.For any questions regarding the list, kababayan may send an email to ov.concerns@comelec.gov.ph. 

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Public Advisory: DHS Issues Advisory Due to Heightened Terrorism Threat, Calling on Public to Stay Informed and Prepared

Public Advisory 010-2022 09 February 2022 DHS ISSUES ADVISORY DUE TO HEIGHTENED TERRORISM THREAT, CALLING ON PUBLIC TO STAY INFORMED AND PREPARED The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin on 7 February 2022. It cited that the United States remains in a heightened threat environment fueled by several factors, including an online environment filled with false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis- dis- and mal-information (MDM) introduced and/or amplified by foreign and domestic threat actors. These threat actors seek to exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, which could potentially inspire acts of violence. Mass casualty attacks and other acts of targeted violence conducted by lone offenders and small groups acting in furtherance of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances pose an ongoing threat to the nation. DHS provided some tips for the community to help identify and prevent terrorism and targeted violence: Stay Informed and Prepared Be prepared for emergency situations and remain aware of circumstances that may place you at risk. Make note of your surroundings and the nearest security personnel. Keep yourself safe online and maintain digital and…

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Filipinos Counting on New York City Mayor in Making Streets Safe Again

Press Release EGC-010-2022 6 February 2022 FILIPINOS COUNTING ON NEW YORK CITY MAYOR IN MAKING STREETS SAFE AGAIN COURTESY CALL. New York City Commissioner for International Affairs, Edward A. Mermelstein pays a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General in New York on Thursday, 03 February 2022 to give assurance that addressing anti-Asian hate is a top priority of Mayor Eric Adams. (Photo by Marianne Olfindo) NEW YORK—Filipinos are counting on New York City Mayor Eric Adams in making the streets safe again by addressing homelessness and mental health issues that have contributed to the surge in anti-Asian hate violence against Filipinos and other members of the Asian-American Community in the past year.   This was personally conveyed to New York City Commissioner for International Affairs Edward A. Mermelstein during a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General on Thursday, 03 February 2022. “We welcome the plans of Mayor Adams to address homelessness and mental health as these concerns are inextricably linked to the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents in New York City,” Consul General Cato said. During the meeting, Consul General Cato said he is hoping to…

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Public Advisory: Entry Guidelines for US and Other Foreign Nationals Visiting the Philippines for Tourism, Business Purposes

Public Advisory 009-202204 February 2022 ENTRY GUIDELINES FOR US AND OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS VISITING THE PHILIPPINES FOR TOURISM, BUSINESS PURPOSES The Philippine Consulate General in New York wishes to inform the public that, per IATF Resolution No. 160-B, fully-vaccinated Americans can travel to the Philippines for business or leisure beginning 10 February 2022, and will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine. The new guidelines cover fully vaccinated former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privilege, including their foreign spouses and/or children traveling with them to the Philippines; provided that they are not restricted nationals; and fully vaccinated citizens of the United States and of countries entitled to stay visa-free for not more than 30 days under Executive Order 408, S. 1960.Unvaccinated foreign nationals will be denied admission into the country.When is a foreign national considered fully-vaccinated?When he has received the second dose in a two-dose series, or a single dose of a recognized vaccine more than 14 days prior to the date and time of departure;What do they need to present?Proof of vaccination;A negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure;Valid return-tickets not later than 30 days after arrival in the Philippines;A passport valid for at least six months;…

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New York PCG Constitutes Overseas Election Teams

Press Release EGC-009-2022 3 February 2022 NEW YORK PCG CONSTITUTES OVERSEAS ELECTION TEAMS Consul General Elmer G. Cato (far left) swear in members of of the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) led by Consul Ricarte Abejuela III (2nd from left). New York, 3 February 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York has constituted and sworn in the members of the various teams that will oversee the participation of kababayan in the United States northeast in the national elections in the Philippines scheduled on 9 May 2022.  Consul General Elmer G. Cato swore in the various members of the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) and the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) who will ensure the successful conduct of overseas voting that will begin on 9 April 2022.  Consul General Cato said approximately 39,000 registered overseas voters within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in New York are expected to participate in this year’s elections. Registered overseas voters will select the President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List Representatives for the next term via postal voting. Consul General Cato said ballots will be mailed to registered voters before 9 April 2022 and should be received…

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Public Advisory: Starting 1 February, Fully-Vaccinated Kababayan with Negative RT-PCR Results No Longer Required to Quarantine Upon Arrival

Public Advisory 008-202229 January 2022 STARTING 1 FEBRUARY, FULLY-VACCINATED KABABAYAN WITH NEGATIVE RT-PCR RESULTS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL The Philippine Consulate General in New York wishes to inform the Filipino Community that effective 1 February 2022, facility-based quarantine will no longer be required for fully-vaccinated kababayan arriving in the Philippines as long as they can present negative RT-PCR test results taken 48 hours prior to their departure from the United States.  Under IATF Resolution No. 159 dated 27 January 2022,  kababayan shall only be required to self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival in the Philippines and to report to their local government unit upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any. This latest development will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down during the pandemic, while also providing more time to those who want to return home to be with their loved ones in the Philippines. Overseas Filipinos who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, shall still be required to undergo quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken…

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