PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

PH Consulate Hosts First Meeting in 2026 of Society Of Foreign Consuls in New York Members of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York who attended the meeting hosted by the Philippine Consulate. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK CITY, 20 January 2026 – The Executive Board of the Society of Foreign Consuls (SoFC) in New York convened its first meeting of the year on 20 January 2026 at the Philippine Center in New York.Consul General Maia Bartaia of Georgia, current SoFC President, outlined the organization’s planned activities for the first quarter of 2026. These include the Art and Diplomacy Exhibition on 22 January at the Philippine Center, a Women’s Month Celebration on 11 March, and possible joint courtesy calls on local government officials in New York and nearby areas.The meeting was hosted by Consul General Senen T. Mangalile and attended by the members of the Executive Board, namely the Consuls General of Argentina, Bulgaria, India, Morocco, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, and Thailand.SoFC-New York was founded in 1925 and serves as a platform for engagement, cooperation, and exchange among the consular corps in New York. END SoFC members exchange views and ideas during discussions on upcoming initiatives. (Photos…

PH Consul General Welcomes Nepali Counterpart, Identifies Potential Areas of Cooperation From left: Consul General Senen T. Mangalile exchanges a handshake with Nepali Consul General Dadhi Ram Bhandari. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas) NEW YORK CITY, 20 January 2026 – Consul General Senen T. Mangalile received newly-arrived Consul General Dadhi Ram Bhandari of Nepal on 16 January 2026 at the Philippine Center in New York.Consul General Mangalile welcomed Consul General Bhandari to New York and expressed his readiness to work closely with him to further strengthen Philippines-Nepal relations.During the meeting, the two officials discussed areas of mutual interest, particularly on diaspora management. As both the Philippines and Nepal are labor-sending countries, they underscored the importance of protecting migrant workers’ rights and strengthening international norms for their protection. Consul General Mangalile conveyed the Philippines’ willingness, upon Nepal’s request, to share best practices and experiences in this area.Consul General Mangalile also shared the Philippines' experience on overseas voting and other consular practices related to the engagement of nationals abroad. END Consul General Mangalile shares the Philippines’ experience on overseas voting with Consul General Bhandari. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)

Philippine Consulate Meets with the Filipino American Association in Pittsburgh Consul General Senen T. Mangalile and Filipino American Association in Pittsburgh President Carlos Abola (rightmost) and members conclude their kumustahan. (Photo by Patrick Lubenia) PITTSBURGH, PA, 14 January 2026 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York met with the members of the Filipino American Association in Pittsburgh, Inc (FAAPI) to foster stronger connections in the area.Accompanied by Consul Juan Carlos C. Borromeo, Consul General Senen T.  shared information on upcoming programs and initiatives of the Consulate and addressed some concerns raised by the community members.The Consulate also visited the Philippine Center located in Pittsburgh, a community-funded and maintained venue for cultural activities and community gatherings. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile at the Philippine Center in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo) FAAPI is an established Filipino-American community organization in the U.S. Northeast that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Among their activities include promotion of Filipino culture and heritage, scholarships programs, and charitable activities.The meeting concluded with the Consulate reaffirming its commitment to providing timely consular services, responsive and effective support to Filipinos in the area. END

NYPCG Explores Academic & Cultural Partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh (Left to right) Consul General Senen T. Mangalile met with Director Joseph Alter, Ph.D. and Associate Director James Cook, Ph.D. of the Asian Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh. (Photo by Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo) PITTSBURGH, PA, 14 January 2026 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York continues to strengthen its engagement with higher educational institutions in the U.S. Northeast through a meeting with University of Pittsburgh. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile met with the representatives of University’s Asian Studies Center to explore potential partnerships in research, cultural exchange, and initiatives that promote Philippine heritage and scholarship.Accompanied by Consul Juan Carlos C. Borromeo, Consul General Mangalile engaged in discussions with faculty members, including Director Joseph Alter, Ph.D. and Associate Director James Cook, Ph.D. of the Asian Studies Center, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, Jessica Sun, Ed.D. and Assistant Director for Partnerships & Programming, Linda Lieu.Consul General Mangalile also met with Filipino graduate and undergraduate students of the University of Pittsburgh and discussed the Consulate’s programs and initiatives. He also invited them to participate in the Consulate's activities. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile met with Filipino undergraduate and…

NYPCG Explores Opportunities and Partnerships at Pennsylvania Farm Show (Left photo) Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Luke Bernstein and (right photo) Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger address the international delegates. (Photos by Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo) HARRISBURG, PA, 13 January 2026 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York, as a member of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, attended the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show held at PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Prior to touring the Farm Show, the Consulate attended a networking event at the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. During these events, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile and Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo interacted with officials of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry leaders, as well as some business owners, to explore opportunities for closer engagement between the Philippines and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The meetings served as a venue to exchange views on existing and potential areas of collaboration in economic development, particularly in agriculture. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile raises a question at the PA International Delegation Partnerships Forum. (Photo by Consul…

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…