PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Press Release PCGNY-005-2023 18 February 2023 CONSULATE WELCOMES FIL-AM COMMUNITY AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY The Philippine Consulate General in New York successfully hosted its 9th Filipino-American Community General Assembly on 18 February 2023 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. The General Assembly is an annual event where leaders of the Filipino-American community organizations in the US Northeast are invited to the Consulate for a report on the activities of the previous year and the calendar of activities of the current year. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile welcomed the participants who were physically present as well as those who joined virtually via Zoom. He spoke on the theme of the 9th annual General Assembly, “Strengthening Linkages Through Collaboration and Partnership”, and identified the efficient delivery of consular services and the conduct of activities that are more inclusive and representative of the diaspora’s identity as his priorities. “We will continue to give you the quality of service that you deserve as well as a set of events that are inclusive and representative of our community,” Consul General Mangalile said. The General assembly also featured presentations by consular officers and representatives of the Department of Trade…

Press Release PCGNY-004-2023 25 January 2023 NEW YORK PCG AND PDOT NY LAUNCHES 2023 VIP TOUR The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism’s New York Office, launched the Very Important Pinoy Tour (VIP Tour) at the Kalayaan Hall last 23 January 2023 at 5:00pm. Consul General Senen T. Mangagile welcomed the participants of the launch, composed of airline representatives, travel agencies, members of the Filipino-American press, and members from various Filipino Community Organizations. In his remarks, he encouraged everyone to join the VIP Tour, which will take place from 16 to 24 July 2023 at Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay. The VIP Tour is a major tourism activity of all Philippine foreign service posts in the U.S. The program enables Filipino-Americans and foreigners to experience Filipino culture and hospitality and immerse in the sights and sounds of various tourist destinations around the Philippines. The program, which was staged 13 times between 2004 to 2019, has seen the participation of more than 4,500 people from the different states. In his address, Consul General Mangalile encouraged everyone to visit the Philippines and invite friends and family to join the VIP Tour. “Your help in promoting…

Press Release PCGNY-003-2023 24 January 2023 FIL-AM MEDIA MEETS THE CONSUL GENERAL New York, 24 January 2023 – The Fil-Am Press Club of New York, led by ABS-CBN News Senior Correspondent, Don Tagala, and other members of the media, met Consul General Senen T. Mangalile during the latter’s inaugural “Con Gen Media Hour” on Monday, 23 January 2023, at the Philippine Consulate General in New York. During the meeting, Consul General Mangalile recognized the indispensable role of the media not only as partners in disseminating information and promoting events of the Philippine Consulate, but also as a medium to build synergy among the members of the Filipino-American Community, and an instrument in taking the pulse of the public. The media, in turn, extended a warm welcome to the Consul General and assured him of their assistance in relaying important news to kababayan. The one-hour face-to-face interview initially revolved around light-hearted questions, such as why the Consul General entered the foreign service, and what his most memorable experience is as a diplomat, so far. Discussions then moved to the Consul General’s vision for the Philippine Consulate, and the status of consular services, such as applications for passport, notarization, and “dual citizenship.”…

Press Release PCGNY-002-2023 13 January 2023 FINTECH LITERACY LAUNCHED AT PHILIPPINE CONSULATE New York, 13 January 2023 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York kicked off the new year with a “fintech”[1] literacy forum, in partnership with the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA) – New York Chapter, on Thursday, 12 January 2023, at the Philippine Center. Intended to be a three-part series, the first forum, dubbed as “Blockchain Basics,” provided an overview of Blockchain –the groundbreaking financial technology at the heart of bitcoin, ethereum, non-fungible tokens (NFT), and other virtual currencies. The benefits, risks and untapped potential of the blockchain network were also discussed in layman’s terms. Speaking on behalf of Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Vice Consul Tanya Faye O. Ramiro welcomed the audience who consisted of professionals in the financial services sector and members of the public. “As fintech has woven itself into the very fabric of our everyday lives, from our business dealings to personal relationships, it is already part of one’s “financial well-being” to better understand fintech,” she said. She added that the Philippine Consulate looks forward to seeing Filipino-Americans contribute to further innovations in this industry. The following served as…

Press Release PCGNY-001-2023 9 January 2023 PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL IN NEW YORK ASSUMES POST Consul General Senen T. Mangalile assumed office today at the Philippine Consulate General in New York. “I look forward to engaging with the Filipino-American communities in the US Northeast and I wish to assure you all of my willingness to listen to your concerns and readiness to seek fresh avenues for protecting your common interests,” Consul General Mangalile stated in his New Year’s message to the Filipino community. Mr. Mangalile brings with him considerable experience in the delivery of consular services, having served as Assistant Secretary of the DFA’s Office of Consular Affairs, Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in London, and Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka. He was the first consul from an ASEAN country to be elected by his peers as president of the Consular Corps of London, the oldest consular corps in the world, having been established in 1902. He also served as Minister at the Embassy of the Philippines in Berne, Switzerland, and as Chargé d’affaires, ad interim at the Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara, Turkey. At the DFA, Consul General Mangalile served as Senior Special Assistant to…

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,…