The Philippines Consul General in NY Mario Lopez De Leon Jr Honored with President Award by The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York

Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. receives the President Award from the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York 

NEW YORK – In a ceremony at the Slovakia Consulate General presided by Slovakia Consul General and current President of Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC) Jana Trnovcova, the Philippines Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr., was recognized this past June 20th for his outstanding dedication and leadership in expanding and enhancing the role of the SOFC when he assumed the Presidency from 2013 until 2014.  He is an active member since 2011 and held the position of Vice-President for the East Asia and Western Pacific for 2015-2016.

During his term as President of SOFC, Consul General De Leon emphasized a broader role for the Consular Corps that encompassed deeper economic and cultural cooperation with New York City and US federal government agencies, and between and among members of Consular Corps.  In addition, the membership of the SOFC became more robust, adding more members from ASEAN and African Consulates General.  He also led official trips to the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in the same year as part of SOFC members’ orientation and networking tour of New York City.  He expanded the camaraderie and friendship among Consular Corps members by hosting a year-end reception and other activities at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center, and continuing the annual SOFC tradition of recognizing distinguished women in the New York community in an awarding ceremony during International Women’s month.

On 30 April 2015, the SOFC became incorporated as a 501 (c) (7) organization after 90 years of being unincorporated in New York.  This process was initiated during the term of Consul General De Leon when the SOFC officially filed incorporation papers in 2014 that led to its approval the following year.  Because of this, the SOFC became a stronger institution with a clear mandate and is now able to add different activities, including social get-togethers and fund raising, for the benefit of the entire Consular Corps.

Elections for officers were also held and new members of the executive committee were elected for 2016-2017. Hon. Brenthold Evans, Consul General from Guyana will assume the role as President of SOFC on July 1, 2016.

Founded in 1925, the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York represents the world’s largest consular corps, comprising Consulates, Consulates General and Honorary Consulates  based in New York City.

Photos | Tom Rodriguez Meets the Press in New York City

Tom Rodriguez Press Conference. Hosted by GMA International. Payag Filipino Restaurant in Woodside, Queens. June 20, 2016. New York. 

Photos by Lambert Parong for Kababayan Media/ CC BY

"I was fortunate enough that I was with very talented people who guided me and I will maintain it and I have to give credit where credit is due, my whole career I can attribute it not to myself but to the people who I've worked with, because they're the ones who have helped me grow.." 
- Tom Rodriguez, Filipino American actor on his 'young' showbusiness career accomplishments in the Philippines. 

Tom Rodriguez, Kay Habana, Lumen Castaneda and Momar Visaya.

Tom with Rena Avendula of Payag Restaurant

Tom with Boyet Loverita

PHOTOS | SoHo International Film Festival 2016: Philippines LGBT Documentary "Traslacion" Encore Screening, Q&A and Afterparty

New York - At the SoHo International Film Festival 2016, the Philippines LGBT documentary feature film  "TRASLAĆION: Ang Pag lakad sa Altar ng Alanganin" ('Traslacion; The March to the Altar of Uncertainty) had a warm reception during its first screening,  organizers had to schedule a 2nd screening at the Village East Cinemas. (At the culmination of the festival, it was awarded "Best Documentary").

Jorge Ballos, festival president and founder with Sibyl Raymundo-Santiago, executive director and head of programming welcomed and joined, Will Fredo, who directed the documentary and Ms. Liza Diño-Seguerra (who was in the film) at the screenings and Q&A. 

Afterwards an afterparty for the attending guests, sponsors, friends and supporters of this years SoHo Film Fest, took place at Parlor New York, a private members only social club. 

June 15, 2016 photos by Lambert Parong for Kababayan Media/ CC BY