Society of Foreign Consuls in New York Recognize Filipino American Broadway Artist Ali Ewoldt

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal handed the Certificate of Recognition to Ms. Ali Ewoldt, Philippine Honoree to the Society of Foreign Consuls International Women’s Day hosted by the Philippine Consulate General New York on 14 March 2019. Consul General Maciej Golubiewski of Poland joins the Philippine Consul General. (photo courtesy of SOFC-NY)

New York - Nineteen (19) women achievers representing 19 nationalities were recognized at the annual International Women’s Day event organized by the Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC) in New York on 14 March 2019 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

Nineteen (19) women achievers representing 19 nationalities (sans honoree of Poland) in New York were recognized at the annual event organized by the Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC) in New York on 14 March 2019 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

Ali Ewoldt, a multi talented performer in theater arts, was the Philippine nominee for 2019. Ali just completed over two and a half years as Christine in Broadway'slongest-running musical, The Phantom of the Opera. She is the first Asian-American and woman of color to play the role in its 30 years. Ali has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the performing arts and a spokesperson for the Theater Development Fund's Autism Theater Initiative and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. 

Ali made her Broadway debut as Cosette in Les Miserables, appeared in Lincoln Center's recent Tony Award Winning revival of The King and I and has played Maria in numerous productions of West Side Story across the nation and the world. She has been featured on The Michael J. Fox Show, the short films Yield and Mia and has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, at Alice Tully Hall, Town Hall and Feinstein’s/54 Below, with the American Pops Orchestra, The Houston Symphony and The Boston Pops under Maestro Keith Lockhart. 

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal welcomes Commissioner Cecile Noel of the Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based
Violence, Office of the Mayor, New York City and Society of Foreign Consuls President Diana Zhgenti. (photo courtesy of SOFC-NY)

Consul Claro S. Cristobal, together with Consul General Diana Zhgenti, SOFC President handed the Certificate of Recognition, bouquet of flowers and gift to Ali during the program. The audience listened in awe to Ali’srendition of a Kundiman song entitled “Pakiusap” following the awarding. Five other countries also participated in the cultural program with their traditional dance and musical performances. 

A reception co-hosted by the 21 Consulates followed after the program where each Consulate shared their popular dishes and drinks. The Philippine Consulate invited "Tsismis", a participant of Filipino Restaurant Week to showcase Filipino food to the attendees.

Contributed PCGNY19328