PH Embassy Conducts Community Outreach Mission in Virginia Beach

Consul Mark Dominic E. Lim administers the oath taking ceremony for dual citizens

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. conducted its last mission of the year in Virginia Beach, Virginia on 28-29 December 2023. The team, led by Public Diplomacy Head, Second Secretary and Consul Mark Dominic Lim, organized cultural planning consultations with Embassy partners, a public town hall session for community members, and performed consular services during the community outreach mission. 

Public Diplomacy Head Mark Dominic Lim (7th from left) engages with Filipino Community leaders during a public town hall session at the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Mayor Robert “Bobby” Dyer (6th from right) of Virginia Beach and CUFOT President Dr. Cynthia Romero (7th from right) also graced the occasion.

The Embassy’s cultural team met with cultural partners at the MacArthur Memorial Museum, Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department, and Philippine Cultural Center to discuss potential partnerships and information about the Embassy’s programs while also establishing closer lines of communication with the community. 

Clients are assisted by members of the Consular outreach team

Furthermore, with the help of the Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater (CUFOT), Consul Lim addressed questions and concerns from the Filipino community at an open town hall session at the Philippine Cultural Center. Mayor Robert “Bobby” Dyer of Virginia Beach was present during the event and addressed questions and opportunities for collaboration between the communities of Virginia Beach and the local city council.

Consular outreach team poses with the volunteers from the Filipino community and partners from Virginia Beach The HIVE.

Apart from the community and cultural activities, the team processed 20 dual citizenship applications, 45 passport applications, 4 legalization documents, and 3 civil registrations during the 2-day mission.

The outreach mission was conducted with the kind support and assistance of Dr. Cynthia Romero, President of the Philippine Cultural Center, Mr. Roy Estaris, Mrs. Noemi Estaris, the HIVE – Virginia Beach Business Resource Center, and other individual volunteers. There are over 60,000 Filipinos in Virginia Beach and its neighboring cities in Hampton Roads.

For updates on subsequent consular outreach missions, please visit www.philippineembassy-dc.org.

prphewdc240102