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.