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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Tourism Department Spreads Love for PH at NY Travel & Adventure Show

(Left) Consul General Senen Mangalile. (Right) Philippine Department of Tourism – New York’s Tourism Attache Francisco Lardizabal, Consul General Senen Mangalile with the members of Fil-Am Press Club of New York.


NEW YORK CITY 
— The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Department of Tourism New York (PDOT-NY) participated in the annual Travel & Adventure Show held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City on 25-26 January 2025. This premier travel event, which draws thousands of travel enthusiasts and industry professionals, provided the perfect platform for PDOT to highlight the unparalleled beauty and diverse experiences that await visitors to the Philippines.


At the Philippine booth, visitors were treated to a showcase of the country’s natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, and world-class tourism offerings. From pristine beaches to spectacular dive sites, delectable cuisine and unique adventure opportunities, attendees discovered why the Philippines continues to capture the hearts of travelers from around the globe.


(Left) The Philippine booth in the Travel and Adventure Show in Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. (Right) Philippine Department of Tourism – New York (PDOT-NY) team with Consul General Senen Mangalile, Elizabeth Chin of Pan-American Travel Association (PATA) – New York Chapter, Goldwyn Salazar of Philippine Airlines, and Fil-Am Press Club of New York.


“We join the Travel & Adventure Shows to inspire more tourists to explore our islands and experience the hospitality and warmth of the Filipino people,” said PDOT Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal. He added, “We value our continued participation in the different travel trade events like the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (USTOA) Conference and Marketplace, Seatrade Cruise Global and Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show but these initiatives should be complemented by directly engaging the US travelers in consumer shows like the Travel and Adventure Show New York, considered the biggest travel show in the USA.”

The participation in the Travel and Adventure Shows underscore the Consulate and PDOT-NY’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a premier travel destination for the US market, in line with PDOT’s goal of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia. The US remains a top source market for Philippine tourism with American travelers drawn mainly by the country’s pristine beaches, world-class hospitality, the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and new experiences. PDOT’s development of authentic cultural attractions and indigenous tourism experiences under the Philippine Experience Program, the market development initiatives for cruising, culinary tourism, diving, wellness, and adventure travel, plus enhanced connectivity – including nonstop flights from San Francisco to Manila by United Airlines and from Seattle to Manila by Philippine Airlines – have contributed to the growth of the US market.


For more information about the Philippines and its tourism offerings, visit www.philippinetourismusa.com, as well as our Facebook and Instagram pages, @phtourismamericas.



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In Photos:11th Filipino Community General Assembly Hosted by the PH Consulate in New York

Consul General Senen T Mangalile
11TH FILIPINO COMMUNITY GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Consul General Senen Mangalile with the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in New York welcomed members of the Filipino community in the US Northeast region on Saturday, January 25 for the annual event at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center in New York. 

The afternoon program was opened by Vice Consul Cathe Aguilar. More than 80 different organizations registered for the gathering. Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz, welcomed and acknowledged their participation. Consul General Senen Mangalile thanked everyone in the hall, shared the consulate’s 2024 accomplishments and shared 2025 planned activities and programs. A town hall discussion addressed questions of individual members in the audience.


Photos by Lambert Parong for Kababayan Media © 2025 

All Rights Reserved.


Vice Consul Cathe Aguilar

Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz


Consul General Senen T Mangalile








Community Leader Alex Esteban presented with a Certificate of Recognition

Lawyer JT Mallonga, Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund FALDEF, will offer pro bono legal services



Vice Consul Marco Mapula receives a Certificate of Commendation; Moving to a new assignment at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations



Vice Consul Cathe Aguilar moderated the Town Hall Q&A


Vice Consul Mapula


  


Vice Consul Aguilar


Benedict Uy, Commissioner - Dept. of Trade and Industry 



ConGen Mangalile facilitates the oath of office for the new leadership of Kayumanggi Chorale, Inc 

 Consul General Senen T. Mangalile



Photos by Lambert Parong for Kababayan Media © 2025 

All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Mayor Adams Kicks off "Jobs Week" by Releasing Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize and Reimagine Commercial Office Space, Create Jobs


"Race for Space" Strategy Offers Bold Vision to Energize City's Office Market, Attract National and International Companies as Anchor Tenants to Offices, Advance Ambitious Goal of 50 Million Square Feet of Total Leasing by End of 2025, and Create Thousands of Jobs Over Next Three Years


Announcement Comes as City Celebrates Breaking All-Time High Jobs Record for Eighth Time Since Start of Administration, Unemployment Down Across All Demographics


"Race for Space" Kicks Off "Jobs Week," Highlighting City's Effort to Ensure Opportunity Reaches Every Borough, Block, and Neighborhood, and Working-Class Families Have Access to Good-Paying Jobs

WATCH: Mayor Adams Kickoff "Jobs Week"


New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday, February 3rd, kicked off "Jobs Week" – highlighting the Adams administration's efforts to ensure job opportunities reach every borough, block, and neighborhood – by unveiling "Race for Space," a comprehensive strategy to revitalize and reimagine office space across the five boroughs and double down on a commitment to bringing New York City's economy back by creating thousands of new jobs for working-class New Yorkers. Race for Space would attract both national and international companies to become anchor tenants – large, well-known businesses in search of large commercial space – at offices, advance an ambitious goal of 50 million square feet by end of 2025, and create thousands of jobs over the next three years. The comprehensive strategy meets the challenge of vacant office space across the city directly with a range of bold tools to attract new and growing businesses to New York City, while also renovating existing commercial spaces. Today's announcement comes as the city, last week, celebrated breaking the all-time high jobs record for the eighth time and unemployment going down across all demographics since the start of the Adams administration.


"The 'Race for Space' has officially started – and New York City is ready to fill our commercial office spaces with domestic and global companies, attract the very best talent, and create thousands of good-paying jobs," said Mayor Adams. "When our administration sees vacant space, we see opportunity – an opportunity to revitalize and reimagine places like Midtown into economic engines and an opportunity to give New Yorkers access to good-paying jobs. And while we have, once again, hit an all-time record high for jobs in New York City, 'Jobs Week' is about doubling down on those efforts by announcing new programs that will make New York City the best, more affordable place to raise a family, starting with delivering the best jobs on the globe."


"While New York City's economy has hit record high jobs and labor force participation, Mayor Adams' 'Race for Space' initiative takes decisive action against the ongoing challenge of vacant and aging offices, while building upon the success we have had so far," said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. "From new relocation incentives to a new 'International Landing Pad' for foreign companies, this package will be a shot in the arm for the commercial real estate community, reactivating our offices while creating even more jobs for New Yorkers."


"Race for Space" contains several programs that will create jobs, attract talent, and address the city's vacant office space, including by:

  • Launching a pilot "Relocation Assistance Credit for Employees" program (RACE), which will incentivize out-of-state companies to move to New York City and sign leases for at least 20,000-square-feet of space at qualifying office buildings. Under this new program, the Adams administration is targeting 15 new anchor tenants by the end of 2025, activating over 800,000 square feet of office space and bringing an additional 3,000 jobs to New York City. The existing Relocation and Employment Assistance Program (REAP) incentive program will also be extended for an additional five years. REAP offers business income tax credits for relocating jobs from outside of New York City or below 96th Street in Manhattan to designated locations above 96th Street in Manhattan or in one of the other four boroughs.
  • Creating a new "International Landing Pad Network," which will support growth stage international companies in their expansion to New York City, attract new sources of innovation and investment, and grow jobs for New Yorkers.
  • Opening a new application round for the Manhattan Commercial Revitalization Program (M-CORE) program through May 1st. Launched in 2023, M-CORE was a key recommendation from the 'New' New York panel's "Making New York Work for Everyone" action plan – a set of 40 initiatives to reimagine New York City's commercial districts as vibrant 24/7 destinations. M-CORE aims to convert up to 10 million square feet of aging and vacant office space to amenity rich, high-quality office space that meets the demands of the current workforce. The program is already supporting the overhaul of over 1 million square feet of office space at 850 Third Avenue and 175 Water Street. Last week, the New York City Industrial Development Agency confirmed the latest M-CORE awardee, the Hahn Kook Center, an affiliate of the Korean International Trade Association located at 460 Park Avenue.

Race for Space builds on prior Adams administration efforts to address commercial vacancy in New York City. In June 2024, Mayor Adams celebrated passage of his "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity," proposal by the New York City Council. City of Yes for Economic Opportunity is a set of citywide zoning changes the Adams administration introduced that will further fuel New York City's economic recovery and pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future for New York businesses. Together, the proposed set of changes will help businesses find space and grow, support entrepreneurs and freelancers, boost growing industries, and enable more vibrant streetscapes and commercial corridors.


Last week, Mayor Adams and NYCEDC announced a roadmap to secure New York City's reputation as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) capital of the world and bring AI jobs to the city. "New York City's Artificial Intelligence Advantage: Driving Economic Growth and Technological Transformation" is a report that outlines a roadmap series of findings, recommendations, and actions to secure New York City's position as the premier Applied AI capital of the world. The report includes 18 commitments to unlock New York City's AI potential to drive economic growth and continue to develop a diverse workforce to power the future of the city and the sector's economy. A key commitment of the plan includes a $3 million investment from NYCEDC to establish a first-of-its-kind "NYC AI Nexus," a transformative initiative designed to facilitate collaborations between New York City-based startups and founders with local businesses to identify, build, and ultimately adopt Applied AI solutions to ensure the continued competitiveness of the city's diverse set of industries. Finally, NYCEDC announced a partnership with OpenAI, which recently established its first east coast office at the historic Puck Building in Manhattan with 450 employees.


As part of the Adams administration's successful 2024 Albany legislative agenda, the city secured the historic "467-m" office-to-residential tax incentive, passed in 2024, to help turn vacant offices into critically-needed housing. While office vacancy rates remain elevated – at 15 percent per latest available data – they stabilized in 2024 and have begun to improve, with back-to-back quarters of declining vacancy at the end of the year.


The Adams administration's action today addresses a key challenge in an otherwise strong New York City economy. According to a new NYCEDC "State of the Economy" report published earlier this year, the city has hit record high levels of employment and labor force participation, remains the nation's top destination for young talent, and has diversified into new, innovative sectors like life sciences, the green economy, and technology. Companies that are considering expanding to New York City can learn more about these new initiatives and a range of other resources by visiting Choose.nyc.



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Monday, February 3, 2025

Ambassador Manuel Romualdez: 'It is in the interest of the United States to support the Philippines’ interests – from our military modernization and economic development to the welfare and protection of Filipinos in this country.'

Ambassador Romualdez delivers remarks on the role of public diplomacy in Philippines-US relations to open the event.


PH ENVOY TALKS PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, PHILIPPINES-US RELATIONS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’S “AMBASSADORS UP-CLOSE” SERIES


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez touted the role of public diplomacy in enhancing Philippines-US relations during a fireside chat entitled “Public Diplomacy and the Future of US-Philippine Relations” on 27 January 2025, part of the “Ambassadors Up-Close” series of the American University School of International Service in Washington D.C.

Ambassador Romualdez engages the audience during a fireside chat on public diplomacy and Philippines-US relations at the American University.


“The message I convey remains consistent: it is in the interest of the United States to support the Philippines’ interests – from our military modernization and economic development to the welfare and protection of Filipinos in this country. We aim to be an equal partner of the US, ensuring that our alliance endures beyond administrations and even generations,” the Ambassador said in his remarks.


Audience members field questions to the Ambassador during the event.


The Ambassador also noted that the role of diplomats has evolved with the rise of mass and social media. “With a larger audience than ever before, it has become increasingly important for Foreign Service Officers to be skilled communicators.”

Ambassador Romualdez with former U.S. Ambassadors Piper Campbell and Tony Wayne (rightmost and leftmost, respectively) and members of the American University School of International Service.


The discussion, moderated by former U.S. Ambassadors Piper Campbell and Tony Wayne, touched on various aspects of Philippines-US relations, including the unique role of the Philippine diaspora in promoting the country. The Ambassador also shared his personal insights on managing Philippines-US relations through different administrations and challenges.


The event concluded with a networking reception over Filipino food, courtesy of renowned Filipino restaurant Purple Patch.



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Report: Is the $14.95 Monthly MetroCard Promo in Facebook Too Good To Be True? Yes. By Lambert Parong


New York - 'Balitang New York' alerts and warns Facebook users and the riding public in New York of a suspicious Facebook post regarding a monthly metro card promotion for  $14.95 only, by completing a quick survey. 

The Metropolitan Transit Authority or MTA New York's 30-day unlimited card costs $132.


Balitang New York
checked this offer and clicked on the Facebook post and the link for the survey, which then re-directed to a website which seemed to ba a legitimate webpage of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 


After answering the questions, a window opens where you can click and 'Order your Metrocard'. 


After following the prompt, another window opens that shows 'You are the lucky winner!' and instructs you on 'How to get your reward'. 

After clicking that prompt, it opens to a payment information request page to complete your order.

At this point, we stopped and did not provide any information.

We reached out to both Facebook pages via the message button, and got a reply from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority- MTA page and was instructed to call this number 212-878-7440 for media inquiries.

Balitang New York has reported the suspicious post and submitted it to Facebook for review.


Be careful and pay attention about discounted offers when browsing on social media sites. 


Check the website address or domain name of sites, to find out if they are legitimate. Be skeptical and avoid becoming a victim of a scam.

We are reminded of the saying that, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.


Text/ screenshots by Lambert Parong

PIDCI's 35th Anniversary Celebration Begins with Grand Soirée and Announces 2025 Parade Details


PIDCI Kicks Off 35th Anniversary Celebration with Grand Soirée and Announces 2025 Parade Details
By Joyce Andes-David
PIDCI Secretary

NEW YORK, NY – The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) held its Grand Soirée event on Saturday, January 11, 2025, marking the beginning of the preparations for the 127th Philippine Independence Day Parade and Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2025. PIDCI is the organization responsible for hosting this annual parade and celebration, as well as raising funds year-round to make this event possible for the Filipino-American community in the Tri-State area. This year marks PIDCI’s 35th anniversary of hosting and sponsoring this incredible event.  



The Grand Soirée was highly attended by Filipino community leaders, including Consul General Senen T. Mangalile and his lovely wife, Mrs. Maria Fe Mangalile, as well as NY Assemblymember Steven Raga. The event took place at EQX – 45 Rockefeller Plaza, offering a stunning backdrop featuring the Rockefeller Tree on its final night of illumination. The evening’s menu was tailored to celebrate the historic Filipino event, making its debut at this venue. Guests enjoyed Mini Ukoy Bites and Lumpia served as hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by a custom cocktail called “Calamansi ni Lola,” which was a favorite among attendees. The night concluded with delightful Filipino desserts of Ube Halaya and Buko Pandan. Guests enthusiastically praised the food and drinks, describing them as both delicious and abundant, all set in a remarkable venue.  



At the fabulous Grand Soirée, the initial spotlight shined on the re-elected 2025 PIDCI President, Arman David, as he delivered his speech and announced the 2025 PIDCI Theme of “Embrace and Preserve Our Culture by Uniting and Empowering the Future”. In his speech, President Arman highlighted that PIDCI aims for this year’s theme to celebrate the past 35 years of its journey and accomplishments in uniting the community. This includes evolving from a one-block parade to the current ten-block route along Madison Avenue, making it the largest Philippine Independence Day Parade outside of the Philippines. The theme also aims to serve as a reminder of the strength we derive from our shared history and the rich diversity of our customs and traditions. He then introduced his 2025 Board of Directors and Officers. After giving a round of applause to the PIDCI Team 2025, the excitement soared as this year’s Grand Marshals were then revealed and introduced.  


The dynamic duo, Dr. Emilio Quines and Dr. Angie Cruz-Quines, are ready to take the spotlight as this year’s well-loved husband-and-wife team leading our 127th Philippine Independence Day Parade! In her acceptance speech as Grand Marshal, Dr. Angie Cruz-Quines humorously mentioned her hesitation about taking on the role, but ultimately gave in to her husband’s encouragement. As one of the original 13 incorporators for PIDCI, Dr. Angie Cruz-Quines is now joining the distinguished group of Grand Marshals, alongside her husband, Dr. Emilio Quines, who is now a two-time PIDCI Grand Marshal.  


The evening unfolded with plenty of dancing, refreshing drinks, a special dance performance by Ariel Marie Obero, 2024 Bb. Visayas and guests seizing the chance to capture their final moments with the beautifully lit Rockefeller tree and, of course, our Grand Marshals and PIDCI Team 2025. This event was the ideal launchpad, creating the perfect atmosphere and excitement for this year’s celebrations leading up to our annual parade.  



As this event serves as the official launch of the 2025 festivities, President Arman noted, “As we move forward, also remember the importance of inclusivity and collaboration, welcoming new ideas and perspectives that can enrich our cultural landscape. Together, we can create a future where our traditions continue to inspire and empower, ensuring that the spirit of the Filipinos shines brightly on the global stage”.



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