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PHL CONSUL GENERAL ADDRESSED UP AND UST ALUMNI GROUPS IN HAWAII

18 September 2014 – As proof of the great diversity of the Filipino community in Hawaii, Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin addressed the general assembly meeting and installation of officers  of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii (UPAAH) and the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association (USTAAH) on August 23 and on September 1.

In her address, the Consul General commended the groups  for their continuing commitment to the values that their universities have stood for such as  academic excellence, critical thinking and public service.

As an alumnus of both the universities, Consul General Jamoralin urged the scientific and academic community in Hawaii to reach out to the underprivileged sectors in the Philippines through education and community service. In response to the call of the times, both alumni groups have been active in civic and community activities. UPAAH projects included the tree planting activity in Maui, creation of a UP Endowment Fund to fund a professorial chair and disaster relief for Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.  The USTAAH has been involved in medical missions in cooperation with UST medical graduates, the latest of which  provided medical assistance to Yolanda-affected areas last year and which will embark on a  return mission this year.

Consul General Jamoralin also urged the alumni groups to support  the projects and advocacies of the  Philippine Consulate in Hawaii such  as  the overseas voters registration, campaign for Vigan City as the “New  7 Wonder Cities of the World” and the 10^th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) in 2015.

Dr. Belinda Aquino, noted UP alumnus and faculty,  political scientist, writer and University of Hawaii (UH) Professor Emeritus and founder of the University of Hawaii Center for Philippine Studies  was one of the guests at  the UPAAH event.

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PHL CONSUL GENERAL IN AGANA WRAPS UP VISIT TO SAIPAN WITH TOWN HALL MEETING WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY LEADERS

18 September 2014 – Philippine Consul General Marciano R. De Borja addressed questions raised by leaders of the Filipino community during a town hall meeting to wrap up his first visit to Saipan on September 13. Most of the concerns raised during the forum related to the CW1 status of Filipino workers and requirements of the Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for the deployment of Filipino workers. The Filipino Community leaders also reiterated their request for an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representative to visit them at least once a year so that they could renew their OWWA membership.

The Consul General also discussed their concerns and how the Philippine Consulate General in Agana intends to make up for the closure of the Consulate General in Saipan.

Consul General De Borja, along with Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy, reassured those present that the Philippine Consulate General will do its best to increase the frequency of consular missions to help reduce the problems faced by Filipinos with expired or expiring passports. They also reiterated the ongoing campaign of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana for Filipinos to be diligent and timely in the renewal of their passports.

The officers and members of the United Filipino Organizations (UFO) helped the Consulate General in conducting a successful mission to serve the consular needs of Filipinos on Saipan. The third consular mission to Saipan for 2014 was held from September 9 to 13 at the Multipurpose Center in Susupe. The fourth and last consular mission for the year is tentatively scheduled on November 13 to 17. The venue will be announced once it has been confirmed.