Page 26 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

26 July to December
2017

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque Meets Filipino Community in New York

Presidential Spokesperson

Harry L. Roque met members of the

Filipino Community in the US Northeast

Region during the Simbang Gabi sa

Konsulado held on 7 December 2017 at

the Philippine Center in New York.

Secretary Roque, who was in

New York as Head of Delegation to the
16th General Assembly of the States
Parties to the Rome Statue of the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Secretary Roque (center) poses with Consul General Theresa Dizon-de
L. Roque delivers a message to Vega (center right) and Ambassador Teodoro Locsin (1st from left) with Fr.
International Criminal Court (ICC), took the Filipinos at the traditional Salu Patrick Longalong and representatives of the sponsoring Filipino
part in the third night of the annual -Salo for Simbang Gabi Community organizations for the 3rd night of Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado.

Secretary Roque delivered a brief holiday message to the other 150 members of the Filipino Community attending
that evening’s Simbang Gabi. He shared that he felt very much at home at the event and expressed the wish that the
overseas community will have a meaningful holiday celebration away from the Philippines. He expressed appreciation for their
contributions to the country and requested for their continued support for and faith in the government.

Prior to the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado, Secretary Roque likewise met briefly with the members of the Filipino-
American media at the Kalayaan Hall Annex of the Philippine Center.

New York Consul General Meets Mayor of Newport, Rhode Island

Consul General Dizon-de Vega and Mayor
Winthrop agreed to work together to explore the possibility
of forging a twinning agreement between Newport and a
city in the Philippines. A twin city agreement is expected to
promote tourism, cultural and economic exchanges
between the two cities.

(L-R) Armando "Doy" Heredia, Delicia St. Denis, Mayor Henry F. Winthrop, The Consul General also invited Mayor Winthrop
Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega, Consul Arman R. Talbo, Chet to visit the Philippines in his next trip to Asia next year
Gotauco, and Bob Wheeler during their meeting on 24 August 2017 at the either as a stand alone visit or as part of the annual US
Newport City Hall. Ambassadors’ Tour.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega met with Consul General de Vega was joined in the
Mayor Henry F. Winthrop at the City Hall of Newport City, meeting by Consul Arman R. Talbo, and Fil-Am community
Rhode Island on 24 August 2017. leaders Mr. Armando "Doy" Heredia, Mr. Bob Wheeler and
Mr. Chet Gotauco (Filipino-American Association of
Newport County, Inc.), and Ms. Delicia St. Denis (Filipino-
American Community of South Coast Massachusetts).

Consul General Dizon-De Vega noted the success of
Newport City as a booming tourism destination in Rhode
Island which is home to an estimated 4,000 Filipino-
Americans. She thanked Mayor Winthrop for the support of
the local government for the growing Filipino-American
community in the area.

Mayor Winthrop expressed appreciation for the visit Mayor Winthrop (L) presents Newport City tokens to Consul General Dizon-de
of the Consul General and cited the contributions of Filipino- Vega during their meeting .
Americans to the growth of Newport and other cities in Rhode
Island. He noted their contributions to promoting cultural
diversity in the city and the State..