Chicago, 19 January 2023 – The Philippine Consulate General conducted the formal launch in the US Midwest of the 2023 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall on 17 January 2023, following the Philippines’ participation in the 2023 Travel and Adventure Show Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois on 14-15 January 2023.

Chicago, 19 January 2023 – In cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York (PDOT-NY) participated in the 2023 Travel & Adventure Show (TAS) Chicago held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois on 14-15 January 2023. The Philippine booth was located in the Asia-Pacific section, together with Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Korea, among others. This year, the event organizers were expecting at least 50,000 people to visit the Chicago edition

20 January 2023 (Chicago) - Following the Gender and Development (GAD) General Assembly held in Manila on 23-25 November 2022 conducted for all GAD Focal Point Officers of Foreign Service Posts, Consular Offices and DFA Units, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago held an echo training for its officers and staff on 13 January 2023 at Post’s Kalayaan Hall.

Chicago, 03 January 2023 – As part of its commemoration of the 126th Rizal Day, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago organized its third painting class on 30 December 2022 featuring Ms. Geraldine Martinez-Benz, a Filipino-American artist based in Evanston, Illinois.

Chicago, 03 January 2023 – To commemorate the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in cooperation with the Knights of Rizal (KOR) USA Central Region, Ladies of Rizal, and the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC) held a wreath-laying and floral offering ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal located at the Rizal Community Center in Irving Park, Chicago on 30 December 2022.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago attended an all-Filipino classical music performance organized by the FilAm Music Foundation on 17 December 2022 at The Charles Gates Dawes House in Evanston, Illinois. The concert, entitled “A Filipino American Holiday Concert,” featured musical compositions by Arcangelo Corelli, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Handel, Mozart, and Bach.

16 December 2022, Chicago – The Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community in Chicago attended the first night of Simbang Gabi held at Holy Name Cathedral in Downtown Chicago on 15 December 2022 to welcome the Christmas season. The mass was hosted by the Cathedral Filipino Network (CFN) and presided by Fr. Gregory Sakowicz.

13 December 2022, Chicago – In partnership with the Fil-Minnesotan Association (FMA), the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted a consular outreach mission at the Philippine Center of Minnesota located in the City of Maplewood on 10 December 2022 to provide consular services to Filipinos residing in Minnesota and nearby states. This was the Consulate General’s seventh and final consular outreach this year, following those held in Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

29 November 2022 - In support of the Philippine Government’s campaign to end violence against women, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago kicked off the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2022.

Chicago, 25 November 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago (Chicago PCG) signed the Deed of Donation with the University of Michigan (U-M) for the PHL Studies Program on 22 November 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, on behalf of the PHL Government, and Mr. Thomas Baird, U-M’s Vice President for Development, signed the agreement.

Chicago, 22 November 2022 - In line with its mandate to protect the interests and promote the welfare of the Filipino workers in the Midwest, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted a Webinar on Labor Rights and Grievance Mechanism on 04 November 2022. It was done in collaboration with the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Chicago District Office (US-DOL), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington DC.

Chicago, 26 October 2022 - The male team from the General Santos City Jail bagged the first place for the men’s category in the 2nd Intercontinental Online Championship for Prisoners held from 13 to 14 October 2022. The event was organized by the Cook County Department of Corrections and the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), also known as the International Chess Federation, in observance of the International Day of Education in Prisons.

Chicago, 26 October 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consul Melvin C. Almonguera and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Eunika Lesli R. Leyva-Tiongco, joined the Consular Corps’ tour of the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) on 22 September 2022.

13 October 2022- The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago joins in the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Since 1985, the month of October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US meant to raise awareness about breast cancer and express support to those affected by it. Awareness includes the thrust of educating everyone about breast cancer and the reminder that early screening and detection can save lives. Though breast cancer is most commonly known to affect women, breast cancer does occur in men.

Chicago, 13 October 2022 – In celebration of the Museum and Galleries Month (MGM) 2022 in the Philippines this October, a contingent from the Consulate General in Chicago, headed by Consul Ryan Francis Gener, brought some Filipino Americans to the Field Museum on 11 October 2022 to view its Philippine Collection.

12 October 2022- In support of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) advocacy for women’s financial literacy, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago held a Webinar on Identity Theft and Credit Report for its officers and staff on 07 October 2022. Cognizant of the ubiquity of credit cards and online shopping, the Consulate General decided to go beyond the usual webinars on managing one’s finances and savings and focus on addressing the problems that arise from identity theft and the importance of credit report.

Chicago, 12 October 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago lent its support to Filipino American History Month (FAHM) by attending the kickoff event on 02 October 2022 held at Bolingbrook Fountaindale Library. The event, with this year’s theme is Celebrating our History and Legacies: 50 Years of Filipino American Studies, 40 Years of Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), and 30 Years of Filipino American History Month, was organized by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS).

03 October 2022 - In commemoration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), personnel from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General J. Susana V. Paez concluded the month-long celebration with a flag raising ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall.

Chicago, 30 September 2022 – The Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consular Officer Fritz John De Jesus, joined the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Fiesta Filipinas via Zoom on 24 September 2022, which featured the bountiful Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.

22 September 2022- In celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo), officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago visited the award-winning Philippine Wild Reef Exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium on 21 September 2022.

14 September 2022 (Chicago) - In commemoration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month ( MANA Mo) with the sub-theme: “Philippines as an Archipelagic State: UNCLOS@40”, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago visited the Newberry Library to view the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Islas Filipinas ( Hydrographical and Chorographical Chart of the Philippine Islands), more commonly known as the Murillo Velarde map. Designed by Spanish Jesuit cartographer Pedro Murillo Velarde with the help of Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay, engraver and artist Francisco Suarez, the map shows maritime routes from Manila to Spain and New Spain and is one of the twelve prints known to be in existence.

12 September 2022, Chicago - Following the conduct of an Active Shooting Training Seminar organized by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions Chicago Regional Office and the Diplomatic Security Service held on 19 August 2022, an echo seminar was conducted by Consul Ryan Francis D. Gener and ATN Officer Eunika Lesli R. Leyva-Tiongco for Consulate personnel at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago on 09 September 2022.

Chicago, 08 September 2022 – Ms. Bing Famoso, a visual artist from the Philippines, called on the Consulate General in Chicago’s officials on 07 September 2022 to donate a 3x2 feet acrylic painting, “Agila ng Pilipinas,” inspired by the illustration of the Philippine eagle on the ePassport.

23 August 2022 (Chicago) – Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Nebraska (some 470 miles from the Consulate General) availed of consular services during the one-day outreach mission held at Elks Lodge, 6410 S 96th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68127 on 20 August 2022.

23 August 2022, Chicago – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Eunika Lesli Leyva-Tiongco and Cultural Officer Fritz John De Jesus, joined the 2022 Santo Niño De Agosto Fiesta Celebration held on 20 August 2022 at St. Dismas Church in Waukegan, Illinois.

08 August 2022, Chicago – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consul Ryan Pondoc and Cultural Officer Fritz John De Jesus, attended the Hudyaka in Chicago 2022 Sports Fest held in Chicago’s Labagh Woods on 06 August 2022. This annual activity is organized by the Zamboanga Del Norte Association of Illinois (ZAMNAI) every summer.

02 August 2022, Chicago – A mini-concert entitled “Peace, Love and Harmony” was held on 30 July 2022 in celebration of Philippine-American Friendship Day. The event was a collaboration between the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, Pinay Law LLC, and the Filipino American Lawyers Association (FALA) Chicago.

Chicago, 01 August 2022 – Pursuant to its Gender and Development (GAD) mandate, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted an in-person basic self-defense training for its personnel on 29 July 2022 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Consulate.

28 July 2022 (Chicago) – After seven (07) years, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago returns to South Dakota on 23 July 2022 to conduct a one-day consular outreach mission at GracePoint Wesleyan Church located at 1420 Orchard Dr, Brookings, SD 57006. The last outreach mission in South Dakota was held during the fall 2015. A consular team was scheduled to visit Brookings (some 630 miles away from the Consulate General) in 2020. However, this did not push through due to the pandemic.

27 July 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez called on Mayor Oepke Niemeyer in Brookings, South Dakota on 22 July 2022 to discuss potential areas of cooperation. It was the first official visit of Consul General Paez to South Dakota, since her assumption at the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago with jurisdiction over the twelve US Midwestern states, including South Dakota. Joining her at the meeting were Consul Melvin Almonguera and Mr. Noly Dulay.

27 June 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez called on Southfield, Michigan Mayor Kenson J. Siver at the Southfield City Hall on 24 June 2022 to explore areas of cooperation with one of the most economically vibrant cities in the Midwest.

27 June 2022 (Chicago) - In partnership with the officers and members of the Philippine American Community Center (PACCM), the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, held a one-day consular outreach mission at the PCCM located at 17356 Northland Park, Ct., Southfield, MI 48075 on 25 June 2022.

27 June 2022, Chicago – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consul Ryan Pondoc, graced the opening of the Red Ribbon store in Bolingbrook, Illinois on 24 June 2022. This is Red Ribbon’s 2nd store in the State of Illinois (after Seafood City, Chicago) and 37th in the United States. Proudly Filipino-owned, Red Ribbon is a bakery chain which produces and distributes cakes, pastries, and fast food.

Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta also attended the event. END.

Chicago, 18 June 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, together with the Knights of Rizal (KOR) and Ladies of Rizal Central USA, held a flag-raising and flower offering ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Margate Park, Chicago to commemorate the 161st birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal and the 135th year of the publication of his first novel, “Noli Me Tángere.”

Chicago, 21 June 2022 – In celebration of Philippine Independence Day, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago organized this year’s second painting class on 18 June 2022 featuring Ms. Geraldine Martinez-Benz, a Filipino-American artist based in Evanston, Illinois.

15 June 2022 (Chicago) – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago joined the Filipino community in Illinois in celebrating the 124th anniversary of Philippine Independence through Piyesta Pinoy 2022, the largest gathering of Filipinos in the US Midwest, at the Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center in Bolingbrook, Illinois on 11 June 2022.

17 June 2022, Chicago – Mr. Lemzar Manginsay, a member of the Filipino community in Chicago, turned over a balangay boat replica to the Field Museum represented by Mr. Jamie Kelly and Ms. Emma Trujillo. It will form part of the museum’s Philippine collection. The balangay is the first wooden boat excavated in Southeast Asia which highlights our ancestors’ boat-building genius and expertise during the pre-colonial times.END.

31 Chicago, 31 May 2022 – After successfully hosting the 1st Santacruzan Cultural Fashion Show last month, the Santacruzan Cultural Group of Greater Chicago (SCGGC) headed by Mr. Rene John Turija and Ms. Joanne Turija organized the Santacruzan 2022 at the Christ the Servant Catholic Church in Woodridge, Illinois on 29 May 2022. The event was part of the Filipino community’s celebration of the National Heritage Month.

31 Chicago, 31 May 2022 – Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, together with Consul Ryan Pondoc, attended the Chicago Nightingales’ 5th Induction and Awards Ceremony held on 28 May 2022 at the Drury Lane Banquets in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

24 May 2022 ,Chicago – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Cultural Officer Richard Osea, attended the opening ceremony of the 30th Annual Skokie Festival of Cultures held at Oakton Park in Skokie, Illinois on 21 May 2022. Joining the event were Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and Illinois State Rep. Denyse Stoneback.

23 May 2022 (Chicago) – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in collaboration with the Filipino American Association of Southern Ohio (FASO) and the Philippine-American Society of Greater Dayton (PASGD), held a consular outreach mission for passport and dual citizenship services at the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester Township, Ohio on 21 May 2022.

Chicago, 19 May 2022 – Officers of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC) paid a courtesy visit to Consul General J. Susana V. Paez at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago on 18 May 2022.

21 May 2022 (Ohio) – Consul General J. Susana V. Paez led a contingent of officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago for a meet-and-greet with Southern Ohio officials and executives held at the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center in Wester Chester Township, Ohio on 20 May 2022.

Chicago, 13 May 2022- In support of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) advocacy for equality and accessibility for women with disabilities, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago held the Webinar on Disability Awareness and Etiquette Training for its officers and staff on 12 May 2022.

Washington DC (9 May 2022) – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago concluded the conduct of the overseas voting for the 2022 National and Local Elections in the US Midwest by turning over the results of the elections in the US Midwestern Region to the Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) in Washington DC.

28 April 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez virtually met Ms. Roselle Geronga-dela Cruz, PLDT Vice President for Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Mr. Albert del Rosario, Jr. PLDT USA Product and Marketing Head, on 26 April 2022 to discuss prospects for the Philippines’ data center sector.

25 April 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez met Ms. Sara Yang Bosco, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Emerson Electric Co. on 22 April 2022 to discuss the company’s operations and plans in the Philippines.

25 April 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez met Ms. Sara Yang Bosco, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Emerson Electric Co. on 22 April 2022 to discuss the company’s operations and plans in the Philippines.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted its second ballot feeding into the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) at the Consulate's Kalayaan Hall yesterday, 21 April 2022.

Chicago, 21 April 2022 – FilAm MegaScene Editor Yoly Tubalinal and Columnist Jerry Clarito conducted its first media interview with Consul General J. Susana V. Paez via Zoom on 19 April 2022. She was accompanied by Consul Ryan Francis Gener, Consul Ryan Pondoc, and Consul Melvin Almonguera.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted its first ballot feeding into the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) yesterday, 18 April 2022, as overseas ballots from the Midwest start to arrive at the Consulate.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, held a floral offering ceremony on 09 April 2022 at the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge in Downtown Chicago to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consul Ryan Pondoc and Cultural Officer Richard Osea, attended the 1st Santacruzan Cultural Fashion Show 2022 held at the Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois on 02 April 2022.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted a virtual panel discussion entitled, “Women Taking Up Space in a Man’s World” on 31 March 2022 to conclude the celebration of the 2022 National Women’s Month.

In line with the celebration of the 2022 National Women’s Month and in support of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) advocacy for equality among gender identities, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago hosted a webinar titled “LGBTQ and Philippine Realities” on 25 March 2022 for its officers and personnel, and those of the Foreign Service Posts in the United States and Canada.

Officials of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development called on Consul General J. Susana V. Paez on 23 March 2022 to explore ways of enhancing economic ties between the Philippines and the State of Nebraska.