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PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL GRACES THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WEEK COMMITTEE KICK-OFF 2026
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra and Protocol Officer Martyn Asker Orcine, attended the Kick-Off of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) 2026 on 17 January 2026 at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park, Illinois.
During the program, the Consul General led the induction of the PIWC Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for 2026. The event also featured musical and dance performances by PIWC members and guest performers.
The Consul General likewise announced the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour scheduled from 12 to 21 July 2026, which will take participants to Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu. She also encouraged Filipino citizens to register as overseas voters to enable them to exercise their right to vote in the May 2028 Philippine National Elections.
The Kick-Off event is one of the two major annual activities of the PIWC, the other being the PIWC Annual Gala Night held in June in commemoration of Philippine Independence Day.