Photo Release

From Left to Right: FFS Vice-President Joy Molano Vergara, Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, and FFS President Michael Palmaira

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, accompanied by Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel and Protocol Officer Martyn Asker B. Orcine, attended the Filipino Friendship Society’s (FFS) Enchanted Forest Cotillion on 05 September 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Lisle.

FFS President Michael Palmaira welcomed guest speakers Consul General Diano and Illinois State Representative Daymara Avelar, as well as FFS members and their families and friends.

Continuing a cherished tradition passed down through generations, FFS formally presented six debutantes - Nadette Alba, Alyssa Kang, Lilyan Ladaga, Aileen Manas, Aria Risley, and Gabriella Torreon - marking another milestone in the organization’s longstanding tradition of celebrating young Filipino Americans and their cultural heritage.

In her remarks, Consul General Diano highlighted the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, for which the Consulate serves as lead U.S. coordinator, and invited the community to take part in the program. She also encouraged eligible Filipino and dual citizens to register as overseas voters for the 2028 Philippine national elections. END

Consul General Diano delivers her remarks

Presentation of the 2026 debutants and their parents

Consul General Diano poses with the officers and members of the Filipino Friendship Society