Philippine Consulate General in Houston

The Philippine Consulate General in Houston took part in the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence gala hosted by the Philippine Republic Day Celebration, Inc., led by its President Jeanette Mcintosh, Executive Director Dr. Angie Rivero, and Community Ambassador Emma Ramos.

Consul Von Ryan Pangwi represented the Consulate and delivered remarks before the gathered community, reflecting on the meaning of Philippine freedom and the enduring contributions of Filipino Americans across North Texas.

Held in Richardson, Texas, the celebration brought together members of the community in a spirit of pride, fellowship, and shared remembrance. It was a joy to see so many guests come together to honor the values that bind our two nations and to celebrate the vibrant Filipino heritage flourishing across the region.

The community was also honored by the presence of distinguished local officials, including Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, and Irving Mayor Albert Zapanta, whose attendance reflected the deep ties between the Filipino community and the cities of North Texas.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Komunidad Pilipino sa Hilagang Texas!

(13 June 2026 / Photos by Sam Hsu)

Consul General Gunther Sales visited Texas A&M University and met with officials of the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI) and the Center for Advanced Small Modular and Micro Nuclear Reactors (CASMR).

A recognized national leader in nuclear education, Texas A&M is home to one of the largest nuclear engineering programs in the United States and to NSSPI — the first U.S. academic institution dedicated to graduate-level technical education in nuclear security, safeguards, and nonproliferation.

The visit comes in the context of the deepening U.S.–Philippines partnership under the 123 Agreement and the Luzon Economic Corridor, which names Texas A&M among the partners helping integrate small modular reactor (SMR) curricula into Philippine engineering programs — with a focus on workforce development and training, a cornerstone of bringing nuclear power into the national energy mix.

Consul General Sales also visited Texas A&M’s Emergency Operations Training Center (EOTC) at Disaster City, one of the world’s premier disaster response and training complexes. As a training ground for both the Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) — a key FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team — and the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT), the facility builds the capabilities of both teams to effectively deploy after major disasters to provide emergency response and to restore vital public infrastructure such as water and electricity.

The Philippine Consulate General remains committed to looking into partnerships that can strengthen the Philippines’ resilience and equip the next generation of Filipino professionals to power and safeguard a sustainable, secure future.

(16 June 2026)

Consul General Gunther Sales delivered remarks at the Kalayaan Houston Festival, commemorating the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence alongside the 250th anniversary of American independence and 80 years of Philippine–U.S. diplomatic relations.

In his message, Consul General Sales honored the courage of our forebears who won our freedom in 1898, paid tribute to Philippine Kalayaan Houston (PKH) for uniting our community under one banner, and reminded all kababayan that the same unity which won our independence is the unity that makes our community and nation stronger today.

(13 June 2026)

The Philippine Consulate General in Houston joined a celebration of the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence led by Philippine Kalayaan Houston (PKH) at the GSH Event Center on 13 June 2026.

Under this year’s theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” — Freedom, Future, History — the festival came alive with the flavors of home, a lively vendors’ market, traditional dances, talented singers, and a stunning Filipiniana fashion show, all culminating in an unforgettable concert by the incomparable Rachel Alejandro.

Since 2019, PKH has served as the umbrella for many community organizations under one banner and one purpose — bringing together kababayan from across Houston and neighboring localities to honor our heritage as one.

The Consulate extends its heartfelt gratitude to PKH’s Board and volunteers, its generous sponsors, its partner organizations, and to every kababayan who joined us — including those who traveled from cities such as Austin and Dallas to celebrate with us. Your presence and dedication made this day possible, making it not only a celebration, but also an act of remembrance and an act of unity.

Maraming salamat sa mga dumalo! Mabuhay kayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

🇵🇭 Kalayaan Festival 2026 | 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

The strength of our community has always been found in our unity. This year, we gather to honor our past, embrace our present, and inspire our future — guided by the themes of Kalayaan, Kasaysayan, at Kinabukasan (Freedom, History, and Future).

Join the Philippine Consulate General in Houston and Philippine Kalayaan Houston (PKH) tomorrow for a day of cultural performances and a memorable concert; and a vibrant and stirring celebration of Filipino identity, pride, and heritage.

Your presence makes us stronger. Let us make this milestone not just a celebration, but an affirmation of who we are as a community.

📅 Saturday, 13 June 2026, 12pm onwards
📍 GSH Event Center, 9550 W Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77031

Magkita-kita tayo!

(12 June 2026)

🇵🇭 Maligayang Ika-128 Araw ng Kalayaan!

As we mark the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence under the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” — Freedom, Future, History — we share the messages of the President, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Ambassador to the United States.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honors the historic moment in Kawit when our forebears raised the flag and declared that the Filipino would stand free among the nations of the world — a declaration not given, but chosen. He calls on the present generation to carry forward the duty of building a nation where justice, dignity, and opportunity are not distant promises, but the daily inheritance of every Filipino.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro honors the sacrifice and patriotism of the founders of our nation, and reaffirms the DFA’s commitment to a foreign policy that secures the freedom of every Filipino — both within and beyond our shores.

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez extends warmest greetings to all kababayan across the United States and the Caribbean, marking not only 128 years of independence but also the 80th Anniversary of Philippine-U.S. diplomatic relations — eight decades of friendship built on shared values and deep people-to-people ties.

🌟 Together, we build not only for the present, but for a tomorrow defined by hope and shared purpose.

The Philippine Consulate General was honored to join Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Dr. Gay Jane Perez on a visit to Starlink/SpaceX in Bastrop, Texas — focused on strengthening cooperation in digital infrastructure and space.

Starlink is currently playing an important role in the Philippines’ critical infrastructure. Since 2023, it has reconnected disaster-struck communities, brought reliable internet to remote barangays, and put world-class connectivity in schools in areas beset by the challenges of geography and the limitations of traditional infrastructure.

Most recently, following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, Starlink and local telecom Globe provided free satellite-to-mobile service to over 700,000 affected subscribers — a timely reminder of what this technology means for an archipelagic nation such as the Philippines.

The visit reaffirms the Philippine Government’s resolve to seek out partnerships that expand opportunity and resilience for Filipinos across the country.

(10 June 2026)

The Philippine Consulate General in Houston joined the Filipino community in Grand Prairie, Texas for Kalayaan 2026, held at the Asia Times Square on 6 June 2026.

The Consulate was represented by Consul Von Ryan Pangwi at the event, organized by the Filipino Leaders Coalition of North Texas (FILCON) under President Greta Pardue and founder Gus Mercado. The celebration drew the support of several Filipino community organizations, including the Philippine Nurses Association of America–North Texas Chapter, the North Texas Asian American Cultural Association, the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce–Texas, the Knights of Rizal Texas Area Command, and Las Damas de Rizal.

The program went beyond ceremony to offer a meaningful reflection on the Filipino people’s long journey to independence — honoring the Filipino and American veterans who risked their lives for the Philippines’ liberty, and tracing the nation’s history from the Spanish colonial period to the present day.

Community members brought this history to life through living tableaus, portraying pivotal figures from the struggle for Philippine freedom — among them the martyred priests José Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora (GomBurZa), as well as José Rizal, Andrés Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, General Douglas MacArthur, and Corazon Aquino. These portrayals served as a powerful reminder of the generations of Filipinos and friends of the Philippines whose sacrifices secured the nation’s freedom.

The celebration was further honored by the presence of distinguished local officials. Grand Prairie Mayor Pro Tem Kurt Johnson presented a city proclamation declaring 6 June 2026 as Philippine National Independence Day in Grand Prairie. Also in attendance were Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, Carrollton City Councilmember Rowena Watters, and former Philippine Honorary Consul Ethel Mercado.

(Photos by Sam Hsu)

Consul General Gunther Sales joined the Houston Kuyangs for a Filipino Heritage Fellowship and Philippine Independence Day Celebration, and a tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal under the theme “A Hero, a Filipino, a Freemason,” held at the Arabia Shriners in Houston.

In his remarks, Consul General Sales honored Rizal not only as a patriot, but as a Freemason whose ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity shaped his vision for a free and dignified nation — ideals shared by Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, and Marcelo Del Pilar. He recognized Masonry’s enduring role as a bridge between cultures and a steward of Filipino heritage, strengthening the lasting ties between the Philippines and the United States.

Consul General Sales thanked the brethren of the participating lodges for their warm welcome to the Philippine Consulate General during their meaningful event.

(06 June 2026)

Consul General Gunther Sales received the Philippines’ “Queen of Soul,” Jaya (Ramsey Gotidoc), to the Consulate for a warm courtesy call on 2 June 2026.

One of the country’s most celebrated artists — the soulful voice behind generations of OPM classics and a trailblazer who became one of the first Filipino singers to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 — Jaya continues to be an ambassador of Filipino artistry and talent. She is now proudly based here in Houston, part of our vibrant Filipino community in Texas.

During her visit, Jaya also registered as an Overseas Filipino Voter ahead of the 2028 Philippine National Elections. Her example is a reminder that wherever we are in the world, our voice — and our vote — matters. 🇵🇭

Magparehistro at iboto ang inyong adhikain para sa bayan! 🗳️