PCGNY.net | News Release

PGMA ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED BY FIL-AMS IN NEW YORK

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL - NEWS RELEASE
16 September 2005

New York, NEW YORK --- Fresh from her successful chairing of the U.N. Security the day before, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was enthusiastically welcomed by a throng of wide-eyed, camera-wielding Filipino-Americans on 15 September as she graced two (2) community events organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York. This was reported by Consul General Cecilia B, Rebong.

The two community events were the enshrinement of the first Filipino chapel dedicated to the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz and Holy Mass in Lower Manhattan in the morning, and the opening of a photo exhibit entitled, “The Working President,” at the lobby of the Philippine Center in Midtown Manhattan later in the evening. The photo exhibit was followed by a carefully organized picture taking sessions by members of the Filipino-American community with the President and members of her official entourage which included Ambassador Albert Del Rosario, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Both events were literally filled to the “rafters” by the Filipino-American community. Some of them came all the way from Connecticut and Pennsylvania and other neighboring states which were a considerable drive to and from New York City. Many did not mind the inclement weather. The Holy Mass and Enshrinement was at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at one of Lower Manhattan’s busiest sections. The evening event started at 6:00 P.M. One community leader was heard as saying that “We want to be part of history because this is the first time that a President of our Republic is setting foot at the Philippine Center to be with the Filipino community.”

At the San Lorenzo Ruiz chapel, President Arroyo once again extolled the Filipino-American community for continuing to support their less fortunate brothers and sisters back home. Noting that a third of total OFW remittances worldwide originate from the U.S., the President said these dollar receipts contribute immensely to funding critical infrastructure and social development projects. The President also touched on the current political situation in the country. She mentioned the existence of “two” Philippines: one was the Philippines of “economy” which is “moving forward” and the other, a Philippines of “politics” which does not seem to be working for the good of the country. She sought the support of everybody for needed reforms. She encouraged the Fil-Ams to be unrelenting with their remittances and also requested them to continue to pray for the country.

The President visited San Lorenzo Chapel as special guest on its enshrinement and dedication as new home of the Filipino Apostolate in New York. She commended Father Erno Diaz, the Filipino Director-designate of the church, and the dedicated men and women of the Filipino apostolate “for your commitment and hard work in bringing about this significant milestone for our community.”

Later in the evening, after speaking before the U.N. Plenary Session, the President proceeded to the Philippine Center in mid-town Manhattan to grace the opening of a photo-exhibit and to meet with members of the Filipino-American community. When she arrived at the Center, the “commotion” that ensued was no different from the shrieks and shrill of excited fans seeing their Hollywood idol for the first time. It was sheer pandemonium prompting an American guest to comment, “I can’t believe the popularity of your president. She’s like a movie star being mobbed by her throng of fans.” From the Philippine Center lobby, the President proceeded to the Kalayaan Hall for the much-anticipated group-photo session. There, the atmosphere was equally electric. Everyone was excited to see, and have their pictures taken with, the President. Thankfully, the ushers were able to keep a semblance of order.

At around 7:30 P.M., President Arroyo left behind a community visibly happy with having written history with their President at the Philippine Center in New York City (N.B. PGMA’s visit was the first time that a sitting President had visited the Philippine Center since its establishment in 1973).