PH CONSULATE IN SF VISITS BAY AREA’S PUBLIC BROADCASTER KQED, MEETS TOP EXECUTIVES
SAN FRANCISCO, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, led by Consul General Neil Ferrer, visited the San Francisco headquarters of KQED, the San Francisco Bay Area’s non-profit, non-commercial public broadcaster, on 1 February 2023.
During the visit, Consul General Ferrer met with KQED’s Filipino American President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Isip, and Chief Content Officer Holly Kernan to explore ways on how the Consulate can expand its economic, public, and cultural diplomacy efforts through KQED’s TV, radio and digital assets.
“I wish to express my gratitude KQED, led by Mr. Isip and Ms. Kernan, for opening their doors to the Philippine Consulate for possible areas of collaboration in line with the KQED’s commitment to balanced journalism and inclusive programming,” Consul General Ferrer said.
Following the meeting, Isip led a tour of the newly renovated KQED headquarters and studios in Mission District, where he showed event spaces where forums, performances and other events may be held in partnership with educational institutions, civil society groups, and other organizations.
At the end of the visit, Consul General Ferrer presented Mr. Isip with coffee table books on Philippine travel and Filipino American fashion design, as a token of appreciation for KQED’s hospitality during the meeting and tour.
Consul General Ferrer was joined by Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, Tourism Representative Soleil Tropicales of the Department of Tourism Office in San Francisco, and Cultural Officer Kristine Quiboloy.
Among KQED’s assets are KQED TV Channel 9 and KQED Plus TV Channel 54 (both part of the Public Broadcasting System or PBS), KQED FM 88.5 (part of the National Public Radio or NPR), and the KQED website that serves as the company’s streaming and podcast platform.
In addition to the nationally produced PBS programs such as the PBS NewsHour and film documentaries, KQED produces its own content including the restaurant review TV program “Check Please! Bay Area,” and the radio shows “Forum” and “The California Report.” END
