CONSUL GENERAL FERRER SPEAKS ON PHILIPPINE SOFT POWER AT THE PUBLIC PROGRAM BY THE ASIA SOCIETY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (middle) speaks on how the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco leverages soft power through various programs and activities (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer served as one of the panelists during the public program titled, Soft Power, Strong Ties: Four Consuls General on Building Local-Global Connections organized by the Asia Society Northern California, held on 21 August 2025 at The City Club of San Francisco.
Consul General Ferrer was joined on the panel by Mr. Munkhbaatar Begzjav, Consul General of Mongolia in San Francisco; Mr. Chris Ketter, Consul General of Australia in San Francisco and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner; and Mr. Levan Kulijanishvili, Consul General of Georgia in San Francisco. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, academia, the business community, and other stakeholders, highlighting the breadth of interest in the discussions.
The panel was moderated by Mr. Scot Marciel, former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar and Indonesia, and current Asia Society Northern California Board Member and Advisory Council Chair. The discussions centered on the soft power advantages of the four countries and how these strengths are leveraged to promote their nations within their respective jurisdictions. The conversation also highlighted the critical role of consulates in fostering local-global connections in today’s dynamic environment. The program opened with remarks from Margaret Conley, Executive Director of Asia Society Northern California & Seattle, and concluded with a brief open forum.
Consul General Ferrer noted that a primary focus of the Consulate’s soft power engagement is the Filipino diaspora. Aside from providing essential consular services, the Consulate partners with the Filipino-American community in promoting Philippine culture, history, and heritage. The Consulate actively engages with second and third generation Filipino Americans to get them connected with their Filipino roots.
Consul General Ferrer described the Consulate’s efforts to reach the general public, local companies and startups, to share more information about the Philippines and hopefully encourage them to visit the country for tourism or do business in the Philippines. He also noted the Consulate’s outreach to schools and academic institutions, and highlighted its flagship partnership with the University of California Berkeley supporting the Philippine studies program at the Center for Southeast Asian studies.
On the question of giving back to the community as a form of soft power, Consul General Ferrer highlighted the Filipino American community’s generous assistance and support not only during periods of calamities, whether in the Philippines or in the United States. These acts of solidarity and compassion, he emphasized, demonstrate that soft power is not only expressed through culture and diplomacy, but also through the strength of community and shared humanity.
Consul General Ferrer emphasized the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States, anchored on their shared history, vibrant people-to-people relations, including shared values and commitment to the rule of law. END
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (rightmost) during speakers’ briefing with Ambassador Scot Marciel (2nd from left), Consul General Chris Ketter of Australia (3rd from left), and Asia Society’s Evan Chan (leftmost) (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer with Margaret Conley, Executive Director of Asia Society Northern California & Seattle (San Francisco PCG photo)
A snapshot of attendees of the public program of the Asia Society Northern California (San Francisco PCG photo)
From L-R- Mr. Munkhbaatar Begzjav, Consul General of Mongolia in San Francisco, Mr. Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Consul General of the Philippines in San Francisco; Mr. Levan Kulijanishvili, Consul General of Georgia in San Francisco; Mr. Scot Marciel, former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar and Indonesia and Asia Society Northern California Board Member and Advisory Council Chair; and Mr. Chris Ketter, Consul General of Australia in San Francisco and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner (San Francisco PCG photo)
From L-R: Professor Lisandro Claudio of the Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies and Chair of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies of UC Berkeley, Professor Maria Ortuoste, Professor, Political Department at the California State University-East Bay and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Ferrer (4th from left) with the Philippine Consulate delegation attending the public program on Soft Power, Strong Ties: Four Consuls General on Building Local-Global Connections (San Francisco PCG photo)