Philippine Consulate Joins San Francisco Premier Lions Club in Celebrating 20 Years of Service
Left to Right: Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Club President Maria Collins, Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes and Club Past President Victoria Palomar during the event(Photo credits: Rey Photomo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Acting Head of Post and Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the San Francisco Premier Lions Club on 14 February 2026 at the South San Francisco Library Banquet Hall.
The milestone event, led by Club President Maria Collins and organized by Past President Victoria Palomar, gathered community leaders, members of the Filipino-American community, healthcare professionals, and supporters to celebrate two decades of service and humanitarian work. Proceeds from the evening benefited Bahay Aruga, a halfway house in the Philippines that provides temporary shelter and support to pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment, as well as a planned medical mission to underserved communities in the Philippines.
The San Francisco Premier Lions Club, together with the Philippine Nurses Association Northern California Chapter and Kaiser Permanente, has also been a valued partner of the Philippine Consulate General in its annual free flu vaccination drive, supporting community health initiatives that benefit Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and the broader community in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A highlight of the program was a fashion walk featuring upcycled creations by Filipino designer Gia Carrascoso, showcasing sustainable fashion through innovative and repurposed materials. The evening also featured a fashion walk of Filipina nurses as well as friends of the SF Premier Lions Club, who proudly wore traditional Filipiniana attire in celebration of Filipino heritage.
Entertainment was provided by Prince, Don Azares, and Nino Alejandro, whose performances added to the festive spirit of the anniversary celebration. The Philippine Consulate General congratulates the San Francisco Premier Lions Club on its 20 years of meaningful contributions to the community and looks forward to continuing its partnership in service of the Filipino community. END
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil joins Club President Maria Collins and Club Past President Victoria Palomar in presenting Certificates of Appreciation to event supporters Ms. May Quinones Coon (third from left), and Ms. Danilet Fandino (second from right), both members of the Lions Club. (Photo credits: Rey Photomo)