PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL JOINS SAN FRANCISCO IN CELEBRATING AAPI HERITAGE MONTH 2025
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes (fourth from right) joins Mayor Lurie and other members of the Consular Corps in San Francisco (San Francisco PCG photo)
San Francisco, California – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes and Consul Rowena R. Pangilinan-Daquipil, proudly attended the Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Awards 2025 held on 01 May 2025 at the historic War Memorial Herbst Theatre with the theme “Energizing the Next Generation”. The awards ceremony was followed by the AAPI Heritage Gala Reception at San Francisco City Hall, formally marking the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrations in the city.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie welcomed an audience of approximately 400 guests and emphasized the city’s commitment to honoring the contributions of the AAPI community. Joined by members of the Board of Supervisors, Mayor Lurie signed a proclamation officially launching the citywide celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. A ceremonial photo with members of the Consular Corps, including the Philippine Consulate, was held to commemorate the occasion.
This year, the APA Heritage Awards recognized four distinguished organizations for their outstanding contributions to the Asian Pacific American community:
- Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition
- Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco
- Japan Society of Northern California
- Korean Center, Inc.
Two exceptional young individuals, Lottie Nguyen and Titus Lawson, received the Youth Change Maker Awards for their impactful advocacy and community engagement.
Young FilAm singer Madison Lauren impressed attendees with her rendition of the U.S. national anthem. The event was further enriched by vibrant cultural performances and a culminating cultural procession, with a notable performance by Filipino vocalist Christine Adiaz. X Factor contestant and Voice of the Philippines finalist Alisah Bonaobra rendered the finale song. The subsequent reception at City Hall highlighted traditional delicacies from across Asia and the Pacific, showcasing the rich culinary diversity of the region, and more cultural presentations.
The San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee was among over 40 community sponsors of the event, while the Philippine Consulate was one of the event’s publicity partners.
The Philippine Consulate General remains committed to supporting initiatives that celebrate and elevate the contributions of the Filipino-American community and other AAPI groups to the broader fabric of American society. END
Members of Parangal Dance Company proudly showcase Filipiniana attire. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Participants in the cultural procession. (Photo courtesy of Commissioner Al Perez of San Francisco’s Entertainment Commission)