PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN VIRGINIA BEACH

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas conducts oath taking for dual citizenship applicants during the Consular Outreach Mission at The Hive in Virginia Beach on 19 December 2022

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC conducted a consular outreach mission and cultural consultations in Virginia Beach on 18-21 December 2022. The team, led by Consul General Iric C. Arribas, processed 41 dual citizenship applications, renewed the passports of 115 Filipinos, and notarized 10 documents.

In addition to the consular outreach mission, Embassy officials led by Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas met with several Filipino community leaders, Filipino-American artists, officials of local museums, and representatives from the Virginia Beach local government to discuss and promote Philippine culture.

The Embassy also met with representatives from the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, the VIBE Creative district in Virginia Beach, and the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association to initiate possible collaborations and joint projects, and on increasing Philippine representation in said institutions.

Moreover, Embassy officials visited various sites relevant to Philippine culture and history such as the (1) Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia Beach which serves as a hub cultural and arts activities, civic and religious functions, as well as a general community meeting space for the Filipino community of Hampton Roads; (2) Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) which currently features 2 Filipino American Artists namely, Roberto Jamora and Ken Garcia Olaes.

The consular outreach mission was conducted with the kind support and assistance of The HIVE, Virginia Beach Business Resource Center, Mr. Roy Estaris, Mrs. Noemi Estaris and other volunteers. There are over 60,000 Filipinos in Virginia Beach and its neighboring cities in Hampton Roads.

Embassy’s Public Diplomacy team promotes the Philippines during the Consular Outreach Mission in Virginia Beach


Consul General Arribas appreciating Mr. Roberto Jamora’s “Barangay” artwork at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art


Consul General Arribas (second from the left) and Cultural Attaché Tanya Huggins (second from the right) met with CUFOT Chairperson Dr. Cynthia Romero (third of the left) and other officers of the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia