NEW PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSUL IN FLORIDA TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

Ambassador Romualdez administers the oath of office for Ms. Noblejas as the new Philippine Honorary Consul in Florida.
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today marks a significant milestone as Ms. Sharol P. Noblejas assumes her duties as the newly appointed Philippine Honorary Consul in Florida. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., with Sharol's husband and son – Norman and Nicholas – present as witnesses. Also present were Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr., Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas, and Vice Consul and Administrative Officer Fides Quintos. Her consular post will be situated in Jacksonville, Florida with an area of jurisdiction covering the State of Florida.

Ms. Noblejas brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role, having served in various capacities that have shaped her into an exceptional leader. With a robust background spanning diverse sectors, including healthcare, IT project management, and community service, Ms. Noblejas is poised to contribute to fostering stronger ties between the Philippines and the state of Florida.

Her professional journey underscores her commitment to excellence and service, evident in her roles as a Senior IT Program Manager at GuideWell Health, Senior IT Project Manager at Florida Blue, and Client Site Manager/Consultant at Leidos Health, among others. Her extensive experience in project management, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement will undoubtedly serve her well in her diplomatic responsibilities.

Ms. Noblejas has demonstrated her invaluable expertise in the healthcare information management systems (HIMS) industry. Notably, she played a pivotal role in assisting a delegation from the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry during their attendance at the 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition — the largest gathering of healthcare technology professionals worldwide from March 11-15. Ms. Noblejas's profound understanding of the industry enabled her to hit the ground running, providing invaluable support to the delegation, in particular and to the economic diplomacy efforts of the Philippine Embassy, in general.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Noblejas is deeply involved in community service, reflecting her passion for serving others and making a positive impact. Her involvement in various organizations, including her role as President of Jax Filipinos and Board Member of several community and advocacy groups, demonstrates her dedication to promoting cultural understanding and civic engagement. Her deep commitment to community service is exemplified by her roles as Commissioner for the City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Commission from 2017 to 2023, where she worked closely with city leaders to approve funds for community and state organizations. Additionally, she currently serves as a Board Member and Past Chair for the City of Jacksonville Mayor’s Asian American Advisory Board since 2017, where she has made significant contributions to fostering cultural understanding and community development.

Ms. Noblejas holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Orlando College, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Record Administration from the University of Central Florida, and an Associate of Arts (AA) from the University of Florida. She is also a Registered Health Information Administrator.

In her new capacity as Philippine Honorary Consul in Florida, Ms. Noblejas is committed to serving the Filipino community and further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and the United States. Her leadership, integrity, and passion for public service make her an invaluable addition to the Philippine diplomatic corps.

In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Romualdez stated, “Florida is home to the largest Filipino community under the Embassy’s consular jurisdiction. We need someone like Ms. Noblejas, who is genuinely committed to serving the Filipino community and further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and the United States. Her leadership, integrity, and passion for public service make her an invaluable addition to the Philippine diplomatic corps in her new capacity as Philippine Honorary Consul in Florida.”

(L-R) Vice Consul and Administrative Officer Quintos, Consul General Arribas, Deputy Chief of Mission Ascalon, Ambassador Romualdez, Honorary Consul Noblejas, Norman Noblejas, and Nicholas Noblejas.

Honorary Consul Noblejas kickstarts her duties with a meeting with Assistant Labor Attache Joji Borromeo, Agriculture Attache Jojo Lazaro, and Agriculture Assistant James Escalante.