PRESS RELEASE NO. 81-2023

11 July 2023, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA – Consul General Emil Fernandez led the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu in welcoming Filipino teachers to Hawaii during a post-arrival orientation briefing held yesterday, July 10, at the Consulate’s Sentro Rizal. 

The Office of Talent Management of the State of Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) facilitated the arrival of 46 teachers to Hawaii under the Philippines-United Stated Exchange Visitor Program to address the shortage of teachers.  The teachers will be assigned to various public elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in difference islands, with about a third proceeding to Maui. 

In his welcome address, Consul General Fernandez stressed the importance for the teachers to be in touch with the Consulate, which stands ready to address any concerns they may have.  He also thanked the State of Hawaii Department of Education for the opportunity to engage with the teachers, who are now “part of the Filipino community family” under the Consulate’s jurisdiction.

Consul Grace Bulos delivered a presentation on the Consulate’s mandate and services, and expressed the hope for the teachers to be partners of the Consulate as ambassadors of goodwill (END).

Consul General Fernandez delivers his welcome address. 

Consul Grace Bulos delivers a presentation on the Consulate’s services.

From left to right are Mr. James Urbaniak, Lead Recruiter, Office of Talent Management, State of Hawaii Department of Education, Ms. Ligaya Avenida, Executive Director, Foreign Cultural Exchange Consultants Inc. (FCECI), Consul General Fernandez, Ms. Joy del Rosario, General Manager, FCECI, and Mr. Theo Kitchen, Teach Program Manager, Alliance Abroad USA.