PRESS RELEASE NO. 38-2022 

Consul General Emil Fernandez and United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson

Honolulu, 5 October 2022 – Consul General Emil Fernandez received at the Consulate yesterday the United States’ new ambassador to the Philippines, Mary Kay Carlson, who was in Hawaii to participate in the Mutual Defense Board-Security Exchange Board (MDB-SEB) meeting, and the bilateral talks between Senior Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and Secretary Lloyd Austin of the US Department of Defense.

Consul General Fernandez congratulated Ambassador Carlson on her assignment, noting that it comes at the auspicious time of the assumption of the administration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. Both officials agreed that Philippines-United States relations are on solid footing reflected by recent high-level visits and exchanges, including the bilateral meeting between President Marcos and President Joe Biden at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.  The Ambassador noted that there is a “desire to return to normalcy” and “great appetite to engage” after activities slowed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ambassador Carlson offered the US Embassy in Manila’s assistance whenever needed, which was reciprocated by Consul General Fernandez’ commitment to support the embassy as well. 

The Ambassador’s visit also included a briefing on the different aspects of the work of the Consulate and a tour of the premises.  (END)

Consul Grace Bulos briefs Ambassador Carlson on the work of the Consulate. 

Consul General Fernandez gives Ambassador Carlson a tour of the Consulate’s premises.