ManilaMagazine

12/20/2025

Experience the beauty of O Night Divine at the Kennedy Center. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and meaning.

If you missed the chance to experience O Night Divine last 15 December, you can still listen to the choir on 24 December 2025 through the Choral Arts Society of Washington website here:
https://choralarts.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket #/events/a0SPa00000LFgqsMAD

12/20/2025

12/19/2025

The Philippines earns fresh regional recognition as a top choice for retirement in Asia.

LOOK: Philippines Named Asia’s Best Retirement Destination

The Philippines was named Asia’s Best Retirement Destination at the 11th TripZilla Excellence Awards, a recognition welcomed by the Department of Tourism as proof of the country’s growing appeal to retirees.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the award shows the Philippines is seen not just as a travel destination, but as a place to call home, citing its welcoming communities, English-speaking population, favorable climate, and quality healthcare. The DOT, along with the Philippine Retirement Authority, continues to strengthen programs like the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa to attract more retirees.

12/19/2025

[ADVISORY] KEEP CALM AND DON’T RENOUNCE YOUR CITIZENSHIP

The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC continues to monitor concerns within the Filipino American community regarding the proposed Senate bill to end dual citizenship in the United States.

As mentioned in our previous advisory (https://tinyurl.com/bds4u9hw), the proposal is currently just a bill and has not become law. Similar proposals have been introduced in the past, but none have materialized. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the validity of dual citizenship.

The Embassy wishes to reassure the community that there is no change to the current policies on dual citizenship at this time. Filipinos who lost their Philippine citizenship by becoming U.S. naturalized citizens may still apply for dual citizenship through Republic Act No. 9225. Those who were born in the United States to at least one Filipino parent are dual Filipino American citizens at birth and should report their birth to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Please be reminded that dual citizens who voluntarily renounce their Philippine citizenship will no longer be able to reacquire it through R.A. 9225. Voluntary renunciation of Philippine citizenship is an irreversible legal action.

The Embassy urges all Filipino Americans to remain calm and refrain from taking unnecessary actions or circulating unverified information. Should any significant development occur, the Embassy will promptly issue an official notification.

For questions, please contact the Philippine Embassy or your nearest Philippine consulate.

12/18/2025

The U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit is pleased to announce an upcoming outreach event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Benefits Unit/Social Security Administration (SSA). We will provide in-person services at the following locations and dates:

- Angeles City: Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Olongapo City: Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM (both locations)

This event is an opportunity to access a range of consular services closer to your community.

Next Steps:
Venue details and additional instructions will be provided approximately one week before the event. To help us plan and ensure we can meet your needs, please take a moment to complete a brief survey regarding your service requirements and expected attendance. https://forms.office.com/g/8wdRnrrRKS

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For further information and assistance:

- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) (step.state.gov) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, at +(63) (2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63) (2) 5301-2000.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.

12/18/2025

12/09/2025

Calling all SSS members and claimants across North America, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about your membership benefits, qualifications for the retirement pension, re-activation of SSS membership, and updating of records.

Scan the QR code on the poster or click this link: https://tinyurl.com/SSS-Webinar-Session to register.

(calendar icon): December 14, 2025
(clock icon): 2:00 PM, PST

12/08/2025

During your visa interview, if the consular officer believes you do not intend to follow the rules for a visitor visa, he or she may deny your application. It is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.

11/30/2025

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joins the nation in observing the 162nd Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio with the theme, "Isang Bayan, Isang Laban: Katapatan at Katarungan Kontra Katiwalian."

The Consulate General calls on all Filipinos to honor Andres Bonifacio’s legacy by embodying his unwavering love for our country and his devotion to the welfare of our people.

For more information on this year’s commemoration, visit the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ page at https://www.facebook.com/nhcp1933/

11/19/2025

We are hiring! We are looking for project-term personnel to assist us during the overseas voter registration period. Interested qualified applicants must send their cover letter and resume no later than 5 p.m. PST on 25 November 2025.