December 26, 2025 | 12:00am
The Consular Corps of the Philippines celebrated its 50th year last Dec. 6 at the Makati Shangri-La, as it named Agnes Huibonhoa its new dean and honored three individuals for their unwavering support to the diplomatic community.
The guest of honor was First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, who lauded the corps for its “50 years of building bridges across nations and lifting communities along the way.” She added, “I am so inspired to be with people who work quietly but impact lives loudly.”
In her acceptance speech, Consul Huibonhoa said, “As we stand at the threshold of our next chapter — one shaped by renewed cooperation, mutual respect, and shared aspiration — I pledge to carry its mission with clarity and conviction, and to nurture the relationships that bind our global community.” She also paid tribute to her predecessor, Dean Fabio Pompetti, saying, “We honor your exemplary leadership, devotion to service, and the legacy of unity and excellence that you leave with us.”
In her speech, Consul Huibonhoa invited everyone to gather in celebration of 50 luminous years, encouraging them to come together in a moment of unity and purpose. She then asked the guests to raise their candles high and said, “Let each flame shine individually, and together, let us form a brilliant constellation — a beacon of hope, unity, and the light of the world for our families, our communities, our nation, and beyond.”
The honorees were Ambassador Francis Chua, who received the Golden Visionary Sponsors Award; Kevin Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc., who was awarded the Pillar of Generosity; and Capt. Stanley Ng, Philippine Airlines board director, who received the Consular Luminary Award.
The diplomatic community attended in full force, led by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson; Netherlands Ambassador Marielle Geraedts with her husband Pieter Paul Henri Ten Bosh; and Greece Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis and Aliki Pappa. Also present were South Africa Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe; Japan Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Endo Akiko; Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy; UK Ambassador Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton, OBE, and her husband, Anthony Hulton; Thailand Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor; Norway Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster and Cathrine Lykke Riseng Lyster; Germany Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke and Marina Puhan Pfaffernoschke; Singapore Ambassador See Sin Yuan Angelita Constance; Czech Ambassador Karel Hejc and Michelle Louise Haj?ová; New Zealand Ambassador Catherine Rosemary McIntosh and her husband Paul Bernard McIntosh; Egypt Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki Morcos and Nancy Zikry Ramzy Abdelchahid; Austrian Ambassador Johann Brieger and Roswitha Brieger; Switzerland Ambassador Nicolas Brühl and Denise Claudine Brühl Moser; and Palestine Ambassador Mounir Y. K. Anastas.
Also present were government officials and leaders from the business, civic, and social sectors. Filipino artist — none other than “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano — took the stage, delivering electrifying musical numbers that had everyone cheering and overjoyed.
