Consul General Melanie Rita Diano, accompanied by Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel, graced the Dinagyang Chicago 2026 celebration on 04 January 2026 at Allegre Banquets, Schiller Park, Illinois.

2 January 2025 - The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago continues its drive to assist eligible Filipino voters in preparation for the 2028 Philippine Overseas Elections.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago commemorated the 129th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal with a wreath-laying ceremony on 30 December 2025 at the Rizal Monument in Margate Park. Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Mr. Mariano Santos, Area Commander for Central USA of the Knights of Rizal (KoR) led the wreath-laying ceremony, together with Consulate personnel and some members of the KoR.

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano attended the Fil-Am Baroque Ensemble concert presented by the FilAm Music Foundation on 20 December 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, in Evanston, Illinois. The concert was led by the Foundation’s founder and artistic director, Mr. Victor Santiago Asuncion.

A delegation from the Philippine Consulate General, headed by Consul Melvin Almonguera, participated in the celebration of Simbang Gabi at St. Gregory the Great church along North Paulina Street in Chicago on 20 December 2025. He was joined by Ms. Jekelyn Esguerra and Atty. Mark Arinquin.

On 21 December 2025, the Philippine Consulate General joined the celebration of the Simbang Gabi during the Fourth Sunday of Advent at the St. Peter Damian Catholic Church in Bartlett, Illinois. Organized by the St. Peter Damian Catholic Church Filipino Group, and in collaboration with the Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club, the Consulate General was represented by Atty. Eunika Lesli R. Leyva-Tiongco, Ms. Rocylyn T. De Leon, Ms. Cheryl M. Navarro and Mr. Ric A. Miranda.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, proudly celebrated the traditional Filipino Christmas vigil, Simbang Gabi, at St. Padre Pio Church on 21 December 2025. The mass was presided over by Reverend Fr. Peter Mcquinn, and concelebrated with Reverend Don Cambe, Pastor Emeritus Reverend Aloysius Funtila, and Reverend Thomas Libera.

CHICAGO 16 December 2025- Following its successful launch in Chicago on 20 November 2025, the Consulate General rolled out the 2026 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour in Indiana on 13 December 2025. The rollout took place during the inaugural Fil-Am Expo organized by the Filipino American Heritage and Cultural Arts of Indiana (FAHACA.IN) at Jameson Camp in Indianapolis. Attended by over 100 visitors, the VIP Tour segment became a highlight of the event, which brought together Filipino-American entrepreneurs in Indiana and showcased Philippine fashion and art.

CHICAGO 15 December 2025- Bringing its services closer to the Filipino and Filipino-American communities in the US Midwest, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted a consular mission in Indianapolis, Indiana on 13 December 2025. The one-day event was held at Jameson Camp, 2001 Bridgeport Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46231 (some 190 miles away from the Consulate). It marked the Consulate’s tenth and final outreach mission for the year.

CHICAGO, 24 November 2025 – In line with its commitment to strengthen and modernize consular service delivery, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago signed a subscription agreement on the implementation of an electronic payment system with Cliqbux LLC on 24 November 2025 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Consulate. The digital payment platform will enable the Consulate to offer secure, convenient, and streamlined electronic payment options to the public.