CHICAGO, IL – Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago attended the Musika SamaSama Filipino Festival held at Eugene Field Park on 27 September 2025, celebrating Filipino culture and musical heritage in the heart of Chicago.

CHICAGO 25 September 2025– Consul General Melanie Rita Diano, together with Consul Melvin Almonguera, participated in a familiarization trip to Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio on 22–23 September 2025. Organized by the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association (CITCA), the delegation also included Chicago-based trade and investment representatives from France, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Chicago, 22 September 2025: The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago joined the diplomatic corps, the Chicago City Government, schools and the Peace School for the 47th Anniversary of Peace Day Chicago. Consul Ma. Theresa Alders and Mr. Richard Osea represented the Philippine Consulate at the event.

The Philippine Consulate General participated in the International Living Rosary as part of the celebration of the Holy Names Cathedral’s 175th Anniversary Year held at the Holy Name Cathedral on 21 September 2025, an event spearheaded by the Catholic Filipino Network (CFN).

The Consulate General, represented by Consul Melvin Almonguera and Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Atty. Mark Arinquin, graced the Samahan sa Baryo’s golden anniversary celebration on 19 September 2025 held in Lemont, Illinois.

Bismarck, North Dakota – Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong and Ms. Brenda Nagel, President and CEO of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC, in introductory meetings aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration between North Dakota and the Philippines.

Bismarck, North Dakota – Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with Deputy Commissioner Katie Ralston-Howe of the North Dakota Department of Commerce to discuss areas of mutual cooperation, particularly on workforce development. Consul General Diano was joined by Consul Ella Karina Mitra and Mr. Richard Osea, while Deputy Commissioner Ralston-Howe was accompanied by Mr. Richard Garman, Director of Economic Development and Finance.

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine, together with Mr. Craig Kleven, Dirctor of Industry Relations of the North Dakota Soybean Council; Mr. John Schneider, Director of the Business, Marketing & Information Division of the Department of Agriculture; and Ms. Shanna Johnson, Director of International and Domestic Marketing of the Department of Agriculture. The Consul General was accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra and Mr. Richard Osea.

Bismarck, North Dakota – Philippine Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong to explore opportunities for deepening cooperation in the fields of agriculture and energy, reaffirming the Philippines’ role as a key partner of the United States in trade and investment.

12 September 2025, Des Moines, Iowa - Consul General Atty. Melanie Rita B. Diano was guest speaker at the 12th Annual Filipino American Society (FAS) gala held at the Sheraton West Des Moines. In her speech, she shared the work being undertaken by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago in providing consular services through consular outreach missions and the economic diplomacy programs to enhance trade and investments in the Philippines.

11 September 2025, Des Moines, Iowa - Consul General Atty. Melanie Rita B. Diano looked forward to expanding trade relations with Iowa, in exploring an innovation exchange with Iowa, specifically in biotech and energy, and in celebrating the auspicious 80 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States in 2026.

13 September 2025, Des Moines, Iowa - The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago conducted a consular outreach mission on 13 September 2025 (Saturday) at the New Hope United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

Chicago, IL – Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano visited the Field Museum of Natural History on 15 September 2025 to tour the museum’s extensive Philippine cultural collection and discuss potential collaborative opportunities, particularly in preparation for next year's celebration of the 80th anniversary of Philippine-US diplomatic relations.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, represented by Consul Melvin Almonguera and Protocol Officer Martyn Asker Orcine, graced the Grand Opening of Crumbs.nd.Creams (Chicago’s Home of Sylvanas) on 13 September 2025 at 4825 N Pulaski Road, Chicago.