Consular Processing: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Press Release
PH CONSUL GENERAL VISITS THE PH COLLECTION AT THE FIELD MUSEUM, AND DISCUSSES OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH MUSEUM PRESIDENT
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 Field Museum houses the largest collection of Philippine cultural items in the United States, with over 13,000 cultural artifacts and natural specimens from the Philippines. Approximately three-quarters of these items were collected during anthropological field expeditions in the early 1900s across northern Luzon, central Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, and Sulu, making it one of the most significant repositories of Philippine cultural heritage outside the country.
Consul General Diano was joined by Consul Ma Theresa Alders, Consul Ella Karina Mitra, and Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel for the comprehensive tour conducted by Mr. Jamie Kelly, Head of the museum's Anthropology Collection. The delegation was also accompanied by Dra. Almira Astudillo Gilles, Research Associate in Anthropology.
The tour included private viewing of Philippine artifacts in the museum’s vault as well as items currently on public display, including the Agusan Gold Image featured in the Grainger Hall of Gems and various Philippine porcelain jars in the Cyrus Tang Hall of China.
Following the collection tour, Consul General Diano met with Field Museum President Dr. Julian Siggers to discuss collaboration opportunities for next year’s milestone anniversary celebration. The discussions also explored opportunities for other cultural events that could strengthen ties between the museum and Chicago's vibrant Filipino American community. These initiatives would serve as stepping stones toward larger partnership projects celebrating the rich cultural heritage shared between the Philippines and the United States.
Consul General Diano receives a private tour of the Field Museum’s Philippine collection in
the museum’s vault. (From left to right: Dra. Almira Gilles, Mr. Jamie Kelly, Consul General
Diano, Consul Ma Theresa Alders, and Consul Ella Karina Mitra)
Mr. Jamie Kelly explains to the Consul General the significance and background
of some of the PH items stored in the museum’s vault.
Mr. Jamie Kelly shows the Consul General the PH items on display
at the Cyrus Tang Hall of China.
Consul General Diano poses with the Agusan Gold Image featured in the Grainger Hall of Gems
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 Field Museum houses the largest collection of Philippine cultural items in the United States, with over 13,000 cultural artifacts and natural specimens from the Philippines. Approximately three-quarters of these items were collected during anthropological field expeditions in the early 1900s across northern Luzon, central Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, and Sulu, making it one of the most significant repositories of Philippine cultural heritage outside the country.
Consul General Diano was joined by Consul Ma Theresa Alders, Consul Ella Karina Mitra, and Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel for the comprehensive tour conducted by Mr. Jamie Kelly, Head of the museum's Anthropology Collection. The delegation was also accompanied by Dra. Almira Astudillo Gilles, Research Associate in Anthropology.
The tour included private viewing of Philippine artifacts in the museum’s vault as well as items currently on public display, including the Agusan Gold Image featured in the Grainger Hall of Gems and various Philippine porcelain jars in the Cyrus Tang Hall of China.
Following the collection tour, Consul General Diano met with Field Museum President Dr. Julian Siggers to discuss collaboration opportunities for next year’s milestone anniversary celebration. The discussions also explored opportunities for other cultural events that could strengthen ties between the museum and Chicago's vibrant Filipino American community. These initiatives would serve as stepping stones toward larger partnership projects celebrating the rich cultural heritage shared between the Philippines and the United States.
Consul General Diano receives a private tour of the Field Museum’s Philippine collection in
the museum’s vault. (From left to right: Dra. Almira Gilles, Mr. Jamie Kelly, Consul General
Diano, Consul Ma Theresa Alders, and Consul Ella Karina Mitra)
Mr. Jamie Kelly explains to the Consul General the significance and background
of some of the PH items stored in the museum’s vault.
Mr. Jamie Kelly shows the Consul General the PH items on display
at the Cyrus Tang Hall of China.
Consul General Diano poses with the Agusan Gold Image featured in the Grainger Hall of Gems