Photo Release

CHICAGO, 30 September 2026 – Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano attended the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Midwest USA Roadshow on 29 September 2026 at the Voco Chicago Downtown Hotel. The roadshow is part of PAL’s activities leading up to the launch of its new nonstop Manila-Chicago service, which will commence on 09 November 2026.

The roadshow brought together tourism industry stakeholders from the Philippines and the United States to promote travel to the Philippines and develop partnerships in support of PAL’s new direct service. Participants from the Philippines included tour operators, hotels and resorts, and other stakeholders in the Philippine MICE industry, while participants from the U.S. included travel agencies and other interested parties from Chicago and other nearby states.

PAL representatives were led by Mr. Jose Maria Alvarado, Regional Head for North America, together with Mr. Syed Shahid, Area Manager for New York, and Mr. Randsell Vito, Area Manager for Seattle. PAL officers and representatives from Manila were also in attendance, led by Ms. Terry Romilla, Philippine Airlines Activations and Sponsorships Head.

Representing the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) at the roadshow were Mr. Warren Palacio, Head of the Route Development Team of the Office of Market Development, and Ms. Katherine Ambion-Alcantara, Senior Tourism Operations Officer of the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York.

Consul General Diano opened the roadshow with welcome remarks, highlighting the significance of PAL’s forthcoming nonstop service in providing greater convenience for travelers, improving connectivity between the Philippines and the U.S. Midwest, and supporting increased tourism, business, and trade between the two countries.

The Consul General highlighted the significance of the new service for the more than 450,000 Filipinos in the U.S. Midwest, noting that it will bring the community closer to home while improving access to destinations throughout the Philippines and Asia. She added that the direct connection will support increased tourism, business, investment, and trade between the Philippines and the Midwest, and encouraged participating travel and tourism partners to help build the market for the new route and explore new opportunities for cooperation.

During her remarks, Consul General Diano also sought the support of participating travel agencies in promoting the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Winter Escapade, which will bring Filipino Americans and friends of the Philippines from the U.S. and Canada to the Philippines in February 2027.

The program also featured remarks by Mr. Alvarado, as well as presentations by Mr. Shahid and Ms. Vito on behalf of Philippine Airlines, and by Mr. Palacio on behalf of the Department of Tourism.

The roadshow provided participants with opportunities for business-to-business (B2B) networking, allowing Philippine tourism stakeholders to connect directly with U.S.-based travel agencies and other industry partners, showcase their products and services, and explore potential partnerships to promote travel to the Philippines.

Following the Chicago roadshow, PAL will bring the Midwest USA Roadshow to Detroit, Michigan, on 01 October 2026, as part of its continuing promotional activities ahead of the launch of the new service. END

Consul General Melanie Rita Diano delivers her remarks at the PAL Midwest USA Roadshow held on

29 September 2026 at the Voco Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Consul General Diano with (from left) Mr. Jose Clemente III, President of Rajah Tours; Mr. Jose Maria Alvarado,

PAL Regional Head for North America; and Mr. Syed Shahid, PAL Area Manager for New York.