Consul General bids goodbye, urges community to support each other

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New York is her first time for Congen Tess Dizon De Vega to head a foreign service post. Photos by PCGNY

New York is her first time for Congen Tess Dizon De Vega to head a foreign service post. Photos by PCGNY

By Cristina DC Pastor

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega is a rare-breed diplomat. Actually, extraordinary, if one were to consider how she has been “borrowed” by Manila and “asked to help” senior officials as they ease into their jobs.

She is a walking Official Gazette, knows all the Republic Acts from memory, she is pleasant, energetic, digitally engaged, and is known not to play favorites. Another thing that amazes some is how she can speak from heart and mind. This quality is one that always comes up when FilAms are asked why they like Congen Tess: “Ang galing niya. She can speak without reading from notes.”

Dizon-De Vega is winding down her assignment in New York. She is leaving this month to take on the position of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary in Manila, where she is expected to assist – together with five other undersecretaries — Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano run a department founded in Turn of the Century 1898. Protection of Filipinos overseas, preserving national security, and the attainment of an independent foreign policy are the three “pillars” they are supposed to uphold. At an Appreciation Night on March 2, where she officially said good-bye in a fiesta-like party, Dizon-De Vega said she is leaving, albeit, regretfully.

“My regrets this evening, I find that we are on the precipice, on the tipping point of real recognition for Filipinos and Filipino Americans in culture and traditions and our contributions to mainstream society,” she told a packed Kalayaan Hall attended by members of the community and their leaders. FilAm representation in fields, such as business, politics, culture, and even network television, are increasing. “We are moving up,” she said.

Congen Tess Dizon De Vega and members of the community on Appreciation Night.

Congen Tess Dizon De Vega and members of the community on Appreciation Night.

In a light vein, she said Filipinos can be a little bit nutty.

“May sayad,” she said jokingly to robust laughter from the audience. “Konti lang naman.”

Here, she was trying to communicate in language that is both colloquial and connecting. The audience responded with delight and affirmation.

She continued, “It is part of who we are, part of our strength. If we can work on our strengths and improve on our weaknesses, I think we have a very very good chance of really leveling up and really increasing the level of representation of our community here in the Northeast.”

She has been in New York all of four years, two assignments characterized by interruptions: She was Deputy Consul General in from 2011 to 2013, until she headed home to become Department of Foreign Affairs Chief Coordinator. She came back in 2017 as Consul General only to leave again after more than a year to become an undersecretary.

“May balat yata ako pagdating sa New York,” she said.

She said her two postings will remain among the “highlights and milestones” of her career. Being Consul General in New York is the first time she actually headed a foreign service post.

She urged the community to help others in need, and mentioned in particular Filipinos who have fallen victims to human trafficking or illegal recruitment.

“I hope you will open your eyes more to these challenges,” she said. “Let’s just support each other.”

© The FilAm 2018

With members of the Fil-Am Press Club of New York for a final merienda.

With members of the Fil-Am Press Club of New York for a final merienda.



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