VIA Times – August 2017 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
What would have been a difficult scheduling of an appointment with ConGen Calonge became rather seamless when properly channeled through his secretary, Ms. Wenilyn Capote. I was originally thinking, it would be a lot harder to get to him now knowing he is at the end of his term, but to my surprise, I was actually given an availability. I must say his staff has been very accommodating to us from the very beginning. Not only does he have a very supportive personnel, but he himself is an approachable guy. Arriving at our interview lunch meeting with ConGen, I already had some set of questions lined up. On few occasions, we’d see each other on some Filipino gatherings, Consular functions and activities that highlight the Filipino community.
He is approachable, and not a far-out figure to me, but still, he is my first assignment to cover and interview, hence the nerves. However, thanks to my professional colleague and friend, Girlie Pascual, who was with me to coach me through the process, I was able to keep calm.
Until the arrival of Con- Gen, I was not as keen to going to Philippine Consulate nor as active in supporting any of their programs but through his charisma, his personality , his concern, his attention, his focus , and his interests, he has drawn many Filipinos to the Consulate. I am a good example of that.
I had to set the tone of the meeting. We all know that his term serving as ConGen is coming to an end this August. I needed to get as much information so the public can share the pride we have, having him as our Consul General for two years here in Chicago.
Who is Consul General Generoso DG Calonge?
He is now 61 years old. Graduated at University of the Philippines College of law with Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Born to Enrique D. Calonge and Lydia de Guzman in Manila. Married to Atty. Gloria Salazar from Bataan, and they have three children, Golda, Nikki and JB Calonge.
Me: Sir, hello po! So how did all of this start out for you?
Congen: It was all my father’s idea. He sent me a cut-out newspaper clipping about a Foreign Service exam in Zamboanga City where I was based as an Army officer after graduating from Military Academy in Australia. From the start, I never had any intention of becoming one. But it was good to have options open, so after passing the preliminary exam, all the subsequent screenings, and interviews, I took the position as a Foreign Service officer.
Me: Sir, can you walk me through your timeline from that time on to now?
Congen: Yes, it goes way back.
Timeline: 1975- 1st job as Assistant Director of Foreign Affairs in Southeast Asia – based in Padre Faura in Manila. My job then was to cover events and developments financially and politically in Southeast Asian countries namely, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
1982 – 1985 I studied law @ UP College of Law, where campus romance started with Gloria Salazar. 1984 – Married the love of my life, now Mrs. Gloria Salazar Calonge.
1987-1988 – Took Masters of Law @ Harvard University
1989- 1995 – Assigned as 2nd Secretary Consul in Washington, DC. Being the Head of Administrative Section
1995-1997 Head of Post , Phil Consulate in Saipan
1997-1999 Executive Director of a Foreign Affairs @ Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila
1999- 2002 Consul General @ Washington, D.C. 2002-2003 Cross Posted to Moscow as Deputy Chief of Mission
2003-2005 Sergeant of Affairs in Abu Dhabi, as well as establishing Philippine Consulate in Dubai
2005-2008 Office of Undersecretary of Special Concerns, Manila Vice Chair of Overseas Voting under Ramos regime
2008-2010- Senior Special Assistant for Policy in Manila
2011-2014 Ambassador of the Philippines in Israel The rest is history in CHICAGO from July 2014
Me: Sir, as a Consul General, what can people expect from that position?
Congen: As a Consul General , my mission has been to foster close and mutually beneficial relations between the Philippines and the Midwest region of the United States, particularly in the fields of trade, investments, tourism, culture and people-to-people relations. The Consulate also services the consular requirements of the growing Filipino community, extends assistance to nationals in distress and conducts regular outreach programs to the 16 states under its jurisdiction.
Me: Sir, what has been your greatest achievement or contribution being the Consul General the last three years?
Congen: I would like to think, I have accomplished my tasks. My greatest contribution would be that I have endeared the Consulate to the Filipino community, have them get connected more, and being more accessible to all Pinoys. I have had the privilege of speaking to two legislators from Illinois and Missouri. For me, that was something big for the Phil Consulate Community.
Me: How about setbacks or challenges, Sir ?
Congen: My greatest setback or challenge would be that , I would’ve liked to have one celebration of the PHILIPPINE Independence Day, and not have two different organizations celebrating it separately. It is actually a setback for all Filipinos and not just mine. I inherited that challenge and who knows, maybe only time will heal it. And, of course, the recent issue with the Rizal Center, we should always be moving forward and not step backward. I was told, since I am sort of the “father of the Filipinos” here, I feel it more. And being a Fil Am myself, you are associated as one, so I feel the pain.
Me: Sir, can you tell us more about your family?
Congen: My wife, Gloria is an immigration lawyer and is based in Maryland, Virginia.
Me: So you are living apart, sir?
Congen: Yes, but we make it a point we see each other as often as we can. Either she flies here or I fly there.
Me: How about your kids, sir?
Congen: I have three. Golda Genevieve Calonge- she is a lawyer practicing in New York , graduated from UC Berkeley Pamela “Niki” Gabriel Calonge – she is into arts, a stage drama actress. She graduated NYU who teaches in kids school Joshua Benedict “JB” Calonge – my 24-year-old single son is still in school at Northern Virginia College
Me: Sir, what would you miss most in Chicago?
Congen: I will miss the four seasons.
Me: Sir, would you say, Chicago is home to you?
Congen: Oh yes, I have found a home in Chicago. The people from the Midwest are different. They are more community-oriented, and I like that. Me: Sir, any parting words to the Filipino community?
Congen: I hope that the Filipino community will maintain its professional excellence in the fields all the members are in.
Do not forget the Philippines. It is your roots. Visit your country.
If I may request to the Filcom to continue cooperating and supporting programs of Consulate, that will be very much appreciated.
Lastly, the Filipino community is the source of pride and strength for any Philippine Consul General and it has been my pleasure to be of service to the Filipinos in the Chicagoland area .
These words resound from heart of a true Filipino, our Congen. Sir, saludo po ako sa inyo at salamat sa walang sawang serbisyong binibigay nyo po sa kapwa nyo pong Pilipino. At Kung saan mang mission po kayo mapapadpad, sana po ay maipagpatuloy po ninyo na maipakita and tunay na puso ng mga Filipino. Lubos po ang pasasalamat namin at kami ay nabigyan ninyo ng konting pagkakataon na mailagay sa inyong pamamahala. Kami po ay mapalad. Sa muling pagkikita, our Consul General Calonge!
Send email or Any correspondence to: chicagopcg@att.net Or visit : www.chicagopcg.com PHILIPPINE Consulate General 122 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 1600 Chicago, Illinois 60603 Tel # 312.583.0621 Fax # 312.583.0647 Popular services offered @ the Philippine Consulate Passport Services Visa Services Legal and Notarial Services Civil Registry Dual Citizenship Cultural Affairs Library & General Information Services Assistance to Nationals Import Facilitation for US Midwest- based businesses Investment Support to US Midwest and Filipino-American Investors Export Assistance to Philippine Businesses Tourism promotion Overseas voting registration
Consul General Calonge Delivers Address Before The Missouri House of Representatives
Chicago’s Philippine Consular staff headed by Consul General Generoso DG Calonge
ConGen Calonge with Melody of VT/ CPRTV
ConGen Calonge with Girlie and Melody of VT/ CPRTV
Congen’s despedida round w the Asian American Golfers of Illinois AAGI at Tamarack Golf Club
Golf time with ConGen Calonge, with Girlie of VT/CPRTV and Rowena Esquivel of AAGI
