Philippine Consulate in New York marks Filipino American History Month with 18th Sinehan sa Konsulado

The Philippine Consulate General in New York held the 18th Sinehan sa Konsulado at the Philippine Center on 27–28 October, screening diaspora feature films and student shorts for Filipino American History Month.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York held the 18th "Sinehan sa Konsulado" at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 27–28 October 2026, marking Filipino American History Month with two evenings of film screenings and conversations, the consulate said.

The event brought together members of the Filipino-American community, filmmakers, students and supporters of Philippine cinema. According to the consulate, this year's programme presented films that explored migration, identity, family, memory, service, belonging and the Filipino experience in the United States.

What was screened

Two feature-length films with stories of the Filipino diaspora in the United States were screened:

• "Faith Healer", directed by Regina Aquino
• "Pinay: American Style", directed by Elwood Perez

Short films by film students from New York University and Columbia University were screened as well:

• "Binubuong Bukas"
• "The Third Estate"
• "Lourdita"
• "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko"

Remarks from consular officials

Opening the first evening, Acting Head of Post and Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo highlighted cinema's ability to help communities see and understand themselves more clearly. He expressed appreciation to the filmmakers, artists and audiences whose participation helps sustain spaces for Filipino cinema, creativity and storytelling in New York.

On the second evening, Consul Anna Guerra said the programme brought together different voices and generations of Filipino and Filipino-American filmmakers. She noted that the participation of emerging filmmakers reflected one of the aims of Sinehan sa Konsulado: to provide a space where younger creatives can share their work, develop their voices and connect with audiences in the Filipino-American community. She also underscored that there is no single Filipino story.

An annual programme

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile listed Sinehan sa Konsulado among the consulate's upcoming programmes at a Media Hour with the Filipino-American Press Club of New York in August, Balitang New York reported. For the 17th year of Sinehan sa Konsulado in 2025, the consulate scheduled screenings at Kalayaan Hall on 19–20 August, presented in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

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