Ilocano native Arman R. Talbo assumed the top post as Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu on March 18.
Talbo brings decades of experience in international affairs and diplomacy, having previously served as Deputy Consul General in New York where he focused on political, economic and cultural activities, and worked closely with the Filipino community along the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.
Talbo is the 22nd Consul General in Honolulu. He joins a long list of well-known past Philippine Consuls General based in Honolulu like to name a few Juan Dionisio (1957 to 1962), Trinidad Alconcel (1966 to 1972), Tomas Gomez III (1986 to 1989), and Ariel Abadilla (2005 to 2009).
Prior to New York, Talbo served as Vice Consul in Barcelona, Spain from 2008 to 2012, and as Second Secretary at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid from 2012 to 2014. Talbo has also held several executive positions within the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, specifically with the Office of Fiscal Management, the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration and Office of Consular Affairs. As Deputy Chief of Presidential Protocol, he organized and ensured the smooth implementation of events attended by the President and visiting Heads of States and Governments.
His current post in Honolulu is Talbo’s first ever visit to the Aloha State. He has since attended a Catholic mass and already met several community leaders.
“Since I arrived, I have felt the very warm welcome of the different officials of Hawaii and Honolulu, as well as my counterparts in the consular corps,” he said. “Some leaders of Filipino organizations have called on me and expressed their eagerness to work with me and the Consulate. I am very happy and extremely optimistic, and even lucky, to be here as Consul General.”
Just a few weeks into his new post, Talbo hit the ground running actively working with Hawaii’s Filipino community. In April, he met with the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH) to discuss preparation for the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration slated for June 14 at the Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village. He’s also met with and congratulated the new leaders of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) Fellows – Destiny Class.
He told the fellows who completed the 7-month program, which aims to empower emerging Filipino leaders, that they embody “the songs, hopes, and aspirations of our ancestors, the warmth of our families, the joy of our celebrations, and the deep sense of duty for our country.”
Background
Talbo graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City where he received a Business Administration and Accountancy degree, as well as his Juris Doctor. Among his accomplishments are passing both the CPA Board and Bar examinations.
To date, he has received a handful of commendations for outstanding work, including the Gawad Mabini (Rank of Dakilang Kasugo), one of the highest awards bestowed on Filipino diplomats. Talbo has also received the Presidential Medal of Merit for his exemplary service in the Office of the President.
A career in the Foreign Service offered excitement, challenges and personal satisfaction of serving his country. For Talbo, it has been more than simply a job—it signified a way of life requiring uncommon commitment, but also bestowing unique rewards, opportunities and at times, hardships.
“I believe in the power of diplomacy in achieving our goals as a nation,” he said. “I get to work in the national and international setting with my years of experience as a diplomat, to advance the interests of the Philippines and the Filipino people.”
The Philippine Foreign Service is first and foremost a diverse corps of working professionals like Talbo who ae dedicated to representing the Philippines’ interests, and responding to the needs of Philippine citizens living and/or working in other countries.
Talbo said his New York post has so far been the most memorable because of the number of challenges he faced, as well as the opportunities that came along.
“I was there during the COVID pandemic and the surge of Asian hate cases,” he said. “But I am sure that my assignment here in Honolulu will shape up to be one of the best, as I can already feel the energy of our huge Filipino population in the islands. I am so excited to work with everyone.”
A twice NYC marathon finisher, Talbo was called by his colleagues in New York the “indefatigable diplomat.” That label also appropriately described his work ethic.
While his official post was based in New York City, he was also known in upstate New York and neighboring states such as Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts for his consular outreach in these communities. He said of his time working with kababyan in the U.S. Norteast, not only was it an opportunity to provide their consular needs but, more importantly, he and colleagues established lasting and productive networks which are mutually beneficial for the consulate and the groups and organizations.
He’s met with Filipino officials, personnel, and students of Harvard University, representatives of senior advocacy groups working to prevent abuses and scams perpetrated against aging citizens, owners of Filipino restaurants like Tradisyon located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan and Ugly Kitchen in Manhattan’s East Village. While in the Northeast U.S., Talbo met with Fil-Am organizations of all kinds from professional associations, cultural folk arts and civic groups. During his short time in Hawaii, he’s already immersed himself in similar consular and community outreach in Hawaii.
A flagship project of the Philippine Consulate General in New York to promote Philippine cuisine is Filipino Restaurant Week. The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu modeled its annual Filipino Food Week that Talbo will most likely continue. Filipino Food Week not only promotes Filipinos’ ancestral culinary dishes to mainstream Hawaii, but it also aims to bolster potential business between Philippine-based companies involved in exporting Filipino food products and ingredients with Hawaii restaurants and eateries.
Commitments and Priorities
His top three priorities as new Consul General in Honolulu include the preservation and enhancement of national security, the promotion and attainment of economic security, and the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interests of Filipinos overseas—all of which form the pillars of Philippine foreign policy, Talbo says.
Achieving these priorities will require a firm commitment to working with all stakeholders from the Filipino community, the community at large, the business sector and government.
“The Consulate and the Filipino community are partners in promoting the welfare of kababayan in the region and the interests of the Philippines,’ he said. “It is therefore crucial that we all work together in the spirit of bayanihan and pagkakaisa so that we accomplish this mission.
“My message to the Filipino community is for all of us to continue doing the work that we have been doing these past decades to enhance economic, political and cultural development here in Hawaii. We should unite and work together—pakakaisa at bayanihan.
“With the Consulate and the community working together, we will build a brighter future for our kababayan in Hawaii. Nandito po and inyong Consulado para tumulong sa inyo.”
Several Hawaii residents who have met Consul General Talbo on several occasions are impressed with his demeanor. Mary Tom, a physical therapist from Ewa Beach, notes his leadership qualities and interpersonal skills.
“He is very accommodating, always smiling and polite,” she said. “He seems to be the type of person who builds strong relationships with staff and the public.”
Adela Salacup from Waipahu is confident Consul General Talbo will be an excellent diplomat.
“He seems to have already adjusted to the culture and customs here in Hawaii,” she said. “He is the type who can build positive relationships with business and government leaders. I have no doubt he is the ideal liaison for important matters between the Philippines and our state.”
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