Hawaii’s Filipino community welcomes new PH Consul General Arman Talbo
Consul General Arman R. Talbo / CONTRIBUTED
HONOLULU – The Filipino community in Hawaii warmly welcomed Hon. Arman R. Talbo, who officially assumed his role as the new consul general at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu on March 18.
With over 20 years of diplomatic experience, including his previous position as deputy consul general in New York, Consul General Talbo is eager to engage with the local Filipino diaspora and address the unique challenges they face.
“Being Consul General places me in a unique role to serve in a deeper and more meaningful way,” Consul General Talbo said in an interview with Inquirer.net USA.
Arman Talbo / CONTRIBUTED
“The office is imbued with many challenges that must be overcome, as well as great opportunities that must be harnessed for the benefit of our country and kababayan. When I started as Vice Consul, I was merely following the orders of the Consul General. But now, it is I who am expected to provide leadership and direction to the entire team.”
Consul General Talbo outlined several key initiatives and goals he hopes to achieve during his first term.
“I follow the lead of our Embassy in Washington, D.C., and my key priorities will focus on strengthening government and people-to-people partnerships, developing economic opportunities – especially in trade and tourism – and ensuring that the rights and welfare of Filipinos in the region are protected,” he said.
Philippine Consul General Arman R. Talbo (right) meets Hawaii Governor Josh Green during Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s State of the City address at the Mission Memorial Auditorium on March 18, 2025. CONTRIBUTED
When asked what the Fil-Am community can expect from his leadership, the new consul general replied, “The Fil-Am community in Hawaii can expect a vibrant, productive and collaborative partnership with me and the entire Consulate. Our consular team is here to help our Filipino community in Hawaii succeed.
“This is not an easy task, as more than 20 percent of Hawaii’s 1.4 million population is of Filipino descent. While our community here faces unique challenges, my experience with the Fil-Am community in New York has provided me with a deeper understanding and broader perspective that are necessary to effectively engage our kababayan.”
Consul General Arman R. Talbo (left) meets Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi during his State of the City address at the Mission Memorial Auditorium on March 18, 2025 . CONTRIBUTED
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Philippine government and the Fil-Am community.
“As a diplomat who has been assigned to various places, I have personally witnessed the love and support of our kababayan abroad for the Philippines. That is why I am very inspired to serve and ensure that necessary government and consular services reach those who need them. This is one important way to assure our kababayan abroad that the Philippine government is there for them,” Talbo stated.
Regarding his expectations for the community, he noted, “Most of the Filipinos in Hawaii are from the Ilocos region, so I think I have that working for me since I myself am Ilocano and share the language and culture. I believe this will facilitate communication and partnership. However, we serve all Filipinos with equal passion and dedication, regardless of where they come from in the country.”
Meanwhile, some prominent community leaders in Hawaii expressed their excitement and support for ConGen Talbo’s appointment.
Knights of Rizal Area Commander Jerry Felicitas, who is also the current president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Consul General Arman Talbo to Hawaii. His appointment brings a renewed sense of enthusiasm and collaboration within our community. The Knights of Rizal Hawaii Area and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee are particularly excited about the opportunities to work closely with him in promoting Filipino heritage, culture and values. Together, we aim to create meaningful programs that will benefit not only the Filipino community but also the broader multicultural fabric of Hawaii.”
From left: Sir Jerry Felicitas, Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Area Commander, his wife Josie Felicitas, Dr. Nancy Walsh and her husband Duke Gerhart Walsh at a recent Primary Care Providers Gala held at Hilton Hawaiian Village. CONTRIBUTED
Veteran community leader Dr. Nancy Atmospera-Walsh, the first immigrant woman to have a University of Hawaii school named after her, expressed her hopes for collaboration.
“I’m looking forward to working with the new Consul General, especially for a strong and positive collaboration between the Philippine Nurses Association of Hawaii and PCGH in promoting wellness and healthy activities. I believe our real wealth is our health. Healthy people make a healthy community!”
Former Hawaii State Senator Bennette Misalucha also welcomed the new consul general.
“We warmly welcome Consul General Talbo to Hawaii. We are eager to collaborate with him in further strengthening the deep and enduring relationship between Hawaii and the Philippines. The ties that unite our communities are rooted in a rich shared history and cultural kinship,” Misalucha told Inquirer.net USA. “We are especially hopeful that his leadership will help uplift the Filipino community in Hawaii to even greater levels of civic engagement, cultural pride and meaningful involvement. We wish the Consul General success in his new role and anticipate a productive and inspiring partnership,”
Former Hawaii State Senator Bennette Misalucha (center) is honored by the FilCom Center for her outstanding contributions to the Fil-Am community, flanked by FilCom Executive Director Andrea Christina Caymo-Kauhanen and Board Chair Edmund Aczon. CONTRIBUTED
As deputy consul general in New York, Hon. Talbo focused on the political, economic and cultural activities of the consulate. He was also previously assigned as vice consul in Barcelona from 2008 to 2012 and as second secretary in the Philippine Embassy in Madrid from 2012 to 2014, handling political and economic affairs.
In the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, Consul General Talbo served in the Office of Fiscal Management and the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration. He also held the position of deputy chief of Presidential Protocol, where he organized and ensured the smooth implementation of events attended by the president and visiting heads of state and government.
Immediately before his assignment in Honolulu, he was the deputy assistant secretary and executive director of the Office of Consular Affairs, which oversees the provision of consular services in all Foreign Service Posts abroad and Consular Offices throughout the Philippines.
He is a graduate of Business Administration and Accountancy from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he also completed his JD degree. He passed both the CPA board and bar examinations.
Consul General Talbo is a recipient of the Gawad Mabini (Rank of Dakilang Kasugo), one of the highest awards bestowed on Filipino diplomats. He also received the Presidential Medal of Merit for his exemplary service in the Office of the President.
As Consul General Talbo embarks on this new chapter in his diplomatic career, he looks forward to working closely with local authorities and the Filipino diaspora, reaffirming his commitment to serve the community with dedication and passion.
