CONSUL GENERAL GUNTHER SALES MEETS WITH OFFICIALS FROM CARROLTON, DALLAS AND STATE REP CANDIDATE AVERIE BISHOP
Consul General Sales with Commissioner Kevin Falconer
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Consul General Sales with Mayor Babick and State Representative Candidate Ms. Averie Bishop |
In a visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area at the end of September 2024, Consul General Gunther Emil Sales met with Denton County Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Falconer, Carrollton City Mayor Steve Babick, and Ms. Averie Bishop, a Filipino-American candidate for a seat in the Texas State House of Representatives in the upcoming U.S. national elections.
The meeting between Consul General Sales and Commissioner Falconer focused on strengthening ties with the Filipino-American community. Discussions included a recent successful consular outreach mission by the Philippine Consulate General in Lewisville, Texas, supported by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX), which provided essential services to the local Filipino community.
The meeting also covered potential sister city agreements, disaster response collaboration, expanding academic partnerships between U.S. and Philippine universities, and the upcoming Filipino-American History Month in October.
Consul General Sales with Mayor Steve Babick of Carrollton, Council Member Rowena Waters, Consul Gilbert Segarra, and leaders of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX) - DFW and Pilipino American Community Endeavor (PACE).
A meeting also took place between Mayor Babick and Consul General Sales during which they discussed potential collaborations in cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. Mayor Babick presented Carrollton's commitment to diversity and economic growth, highlighting the city's robust industrial sector and redevelopment initiatives.
Both officials talked about the possibility of a sister-city agreement with a city in the Philippines, as well as future trade missions and cooperation in agriculture, energy, and urban best practices. Filipino community leaders, represented by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX), proposed projects such as the establishment of a Filipino community center in the locality and a Bataan March memorial in honor of Filipino and American veterans.
During his visit, Consul General Sales also met with Ms. Averie Bishop, a Filipino-American running for state representative of Texas House District 112. Ms. Bishop is a 26-year-old law graduate and former Miss Texas 2022.
Ms. Bishop shared key areas of her political platform, focusing on women’s rights and reproductive health, public school funding, campaign finance, public safety, immigration, and ethical AI standards. Despite the tight race with her Republican opponent in a historically Republican-held district, she remains unfazed and optimistic about her campaign, emphasizing why this is important as well for Filipino-Americans and Asian Americans, in general.
She also spoke about her background and experiences as the first Asian American and Filipino Miss Texas, and how her advocacy work during that time influenced her decision to enter into politics.
Consul General Sales commended Ms. Bishop for joining politics at an early age, thereby inspiring young leaders and enhancing greater political representation from the FIlipino diaspora. (END)
04 October 2024
HOUSTON PCG BRINGS CONSULAR SERVICES TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Consul General Gunther Sales with the Houston PCG Team, together with the PACCTX Foundation and PACCTX-DFW volunteers during the 2-day Consular Outreach Mission in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Houston, 01 October 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Houston successfully conducted a consular outreach mission in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area over the weekend of 28-29 September 2024. The mission aimed to provide essential Philippine government services to the large number of Filipinos residing in the region, as part of the Consulate’s continuing efforts to support Filipino and Filipino-American communities within its jurisdiction.
In partnership with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX) Foundation, Inc., and PACCTX–Dallas-Fort Worth, the outreach team was composed of team leader Consul Gilbert Segarra, Mr. Edgardo Esteban, Ms. Melinda Hernais, Ms. Delza Lourdes Bayabao, Ms. Mary Jane Mariano, Ms. Julie Yamon, and Mr. Ariel Duqueza. A total of 368 consular services were performed by the team covering passport, notarial, civil registry, and dual citizenship applications. 88 overseas voters registration applications were also processed.
Consul General Sales administered the Oath of Allegiance to applicants for dual citizenship
Consul General Gunther Emil Sales joined the outreach team on the second day of the mission. During his visit, he administered the Oath of Allegiance to applicants for dual citizenship and met with leaders of various Filipino-American organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A welcome reception was hosted by PACCTX Foundation and PACCTX-DFW for Consul General Sales and Houston PCG personnel. He expressed his appreciation to the volunteers who dedicated their weekend to assist their fellow Filipinos, commending their service and commitment to the community.
Houston PCG’s future consular outreach missions will be announced at least one month before the scheduled dates. Updates will be available on the Consulate's official website, houstonpcg.dfa.gov.ph, and its official Facebook page, facebook.com/PHinHouston – END
ARRIVAL OF CONSUL GENERAL GUNTHER EMIL SALES
Mr. Gunther Emil M. Sales officially assumed his post as Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General in Houston, which covers six (6) states - Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Prior to this assignment, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of American Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). As a Foreign Service Officer, he has also covered issues on APEC and the WTO at the Office of the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations; handled General Assembly, Security Council, disarmament, and human rights issues at the Office of United Nations and International Organizations; and has been involved in various institution-building initiatives at the Human Resources Management Office at the DFA.
His other foreign assignments include the Philippine Embassies in Washington D.C., USA and Stockholm, Sweden, where he served as First Secretary and Consul from 2014 to 2021 and as Second Secretary and Consul from 2007 to 2012, respectively.
Consul General Sales has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the Ateneo De Manila University and a Master’s degree in Public Management at the Ateneo School of Government.
Press Releases
- Thursday, 24 October 2024 HOUSTON PCG BRINGS CONSULAR SERVICES TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS
- Wednesday, 23 October 2024 ARRIVAL OF CONSUL GENERAL GUNTHER EMIL SALES
- Monday, 23 January 2023 NBI CLEARANCE
- Wednesday, 13 July 2022 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN MCALLEN, TEXAS 13 and 14 August 2022 (Saturday and Sunday)
Announcements
- Thursday, 26 September 2024 2025 FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER (FSO) EXAMINATIONS
- Tuesday, 02 July 2024 NOTICE OF RERB HEARING (15 JULY 2024)
- Thursday, 04 April 2024 NOTICE OF RERB HEARING (15 APRIL 2024)
- Friday, 05 January 2024 NOTICE OF RERB HEARING (16 January 2024)
- Tuesday, 17 October 2023 NOTICE OF RERB HEARING (20 OCTOBER 2023)