Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – South Francisco Conference Center

Meeting with the Filipino Community

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed appreciation for the achievements and contributions of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the United States during a meeting with the Filipino community in San Francisco. He acknowledged those who have won statewide elective positions, particularly highlighting the vital role played by Filipino healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one in every five nurses in California trained in the Philippines. Marcos recognized the significant economic contribution of Overseas Filipinos in the US, citing a substantial amount of cash remittances in 2022. He also praised individuals like Sarina Bolden, the first Filipino to score a goal in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and commended the increasing involvement of Filipino Americans in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley in Philippine development.

Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to acknowledging and rewarding the efforts of Filipinos abroad, positioning them as the new heroes of the nation. With a personal connection to San Francisco, dating back to his father’s visit in 1966, Marcos highlighted the city’s importance due to its significant Filipino population. Currently, over four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans are in the US, with around 700,000 residing in the Bay Area.