11 July 2016 – In a ceremony at the Slovakia Consulate General presided by Slovakia Consul General and current President of Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC) Jana Trncova, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., was recognized for his outstanding achievements in expanding and enhancing the role of the SOFC when he assumed the Presidency from 2014 until 2015 and was an active member from 2011 until 2016.

During his term as President of SOFC, Consul General De Leon emphasized a broader role for the Consular Corps that encompassed deeper economic and cultural cooperation with New York City and US federal government agencies, and between and among members of Consular Corps. In addition, the membership of the SOFC became more robust, adding more members from ASEAN and African Consulates General.  He also led official trips to New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in the same year as part of SOFC members’ orientation and networking tour of New York City.  He expanded the camaraderie and friendship among Consular Corps members by hosting receptions at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center and continuing the annual SOFC tradition of recognizing distinguished lady diplomats serving in New York during receptions.

On April 30, 2015, the SOFC became incorporated as a 501 (d) (3) after 90 years of being unincorporated in New York. It was made possible during the term of Consul General De Leon when the SOFC officially filed incorporation papers in 2014 that led to its approval the following year. Because of this, the SOFC became a stronger institution with a clear mandate and is now able to add different activities, including social get-togethers and fund raising, for the benefit of the entire Consular Corps. 

The SOFC is the oldest institution of its kind representing the largest Consular Corps in any world capital.  For 2016-2017, the Dean of the Consular Corps and Consul of Guyana, Brentnold Evans, assumed the Presidency of the SOFC. END