-- The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco together with the Filipino American community honored outgoing ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief Regina “ Ging” Reyes  with a reception  called “ an Evening with Ging Reyes”  on 24  January 2011 at the Social Hall of the Philippine  Center Building.

Ms. Reyes is the first North American Bureau Chief of ABS-CBN who during an almost decade-long stint  nurtured the Bureau to its high standards of service, as well as providing that  vital communication and information  link between the Filipino American Communities in North America and with the home country.

Philippine Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. led the long list  of  personalities, groups  and guests who  paid tribute to Ms. Reyes and her numerous professional achievements and personal qualities.

In his remarks and in the Certification of Recognition he presented Ms. Reyes, Consul General Paynor cited  the invaluable contribution she has given as ABS-CBN North America News Bureau, her strong and unwavering commitment to servicing the Filipino-American communities in North America and her continuous dedication to service and upholding the highest level of professionalism among her peers.

The evening event saw a gathering of a cross-section of Filipino American communities, colleagues and friends of the honoree.

To name a few of the numerous community group representatives who  paid tribute to Ms. Reyes were, Mr. Rodel Rodis and Ms. Charito Benipayo (US  Pinoys for Good Governance), Ms. Ester Chavez (Philippine American Press Club), Mr. Joe  Pecho (National Federation of Filipino American  Associations),  Mr.Rudy Asercion (WestBay Pilipino Multi-Service Center) Filipino Veterans group,

Mr. Al Perez (Filipino American Arts Exposition and San Francisco Entertainment Commissioner), Ms. Marily Mondejar / Ms. Sonia Delen and  other members (Filipina  Women’s Network), Ms. Marivic Bamba (San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center), Ms. Cherina Viloria Tinio/Mr. Joseph Mojares (Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California), Atty.  Rene Pascual (Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Northern California), Carmen Colet (San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce and San Francisco Art Commissioner), Ms. Yolanda Stern (One World Institute), Ms. Melissa Apuya, representing Senator Leland Yee, US House of Representatives Jackie Speiers (Certificate of  Appreciation read and presented on behalf of the Congresswoman by Deputy Consul General Wilfredo Santos)   and California Legislative Assemblywoman / Speaker Pro-Tempore Fiona Ma (Certificate of Appreciation read and presented on behalf of the Assemblywoman by Consul  Alfonso Ver),   Ms. Nerissa Fernandez (Head of Corporate Affairs, ABS-CBN) and Mr. Dennis Normandy (San Francisco-Manila Sister City Council).

An added special tribute and appreciation was done by way of a  special hors d’oeuvres  menu  prepared solely for this event  by Kulinarya 2010  Cooking  Showdown winner Chef Ed Grajo,  in coordination with  food retailer Island Pacific which provided the ingredients.

Ms. Reyes in her response to all, humbly acknowledged the accolades given to her. She nostalgically recalled the early days and growth of the North America News Bureau interactions, her experiences with the Filipino American community and important remembrances of her almost decade-long stint as North America Bureau Chief. She also   related the hard decision she had to do to  leave her current position.  Ms. Reyes assumes her  new position as Vice President for News and Current Affairs of ABS-CBN.   END