Dep. Chief of Mission Adrian Cruz: Work in Laos is broad and exciting, with NYC memories as takeaways
By Marivir R. Montebon
New York - Lives of diplomats are always transitional, with many social and cultural adjustments needed with each new assignment. Recently, that’s been the call for Philippine Deputy Consul General in New York Adrian Cruz who has served Filipinos in the East Coast for 3.5 years. Just in early June 2026, he moved to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to serve as Deputy Chief of Mission.
A lot of adjustments is in the works right now for DCM Cruz and his family. We share this deep conversation, a sort of a debriefing for DCM, as he remembers fresh memories of New York and acclimatizing a new life in Southeast Asia, with his entire family in tow.
Deputy Consul General in New York Adrian Cruz at the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado celebration in 2025, one of his favorite events in the community. He served as Manager of the Philippine Center prior to his current post in Laos as Deputy Chief of Mission.
MM: What’s your best and favorite event in NYC and other states?
Deputy Chief of Mission Ady Cruz: The Paaralan sa Konsulado and Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado count as the most memorable Consulate activities I have been a part of.
Of course, you cannot discount the excitement that my family and I felt when we join the Philippine Independence Day Parades in the states of New York, New Jersey and New England. It is an unforgettable moment to walk the streets of Manhattan in Filipiniana attire, waving the flag before a cheering crowd. It makes you proud of being a Filipino in a foreign land.
Paaralan sa Konsulado, in partnership with AFTA group, is on its 28th year in 2026.
The 128th Philippine Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue in June 2026.
Philippine Independence Day in Massachusetts, 2023.
MM: Was there a specific assignment that's tough, that tested your patience or expertise?
DCM: Becoming Manager of the Philippine Center is the most challenging role I have undertaken to date. Such a role is unique and you never get to experience that in any diplomatic post. On one hand, it is an honor to be directly involved in promoting Philippine arts and culture and articulating our cultural heritage to Filipino Americans and the general public.
DCG Cruz with some members of the Philippine Center Management Board of the ‘tahanan ng Manhattan’ (l-r) Malcolm, Consul Anna Guerra (assistant manager), Victor, Melinda, Sef, Renato and Erwin.
Cultural centers are vibrant hubs of community activity and the Philippine Center (ito ang tinatawag ko na “Tahanan sa Manhattan”) provides a safe space for people to come together, learn, and engage with Philippine culture and the arts. I am grateful to have been able to foster strong relationships with local communities, government agencies, and international institutions being the manager of the Philippine Center.
On the other hand, being a manager, you have to primarily deal with the ongoing challenge of maintenance and repair issues of a more-than-a-century old building. Managing and coordinating contractors for repairs can be time-consuming and require a significant amount of planning and supervision. I am glad that I have an experienced, dedicated team that supports me on this.
Being a manager, you also have to handle, with skill, patience and grace, tenant complaints and requests (demands?) from the Filipino American community on the use of facilities. It is but normal to encounter disagreements, and so handling conflicts is a significant part of my job.
DCG Cruz with Consul General of Turkey Reyhan Ozgur.
A bookworm will always love NYC bookstores.
MM: What will you miss most about New York?
DCM: I would want to say shopping, but I guess that is the most obvious activity anyone will miss about New York. I love books, so being able to go to the libraries and bookstores would be the one I miss most.
The other thing that I would miss would be the convenience and easy access to just about anything else: if you crave a particular cuisine you can find it, if you want to have an immerse experience, there are museums, Broadway shows, concerts, exhibitions that you can enjoy every day.
Holiday dinner with Consul General Senen Mangalile and DCG Cruz together with members of the community press, trade and UN mission, and the Philippine Consulate General in New York in 2024.
MM: As a diplomat, what's your best take away in this assignment in NY?
DCM: New York City is a major center for international diplomacy as it is the host of more than a hundred diplomatic missions from countries around the world. These missions include consulates and permanent missions, each playing a crucial role in representing their countries' interests, promoting international relations, and providing assistance to their citizens abroad.
I am very fortunate and grateful to be able to participate in Consulate and UN activities either directly or behind-the-scenes.
MM: What is your post in Laos going to be like?
DCM: All Philippine embassies and consulates abroad function to advance the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy: (1) preservation and enhancement of national security; (2) promotion and attainment of economic security and (3) protection and promotion of the welfare and interests of Filipinos overseas.
DCM Cruz with Ambassador Elizabeth Te and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Noni Cabrera at the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos.
We all work toward these same goals but when I return to the Embassy, the scope of my work goes beyond providing consular services. I hope to be able to contribute in advancing our national interests and supporting Philippine efforts at deepening the strategic partnership with ASEAN and ASEAN member states, particularly Laos. The work is indeed as broad and as exciting as it sounds.
DCG Cruz with wife Citadel at the Cordillera Night in New York 2025.
At a personal level, I know there are difficult challenges ahead, such as adjusting to a new culture and family/work environment. But then, difficult challenges are a natural part of life, and I believe that through patience, positive attitude and a strong sense of groundedness, any challenge will be overcome and wonderful things can happen.
MM: Do you think you will be a career diplomat for a long time? For a lifetime, perhaps?
DCM: I honestly never dreamt of being a diplomat, but I realized that I have always been a diplomat by nature. For now, I am helping my country navigate one of the most difficult moments in history. But I have always viewed myself as naturally being able to work with all sorts of people, and help them understand issues and solve problems. Isn’t that what diplomacy is about? If so, then perhaps, being a diplomat is a lifetime calling. #
