CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Consul General of the Philippines to Hawaii, Julius D. Torres, was declared as a “Distinguished Adopted Son” of this city, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin said.

This came after the City Council moved to award the recognition on Torres “for his promotion of the Parul Sampernandinu of the City of San Fernando.” The recognition is partly due to the successful “Annual Parol Festival in Hawaii,” which started in 2012 was attributed to the initiatives of the Philippine Community in Hawaii through the efforts of Hon. Torres.

“The festival showcased Pampanga’s renowned Giant Lanterns to Honolulu which will forever linger and treasured by this city government,” the city council resolution reads.

Last November 2013, Lazatin with councilor Harvey Quiwa attended the 2nd Annual Parol Festival where they were accorded a grand welcome and accommodation by Torres together with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

According to Lazatin, Torres has manifested “sincere gesture of friendship, camaraderie, cooperation and appreciation to the city officials.”

Torres has been in the Philippine Consular Service since 1984 -- from Philippine Embassy, Bucharest, Romania (1984-1989), Brussels, Belgium (1995-1997), Canberra, Australia (1997-1998), Koror, Palau (2000-2003), Toronto, Canada (2003-2006), Amman, Jordan (February 2007-November 30, 2011).

He has also served in various capacities in the Philippine Foreign Service where he started his career as Third Secretary and Vice Consul, then Second Secretary and Consul before reaching the peak of becoming a Consul General of the Philippines to Hawaii.