By Liezel Longboan
Behind Consul General Rhenita Rodriguez’s warm smile is a seasoned diplomat with a deep commitment to the welfare of overseas Filipinos. After six years as Deputy Head of Mission at the Philippine Embassy in London, “ConGen Rhen,” as she is affectionately known, reflects on the connections she’s forged with the Filipino community and the challenges they continue to face.
No, she won’t miss the long hours or heavy workload. But she speaks with emotion about the daily rhythms of her work, her colleagues, and — most of all — the Filipino community that made her London posting meaningful.
“I will miss the Filipino community,” she says. “I will miss attending Filipino activities and events.” From raising the Philippine flag to celebrate Philippine independence day at Cardiff Castle to joining the feast of the Sto. Niño in Kilburn, she has been a visible and supportive presence at countless events organised by Filipinos across the UK.
From journalism to diplomacy
Originally from Tarlac, Ms. Rodriguez was only 16 when she began studying journalism at the University of the Philippines in Baguio — a safe and manageable distance from her hometown. Her career path began in the media, first as a local radio anchor, then as a news writer for IBC 13 and followed by a short stint at a trade magazine.
She had been working for several years as an editor at a business process outsourcing company when she learned about the Foreign Service Officer exam, one of the toughest in the Philippine civil service. “I wanted to contribute to foreign policy… to see the world and experience other cultures,” she said. She passed on her first attempt — a feat befitting a Mensa member.
A mission to protect and support overseas Filipinos
Beyond community engagement, Consul General Rodriguez has worked to extend consular services to Filipinos outside London. She credits Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. for spearheading efforts to reach Filipino communities across the UK’s four nations and beyond. In recent months alone, the Embassy has held outreach missions in Cardiff, Plymouth, Cornwall, Chichester, Guernsey, and Inverness.
Ms. Rodriguez emphasises that the entire Embassy team “works as one” in serving the community, even if their roles are distinct. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Migrant Workers Office–Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO–OWWA), assists overseas Filipino workers. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular team supports students, dual citizens, tourists, and permanent residents.
We will continue to support our…kababayans here in the UK should there be any effects from the proposed changes in immigration policy.
She stresses that Filipinos in need can turn to the Embassy for legal aid, financial assistance, temporary shelter, and repatriation support should they wish to go back to the Philippines.
Regarding proposed stricter immigration changes under the UK’s Labour government, Ms. Rodriguez assures the community: “We will continue to support our…kababayans here in the UK should there be any effects from the proposed changes in immigration policy.”
Embassy ties with Filipino nurses
The Embassy maintains strong relationships with Filipino nursing organisations, including the Filipino Nurses Association (FNA), the Philippine Nurses Association–UK (PNA-UK), and the Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance (FSNA). Beyond formal neetings, Ms. Rodriguez connects with Filipino nurses during community events and informal conversations.
She recalls the early days of the pandemic as particularly difficult. Filipino nurses approached the Embassy with urgent concerns, including the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and being required to work despite being unwell. The Embassy raised these issues with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which coordinated with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). As a result, PPE was swiftly provided — not just for Filipino nurses but for other NHS staff as well.
She recognised the value of Filipino nurses speaking up and presenting their needs to the Embassy. “We really appreciate that they came to us to with their concerns and we immediately raised their concerns with our contacts and counterparts,” she said.
More recently, Filipino nurses have raised issues around the UK’s English language requirements and the non-recognition of Philippine nursing degrees. Ms. Rodriguez said the Embassy staff are set to meet the nurses to discuss these matters. To be able to practice as a nurse in the UK, overseas nurses must pass an English proficiency exam and a test of competence.
Lost passport? Here’s what to do
While the Embassy handles policy-level work, it also responds to individual needs. One recurring issue is passport loss, especially among Filipino domestic workers fleeing abusive employers who have confiscated their documents. Survivors of trafficking and modern slavery are often unsure how to report these incidents, especially if the passport was not “stolen” in the legal sense.
Ms. Rodriguez advises that affected individuals can report the loss via the UK’s Report My Loss platform and are encouraged to seek assistance directly from the Embassy.
“I invite them to come to the Embassy so we can guide them through the process,” she says.
A deeper appreciation for Filipinos in Britain
One moment that continues to resonate with Ms. Rodriguez came during Ambassador Locsin’s credential presentation to King Charles III in May 2023. The King acknowledged the sacrifices of Filipino health workers during the pandemic:
“When there were no vaccines and no medicines,” he told the Ambassador, “Filipino nurses had one more medicine — they removed their gloves and held the hands of the dying so they could go gently into the night.”
While she appreciates such tributes, the Consul General remains grounded in the ongoing challenges Filipino workers face — from mental health concerns to immigration uncertainty and exploitative labour conditions.
Looking ahead
Ms. Rodriguez will return to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, where she will work on the Asia and Pacific Affairs portfolio. Filipino groups in the UK have been holding despedida (farewell) gatherings in her honour.
When asked about her legacy, she pauses and says simply:
“I would say that it is bringing Filipinos together.”
Her warmth, dedication and tireless advocacy for overseas Filipinos will surely be remembered long after she leaves London.
