Raising the Philippines' profile in the US
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U.S. AND PHILIPPINES REAFFIRM AND STRENGTHEN MULTI-FACETED ALLIANCE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY
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This year marks the 70th anniversary of the US-PH bilateral diplomatic relationship. The longstanding partnership dates back to 1946 and has played a central role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Both countries recently reaffirmed this historic and strategic partnership highlighting the U.S. commitment to its key ally under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and subsequently the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed in April 2014. High level meetings followed the Jan 12 decision of the Philippine Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of EDCA. The second US-PH Two Plus Two Ministerial Consultative Dialogue attended by Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Philippine counterparts, Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, examined 21st century opportunities based on shared values and common interests.
The US "rebalance" to Asia aims to promote a stable, transparent, and rules-based order that encourages cooperation in the region. At the US-ASEAN Summit in the Sunnylands, California, 16 February, President Obama, along with President Aquino and the ASEAN leaders and with strong bipartisan support, reiterated four policy priorities: mutual security and peaceful resolution of disputes, inclusive economic growth, human dignity, and sustainable development.
On March 17-18, the sixth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue was held to exchange views on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues including
Partnership for Growth initiatives, foreign military funding, trade and investment, education and research, collaboration in science and technology, climate change, humanitarian assistance, cooperative activities to support the rule of law and peaceful resolution of territorial and maritime disputes.
Against this landscape and the upcoming Philippine elections in May, the US-Philippines Society presented a series of programs underscoring the strength of bilateral ties, people to people linkages, private enterprise and civil society in promoting political stability and sustained economic growth.
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Philippine delegation with
Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.
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Two Plus Two Ministerial Meeting led by (from left) Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ash Carter
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U.S. delegation with
Ambassador Philip Goldberg
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SECRETARY ALBERT DEL ROSARIO HONORED BY US-PH SOCIETY DIRECTORS
12 January, at the Metropolitan Club of Washington DC, Society Directors hosted a dinner in honor of Secretary Albert Del Rosario, for his exemplary leadership and public service. The Secretary was instrumental in the formation of the US-PH Congressional Friendship Caucus and has been an effective advocate for strong US-PH ties.
In the photo, Ambassador John D. Negroponte presents to Secretary Del Rosario a photograph that captures their professional and personal friendship over many years.
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PHILIPPINES BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FORUM
Senior Officials, Business Leaders Confident about Sustained Economic Growth and Continuity of Policies during a Transition Year
The US-Philippines Society co-sponsored a March 3 Philippine Investment Forum at the Sheraton New York Times Square. The forum highlighted the Aquino administration's achievements in good governance, competitiveness, inclusive growth, and reassured investors of policy continuity and growth prospects in key sectors, including infrastructure, IT-business process management, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism.
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The forum organized by InvivaLink in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, featured high profile panelists, including (L-R, above) Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima; Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.; Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De los Reyes;(L-R, below) US-PH Society Co-chair Ambassador John D. Negroponte; US-PH Society President Ambassador John F. Maisto; former Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo. US-PH Society directors Amb. Jose E.B. Antonio, Jay Collins, Enrique Razon, and Cirilo Noel also participated as panelists.
TOURISM DEPARTMENT NETWORKING EVENING
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PH Tourism theme "Visit the Philippines Again in 2016"
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L-R: Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Apl de Ap, Tourism Promotions Board COO Ramon Enerio, and Consul General Mario Lopez De Leon, Jr.
{Photo credit: Monette Rivera)
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The PH Department of Tourism, in cooperation with the PH Tourism Promotions Board and InvivaLink, launched "Visit the Philippines Again in 2016" at a welcome networking evening, 2 March, for delegates and guests. Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, singer and songwriter Apl de Ap and American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez entertained and pointed to the rich culture and hospitality that await visitors in the Philippines.
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AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING, TRADE, AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DELEGATION
In collaboration with the Philippine Embassy, the Society sponsored a 17 March well-attended forum on challenges and opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and science & technology. Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De los Reyes led the panel discussion citing initiatives aimed at building capacities and improving Philippine competitiveness in key sectors.
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L-R Commercial Counselor Raymond A. Batac, Economic Minister JV Gonzaga, Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Jr., US-PH Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Undersecretary Amelia Guevara, Secretary Virgilio De los Reyes, Society President Ambassador John F. Maisto, Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, and Agriculture Attache Josyline Javelosa
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SILICON VALLEY IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR YOUNG INNOVATORS
At the initiative of Co-chair Manuel V. Pangilinan, the US-Philippines Society and the Science and Technology Advisory Council - Silicon Valley led by its President Christina Laskowski, sponsored the inaugural Excelr8 Program, February 15-19, an immersion program to develop entrepreneurship in young innovators.
Held at top exponential technology companies in Silicon Valley, the program exposed delegates to the unique American high-tech ecosystem.
Society Directors and Technology Committee Co-chairs Roberto Llames and Jeffrey Peterson welcomed the delegates that included #BeTheBoss Award winners and PLDT Smart SME Nation managers. Special guests were Filipino American Tech Stars Marc Loinaz, Ph.D., Reshma Khilnani and Tisa Mendoza.
Learn more.
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Philippine delegation with organizers and mentors at Google Headquarters
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2016 PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS: LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF THE NEXT PRESIDENT
On 23 March, the US-Philippines Society with the World Bank-IMF Filipino Staff Association and Georgetown's MSFS Program sponsored a lecture by distinguished journalist Marites Vitug on the upcoming
Philippine elections.
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THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
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From left, US-Philippines Society President Ambassador John F. Maisto, Retired Commodore Rex Robles, Reformed Armed Forces Movement (RAM) Co-founder, and Political Capital Host Atty. Tony Abad of Bloomberg TV Philippines. (Photo Credit: Development Academy of the Philippines) |
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION
25 February 2016 marked the 30th anniversary of the Philippine EDSA People Power Revolution. In an interview by Tony Abad of Bloomberg TV Philippines that reached a nationwide audience, US-Philippines Society President Ambassador John F. Maisto offered a perspective on the historic events leading to a transfer to democracy in February 1986.
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DISASTER RESILIENCY PROGRAMS
MOA signing on Disaster Resiliency Initiatives with PDRF and BDO Foundation in Manila
On January 27, US-Philippines Society and Philippine Disaster Resiliency Foundation (PDRF), a leading private sector coordinator in disaster management, signed a Memorandum of Agreement to launch the project
Weaving to Transform, Uplift Livelihood, and Preserve Culture in Aklan, PH. The project is funded from donations received at the 11 June 2015 Evening Gala that featured creative works of Patis Tesoro at a fashion show in Washington DC. The project provides pina weavers with new loom equipment, training in natural dye processing, marketing support and participation in trade fairs.
The Society also formalized an agreement with the BDO Foundation, the philantropic arm of BDO Unibank, for the rehabilitation of Pastrana Municipal Health Center in Leyte, Philippines. The rehabilitation of the health center which serves more than 3,500 households includes facilities for children and the elderly, consultation rooms, minor surgery and treatment rooms, pharmacy, dental clinic, labor room, breastfeeding area and birthing clinic. The improvement of its birthing facilities supports the United Nations Millennium Development Goal for maternal healthcare.
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L-R: Program Manager Veron Gabaldon, PDRF President Butch Meily, US-PH Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Aklan Pina Mantra President Anna India Legaspi, US-PH Society Co-chair Manuel V. Pangilinan and US-PH Society President Amb John F. Maisto
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L-R Ramon Militar, Region Head and Senior VIce President of BDO Unibank, US-PH Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, BDO CEO and President Nestor V. Tan and Maureen C. Abelardo, President, BDO Foundation
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SAVE THE DATE
Musical Tribute to Celebrate Five Years of Dynamic Diplomacy
Featuring Top Filipino Sensations Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha
Ronald Reagan Building and ITC
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC
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STAY CONNECTED
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