Continuity through the US-Philippines Society

One major way of making relations between the Philippines the United States stronger is having an organization like the US-Philippines Society, a non-profit group founded in 2012.

Composed of prominent businessmen as well as diplomats from both countries, US-Philippines Society’s objective is to elevate the profile of the Philippines among American businessmen.

It is in fact a big advantage to have former US ambassadors to the Philippines in the board, such as Ambassador John Negroponte (who is co-chair with PLDT chief Manny Pangilinan), Ambassador Richard Murphy, Ambassador

Frank Wisner, our friend Ambassador Thomas Hubbard and Ambassador John Maisto, who serves as the president of the Society.

The former US ambassadors know the Philippines, they have worked and lived in the country, they have developed networks in business and government circles over the years, and are familiar with the people and our culture — so they are in the best position to promote and enhance the special relationship between Manila and Washington.

This is also the reason why even when there was no Philippine ambassador to Washington for over a year — like what happened in the most recent past — there was continuity in the relationship between the two countries because of a group like the US-Philippines Society.

The group was here for a trade and investment forum, and I personally wanted to host this welcome reception for the members of the board because they gave me a very warm welcome when I arrived in Washington, DC last November to formally assume my post as Philippine ambassador. They have been very supportive of our initiatives and activities, among them the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue covering mutual concerns that involve security and the economy as well as regional issues, and the year-end briefing that I conducted for US government officials, representatives from the private sector, members of the Filipino community and the media regarding the positive reforms and trends in the Philippine economy.

With me awarding SM’s Tessie Sy-Coson (second from left) the Carlos P. Romulo Award are (from left) former Foreign Affairs Secretary Bobby Romulo, Hank Hendrickson, Ambassador John Negroponte and Manny Pangilinan.

Hilda Gigioli, Secretary Lorenzana and Sonny Busa.

With MVP and US Ambassador Sung Kim.

Sen. Loren Legarda, John Negroponte and Henry Howard.

Arthur Lopez, Ricky Razon and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Tessie Sy-Coson and Sen. Grace Poe.

Pepe Rodriguez and Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Bolo Tuason.

Joey Antonio and Doris Magsaysay-Ho.

AIM’s Jikyeong Kang.