The Philippine Star

US-Philippine­s Society working to strengthen bilateral ties

- BABE ROMUALDEZ Photos by RAMON JOSEPH J. RUIZ

Metro Pacific Investment Corp. chairman Manny

Pangilinan hosted a private dinner for the USPhilippi­nes Society ( USPS) at the Old Manila Restaurant of The Peninsula Manila.

Manny — or MVP as he is also known — happens to be the USPS founding co-chairman along with former US Deputy State Secretary and ambassador to the Philippine­s

John Negroponte. The non-profit group was launched five years ago and it has been very helpful in boosting relations between the United States and the Philippine­s especially on the economic front.

Ambassador Negroponte and MVP spent about an hour and a half discussing bilateral and trade relations in light of the political transition­s happening in both countries, not to mention the developmen­ts that are also happening in the region and across the globe.

One of the major objectives of the USPS, whose membership is composed of prominent private sector and civic leaders, is to promote awareness about the Philippine­s and strengthen people-to-people ties. At the same time, it also seeks to highlight the opportunit­ies the Philippine­s can offer in terms of business and investment­s.

The delegation from the USPS was in the country on a three- day mission as well as to hold a bi-national board meeting. Members also met with the economic team of the Duterte administra­tion led by Finance Secretary Sonny

Dominguez to discuss the priorities of the Philippine government particular­ly on foreign investment­s as well as regional issues that impact both countries.

The US is one of the largest sources of investment­s and is also one of the biggest trading partners of this country, and the USPS is focused on helping make that longstandi­ng partnershi­p continue to become fruitful as well as productive and profitable for both countries.

 ??  ?? The private dinner hosted by MVP in honor of the USPS at the Old Manila restaurant of The Peninsula Manila.
The private dinner hosted by MVP in honor of the USPS at the Old Manila restaurant of The Peninsula Manila.
 ??  ?? With (from left) Ambassador Kim, MVP Group’s Mike Toledo and Joey Antonio.
With (from left) Ambassador Kim, MVP Group’s Mike Toledo and Joey Antonio.
 ??  ?? US Ambassador Sung Kim and Manny V. Pangilinan.
US Ambassador Sung Kim and Manny V. Pangilinan.
 ??  ?? J. Carlitos Cruz, Cirilio Noel and former Philippine Ambassador to the US Joey Cuisia.
J. Carlitos Cruz, Cirilio Noel and former Philippine Ambassador to the US Joey Cuisia.
 ??  ?? MV P and Amb a s s a d o r John Negroponte.
MV P and Amb a s s a d o r John Negroponte.
 ??  ?? Albert del Rosario and Ambassador Thomas Hubbard.
Albert del Rosario and Ambassador Thomas Hubbard.
 ??  ?? Starr Internatio­nal Insurance’s Ross Matthews and PLDT’s Ralph Brunner.
Starr Internatio­nal Insurance’s Ross Matthews and PLDT’s Ralph Brunner.
 ??  ?? Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
 ??  ?? Leo Conseco and Gerardo Borromeo.
Leo Conseco and Gerardo Borromeo.
 ??  ?? CSIS board member Henry Howard.
CSIS board member Henry Howard.
 ??  ??

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