Us-Philippines Society

TRADE & INVESTMENTS Held substantive meetings with newly-elected PH President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and cabinet members in New York, Manila, and Washington DC on the administration's economic policy priorities post pandemic, addressing inflation and food security, lifting US-PH partnership and PH participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Organized forums with PH Economic Zone Authority to promote export-generating industries and with PH Women leaders to enhance business diversity.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Held public forums with historical context of US-PH professional exchanges from early 20th century highlighting today's PH nurses who immigrated to the U.S. and the role of religion and culture as they persevered during a U.S. health crisis. PH nurses were recognized with a Carlos P. Romulo Award by the US-PH Society. Enlightened public about sacrifices and perseverance of first American teachers in the PH, the groundwork of early US Peace Corps, and PH educators filling US teacher shortages today.

REGIONAL SECURITY Hosted foreign policy experts roundtable with PH Senate Committee Chair on Foreign Relations on a broad-based approach to manage relationship bound by treaty alliance, the pursuit of an independent foreign policy, to expand beyond traditional allies amid regional geopolitical risks. Mounted a public campaign on VP Kamala Harris's visit to Palawan along the West Philippine Sea to underscore the importance of international law, unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

DISASTER RELIEF Provided emergency relief assistance to Zamboanga fire victims, awarded fiberglass fishing boat for fisherfolk affected by 2021 typhoon Odette. Collected donations for distribution of EID relief food packs in several Muslim Mindanao communities blighted by seaweed drought, displaced by conflict.

HISTORY & EDUCATION Hosted meetings with BARMM authorities for briefings about Bangsamoro autonomy process. USPHS directors launched a job internship program for engineering students in PH. Executive Director Hank Hendrickson participated in the USS Telesforo Trinidad Ship Naming Celebration to honor veteran.

CULTURAL PRESENTATION Sponsored PH Embassy at the Embassy Chef Challenge that showcased PH cuisine in a friendly competition among thirty-seven embassies in Washington DC. Celebrated Asian American Heritage Month with a book talk by Prof Erwin Tiongson on Philippine American Heritage in Washington DC.