Here’s
a jazz-loving diplomat, who has changed his tune. The change will most likely
be music to the ears of Philippine tourism officials.
While the country prepares to roll out its new
tourism slogan worldwide, US Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas Jr. has been
doing his part to spread the word that it is more stimulating in the
Philippines.
“I can tell you honestly, it’s more fun in the
Philippines,” Thomas said at a recent gathering of Filipino-Americans in San
Francisco.
The diplomat, who is known to enjoy attending
regional festivals throughout the country and to frequent local jazz clubs and
concerts, was referring to the energized Philippine-US relations, improved
international assessment of the Philippine economy and President Benigno Aquino
III’s anticorruption campaign.
Last year, Thomas drew flak after he said that
40 percent of foreign male tourists come to the Philippines for commercial sex.
He later apologized for making the statement.
At the gathering of Fil-Ams, Thomas said there
were “some great programs and great cooperation going on with the Philippines
that promise positive results, and a great team at the embassy (in Manila) to
help make it happen.”
He said he would be “coming back to Manila
really energized by the opportunities we have, with the Aquino administration
particularly, to modernize and mature our relationship.”
Thomas announced that, shortly, US Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta “will host their
Philippine counterparts (Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin) for a continuation of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue
in Washington.”
High-level
delegations
Thomas recalled that in January, “we hosted
two high-level congressional delegations in Manila, a sign of Washington’s
increased recognition of the seriousness of President Aquino’s administration.”
In his remarks, he also cited the “dynamism,
work ethic and community spirit of the Filipino.”
He praised Fil-Ams for “working to make the
ties between the United States and the Philippines stronger and more vibrant.”
“You make my job easier and I appreciate the
help,” he said.
6
reasons for optimism
The US ambassador reiterated that he was
optimistic.
“First, because Filipinos are optimistic and,
after nearly two years in Manila, some of that optimism has rubbed off on me.
But I am also optimistic because I believe the current Philippine leadership is
prepared to take some hard decisions,” he said.
Earlier, he told the American Chamber of
Commerce in Makati City there were at least six reasons for his optimism about
his host country.
Thomas said, “President Aquino’s campaign
pledge to root out corruption is beginning to take hold through public
disclosure of past violations. Second, the economy continues to prosper,
showing a resilience many nations could envy.”
“Third, the favorable international assessment
of the Philippines’ macroeconomic policies. Fourth, continued Philippine
success in global markets. Fifth, the spectrum of Philippine security agencies
is increasingly effective in conducting credible law enforcement. And, lastly,
the high caliber of leadership across key Cabinet agencies,” he said.
28th
Balikatan
At his West Coast speaking engagement early
this month, Thomas said that soon after his return to Manila, “we will kick off
the Balikatan 2012 military exercise, one of several annual exercises that are
incredible feats of organization, communication, planning and goodwill between
members of the American and Philippine armed forces.”
“Filipino and American military personnel from
all branches of service will work shoulder to shoulder in the heat and the rain,
cross-training in military operations such as air rescue, amphibious
operations, close air support, small arms training and staging support. They
will also build and renovate schools and provide much needed dental, medical
and veterinary services at the barangay level,” he said.
Thomas noted that “this year’s Balikatan will
mark the 28th time our militaries shall have conducted this exercise in the
spirit of leadership, cooperation and military professionalism that
characterize our relationship.”
“Times may change, but our shared values and
principles are enduring,” he said.
Thomas called 2011 a “very positive year”
during which the two allies “laid the foundation for what I think will be a
substantial modernization of our relationship.”
Facebook,
Twitter
“First, we stepped up the quality of service
we offer to veterans, American citizens and travelers. Second, we stepped up
our outreach to connect with more Filipinos than ever before. We are prominent
on Facebook and I invite you to ‘friend’ the embassy. You can follow both the
embassy and me, personally, on Twitter if you like,” he said.
He also said he was “most proud of the America
in 3D road show, which brings the 30 agencies of the US embassy to shopping
malls in key areas (of the Philippines) so we can talk to and learn from
Filipinos who might never make it past the embassy’s security.”
America
in 3D
“These events include sports clinics, medical
outreach, cultural presentations, classic American cars and good old American
food. They help us tell the story of US-Philippine friendship, build partners
with emerging leaders and dynamic institutions, and remind us that American
business, as well as the US government, is a key partner in the Philippines,”
Thomas said.
America in 3D, which the embassy described as
a “celebration of Fil-Am friendship, showcasing US culture, business and
embassy services,” will be in Iloilo City on March 2-4.
Launched early in 2011 in Quezon City,
the road show has traveled to Baguio and Cebu cities.
Said Thomas: “For anyone interested in joining
us, we will be putting our America in 3D road show in Iloilo in early March.
You are all cordially invited.”
Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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