Video | Courtesy Call with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr

President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
January 30, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received the US-Philippines Society in a courtesy call at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.

“I can only agree with Ambassador [John] Negroponte when he says that this is an auspicious time for the relations between our two countries,” said the President in his remarks, highlighting the importance of partnership between the Philippines and the United States of America in many fronts.

“So these partnerships have become as important as they have ever been in our entire joint history. And that is why I’m very happy to see that the US-Philippines Society is so active. Every time there is a function that involves any interaction between the US, both private sector side and government side, that you are there. And we are happy that you are there continuing to keep an eye on the Philippines and continuing to express an interest in the goings on here, and most especially in our relationship, and strengthening of that, and what I always say, the evolving of that relationship as the world around us changes,” he emphasized.

During the courtesy call, the US-Philippines Society bestowed the 2023 Carlos P. Romulo Award for ‘The Filipino Nurse’ in recognition of their immense contribution and collective commitment to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. These unsung healthcare heroes of Philippine descent represented 3.5 million nurses working in the United States and accounted for 30 percent of those who died from the virus. ‘Their sacrifice testifies to the critical frontline care provided, especially to the most vulnerable,’ the citation read.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople received the 2023 Carlos P. Romulo Award on behalf of the Filipino nurses from Ambassador John Negroponte, Co-Chair of the US-Philippines Society.

A private sector initiative, the US-Philippines Society was organized to broaden and expand interaction and understanding through basic research and/or applied research in the areas of security, trade, investments, tourism, environment, history, education and culture between the two nations that would benefit the American public and the Filipino people.

Source: RTVM, Republic of the Philippines