Balikatan 2026: Assessment and Update on U.S.-Philippines Alliance
On June 4, Aaron-Matthew Lariosa, a security analyst and journalist covering the U.S.-Philippine defense relationship and naval developments in the Indo-Pacific, provided an insightful briefing on the recently concluded Balikatan 2026 military exercises held in northern Luzon, Philippines. Drawing from first hand experience observing coastal defense and maritime strike drills, …
Philippines and Spain: Diplomacy, History and the Colonial Legacy
At a roundtable forum on April 29 at the University of California Center in Washington, D.C., US-Philippines Society President (emeritus) John Maisto and Executive Director Hank Hendrickson met with U.C. students and Professor Dr. Cristián Ricci, to discuss the impact of the Spanish colonial period on the Philippines. U.C.’s focus …
Strengthening Regional Engagements: Taiwan and the Philippines
On Wednesday, April 29, the US-Philippines Society hosted Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Chairman Dr. Michael Hsiao and Executive Director Dr. Alan Yang for a presentation on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s Indo-Pacific policy and developments in Taiwan-Philippines relations. The discussion highlighted a major new emphasis on the Philippines in Taiwan’s regional engagement …
Trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines: Advancing Private Sector Partnerships
On April 20, the US-Philippines Society and Sasakawa USA organized a roundtable luncheon entitled “US-Japan-Philippines: New Strategic Frontier” to discuss developments in trilateral relations and conclusions from our February 12 trilateral forum in Tokyo, which was organized in partnership with Sasakawa USA and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies …
Outlook on U.S.-Philippines Alliance in the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Islands
On March 12, Leland Bettis, Director of the Guam-based Pacific Center for Island Security (PCIS), provided a briefing on growing maritime activity across Micronesia, including a notable surge in PRC research vessels in the Philippine Sea. The presentation drew on PCIS’s Micronesia Security Monitor, a visualization tool launched in 2025 …
80th Anniversary of Philippines-United States Diplomatic Relations
The logo was officially unveiled on 5 February 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City, marking the start of a yearlong campaign led by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. This event is in partnership with the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States …
Highlights of 2026 US-Philippines Society Trilateral Program in Tokyo
On February 12, US-Philippines Society Co-Chairs Ambassador John Negroponte and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala led a delegation of board members to Tokyo to discuss opportunities for trilateral U.S.-Philippines-Japan cooperation. The group met with officials at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs …
Choral Arts Society of Washington Brings Musical Holiday Cheer with a Philippine Accent
A highlight of the Washington DC holiday season was the 45th Annual Concert “O Night Divine,” at the Kennedy Center, December 15, 2025. Performing for Washingtonians, local civic leaders and foreign dignitaries, the breathtaking performance was a smash hit. A gala and silent auction fundraising with sponsors, donors and supporters …
Update on the Peace Process in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
Washington DC – Following the latest postponement of parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the US-Philippines Society invited Haironesah Domado to lead an October 28 roundtable discussion on factors behind the election postponement and implications for peace and stability in the southern Philippines going forward. A …