US envoy spreads the good word: It’s more fun in Philippines

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

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.”