A warm welcome from the Filipino community
Speaking in my first town hall meeting with the Filipino community held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.
An estimated four million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans reside in the United States, making up a large and important segment of society.
I received a very warm welcome during a town hall meeting held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., where I had the opportunity to engage with leaders of the Filipino community in the US as well as countries in the Caribbean that include Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia.
The Filipino community plays a very vital role in shaping and strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States. And next to the shared sacrifices of American and Filipino soldiers during the Second World War, it is the presence of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the US that serves as a strong anchor that has kept the alliance between the two nations enduring and stable over the decades.
Filipinos are known for their hard work and their capacity for displaying excellence in their respective professions. As such, they are able to make positive contributions to host countries, at the same time demonstrating resilience and solidarity in the pursuit of shared goals.
Our kababayans were very eager to know what was happening in the Philippines, asking about Marawi and efforts to rehabilitate the city, the government’s war against illegal drugs, how we can engage young Filipino-Americans, and a host of other questions.
As I noted during my formal remarks, Filipino communities in the US and the Caribbean region are entering a phase where they are becoming more strategic, vocal and visible as they pursue their interests and aspirations. These communities have also been a constant source of pride for our country, which is why our Philippine Embassy team will continue to work hard in creating a stronger and better Philippines that every Filipino will be proud of.
