PRESIDENT Barack Obama will be visiting the Philippines for the first time, on April 28-29 — the last stop of his 4-Asia nations tour in the region.
As news reports state, Obama hopes to strengthen ties with allies in the region, amid growing concern about China’s tactical “bullying” of smaller nations in Asia.
On a lighter note, Pres. Obama has been having the time of his life getting to know the culture of Japan, South Korea and Malaysia better through his visit.
It will be interesting how our kababayans back home will welcome him, with our famous Filipino hospitality.
I am curious as to what President Noynoy Aquino will serve Pres. Obama during the state dinner. Which quintessential Pinoy restaurants he will be brought to? Jollibee? Max? Kamayan? Barrio Fiesta?
If you were to plan a state dinner menu for President Obama, what will you serve so he will never forget his unique dining experience in the Philippines?
Sago’t gulaman, buko juice, melon juice or mango shake for samalamig drinks? Sisig , balut, kilawing isda or lumpia for appetizer? Sinigang or nilagang bulalo for soup? Paksiw or pangat or pesa or ginataang seafood? Lechon, Adobo or kare-kare, kaldereta or dinuguan for main course? Fried rice or plain rice? Pancit Guisado, Canton or Malabon for noodles? Leche flan or ube halaya, ginatan or halo-halo, or cassava for dessert? How about durian? Hahahaha!
Pasalubong
But what many Filipinos really hope for as pasalubong from President Obama is his announcement of TPS designation for the Philippines.
Here is the open letter sent by the primary proponent of TPS, the Fil-Am group Migrant Heritage Commission:
April 25, 2014
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
Washington DC 20500
Open Letter to President Obama to Announce TPS for Philippines
His Excellency President Barack Obama:
On November 11, 2013, as the devastation left by Typhoon Haiyan which hit the Philippines on November 8 became apparent, Migrant Heritage Commission, a Washington DC based non-profit organization, that secures and promote the cultural identity of Filipino immigrants initiated the TPS designation of the Philippines. We wrote your Excellency, the then Department of Homeland Security Secretary Beers and Department of State Secretary Kerry to designate the Philippines as a TPS (Temporary Protected Status) country.
The call to designate Philippines for TPS has since been echoed and re-echoed by other Filipino nationals, members of the US Congress and Senate, the AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) the New York Bar Association, the New York City Council, the US Conference of Bishops and over 141 organizations, with the President of the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino formally requesting for TPS designation on December 16, 2013.
In response to the overwhelming call for TPS designation, the US government through the Department of State held consultations with various Filipino organizations including the MHC. The Department of State has since laid out the facts and made its recommendations, which following established protocol, it has transmitted to the Department of Homeland Security.
With your state visit to the Philippines drawing close, MHC respectfully calls upon your Excellency to finally announce the designation of the Philippines for TPS which it is believed is long overdue. TPS designation would provide temporary immigration relief to thousands of Filipinos in the US whose return cannot be adequately handled by the Philippine government faced with the herculean tasks of recovering from Typhoon Haiyan, other recent calamities and a looming territorial dispute and security issue with an assertive China. The designation of Philippines as a TPS country will go a long way in helping the Philippines recover and providing needed assistance to those direly affected by the super typhoon.
The humanitarian relief and assistance extended to the Philippines by the US and its citizens and the continuing efforts to aid and drum up support for the recovery efforts from the typhoon have not gone unnoticed. MHC views TPS designation of the Philippines an integral part of the humanitarian assistance being extended by the United States.
We continue to look forward to your unwavering support and the further strengthening of the ties between the two countries.
Salamat at mabuhay po kayo. Thank you Mr. President and more power.
Sincerely,
MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION (MHC):
Executive Directors:
Arnedo S. Valera,
Esquire Grace Valera-Jaramillo
Jesse Gatchalian
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Ang mga Filipino masyado ma pride ,sino ba tumulong as atin bung panahon ng kastila?panahon ng hapon?america,,bakit kayo tutor sa base sa Phil’s .saan marami ng Pilipino ,di ba sa america