Manila– U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez launched February 5 the logo commemorating the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines in 2026. The event marks the start of a yearlong campaign led by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States to celebrate the unwavering ties between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies.

“Eighty years ago, our two nations formalized a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to democracy and freedom. We are proud of what we have accomplished side by side—balikatan—from standing shoulder-to-shoulder in times of conflict, to advancing economic growth, to joining forces on health, education, and disaster response priorities,” Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Ewing said at the launch of the commemorative logo at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City. “The next chapters will be written by the innovative young people who are already building on our shared legacy. We are confident that – as steadfast friends, partners in prosperity, and ironclad Allies – we will rise to even greater heights together for generations to come.”

“Tonight, as we launch the official logo for the 80th anniversary of Philippines-U.S. diplomatic relations, we are not simply unveiling a design. We are unveiling a story – eight decades of shared struggles, shared values, and shared aspirations. This logo represents a living partnership that has evolved with time and has grown, adapted, and deepened,” Ambassador Romualdez said. “What makes the Philippines-United States relationship truly special is that it is not only anchored in treaties and institutions. It is anchored in people. In many ways, we are not just allies – we are family,” he added.

The United States and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.
Historic people-to-people ties are the bedrock of the U.S.-Philippines relationship. Around 375,000 Americans call the Philippines home while more than 4.6 million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans live, work, and study across the United States.

The economic partnership continues to deliver results for Americans and Filipinos. Through U.S. investments and foreign assistance, the United States and the Philippines promote mutual prosperity by bolstering energy security, securing critical supply chains, driving private investment in the Luzon Economic Corridor, and addressing public health challenges.

This year also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance through the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty. The Philippines is the United States’ oldest security treaty ally in the Indo-Pacific. Through large-scale exercises, joint disaster response operations, and a shared commitment to supporting freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedoms of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations, U.S. and Philippine forces work together to address shared challenges in the region.

“Eighty years of shared commitment to security, including 75 years as Allies, has enabled our countries to achieve peace through deterrence, protect our citizens, and advance an open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Ewing added.

In 2026, the United States also celebrates the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Under the Freedom 250 campaign, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is organizing a series of programs to showcase the values of freedom, democracy, and innovation—values that underscore the U.S.-Philippines relationship.

The launch of the commemorative logo of the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations was made possible with the partnership of SM Supermalls. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — With thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning home after the holidays, Rep. Jude Acidre on Sunday, Feb.8, urged the Senate to swiftly approve the Bagong Balikbayan Act, a reintegration measure recently passed by the House of Representatives.

Acidre said the timing underscores the need for structured programs that help returning OFWs transition smoothly into local employment, entrepreneurship, and community life after years abroad.

House Bill No. 6643, principally authored by former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and approved by the House on December 16, 2025, seeks to consolidate existing reintegration services, expand livelihood and employment assistance, and establish a coordinated support system for returning migrant workers and their families.

“With OFWs coming home in large numbers, early Senate action would show that Congress is ready to match their sacrifices with lasting reforms,” Acidre said.

The bill provides for reintegration assistance beginning up to six months before an OFW’s return through Migrant Workers Offices abroad. It also mandates job fairs, skills recognition, employment facilitation, and even possible civil service eligibility based on overseas work experience.

The measure further includes digital platforms for easier access to reintegration services, psychosocial support for families, and enhanced assistance for distressed or undocumented OFWs, such as livelihood training and affordable credit access.

Acidre emphasized that timely Senate concurrence would allow the reintegration framework to take effect within the year, enabling the government to address both the immediate and long-term needs of returning OFWs and their families.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Bird photographers and conservation advocates from across the country converged at the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Leyte for the park’s first-ever Bird Photography Race held on February 2–3, in celebration of World Wetlands Day 2026.

Organized by the MVNP Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), the two-day event brought together amateur and professional photographers and birding enthusiasts to promote wetland protection and wildlife conservation through ethical nature photography.
The activity was conducted in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office, the local government units of Burauen and La Paz, the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the barangay local government unit of Mahagnao, the Energy Development Corporation, the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Ecoregion Association, and other stakeholders.

With the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” the photography race aimed to highlight the ecological and cultural value of wetlands while encouraging responsible bird photography practices. Participants were reminded to document bird species without disturbing wildlife or damaging their natural habitats.

During the opening program, DENR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Angelito Villanueva urged participants to observe ethical standards in wildlife photography, emphasizing the principle, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.”

Municipal Executive Assistant Marc Lee Cinco of La Paz encouraged photographers to tell meaningful stories of nature through their images, while Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines president and conservation photographer Alain Pascua noted that compelling bird photographs can help inspire public support for protecting species and their habitats.
At the close of the event, winners were announced in four categories. Don Geoff Tabaranza of Quezon City emerged as overall champion, winning awards for Most Number of Bird Species Photographed, Best Wetland Bird Photograph, and Best Bird Action Photograph, and received a total of P15,000. Vicente Cornelio Pascua of Zambales won Best Endemic Bird Photograph and received P5,000.

MVNP Protected Area Superintendent Wincel Nuñez thanked partner agencies and participants, saying the activity helped raise awareness and strengthen conservation efforts for wetlands and wildlife within the park.

Aside from the photography competition, participants attended lectures on wetlands conservation, solid waste management, and the ecological profile of MVNP, and joined a tree-planting activity with local residents and government personnel.

Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, an 860-meter dormant stratovolcano, was declared a national park in 1937 and proclaimed a protected ecotourism site through legislation in 2018.

Located about 18 kilometers from the town proper of Burauen, the park serves as a protected habitat for more than 28 bird species, including Philippine wild ducks, Barred Rail, Cinnamon Bittern, Brahminy Kite, and White-throated Kingfisher.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)