US envoy meets, greets university students

UNITED States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. visited the University of Baguio Thursday to foster ties between his country and the Filipino youth.

Thomas who has been regularly visiting the Summer Capital as the US celebrated its Independence Day and the Filipino-American friendship Day last July 4.

The American ambassador shared stories of Filipino-American bonds to school administrators, faculty more than 200 students from the University of Baguio Laboratory High School and University of Baguio Science High School.

Thomas claimed the ties which bind the two countries are shown by more than 4.5 million Filipino-Americans and Tagalog as the fifth widely spoken language in the United States.

He also said the exchanges between the two countries, particularly in the education sector, has long been exercised since the time of the Thomasites who have started teaching in the country particularly in the Summer Capital.

He also opened opportunities for Filipino teachers in the US as the embassy continues to give visas to qualified teachers to teach in American schools particularly in the fields of science and mathematics.

He also relayed the continued opportunity for Filipino students to gain an education in United States colleges and universities through student visas.

UB OIC-president Eleanor Bautista-Razon welcomed the US Ambassador claiming it is an honor for them to host the Ambassador and work on future partnerships with the American embassy and foster relationships between the two countries.

Also present in the program were UB vice president for administration Dr. Lloyd Orduña and UB vice president for institutional development Dr. Miller Peckley.

Aside from the visit to UB, the US envoy also opened the Philippine-American Friendship Photo Exhibit at the Baguio-Mt. Provinces Museum displaying photos of the American Ambassador’s residence.