Road show highlights Philippines-US ties

Saturday, September 17, 2011

UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. believes the opening of the “America in 3D” event yesterday at SM City Cebu will further deepen the relationship of Americans and Filipinos.

“America in 3D” is the US Embassy’s road show in diplomacy, development and defense, which brings the embassy directly to the community.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

“I believe that close relationship lies on the sharing of culture,” Thomas said.

The three-day event will be an opportunity for Cebuanos to meet many representatives of various embassy sections, including the Visa Section, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Commercial Service, the United States Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, Peace Corps, and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (Fulbright Commission). 

This nationwide road show is a personal initiative of Ambassador Thomas and Cebu City is the embassy’s third stop after Baguio and Quezon City this year.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, in his speech, asked Thomas about the possibility of bringing the embassy back to Cebu.

Thomas said he would look into the mayor’s request but noted that the US Embassy in Manila has recently opened a new $50-million state-of-the-art consular facility, the second largest US consular building in the world, which would provide visa applicants full-scale service.

“America in 3D” will showcase musical and dance performances of American genres, including blues, country music, hip-hop and Broadway, among others; American food; information about applying for visas and how to study in the United States; and career opportunities for two American companies—Accenture and Lexmark.

According to a report, seven out of 10 Filipinos applying for a US visa obtain approval. The embassy said getting a US visa is not difficult, provided the applicant can prove that he or she will return to the Philippines by establishing professional and economic background.

Accenture Philippines country manager Lito Tayag, in the same event, said the company will expand operations in Cebu, buoyed by the robust growth in the IT/BPO industry.

The firm, which has 24,000 employees in the country, has more than 900 employees in Cebu.

America in 3D event is also in partnership with McDonald’s, SM City Cebu, Radisson Blu Hotel and El Cielito Hotels. The event will run until Sept. 18 at SM North Wing.