27 June 2016 — In recognition of his pivotal role in the establishment of the U.S.-Philippines Society and strengthening U.S.-Philippines relations, outgoing Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was honored on June 22 as the 2016 Carlos P. Romulo Awardee.
The award was presented to Ambassador Cuisia in Manila by Society Co-chair Manuel V. Pangilinan during the Welcome Dinner for the Society Directors who are holding their annual meeting in the Philippines this week. Also present at the ceremony were Co-Chair John Negroponte, Society President John Maisto, Honorary Chair Washington Sycip, and other Directors of the U.S.-Philippines Society from both the Philippines and the United States.
Through all the shifts of policy and politics over the years, the strong bonds between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States have been a lasting foundation for Philippine-US relations. The Carlos P. Romulo Award was, therefore, created in order to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society and to efforts strengthening US–Philippine ties.
Past recipients of the award were former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario, Washington Sycip, and C.V. Starr Co. Inc Chairman/CEO & US-Philippines Society Honorary Chair Maurice R. (Hank) Greenberg.
The Society’s President, Ambassador Maisto, said, "Ambassador Joey Cuisia's leadership since the Society's launch in 2012 was critical to our success in reaching American opinion-makers with information on many of the exciting developments taking place in today's Philippines. The award also recognizes his contribution to the strengthening of Philippine-American ties during his tenure in Washington."
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Society was launched in 2012 with the mission of raising the profile of today’s Philippines through programs on business, governance, culture, shared history, education, health care, immigration, strategic issues, and conflict resolution. The bi-national Board of Directors includes some 30 private sector and community leaders who are this week gathered in Manila to chart the Society’s course during the 2016 year of political transitions in both countries, compare views on regional and bilateral issues with senior Philippine officials including President Benigno S. Aquino III and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, and explore business opportunities with private sector leaders.
“I am truly thankful for the decision of the US-Philippines Society to present me the Carlos P. Romulo Award. It is a tremendous honor that caps my tenure as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, and on the 70th year anniversary of our diplomatic relations at that. I share this award with the men and women of the Philippine Embassy and the Consulates General who served with me from April 2011 to June 2016. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” Ambassador Cuisia said in a statement. END