PH Ambassador to U.S. Visits State of Arizona
Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez addresses Arizona’s 54th legislature during his visit in Arizona on 25 March 2019. Ambassador Romualdez reaffirmed the strong alliance and deep friendship between the Philippines and the United States and proposed forging a sister city agreement between any of the major cities of the Philippines and Arizona. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Arizona 26 April 2019 – Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez visited Arizona on 24-26 March 2019, bringing the country’s engagement with Grand Canyon State to new heights.
The Ambassador’s three-day visit included a town hall meeting with the Filipino-American community organizations in Arizona, interaction with Peoria High School students, call on the state legislature’s Speaker of the House and the Senate President, an address before the Arizona House of Representatives, partnership meeting with the Arizona State University, and a business meeting with the officials of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and ON Semiconductor Corporation.
Joining the Ambassador as members of the Philippine delegation were Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. Minister and Consul Gunther Emil Sales, Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles Consuls Rea G. Oreta and Dyan Kristine Miranda-Pastrana, Mary Grace Leano and Fernan Balicoco.
In his meetings with state government officials, Ambassador Romualdez conveyed the country’s interest in furthering its economic cooperation with Arizona, noting that the U.S. is the country’s third-largest import partner and second-largest export partner.
He also expressed his confidence in the ongoing discussion on the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. He mentioned that both countries continuously deepen their partnerships in the area of mutual defense, thereby ensuring stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
His meeting with the Filipino-American community organizations was an opportunity for the Ambassador to bring the Philippine government, its services and policies, closer to Filipino-Americans in this landlocked state. The meeting was attended by around 120 members of the community.
The visit was a collaborative effort of the Embassy and the Consulate General in Los Angeles in coordination with the Office of Arizona State Representative Tony Rivero. END
The Philippine delegation headed by Ambassador Romualdez with State Representative Tony Rivero at the façade of the House of Representatives Museum. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Ambassador Romualdez address the Filipino Community in Arizona during the town hall meeting on 24 March 2019 at the St. Paul Auditorium in Phoenix Arizona. Ambassador Romualdez encourages the Filipino-Americans in Arizona to participate in the Philippine electoral processes by exercising their right to vote in the upcoming midterm election. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Ambassador Romualdez keenly listens to the views and aspirations of Peoria High school student leaders and shared his inspiring career story with Peoria High School students during his visit on 25 March 2019. Ambassador Romualdez reminded the students, that learning is a never-ending process. It is important that they acquire information relevant to making the world a better place to live in for everyone and such goal could be achieved through cooperation and collective action. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Russell Bowers (left) presents Ambassador Romualdez with his own painting entitled, “Storm over Mineral Park” as a token during their meeting, both expressed keen interest to explore possible areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Arizona, particularly in high school education exchange. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Ambassador Romualdez calls on Arizona Senate President Karen Fann and conveyed his appreciation to the Arizona government for the warm treatment extended by the state to Filipino migrants in the Grand Canyon State, who are mostly in the field of education and healthcare. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Ambassador Manuel Romualdez (center), Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz (left), and Arizona State University Executive Vice President Sethuraman Panchanathan (right) discuss potential collaboration between educational institutions in Manila and ASU on scholarship exchange and research partnership. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Ambassador Romualdez and his delegation met with the members of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and key officials of ON Semiconductor Corporation on 26 March 2019. During the meeting, Ambassador Romualdez invited the Arizona Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of the Philippines’ position as an investment gateway to the ASEAN region. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
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