The Philippines: New Directions in Domestic Policy and Foreign Relations

David G. Timberman (ed.)

Asia Society

1998

Preface
by Nicholas Platt

 

Publication of this volume marks the completion of Focus on the Philippines, a public education initiative designed to provide the American public with a deeper understanding of the Philippines today. Sponsored by the Asia Society and the Asian Institute of Management in cooperation with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, the project has fostered balanced and thoughtful views on the Philippines and the changing nature of U.S.-Philippine relations among policymakers, business people, journalists, scholars, and the American public.

The project was premised on the notion that the United States and the Philippines will continue to enjoy a unique and special relationship despite the fact that both are forging closer relations with other neighbors in Asia and the Pacific. U.S.-Philippine relations rest on a firm foundation of shared history, strong cultural and economic ties, and a commitment to democratic principles. Once defined in terms of security, the bilateral relationship has both widened and deepened in the postóU.S. bases era. Within an environment of political stability, economic and cultural ties have flourished. Of particular importance to the continued vibrancy of U.S.-Philippine relations is the role of the estimated two million Americans of Filipino descent (Filipino Americans are the second- largest Asian American group after Chinese Americans). Furthermore, there are currently over 100,000 U.S. citizens in the Philippines.

At the time Focus on the Philippines was originally conceived by the Asia Society, American interest in the Philippines was at a low point, due to prolonged stagnation of the Philippine economy and perceptions of the Philippines’ waning strategic relevance to the United States. Because of this, the Asia Society sought to refocus American attention on developments in the Philippines and on their significance to the United States. Philippine government and private sector representatives joined American specialists on the Philippines in addressing policymakers in Washington, D.C., and American public audiences in cities across the United States, from Norfolk, Virginia to San Francisco, California.

The project and this publication are the products of many people’s efforts. In particular, I thank Edilberto de Jesus of Far Eastern University and the Asian Institute of Management and Washington SyCip, Chairman of the SGV Group. I am also grateful for the hard work of the many Asia Society staff members involved with the project since its inception: Pamela Joyce, Kate Simpson, Angela Zalamea, Andrew Thornley, and Wendy Hsieh. Finally, I would like to thank David Timberman, Karen Fein, Rayne Madison, and the contributors to this volume.

The Philippines: New Directions in Domestic Politics and Foreign Relations is dedicated to the memory of my long-time friend and colleague Paul Cunnion, Executive Director of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. Paul’s support and enthusiasm for the project were constant and inspiring. During his lifetime he made a substantial contribution to the betterment of U.S.-Philippine relations.

Nicholas Platt
President
Asia Society