NEW YORK, USA — "Successful."
This was how President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. described his recently concluded six-day working visit to New York City, the city he had not been in for 25 years, "for reasons."
"I consider the trip a success, and overall I am satisfied with the work that we have done," he told Manila-based reporters before departing for the Philippines on the evening of September 23 (New York time).
"Lahat ng nais nating gawin ay nagawa natin. Lahat ng nais nating kausapin ay talaga namang handang makipag-usap sa atin (We did everything we wanted, and we talked to everyone we wanted to talk to)," he added.
UNGA
President Marcos' primary purpose for coming to New York was to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 20. There, he conveyed the message of what was in store for the Philippines and how it could contribute to resolving the world's challenges.
At the UNGA, the President reiterated the country's policy that the Philippines is a friend to all and an enemy to none.
He made public the Philippines' intention to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term and asked his fellow world leaders to support this endeavor.
In his speech, Marcos expressed confidence that the Philippines will be "moderately prosperous" by 2040. He urged industrialized countries to do their part in resolving climate change issues and how the small countries are the ones suffering from its effects.
He also lamented how inequality and inequity among countries still exist, evident during the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.
Ultimately, Marcos brought his call for unity to the world stage and called for an end to racism and Asian hate that skyrocketed during the height of the pandemic.
Meeting world leaders
Another highlight of the trip was his bilateral talk with US President Joseph Biden. During this meeting, the two leaders clarified how they see the relationship between the United States and the Philippines should evolve.
Marcos also met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who expressed support for the Philippines' quest to become an upper-middle-income country by 2023.
President Marcos likewise had pull-aside meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan during the UNGA.
"Nagkita lang kami sa holding room pero maganda yung naging usapan namin (We just met in the holding room, but we had good discussions)," he told the Manila-based reporters.
He also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UNGA, where they discussed the cooperation between the Philippines and the UN and other relevant global issues such as climate action.
Marcos discussed agriculture, energy, and economic recovery with Manuela Ferro, the Regional Vice President of the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific.
In his interview with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the Asia Society forum, President Marcos said the Philippines' ties with the US would be vital in peacefully resolving the South China Sea disputes. Later on, he said he was willing to do whatever it took to resolve the issue peacefully.
He also expressed the country's willingness to take a constructive role in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and called on sobriety in Taiwan. In addition, he spoke for the first time about how his administration will handle the illegal drug problem in the country.
New York Stock Exchange
President Marcos was visibly thrilled when he got the opportunity to ring the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange from the small balcony of the Trading Floor.
Here, he wooed investors to choose the Philippines, where they should conduct their business. He also renewed the country's partnership with the United States, saying a future without the US would be unimaginable for the Philippines.
Business meetings
Marcos met with aerospace company Boeing and energy companies NuScale Power and WasteFuel on September 20. Here, he renewed his commitment to achieving sustainable development for the Philippines.
He talked about food security and peace-building with former British Prime Minister Anthony Blair and American global food corporation Cargill.
Leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) entity Procter & Gamble (P&G) has expressed willingness to work with the Philippine government in its nation-building efforts, particularly in digitalization.
Meanwhile, Marcos envisioned that the Philippine economy would be "more resilient" with the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) support.
In his last attempt to get investments for the Philippines, the President invited strategic investors in the United States to invest in the country, citing the country's "economic resurgence" following the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the best time to do business in the Philippines "is now."
The Filipino community
On his first day in New York, Marcos met with around 1,200 members of the Filipino community in New Jersey. During the event, he encouraged US-based Pinos to be ambassadors by inviting their employers and friends to visit the Philippines. He also asked them to share their learnings with their kababayans back home.
Here, Marcos lauded Filipinos overseas for boosting the Philippine economy and keeping it alive through their remittance during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aside from this, he assured teachers of the government's support and that the administration would invest in the youth's education.
Protests
Marcos' trip to New York did not sit well with several individuals. There were at least three protests staged by activists during the entire week he was in the US.
Youth activists trooped to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on September 18, where the President met the members of the Filipino community. The protesters did not catch Marcos as the local police immediately dispersed them.
However, Marcos had a close encounter with the protesters outside the New York Stock Exchange, where he delivered a public statement and rang the closing bell on September 19.
Youth activists also staged a lightning rally inside the Asia Society headquarters just minutes before Marcos' speech. They had to be dragged out by security.
Light moments
Despite the packed schedule, Marcos could catch American singer Eric Clapton in person. He couldn't watch the entire thing and was only there for 30 minutes.
The President also grabbed some Filipino food like bulalo (beef bone marrow soup) from a food truck on his last day in New York.
Meanwhile, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos was able to hit Broadway and watch the Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" early on during their stay.