'Sky's the limit' in PH-US relations - Amb. Carlson
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
As United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson celebrates her one year in office, she believes that it is “sky’s the limit” when it comes to the future of the US and Philippines relationship, adding that the focus in the coming years would be to further enhance economic ties.
United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson (US Embassy in the Philippines/Facebook)
In a video posted by the US Embassy in Manila on Facebook, the ambassador spoke about her experiences in the past year and what the future holds for the two countries.
“We are coming out of the year we have amazing momentum and really sky’s the limit. I think one of the things we will be focusing on is expanding our economic ties. We are partners in prosperity and I look forward doing everything possible to continue that growth in our colonies,” she said.
Carlson also took pride in welcoming many senior US officials to the Philippines, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, State Secretary Antony Blinken, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, “to be able show them this wonderful country and amazing people that are here.”
The ambassador also noted her experience when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had an “amazing” four-day visit to Washington.
But on a less serious note, the envoy recalled funnily how her friends in the Philippines convinced her to sing the karaoke despite saying earlier that she would never do it.
“Definitely, that my friends here were able to get me to sing karaoke. Before I got here, I said, ‘No way. That’s never gonna happen.’ Now, I still do it poorly, but I do it all the time,” she shared.
The post also showed a video overlay of Carlson doing karaoke, though the audio was muted.
The envoy, in particular, appeared to appreciate the “warmth” of the Filipinos as she talked about why she loved serving in the Philippines.
“It’s gonna be the warmth of the people, the diverse culture here, it’s hard to take just one. The beautiful landscape, traveling around this country, it’s been just an amazing experience,” she said.
United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson (US Embassy in the Philippines/Facebook)
In a video posted by the US Embassy in Manila on Facebook, the ambassador spoke about her experiences in the past year and what the future holds for the two countries.
“We are coming out of the year we have amazing momentum and really sky’s the limit. I think one of the things we will be focusing on is expanding our economic ties. We are partners in prosperity and I look forward doing everything possible to continue that growth in our colonies,” she said.
Carlson also took pride in welcoming many senior US officials to the Philippines, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, State Secretary Antony Blinken, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, “to be able show them this wonderful country and amazing people that are here.”
The ambassador also noted her experience when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had an “amazing” four-day visit to Washington.
But on a less serious note, the envoy recalled funnily how her friends in the Philippines convinced her to sing the karaoke despite saying earlier that she would never do it.
“Definitely, that my friends here were able to get me to sing karaoke. Before I got here, I said, ‘No way. That’s never gonna happen.’ Now, I still do it poorly, but I do it all the time,” she shared.
The post also showed a video overlay of Carlson doing karaoke, though the audio was muted.
The envoy, in particular, appeared to appreciate the “warmth” of the Filipinos as she talked about why she loved serving in the Philippines.
“It’s gonna be the warmth of the people, the diverse culture here, it’s hard to take just one. The beautiful landscape, traveling around this country, it’s been just an amazing experience,” she said.