Visiting the Philippines has reminded Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. of the "skillful and talented" medical Filipino personnel who have taken care of his father when he was admitted at a hospital in Makati City in 1986.

During his bilateral meeting with President Marcos at Malacañan on Monday, Feb. 24, Whipps took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to Filipinos, recalling the time when his father, Whipps Sr., received care in the country for three months.

He told Marcos how grateful his family was that they have been celebrating his father's rebirth since then.

"[I]n 1986, my father was burned. Sixty-five percent of his body was burned. He was medevac here to Palau and was at Makati Med for over three months receiving care, and they saved his life," he shared.

"And we celebrate February 21st, which is his rebirth or his birthday, because he doesn't know the actual date he was born. But we're grateful to the really skillful and talented medical facilities and people that you have here that have been able to save lives and improve the lives of our people, extend their lives," he added.

Whipps said many Palauans have come to the Philippines to study and to receive medical care, emphasizing his gratitude for the years-long medical partnership between his country and the Philippines.

The Palau president further thanked Filipinos living and working in Palau for helping in the development of the country.

"[W]e are grateful for all that they do in the development of our young nation, from engineers to doctors to accountants to nurses and helping us in the tourism sector. And, of course, most importantly, construction and helping us build our bridges and our hotels and everything else," Whipps said.

"So we are truly grateful for the Filipino brothers and sisters that have come to Palau and helped us in our development," he added.

At present, Whipps said there are 4,000 Filipinos in Palau.

More engagements

During their bilateral meeting, both leaders expressed hopes to continue expanding their ties in various areas.

"As we now meet in Manila, our hope is to further expand our engagements in practical and impactful ways from agriculture and fisheries to development and technical cooperation," Marcos said.

"As climate-vulnerable, developing, archipelagic Pacific nations confronting the challenges of natural disasters and sea level rising, our two countries understand the urgency of effective disaster risk management and collective climate action. We hope to further advance our mutual support in various fora in these critical areas," Marcos added.

Whipps, on the other hand, said he intends to further expand and strengthen their relationship as they face geopolitical challenges and climate change. He also congratulated the Philippines for being the host of the Loss and Damage Fund.

"I think it's so appropriate because the Pacific suffers the most from the impacts of climate change. And now more than ever, we need to be together to support each other in these challenges that we have. So we're looking forward to the meetings and continued collaboration in strengthening the bond between our two nations," the Palau president said.

The Philippines and Palau established their formal diplomatic relations in 1997.