VZCZCXRO4492
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1561/01 2041042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231042Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4710
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI  IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001561 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO EAID RP
SUBJECT: VISIT TO BAGUIO CELEBRATES AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE AND 
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY 
 
¶1. SUMMARY.  Ambassador July 9 and 10 visit to Baguio celebrated the 
simultaneous July 4 holidays of American Independence and 
Philippine-American Friendship Day.  The Ambassador participated in 
a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Baguio Mayor officially opening 
the Picturing America exhibit in the city's shopping mall atrium. 
In the evening the Ambassador hosted a barbeque to celebrate U.S. 
Independence Day with key representatives from the community and 
government of the city and Peace Corps volunteers.  During a morning 
television interview the Ambassador commented on current issues 
affecting both the Philippines and the United States.  The 
Ambassador concluded her visit by hosting a breakfast for members of 
the Philippine Military Academy, who appreciated the opportunity to 
meet the Ambassador and officers from the Embassy's Defense Attach 
Office and Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
Background:  The U.S. in Baguio 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  Americans established Baguio City, a northern town surrounded by 
indigenous communities, in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village 
known as Kafagway.  It was designated by the Philippine Commission 
as the Summer Capital of the Philippines on June 1, 1903, and 
incorporated as a city by the Philippine Assembly on September 1, 
¶1909.  Modern Baguio remains an important location, serving as the 
seat of government of the Cordillera Administrative Region, with a 
presidential mansion, as well as Supreme Court and legislative 
offices.  American companies, such as Texas Instruments and Moog 
Controls, have established high-tech manufacturing facilities that 
both operate state-of-the-art facilities in the city and employ 
thousands of employees.  Peace Corps volunteers contribute in the 
areas of education, youth development and environmental protection. 
The U.S. Mission provides books and materials to an American Shelf 
at the Baguio City Public Library, the Philippine Military Academy, 
and an American Studies Resource Center at St. Louis University. 
USAID supports several local environmental and health initiatives, 
which our Commercial Section continues to assist American companies 
in the Baguio area. 
 
 
"Picturing America" Exhibit Opens in Baguio 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. The Ambassador invited Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. to 
participate in the July 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the 
Picturing America exhibit, a collection of high-quality 
reproductions of American artistic masterpieces and heritage.  In 
his remarks at the event, Mayor Bautista spoke of the positive 
impact of American influence on the local and national educational 
systems in Baguio beginning with the American educators known as the 
Thomasites.  The Ambassador expressed gratitude for the 
Philippine-U.S. friendship and recognized the upcoming centennial 
celebration of the city in September.  She spoke of America's 
Independence Day celebration, presented the 4th of July message from 
Secretary Clinton, and invited those in attendance to experience the 
exhibit with her as a study of American history. 
 
Barbeque Strengthens Ties with Key Local Figures 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶4. The Ambassador hosted a July 9 barbeque at the U.S. Embassy 
Residence in Baguio to celebrate U.S. Independence Day and to 
recognize Philippine-American Friendship Day.  The event served as 
an opportunity to strengthen relationships with key members of the 
Philippine and Baguio City governments and other members of the 
community.  Other attendees included Peace Corps volunteers from 
around the region, faculty and cadets from the Philippine Military 
Academy (PMA), local business owners, and American Citizen Wardens. 
 
 
Television Interview Hits Current Issues 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶5.  Local talk show hosts interviewed the Ambassador for a morning 
television program that is broadcast throughout the region.  The 
10-minute interview addressed issues ranging from the H1N1 virus to 
the death of Michael Jackson.  The Ambassador took advantage of the 
opportunity to address the Veteran's Bill and remind eligible 
viewers to apply for benefits.  Thirty-four million dollars had 
already been disbursed, the Ambassador commented, while calling 
attention to the many benefits already enjoyed by Filipino veterans. 
 Noting the global challenges presented by the H1N1 virus, the 
Ambassador reminded the viewers the best safeguard against the virus 
is to practice good hygiene habits. 
 
 
Recruitment Down at PMA, Scholarships Requested 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
 
MANILA 00001561  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶6. The Ambassador hosted a breakfast at the U.S. Embassy Residence 
in Baguio with Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon, Jr., Superintendent 
of the PMA, and five other key faculty members.  Also in attendance 
were two representatives from DAO and one from JUSMAG.  The 
Superintendent expressed concern over PMA's ability to recruit 
qualified applicants as potential cadets turn to careers in 
seafaring.  In recent admissions seasons, a smaller percentage of 
qualified applications was received than anticipated, leading PMA to 
open new recruitment offices in shopping malls to attract more and 
better qualified applicants.  The Superintendent also requested U.S. 
assistance in obtaining scholarships at U.S. universities for PMA 
faculty to take advanced courses, including English, and expressed 
interest in sending officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
to graduate degree programs in the U.S.  The Ambassador offered to 
look at having senior U.S. Military and civilian personnel give 
talks at PMA, and they discussed the possibility of posting a U.S. 
Military officer on long-term assignment as a guest teacher at PMA. 
 
KENNEY