The Philippines and the United States unveiled a new logo on February 5 to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations, kicking off a yearlong series of events. The ceremony was led by US Chargé d'Affaires Y. Robert Ewing and Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, with the logo projected onto the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City.
On February 5, the Philippines and the United States unveiled a commemorative logo to celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations, established on July 4, 1946, when the Philippines gained independence. The event, led by US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Y. Robert Ewing and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, featured the logo projected onto the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City. Romualdez described it as 'We are unveiling a story — eight decades of shared struggles, shared values, and shared aspirations,' emphasizing that the partnership rests not only on treaties but also on people.
Ewing noted that the nations have collaborated 'side by side — balikatan' on issues from armed conflicts to economic growth, health, education, and disaster response. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, making the Philippines Washington's oldest treaty ally in the Indo-Pacific. Ewing highlighted how 80 years of ties and 75 years as allies have fostered peace through deterrence, citizen protection, and advancement of an open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, troops from both countries will conduct over 500 joint military activities, ranging from South China Sea patrols to expert exchanges. Washington is considering an ammunition manufacturing and storage hub at Subic Bay, a former US naval base vacated in 1992. Despite successes, tensions persist, such as the July 2025 tariff deal during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to the Trump White House, imposing a 19% rate on Philippine goods while granting zero tariffs to American products, viewed as unbalanced.
