MANILA, Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Manila time) met with the Filipino community in San Francisco, California where he expressed his profound gratitude and admiration to them for making their marks not just in the West Coast but in the whole United States.
The Chief Executive particularly lauded Filipino and Filipino-American healthcare workers for their unrivaled dedication and hard work at the height of the coronavirus pandemic during the event ahead of his participation in the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
“Americans experienced firsthand the Filipino way of caring and acting on the needs of others. One in every 5 nurses here in the West Coast are trained in the Philippines. Our Filipino nurses, doctors, our first responders, essential workers – they have all demonstrated the timeless Filipino virtues of compassion and brotherhood,” he said during the gathering held at the San Francisco Conference Center.
“We are all grateful for your selfless service to humanity and we look up to you as role models for future generations of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans,” he added.
Marcos likewise recognized Filipinos who have been making waves in American politics, including Utah Attorney General Shaun Reyes and California Attorney General Robert Bonta whom he tagged as prime examples of Filipinos in America seen, felt, and heard “in all walks of life.”
He then expressed hope that this niche of Filipinos in the US, specifically in the Bay Area, would further pave the way for the Philippines’ innovation ecosystem. California, he noted, is “an important trade and investment partner” of the country.
“Our country is also important to the state as it has been a popular destination for green field investment from our country,” stated the President.
“On the sidelines of the APEC meetings, my delegation will conduct business meetings in San Francisco to seek mutually beneficial exchanges and partnerships. Our presence in the bay area this week also supports the development of the Philippine innovation ecosystem, in line with the national innovation agenda framework,” he added.
