U.S., Philippines celebrate 80th anniv of diplomatic ties in 2026

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The United States and the Philippines kicked off a yearlong campaign marking 80 years of diplomatic relations with the launch of an anniversary logo on Feb. 5 at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez unveiled the logo commemorating the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines in 2026.

The effort is being led by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States, with activities planned throughout the year to highlight the countries’ ties as friends, partners, and allies.

“Eighty years ago, our two nations formalized a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to democracy and freedom. We are proud of what we have accomplished side by side—balikatan—from standing shoulder-to-shoulder in times of conflict, to advancing economic growth, to joining forces on health, education, and disaster response priorities,” Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Ewing said at the launch of the commemorative logo at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City.

“The next chapters will be written by the innovative young people who are already building on our shared legacy. We are confident that – as steadfast friends, partners in prosperity, and ironclad Allies – we will rise to even greater heights together for generations to come,” he said.

“Tonight, as we launch the official logo for the 80th anniversary of Philippines-U.S. diplomatic relations, we are not simply unveiling a design. We are unveiling a story – eight decades of shared struggles, shared values, and shared aspirations. This logo represents a living partnership that has evolved with time and has grown, adapted, and deepened,” Ambassador Romualdez said.

“What makes the Philippines-United States relationship truly special is that it is not only anchored in treaties and institutions. It is anchored in people. In many ways, we are not just allies – we are family,” he added.

The United States and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.

Historic people-to-people ties remain a central pillar of the relationship, with around 375,000 Americans living in the Philippines and more than 4.6 million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans living, working, and studying across the United States.

The economic partnership “continues to deliver results,” according to the organizers, as U.S. investments and foreign assistance support energy security, critical supply chains, and efforts to drive private investment in the Luzon Economic Corridor, while also addressing public health challenges.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance through the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which was signed in Washington on Aug. 30, 1951.

The Philippines is the United States’ oldest security treaty ally in the Indo-Pacific, and the two militaries regularly work together through large-scale exercises, joint disaster response operations, and a shared commitment to supporting freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedoms of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.

“Eighty years of shared commitment to security, including 75 years as Allies, has enabled our countries to achieve peace through deterrence, protect our citizens, and advance an open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Ewing added.

As one example of ongoing defense cooperation, the annual Balikatan exercises—named for the Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder”—have expanded in scope in recent years as the allies focus on interoperability and regional security.

The anniversary messaging in 2026 will also intersect with U.S. plans to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines organizing programs under its Freedom 250 campaign to showcase the values of freedom, democracy, and innovation—values the embassy said underscore the U.S.-Philippines relationship.

Organizers said the Feb. 5 launch of the commemorative logo was made possible through a partnership with SM Supermalls.