Welcome to the US, Team Malacanang

By Alex P. Vidal

“There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise.”—Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

TEAM Malacanang is expected to arrive in Washington D.C. on April 30, 2023 for the May 1, 2023 meeting between U.S. President Joseph “Joe” Biden and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr at the White House.

They will reportedly discuss deepening economic cooperation and the Indo-Pacific region, among other important issues.

It can’t be denied that some people are thinking the White House visit may also have something to do with the ongoing tension amid the assertiveness of China in the South China Sea.

We welcome Team Malacanang’s second US visit since September 2022, when Mr. Marcos Jr. attended the 77^th session of the of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

Both the US and the Philippines, the treaty allies, have enjoyed warmer ties since Mr. Marcos took office in June 2022, reversing his predecessor, former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte’s anti-U.S. stance and overtures towards China, Washington’s rival in the region.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement the two leaders will also discuss further economic cooperation,

“During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding U.S.-Philippines alliance,” the statement said.

Team Malacanang will travel from April 30 to May 4, it was reported.

It earlier declared: “It will substantively progress efforts to further deepen…political ties, to bring about lasting socio-economic partnerships, as well as to enhance defense and security cooperation.”

The Philippine leader will reportedly seek closer partnership in agriculture, energy, climate change, digital transformation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chains, and infrastructure.

Good luck, Team Malacanang.

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Below is the official statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Bilateral Meeting Between President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“On May 1, President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a bilateral meeting at the White House.

“During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding U.S.-Philippines alliance.

“The two leaders will review opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and promote inclusive prosperity, expand our nations’ special people-to-people ties, invest in the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change, and ensure respect for human rights. “The two leaders will also discuss regional matters and coordinate on efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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KEEP IT SAFE. Sperm banks keep their donor semen at approximately -321 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, it could be kept indefinitely.

AUTHOR. The Kama Sutra was written by Mallanga Vatsyayana, who was rumored to be celibate.

OUR REAL MEASURE. Hardship is one way of measuring one’s strength, so if our problems are extra big, let us be extra flattered because that is how much God believes in us.

EINSTEIN’S BIG BLUNDER.  This is a cosmic mystery story which states that the future of the universe lies in the hands of dark energy, an unknown form of energy that caused cosmic expansion to begin accelerating a few billion years ago.  According to latest study, Einstein failed to recognize the dark energy.

“To require this Christian society to allow atheists not just to join but to conduct Bible classes…That’s crazy.” — ANTONIN SCALA, the late former US Supreme Court Justice, during oral arguments on whether a California law school can refuse to recognize a Christian student group because it excludes gays and atheists.

“The Church says that the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round. For I have seen the shadow on the moon and I have more faith in the Shadow than in the Church.” — FERDINAND MAGELLAN. He helped introduce Christianity in the Philippines and religion failed to save him from Lapu-Lapu’s wrath.

BURN THEM. All illegal drugs seized during the police raids must be destroyed immediately. No ifs. No buts. This will ensure that no police scalawag or group of police scalawags will recycle and sell them.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)