A Lasting Impression

The successful two-day visit of US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo came to a colourful culmination with a culturally rich lunch event at the Ayala Museum held in her honour.

- FRANZ SORILLA IV

The event was hosted by Sec Raimondo's close friend from her Harvard College, Atty Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine; Doris Magsaysay Ho, chair of the Asia Society Philippines; and Nanette Medved-Po, chair of HOPE and the Plastic Credit Exchange.

The Asia Society Philippines and the associations of alumni of US universities headed by the Harvard Club of the Philippines helped to highlight the best of Philippine arts, heritage and culture for the US delegation and esteemed guests.

From March 11 to 12, Raimondo led a delegation of senior executives from 22 prominent American businesses and non-profit organisations on a first-of-its-kind Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines.

This momentous visit crystallises US President Joe Biden’s commitment during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s May 2023 visit to Washington, DC.

At the lunch, Raimondo encouraged the private sectors from both countries and the Philippine government to capitalise on the historic featured traditional dancers from the University of the Philippines, classic Filipino food and delicacies catered by Kai, curated exhibitions of the country’s top design and lifestyle brands and creative innovations pursued by the Design Center of the Philippines.