Philippines, the little "America" of the APAC

The American presence in the Philippines has a complex history that spans over a century and is marked by colonization, military influence, and diplomatic ties. Here's a brief overview:

1. Colonial Period (1898-1946): The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain as a result of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War in 1898. This led to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), during which Filipinos fought for independence against American colonial rule. The conflict resulted in the establishment of a colonial government and significant American military presence in the Philippines. The country remained a U.S. colony until it was granted independence on July 4, 1946.
2. Military Bases and WWII (1946-1991): After gaining independence, the Philippines maintained close diplomatic and military ties with the United States. Several U.S. military bases were established in the Philippines, most notably Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base. These bases played a significant role in U.S. military operations in the Asia-Pacific region, including during World War II.
3. End of Military Bases (1991): In 1991, a volcanic eruption forced the closure of the U.S. military bases in the Philippines. The departure of U.S. military personnel marked a significant shift in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
4. Diplomatic and Economic Ties: Despite the closure of military bases, the United States and the Philippines continued to maintain strong diplomatic and economic relations. The two countries have cooperated on various issues such as counterterrorism, trade, and development assistance.
5. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA): In 2014, the U.S. and the Philippines signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows for increased rotational presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines and the use of certain Philippine military facilities. This agreement aims to enhance the defense capabilities of both countries in the face of regional security challenges.
6. Territorial Disputes: The Philippines has been involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly with China. The United States has expressed support for the Philippines' territorial claims and has conducted joint military exercises in the region as a show of solidarity.
7. Changing Dynamics: The political and strategic dynamics between the United States and the Philippines have evolved over time due to changes in leadership, domestic politics, and regional geopolitics. The American presence in the Philippines continues to be a subject of discussion and debate within the country.

The Mutual Defence Treaty

The Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America was signed in 1951. The treaty recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and each party agrees that it will act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes. The treaty is still in effect and the two countries reaffirm their shared obligations under it. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is also important to Washington being able to act to protect the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines was signed in 2014, which allows the U.S. military to enjoy greater access to bases across the Philippines archipelago for a 10-year term.

April 3, 2023 USA declared of the buildin of new bases to Philippines

"The United States stands steadfastly in support of the Philippines as we announced plans today to expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA)".

Plan includes four new base-sites:?Naval Base Camilo Osias?in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.

Hello Joe!

In the Philippines, a common way to say "hello" is "Kamusta?" which is derived from the Spanish "?Cómo está?" meaning "How are you?" Another way to greet someone is by saying "Hello po!" where "po" is a polite particle used to show respect.

BUT..The "hello Joe"...where does it come from?

It’s something that every white male in the Philippines is familiar with…the smiley jeepney driver waves and yells out “Hey Joe!” as he drives by. This is an expression left over from WWII, a “term of endearment” for American soldiers (think “G.I. Joe”). It’s certainly not meant as an insult, and Americans seem to love it. So we see the integration of expression "Joe" to be deeply rooted as well in the history and presence, as the laws are written in English relating to American counterparts, the language as well is adopted as the "second language" of the nation. Philippines as seen by many is the most welcoming country for the English speakers looking for that small pie-share of America inside of the APAC.