Global conversations
An ambassador’s job is very much about getting out of the office and meeting people. But we’re also pleased to have visitors come to us at the British Embassy. So earlier this week I was delighted to be visited at my office by Mrs Millie Kilayko, Commissioner of Suntown Camp, and Mrs Tima Lacson. They came by to receive a donation raised by the staff of the British Embassy Manila. … Read more »Suntown Camp at the British Embassy Manila
When London won its Olympic bid in Singapore in 2005, you could say that Britain embarked on a marathon journey to prepare a truly outstanding summer of sport this year. Now, we’re very much on the last lap. On 18 April the British Embassy joined at least 100 other British diplomatic missions around the world, to celebrate a key milestone: 100 days to go to the start of the London … Read more »London 2012: 100 days and counting in Manila
The highlight of this week for me was attending President Aquino’s State Dinner in honour of the Governor-General of Australia, who visited the Philippines this week. Even as an Ambassador, you don’t get to go to many state dinners. Malacanang Palace does such formal events extremely well. In Britain though, eyes have been on a different visit: that of Prime Minister David Cameron to Japan and South-East Asia. Although the Philippines … Read more »Emerging Powers
This week saw one of the Philippines’ most prestigious universities host “Turing 2012”, a commemoration and celebration of the British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing. I was delighted to deliver the opening remarks at De La Salle University-Manila and to host a reception later at my Residence for participants and international speakers in the conference. 100 years after his birth in 2012, Alan Turing is probably most widely known … Read more »Alan Turing in Manila – remembering a Great Briton
I just got back from a visit to Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands. Although I’m stationed in Manila as British Ambassador to the Philippines, I also serve as non-resident Ambassador to the Marshall Islands. A new government took office there in January, so it was a good time to go and meet the new President, Christopher Loeak and members of his team. For those who are … Read more »Back to the Marshall Islands
I was out of Manila again this week. This time it was a day-visit with my Swiss colleague Ambassador Ivo Sieber and the Country Representative of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Ugochi Daniels, to the city of Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro was one of the worst hit cities after Typhoon Sendong (internationally known as Tropical Storm Washi) devastated areas of the southern Philippines last December. The … Read more »Follow-up to Typhoon Sendong
Despite the difficult global economic situation, Islamic finance is one sector that has continued to record strong growth. The sector has been seeing annual growth rates of up to 20% in recent years, and the City of London has played an important part in this as the largest Islamic finance sector outside the Muslim countries. On 8 March, the British Embassy Manila partnered with international advisory practice KPMG to hold … Read more »Enabling Islamic Finance in the Philippines
It’s often said that you can’t judge a country just by its capital city. That’s an important point for diplomats – one of whose key jobs is to understand the country they work in, and what makes society and the economy tick there. And it’s as true for the Philippines as for any other country. So I was delighted last week to accept an invitation from Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado of … Read more »Britain in Bulacan
My week has started with a strong emphasis on renewable energy. The Embassy has been hosting a British business delegation made up of companies with a wealth of expertise in different aspects of renewable energy – from project design through to wave energy technology. The delegation participated in the first ever EU-Philippines renewable energy dialogue in Manila on 27 February. The following morning they were centre stage in a seminar … Read more »UK-Philippines: partnering for renewable energy
I’ve written before in this blog about the great work that Britons do in the Philippine community, working with the poor and homeless. So a highlight of my past week was the dinner I hosted at my Residence for a delegation of school students from the Sholing Technology College in Southampton, England. The students and accompanying teachers are spending two weeks at the Philippine Christian Foundation in Manila. PCF – … Read more »Best of British youth in the Philippines