1. UAAP games bring out great school spirit in addition to good athletes.
2. PBA partnered with the US Embassy to let us bring disadvantaged youth to many games.
3. Even the biggest of PBA stars took the time to stop by the stands and greet the kids each time.
4. Purefoods Team let us bring a group of disadvantaged kids to their practice. The players and coach Ryan Gregorio treated the kids like stars — coaching the kids on shots, discipline, teamwork and dedication.
5. Basketball is a great sport at every level — fast games, high energy and filled with great moments — both in the Philippines and in the USA.

This month we celebrate the birthday of two American heroes, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Both men stepped up to assume leadership of the United States at difficult and uncertain times. Both used their offices to unify rather than divide. When he was sworn in, President Obama used Abraham Lincoln’s bible. Many of us learned Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” in school. My favorite part wasn’t the ringing endorsement of democracy but his humble phrase that the “world will not long remember” the words he spoke that day. In other words, he was speaking from the heart, not flying prose to be remembered for years.

I have recently had the pleasure of honoring three every day heroes. Cecilia Flores- Oebanda is a Filipina who heads the Visayan Forum. She is a tireless advocate for the rights of children and the rights of those who are victims of trafficking. She inspires by her positive attitude and her ability to bring people together to work for these important causes. Cecile’s work made her the US Department of Labor’s 2008 awardee for combating illegal forms of child labor.

Mary Ann Arnado and Francis Toral were named the Aquino fellows for this year. Now in its 20th year, the Aquino Fellows is a program of the US Department of State to recognize young Filipino leaders who exemplify the service and dedication of Ninoy Aquino. Former President Aquino joined as we recognized Mary Ann’s work in public service in building peace and Francis Toral’s work as a journalist.

I love McDonalds when I am hungry and in a hurry. I stopped in while on a hectic trip to Zamboanga. After visiting a teacher training class, an elementary school, signing an agreement with the City Water Works and Mayor for environmental feasibility studies and a stop at a radio station, I zipped into McDonalds. Picked up a sackful of quarter pounders and fries and took them to a roundtable with our Zamboanga-based USAID development contractors.

Hi and welcome to my blog. As the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, I have the chance to participate in extraordinary events; to meet exceptional people who make a difference in our world; and to experience warm hospitality all over the Philippines. I am eager to share those experiences with you in my own words and I also hope to hear from you about your experiences and ideas.

On February 10 we formally signed our assistance ($73 million over 6 years; $15 million for this year alone — all in grants through USAID) with the Philippines for clean energy and environmental protection. This is a particular passion of mine. Even as a novice diver, I have seen the exceptional sea treasures the Philippines possesses. We have worked with fisherman to teach them to fish sustainably. I have visited remote villages where our work together has installed solar panels (provided in partnership with private companies) to provide clean electricity. We can make economic progress and protect our planet at the same time.