CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines hosted the closing ceremony of Exercise Balikatan 2026, May 8, marking the successful completion of the largest annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
The ceremony was a celebration of a successful exercise and a reminder of the shared values that underpin it. This 41st iteration of the exercise proved to be the most expansive Balikatan to date. Five ally and partner nations joined the Philippines and United States – Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand – bolstering the shared knowledge, capabilities, and momentum of the exercise from start to finish.
“Balikatan 2026 marked a strategic evolution from a bilateral exercise to a full-scale, multinational mission rehearsal for the defense of the Philippines,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “That growth reflects the security environment. It reflects the sovereign choices of free nations.”
The 19-day exercise highlighted the combat credibility, crisis readiness, and spirit of cooperation forged over decades of U.S.-Philippines bilateral training and reinforced by a growing coalition of like-minded partners and allies.
Combat credibility starts with detailed planning and strategic logistics. Long before the opening ceremony, service members dedicated months to the tactical plans, life support considerations, and safety precautions, paving the way for operations to begin. In March, AFP and U.S. forces, alongside civilian entities, conducted a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload to prepare equipment and sustainment for the exercise, strategically moving items from Mindanao through Subic Bay and onto training areas.
With combat power in position, the combined and joint force conducted complex all-domain live-fire events, enhancing air and missile defense, counter-landing, and maritime security and strike capabilities. These events integrated advanced capabilities into realistic scenarios across the archipelago, demonstrating how combat power becomes credible when applied by a capable, multinational force.
Combat credibility was also on display at sea – the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada conducted a Multilateral Maritime Event off the western coast of Luzon, featuring training inlive-fire gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea as well as deck landing qualifications.
“Balikatan was never simply about conducting activities,” said Philippine Army Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “It was about strengthening the ability to respond together in real, complex conditions. And that matters because in today’s security environment, readiness cannot be improvised.”
Crisis readiness was built as partner forces conducted advanced aeromedical, combat search-and-rescue, and mass casualty training. And readiness was called upon the first day of the exercise when AFP and U.S. forcesresponded to a vehicular accident, extracting multiple injured civilians from a ravine while aviation units coordinated rapid helicopter medical evacuations. Their coordinated response highlights that this year’s events are a product of decades of military cooperation.
Throughout the exercise, the spirit of cooperation extended directly into local communities. At five sites across the archipelago – from Mindanao to Palawan to Northern Luzon – service members worked alongside local leaders, barangay rural healthworkersand community partners to support medical and dental exams, health education, classroom technology, infrastructureprojectsand community engagements tailored to local priorities; lasting impacts of health engagements and engineering projects will provide value to the lives of more than 60,000 Filipinos.
The exercise’s success in enhancing combat credibility, crisis readiness, and the spirit of cooperation represents a shared commitment to regional peace and stability that is the foundation of the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, stronger than ever 75 years after signing.
“These anniversaries remind us that our alliance is not merely a matter of treaty obligations. It is a living partnership, designed and strengthened across generations, and grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and common purpose,” said Y. Robert Ewing, chargé d’affaires, a.i., at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. “Exercise Balikatan serves as a powerful testament to our alliance in action. It demonstrates our collective commitment to prepare together, alongside other like-minded nations, to deter common threats and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

As part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic ties and the Freedom 250 commemoration of the 250thanniversary of U.S. independence, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through its Regional English Language Office, launched a specialized professional development program to help college instructors teach technical subjects more effectively in English.  This initiative highlights American excellence in teaching innovation, bringing world-class instructional standards to Philippine classrooms.

The two-day workshop, held in Baguio City on April 28 and 29 and facilitated by Saint Louis University, trained 50 college instructors specializing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and social sciences.  Led by American English Language Fellows, the workshop used experiential learning methods—including mini laboratories and solving complex math problems in English—to help participants experience firsthand the challenges students face when learning technical subjects in English.

“By empowering Filipino faculty with tools to strengthen their English instruction, we are also helping them shape the next generation of subject matter experts who can effectively communicate complex ideas in English.  This collaboration bridges a future where the United States and the Philippines can work more easily toward shared goals, making both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna.  

“This training has benefited the whole region through these professors and instructors to learn more ways of using English as a power and a tool in facilitating content courses.  From here, we will always share and pay it forward,” said Dr. Stephanie Busbus, Director of Global Relations at Saint Louis University.

Participants also relied on the American English Toolkit—a collection of resources provided by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with American educators and professionals.  The Toolkit includes interactive games, songs, recorded virtual workshops, and other teaching tools that highlight American values, culture, history, and the arts, offering instructors valuable materials to incorporate into their classrooms.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) in Manila advances U.S. interests in the Philippines and the region by promoting English language teaching and learning programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the Philippines.  Through teacher training, curriculum development, and educational resources, RELO empowers educators and institutions to enhance English language instruction, creating opportunities for Filipinos to engage with American culture, values, and innovation.

Manila—As part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic ties and the Freedom 250 commemoration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, the United States is organizing a series of Galing USA promotions in April and May to showcase the exceptional quality, versatility, and local application of U.S. food products and expand market access for American agribusiness in the Philippines.

In partnership with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ten of the Philippines’ finest restaurants celebrate American Restaurant Month by offering special dishes that demonstrate how America’s finest beef, poultry, and specialty ingredients inspire culinary excellence across cooking styles and traditions.  From April 13 to May 13, the following restaurants and their branches across 32 locations will offer special menu items ranging from USDA ribeye steaks and U.S. duck confit to selections of American cheeses:

• 25 Seeds
• Bizu Patisserie and Café
• Café Fleur
• Cyma
• Dickey’s Barbeque Pit
• Farmer’s Table
• Mamou
• One World Deli
• Souv
• The Split

Leading a U.S. Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering said, “This initiative highlights the strong partnership between our nations and showcases the exceptional quality of U.S. products featured on these menus.  U.S. products are celebrated for their unparalleled quality and standards, which is why so many exceptional restaurants choose to incorporate U.S. ingredients into their culinary creations.”

USDA is also partnering with The Marketplace and Metro Supermarket to promote a wide range of American food and beverage products, including U.S. meat and poultry, cheese, and blueberries.  Shoppers can taste “Authentic American Flavors” at The Marketplace Parqal Mall location in Parañaque City and experience the “Great American Food Fest” at Metro Supermarket’s Market! Market! location in Taguig City from April 13 to 26.

“American farmers and ranchers are proud to supply high-quality and delicious products to consumers here in the Philippines,” said Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering.  “We greatly value our strong partnership with Filipino retailers like The Marketplace and Market! Market!, who help bring the best of American agriculture and flavors to Filipino households.”

On April 14, Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering led the awarding of Key Partners in U.S. Agricultural Excellence and Prosperity to eight Filipino organizations for their valuable contributions to strengthening bilateral trade and food security by making high-quality U.S. food and agricultural products available to Filipino consumers.  “The awardees constitute nearly 200 years of combined U.S.-Philippines partnership.  We are truly honored by your continued trust in U.S. agriculture, and grateful for the role each of you plays in strengthening our bilateral relationship,” she noted.

The awardees are:

• Century Pacific Food, Inc.
• Dane International Commodities, Inc.
• Jetti Petroleum, Inc.
• Meat Importers and Traders Association
• Philippine Association of Feed Millers, Inc.
• Philippine Association of Flour Millers, Inc.
• Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc.
• Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing added, “This recognition reflects the broader strength of the U.S.-Philippine trade relationship as partners in prosperity.  It is an auspicious occasion to recognize this inaugural class of honorees as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic ties this year.”

The Philippines is the tenth largest market for U.S. agricultural and food products, averaging $3.4 billion in annual exports over the past five years.

Galing USA is an initiative by USDA through the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Foreign Agricultural Service, aimed at promoting high-quality U.S. food and beverage products in the Philippine market.

For more updates on American Restaurant Month and U.S. food promotions, follow Galing USA on Facebook.

and Partnerships in the Philippines

As the United States and the Philippines mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, U.S. Embassy to the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing and Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Health Cooperation on April 7. Through the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy, this Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) commits to further U.S. health cooperation with the Philippines – an important friend, partner, and Ally.
The JDI establishes a framework for the Philippines to transition to greater autonomy and self-reliance in its health systems while strengthening the Philippines’ capacity to detect and respond to global health threats, including HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and other infectious diseases, and improve diagnostics and treatment.
Chargé d’Affaires Ewing also announced a significant U.S. contribution to strengthen the Philippines’ fight against tuberculosis. This includes provision of Php580 million ($10 million) worth of TB medicines and 12 ultraportable TB X-ray machines valued at Php45.4 million ($783,000), and a Php14.5 million ($250,000) grant to the Philippines’ Veterans Memorial Medical Center to expand TB testing and treatment for Filipino veterans.
  These announcements build on decades of gains made through U.S. global health assistance, including the Php13.8 billion ($250 million) in U.S. foreign assistance through the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy announced in September 2025, addressing tuberculosis, advancing maternal health, and enhancing preparedness, detection, and response to emerging diseases and global health threats in the Philippines.
“The United States greatly values its longstanding partnership with the Philippine Department of Health, especially our work together on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and global health security,” Chargé d’Affaires Ewing said. “Through this Joint Declaration, the United States continues to engage closely with the Philippine government and health partners to support the Philippines’ continued progress toward greater autonomy and self-reliance in its health programs, and to identify impactful and innovative approaches to advance lifesaving work on TB and global health security,” he added.
Through this JDI, the United States and the Philippines will negotiate a five-year Strategic Objective Agreement, advancing all three pillars of the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy that will save American and Filipino lives, increase the resiliency of the Philippine health system through coordinated co-funding, and foster collaboration with American commercial leaders in health technology and innovation to improve health outcomes. 
  The Philippines has a strong track record of making commitments with the United States and leveraging innovations in the shared fight against infectious diseases like TB and HIV. The Philippine government’s efforts to enhance prevention, care, and innovation, including seeking new technology to counter these two diseases, are goals shared by the United States and are being advanced through this Declaration. 
    This Joint Declaration joins several Bilateral Memoranda of Understanding on Global Health Cooperation with recipient countries, driving progress around the world through the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy.

As part of the United States’ “Freedom 250” campaign, commemorating 250 years of American independence, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific rock ensemble Small Kine conducted a series of performances and music workshops in Manila, Cebu, Tuguegarao, and Puerto Princesa from March 4 to 14.
“Freedom 250” is not just about history; it’s about the values we share: freedom, creativity, and service. One way we celebrate is through music by showcasing American excellence through the extraordinary professionalism of U.S. military musicians. The United States Air Force Band reflects the tradition of precision, teamwork, and artistic achievement that has been cultivated over generations,” U.S. Embassy Director of Public Engagement Ryan Ingrassia said.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic ties. The four-member rock band showcased this longstanding friendship by captivating Filipino audiences with covers of American hits and songs in local languages such as “Usahay” in Bisaya and “Bannatiran” in Ilocano. The band members’ own ties to the Philippines also run deep: Guitarist Master Sergeant Daniel Santos hails from Bulacan, while Band Commander Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hansen and drummer Senior Airman Brennan Tolman have both lived in the country for several years as missionaries and are fluent in Tagalog.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Philippine brothers and sisters and are grateful to celebrate our long friendship together through one of the best ways—making music,” Lieutenant Colonel Hansen said. “I have always been impressed by the passion and talent Filipinos and Filipinas have for vocal and instrumental music.”
“Through performances like these, the bonds between nations are strengthened—not only through diplomacy and security cooperation, but also through cultural exchange and people-to-people connections,” Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay said during the band’s performance at the Provincial Capitol. “Their presence here symbolizes a partnership rooted not only in history, but also in shared aspirations for peace, stability, and progress.”
On top of performances, the band also shared American musical expertise through workshops with students at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Music, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Palawan State University. They also delivered performances organized by St. Paul University Philippines, the Provincial Government of Cagayan, and the local governments of Quezon City and Puerto Princesa, alongside local music groups, government bands, and Philippine Air Force counterparts.
The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific is one of the military musical units in the Indo-Pacific, comprised of musical groups that perform throughout a large and diverse area of responsibility, including locations such as Singapore, Australia, Wake Island, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Beijing, New Zealand, Guam, and the Kwajalein Atoll.
“Freedom 250” is a global initiative by the U.S. government to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, and to celebrate America’s founding principles, dynamism, innovation, and global leadership.

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announces three new cohorts of the English Access Program Scholarship in Davao City, Bohol, and Bataan, benefiting 150 high-achieving Filipino students. The program is a partnership between the U.S. Embassy’s Regional English Language Office, the Philippine Department of Education, and public schools in each location.
Students and teachers selected through a competitive, merit-based process gain invaluable skills from American innovation and excellence in English language content and instruction, preparing them to enter the workforce.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the two-year, intensive after school program strengthens English proficiency while building digital, leadership, and critical thinking skills among public school students aged 13 to 15. Participants also participate in cultural activities, including celebrating American excellence in partnership with U.S. officials as part of America’s 250th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations in 2026.
“By focusing on advanced literacy and professional-level communication, we are preparing these high-achieving students for the demands of the global workforce,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna. “Their success is a direct investment in the future of the U.S.-Philippine relationship and our shared goals—ultimately making both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
On January 8, the Regional English Language Office launched the first 2026 cohort at Pablo M. Piatos Sr. Integrated School in Bunawan, Davao City, with 50 exceptional students joining from various schools across the area.
“The English Access Scholarship Program plays a significant role in raising the English proficiency of learners, especially those from far-flung schools. Through well-structured weekly lessons, interactive, learner-centered activities, and support from mentors, the program builds learners’ confidence and communication skills in English, empowering them to express themselves more effectively and opening wider academic and future opportunities,” said Department of Education Davao City Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Sagot.
The second cohort launched on January 10 in Panglao, Bohol, with 50 students at Lourdes National High School.
The third cohort, also with 50 students, will launch on January 17 at the City of Balanga National High School in Balanga City, Bataan.
Since its inception in 2004, over 200,000 students in more than 85 countries have received the English Access Program Scholarship, including nearly 1,500 alumni in the Philippines. Educators in the program also join a global network of Access teachers to strengthen their instructional skills through American English excellence to better serve their communities.