(Eagle News) – The landmark and historic summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be good for the stability of Asia, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Noting that the summit happened on June 12, the same day as the Philippines was commemorating its 120th Philippine Independence Day, Romualdez said that this meeting between the two leaders would “lead to peace and stability for the Asian Region.”
The Philippine Ambassador was interviewed during the Philippine Embassy hosting of a reception in Washington DC celebrating the 120th Philippine Independence Day.
The event was held at the Trump International Hotel’s elegant Presidential Ballroom which buzzed with Filipino and non-Filipino guests from the Capitol and surrounding states.
“No question about it. That kind of summit is good for the Asian Region,” he said, referring to the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore on June 12, in an interview by Eagle News Washington DC Bureau.
Romualdez said that this meeting is “considered to be successful because it was the first meeting that set the tone” for peace in the Asia.
“And hopefully that will lead to peace and stability for the Asian Region,” the Ambassador told Eagle News Washington Bureau.
In his welcome speech during the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, Ambassador Roamualdez again stressed that the Trump-Kim meeting was very important for peace and security in the ASEAN region and the whole of Asia.
North Korea’s denuclearization was one of the main topics discussed by the two leaders during the closed door meeting in Singapore.
-Romualdez: PHL values US friendship-
Meanwhile, Romualdez said that the Philippines will continue to value its friendship with the United States.
During the program in Washington DC hosted by the Philippine Embassy, the Ambassador also offered a toast to the prosperity of both the Filipino and American people, citing their enduring friendship. He also stressed the value of the ties between the two allies.
“This is a big celebration. This is for the Philippines,” Ambassador Romualdez said during the Philippine Independence Day commemoration in Washington DC which was also attended by friends of the Philippines in the US capital.
“We value our friendship with the United States,” he added.
Popular Filipino dishes were served in the event, including the award winning “sisig” dish that bagged the main awards in the recently concluded Embassy Chef Challenge.
Lechon, chicharong baboy or pork cracklings, paella, and kilawin tanguigue were also served, much to the delight of the invitees.
The formal event brought to life the traditional national dress of the Philippines with many of the attendees donning their baro’t saya and barong Tagalog – all adding a vibrant, cultural feel to the celebration of Philippine Independence.
(Ace Ramirez, EBC Washington Bureau, Eagle News Service)