DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Maria Andrelita S. Austria (from left), U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton and his wife, Erika Lipton, raise a toast to Philippine-U.S. friendship during the first Cebu Freedom 250 Celebration in Lapu-Lapu City on Oct. 15. (PIA7 Cebu)
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Philippine and United States officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation during the inaugural Cebu Freedom 250 Celebration on October 15, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Andrelita Austria and US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton led the event, attended by government officials, business representatives, and other stakeholders.
The celebration coincided with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States and the 75th anniversary of their defense alliance.
Speaking on behalf of Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro, Austria emphasized that the longstanding partnership extends beyond military and security cooperation.
“The US remains our only treaty ally. But our relationship goes far beyond defense and security,” Austria said.
She described the United States as a major economic partner, investment source, and tourism market for the Philippines, noting that approximately four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans live in the US.
Austria also highlighted Cebu’s growing importance as a tourism, investment, and creative industry hub, with an increasing presence of American businesses.
“It is not sustained by governments alone. It is sustained by millions of people, by families, students, entrepreneurs, artists, professionals, soldiers, and communities on both sides of the Pacific,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Lipton underscored Cebu’s contribution to trade and industrial cooperation, particularly in electronics, medical equipment, semiconductors, and manufacturing.
He said American companies operating in Cebu support thousands of jobs for Filipino and American workers.
Lipton cited US watchmaker Timex, which operates in Cebu and was selected to manufacture commemorative watches for the 80th anniversary of Philippine-US diplomatic relations.
He also recognized Cebu’s agricultural contributions, including the growing popularity of Philippine ube products in American restaurants and grocery stores.
Beyond economic cooperation, Lipton highlighted joint humanitarian initiatives, including the Pacific Partnership mission conducted in Leyte in September.
During the mission, Filipino and American medical teams provided primary healthcare services to approximately 1,400 residents over seven days, while engineering teams assisted in improving school facilities.
“But we can do more. We want to do more. We will do more,” Lipton said.
He added that both countries are preparing to expand cooperation in security, business, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Freedom 250 initiative is part of the US Embassy’s yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The celebration also highlighted the continuing partnership between the Philippines and the United States as both countries mark significant diplomatic milestones in 2026.