Small comforts from the superpower visit

IT TAKES a visiting US President to get everyone’s attention, including those of jaded journalists.

Described by Foreign Affairs Secretary as “our deepest bilateral engagement”, US-PH relations are entwined with historical remembrance, infused by the shared popular culture of Hollywood, Disney and the current media icons of a millennial generation. An older generation finds it difficult to shake off the bitter after-taste of the colonial period and the sense of abandonment after World War II.

On his two-day visit to Manila, Barack Obama may have won the sweeps in terms of official welcomes. This one was truly filled with gladness. He captured gleeful attention from the moment he emerged from Air Force One to his last wave upon departure. There is no doubt that old-time feelings of friendship and long historic ties trump the misgivings that may trouble the relations between unequal partners. Clearly, we are going through a different passage of history, and the American pivot in Asia in valued and cheered by all countries in the region, including Australia.

Into his second term, Obama has been battered by his critics, both fairly and unfairly. A question from Fox News about foreign policy weaknesses got a rise from the President. But overall, his time in the country allowed him a bit of release from the tensions of the White House. He seemed genuinely taken by the warmth, and responded with that wide grin, gamely reaching out to press flesh as he went through protocol-prescribed moves and gestures as though he were really having fun.

State visits to the Philippines happen so often that media often ho-hums through the ceremonials and the public hardly gets to know about what transpires. But an American president is always treated royally; and if only for the color, it seems no one wants to miss the show. Three hundred guests came for the state dinner; with many disappointed about their exclusion.

Media served up close-up views of Air Force One, Marine One and the Presidential limousine with bullet- and bomb-proof steel enforced sides. The super-power show of these special provisions for security and protection may have satisfied vicariously. For now, it is good enough just to know we’re still friends.