It seems that the BI Officers can take the two weeks off during Xmas and New Years week and not tell anyone. That is my experience. I don’t know how many people came to the BI Office in Dumaguete early on their extensions only to find the door locked. No sign no nothing. All of them ended up coming back on Jan 5 with past due passports and spent 3 to 4 hours trying to get it done.

A few of those people wanted to take trips, but couldn’t because they would be fined if they went through immigration to get on a plane or was asked to see their passport.

To me this is just plain abusive treatment of visiting foreigners here by Immigration here suggesting some kind of attitude towards us.

Some of the same sentiment is felt about having to travel to Manila, Cebu or Davao three times in order to apply for and receive a 13a visa. It just seems like no thought was given to the thousands of us, who are their customers, when their processes and procedures were written.

Ambassador, will you look into these problems? There are plenty of us out here who can tell you all kinds of stories about their experiences. Please email me and I will help start us telling you about it.

Thank you in advance.

I see. Thanks for that comment! It’s probably just because I admire her and her works as an ambassador to our country that I addressed her in the most formal way I can!

Just like you, I have a deep admiration for Her Excellency Kristie Kenney. For many Filipinos, including myself, she is a refreshing image of the United States of America. Her qualities and performance have made her simply amazing as an ambassador of goodwill to the Filipino people. She projects a very charismatic and friendly image unmatched by most of her predecessors, and because of this, she even became a favorite public figure in the Philippines.

For instance, she does not have any compunction of sympathizing or mingling with the poor, the minorities, and the less fortunate people. She earned the respect and admiration of the Filipino public in general because of the positive actions she performed herself towards the upliftment and progress of various sectors in the country without really encroaching on our own political and domestic issues. For example, she was given the honor of being the Adopted Daughter of Albay (Bicol) by the provincial government there, because of her valuable support to the rehabilitation of the area that was heavily stricken by the typhoon “Reming”. Even the peace-loving Muslims of Mindanao adore her and are happy whenever she visits their area. (I noticed she especially loves to mingle with young children and women). Also, I think she is so far the only American dignitary who regularly visits Mindanao to sympathize with the people affected by the conflict. (I could cite more of her achievements in the Philippines, but I guess I already mentioned enough.)

Even when Filipino journalists and media-men ask her about various Philippine local issues, especially on sensitive ones, she politely declines to give her comments, because she knows it is wise and tactful to do so, given her position as a foreign dignitary. Like you said, she simply dances around questions being thrown at her when it comes to several sensitive issues.

If there is one face America would have to project to the world especially among developing (or emerging) nations, here in the Philippines, we can look no further than Madame Kenney. In fairness to the Bush administration, the appointment of this very remarkable woman to the Philippines as America’s official representative of goodwill is probably the best thing it has done for our country.

To sum it up, I believe Madame Kenney’s charisma and simply her love for the Philippines have made her probably the most popular and important (not to mention, the most generous) American dignitary the Philippines ever had. I wish someday she would be made an honorary citizen of the Philippines for everything she has done for our country in the spirit of genuine friendship and goodwill. That’s how much I admire her!

By the way, Bob, I’m glad you found another jewel there in Davao (I’m referring to Brian’s Grill or the lady dentist-I was afraid of dentists, too!). Keep on writing because I’m very sure your readers appreciate them-both locals and foreigners alike and probably even Madame Ambassador Kenney! Cheers!

with regards to the killing of Col. James Rowe, I think their is a mistaken identity of the perpetrators. The innocent was already languishing in Jail while the real perpetrators are still enjoying their freedom outside. Justice was denied for Juanito Itaas, he was convicted on the crime he did not committed.

Jim