Kenney: RP made me value family

MANILA, Philippines - Kristie Anne Kenney leaves the Philippines on Monday with two indelible lessons learned from Filipinos: the importance of family, and the benefits of taking time out to celebrate.

Kenney, whose original departure, scheduled last Jan. 17, was delayed by a bout with pneumonia, will be staying in Washington for several months to keep her mother company.

Her 86-year-old mother, though unable to ever visit her in Manila, was healthy enough to live alone in the US capital until several months ago, when symptoms of dementia started emerging.

America’s top diplomat in Manila admitted she wanted to stay longer in the Philippines for the general elections in May, but “what I’ve learned here is the importance of family... it’s being here that influenced me so much.”

“She’s slipping away,” she said, referring to her mother.

Kenney’s only brother, an electrical engineer who also caters as a hobby, has just started a family and cannot attend to their mother full time.

The US ambassador visited The STAR yesterday afternoon to bid goodbye.

Another “great thing” she learned from Filipinos, she said, is taking time out to celebrate events in life.

“It makes life more meaningful; it leaves memories... it creates better teamwork in the office,” she said. “It’s really nice and it really makes a huge difference.”

Kenney has been lauded for her indefatigable efforts to promote better ties between the two countries. She has visited the conflict areas of Mindanao many times as part of US government efforts to bring peace, education and development, particularly in Sulu and Basilan.

She arrived in Manila in early 2006 amid the controversial rape case involving US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith and a Filipino woman named Nicole.

Smith was convicted by a regional trial court but acquitted by the Court of Appeals, shortly before Nicole left the Philippines for the United States, “for good,” according to relatives.

Amid the furor, Kenney said her government saw no need for the two countries to renegotiate the Visiting Forces Agreement, which gave the US embassy custody of Smith throughout his trial.

Last year, President Arroyo met with newly elected US President Barack Obama in Washington.

During the 45-minute meeting at the White House, the two leaders reaffirmed the two countries’ partnership. Obama also impressed upon President Arroyo the importance of pushing through with the general elections in May 2010 and a peaceful transfer of power.

Yesterday, Kenney expressed confidence that the elections would push through.

She cited the “happiness factor” in the typical Filipino and said she herself “has always been a positive person.”

Looking back on her four years in Manila, Kenney said she would have brought in more US Peace Corps volunteers to help in Philippine development efforts.

But her “hugest regret” is “not learning more Tagalog.” Before coming to Manila, Kenney was told there was no need to learn the national language because everyone spoke English.

“That was wrong,” she said. “The good news is my successor is learning... he should speak better Tagalog. He’s a lot more mellow than I am. I’m pretty hyperactive... and he’s a good golfer.”

“He” is Harry Thomas, a career diplomat like Kenney. America’s first female ambassador to Manila will be replaced by the first black one. Thomas is awaiting confirmation by the US Congress.

Kenney described her four-year stay in the Philippines as “fast and fabulous.”