In the history of Philippine-American relations, up until 2006 that is, we never had a lady ambassador from Washington, D C.

Even during the term of the first Filipino woman president, Corazon C. Aquino, we had the usual male diplomats—serious, deadpan, learned, and wise. Fortunately, their wives made up for their dour and aloof demeanors.

Two years ago, the State Department decided to break out of their box and appoint a lady ambassador to the Philippines.

The choice was blond, blue-eyed senior career diplomat Kristie A. Kenney, then 52 years old. The only daughter of a teacher and a retired military man who later moved to the corporate world, she began her stint in the US government in l981. She got her bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University and her masters from Tulane University. She served in Jamaica, Switzerland, and Argentina, and also worked at the State Council in Washington and at the National Security Council at the White House before being appointed ambassador to Ecuador.

The Spanish-speaking diplomat was well-loved by the Ecuadorians and left with many cherished memories of friendships formed during her tour of duty. Then the Philippine assignment was handed to her, and Fil-American relations have become warmer and friendlier ever since.

On Monday, we sat down with Ambassador Kenney at her residence in Makati for an exclusive interview and photo shoot for Fil- American Friendship Day today. She donned three of top designer Paul Cabral’s exquisite jewel-colored gowns specifically crafted for her. Looking stunning enough for a red-carpet appearance, she accessorized them with the glittering necklaces, bracelets, and earrings her own grandmother bequeathed to her.

"She loved costume jewelry even then and she knew I did too!" Ms. Kenney explained. On her they looked like they were straight from the show windows of famous jewelers. She also submitted herself to the makeup genius, Juan Sarte, and gamely posed for Andrew Masigan, special photographer for the layout, following Sandee’s suggestions on how to pose.

A relaxed Ambassador Kenney elaborated on Fil-American relations after the shoot. It was only 9 a.m. but she already had finished her morning jog around the block and was ready for another tightly scheduled day of appointments.

She looked none the worse for her jet lag, having been with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Washington, D.C. earlier, and upon her return to Manila, had just made a one-day trip to Iloilo to oversee the rescue operations of local divers, the AFP, and the personnel of the American cruiser dispatched by Washington to help out.

We sat at the private living room where one of the three felines who came with her from Ecuador, Emily, refused to make her media debut and simply hid under the sofa. The other two cats, Niles and Junior, were more cooperative and allowed themselves to be photographed with her.

(Trivia: All three were rescued from an animal shelter in Ecuador and are completely domesticated. Two local strays have joined the Kenney household since her posting here, Trixie and Boomer. They are the "babies" of the ambassador and her husband, American Ambassador to Colombia, William B. Brown).

On the US trip of President Arroyo: "President Arroyo had a productive visit and I think she and President Bush had a pleasant and fruitful exchange. After all, they know each other and so they met as friends," she observed. "They discussed several issues and affirmed the special ties that bind their two countries."

As for her "take" on the significance of Fil-American Friendship Day, Ambassador Kenney likened the special friendship between the two countries to a "great gift."

"I don’t see any strain or problems in our two countries’ relations. We’re friends and I try to practice a ‘friendly diplomacy’ everywhere I go…After all we go a long way back and I see us now as family and partners! We may not always agree but we respect different points of view and the freedom to express them like you do here!"

Ambassador Kenney likes to see for herself the projects or efforts that her country represents to the people here. This attitude of "must see on the ground " has made her criss-cross the archipelago in the two years she has been here, talking to thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life, involving herself in relief operations an missions of mercy, and immersing herself (as far as security will allow her) in the lifestyle here.

"When I am assigned to a foreign mission, I try to study as much as I can on the country, its people, way of life and so on…but it is never the same as getting to know all these when you actually get there. Usually, it takes three to six months to adjust and there could be exciting challenges you did not expect."

She has spent a Christmas here with her husband and she just "loves the way Filipinos celebrate Christmas!" She is a Catholic but has not made a big show of her religion.

Kenney finds Filipinos to be warm, welcoming, and very "open." These sentiments are echoed by those who have met her or worked with her. She easily disarms people with a personal greeting and a bright smile, giving them the feeling that they are, indeed, talking to a friend. She can be very firm and focused on serious issues but is a good listener, too. To her household staff, like her Kapampangan majordomo, she is a dream boss who does not make unreasonable demands, and is very appreciative.

Ambassador Kenney’s father was a great influence in her spreading her wings and joining the State Department. He encouraged her to be open to her new horizons in her life, and diplomacy gave her that chance.

When she was just a junior officer in the State Department, she joined her boss, Sec. George Schultz, on a trip to the Philippines. But she was so busy doing stuff for her boss she barely had time to see Manila. She only remembers her hotel room and the office at the embassy.

This time around, Ambassador Kenney has had more time to reach out to people, project her country’s policies, and enjoy the interaction with the people.

Occasional anti-American sentiments, when they crop up in media, do not bother her except when they print or broadcast something blatantly untrue.

"People have a right to express their feelings. I hold that sacred."

The embassy has broken ground for an annex building to make room for more office and consular space. This pleases Ms. Kenney, who likes order in her home and workplace.

Her office at the embassy faces the bay and she has a semi-circular patio that she asked to be filled with plants. On good days she can even have small barbecue dinners there, and on really good days when her schedule is light, she can play tennis (she is a very good doubles player) on the embassy courts.

And this afternoon, she will relax and celebrate US Independence Day in Baguio City, where the embassy maintains a beautiful old house near Camp John Hay. Then it will be down again in Manila and around the country for a whirlwind of activities and work.

Photography: Andrew D. Masigan

Styling: Sandee S. Masigan

Makeup: Juan Sarte