BAGUIO CITY — US Ambassador Christie Kenny continues to be the highest US official in the Philippines, even with the inauguration of Pres. Barack Obama Wednesday.

Kenny clarified during her December media forum at the Ambassador’s Residence at Camp John Hay here, her position is a career position and is not co-terminus with the US presidency.

“My term would end in March, but it has been extended up to August,” Kenny told the Baguio-based press in December.

As such, she would continue “enjoying the nice people of the Philippines,” as she hops from one province to the other carrying out her duties as US ambassador.

Baguio remains her favorite because of the fine climate, according to Kenny, as she showed the media around her residence, including a private suite on the second floor.

“Is it not nice simply sitting here with all the bougainvilla’s on the windows?” she mused showing the sitting room (sala) adjoining her bedroom.

The US embassy sponsors and occasionally invites the local press here, especially during the Christmas holidays. # Lyn V. Ramo