US Embassy in Manila holds ball hours before Obama inauguration

MANILA, Philippines – The US Embassy in Manila held a ball Tuesday night for President-elect Barack Obama some 3 hours ahead of the inauguration of the 44th chief of state of the most powerful nation in the world. Ambassador Kirstie Kenney welcomed guests – among them former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos – at the embassy's Charles Parsons Ballroom. "I feel excited. I feel emotional. It's such a memorable day for America, and I think we're all proud to be part of it," Kenney told Connie Sison, who reported the event for "News on Q," Q Networks evening newscast. The ball started with the entry of US Marines bearing the US colors. Kenney then led a toast to Obama, the first African-American president of the US. Ramos and Kenney then started the dancing, which was expected to last till around 11 p.m., two hours before the inauguration which starts at 1 a.m. on Wednesday (Philippine time). Among the other guests to start the dancing was former Philippine Energy Secretary Vincent Ramos. "We are one of several embassies in the world who are doing this, or something similar. We should be here for just a couple of hours as a chance for us again to celebrate our democracy, celebrate the peaceful transition of power," Rebecca Thompson, US Embassy information officer, said. "To see our country come together as a country when color is no longer an issue is amazing, absolutely amazing," Elvidia Washington, deputy missions director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines, said. Kenney said she would be staying up late with some friends to watch the inauguration on television. - GMANews.TV