What Obama said: Highlights of the US President's visit to Manila

MANILA, Philippines — United States President Barack Obama has completed his four-nation trip to Asia with the Philippines as his last stop.

In his short stay here, the leader of the world's most powerful nation reaffirmed their commitment to defend the Philippines as a treaty ally. While he backed Manila's arbitration case and renewed calls for a peaceful resolution of the maritime disputes in the region, Obama maintained that the US does not aim to antagonize China.

The American leader also praised the Filipinos' resilience in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. Saying the US will draw strength from the Philippines, Obama also vowed to continue helping the nation as it rebuilds and recovers from the disaster.

Obama also recognized the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the US. He also expressed admiration for Philippine democracy and the role of President Aquino's parents, for the country's war veterans and for Filipinos' hospitality.

Here are some of the highlights and memorable quotes during Obama's first state visit to the Philippines:

"May America's oldest alliance in Asia always be renewed by our friendship and mutual respect."
-written message in the Malacañang Palace guest book, April 28, 2014

"Our partnership reflects an important Filipino concept — bayanihan — the idea that we have to work together to accomplish things that we couldn’t achieve on our own."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"The United States will continue to stand with you as you recover and rebuild.  Our commitment to the Philippines will not waver."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"I want to be very clear: The United States is not trying to reclaim old bases or build new bases."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"So our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China. Our goal is to make sure that international rules and norms are respected, and that includes in the area of maritime disputes."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"And we don't even take a specific position on the disputes between nations. But as a matter of international law and international norms, we don’t think that coercion and intimidation is the way to manage these disputes."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"But we don’t go around sending ships and threatening folks.  What we do is we sit down and we have some people in a room -- it’s boring, it’s not exciting, but it’s usually a good way to work out these problems and work out these issues."
-joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III, April 28, 2014

"I have only been here one day, but the kindness that you’ve shown me and the extraordinary hospitality that’s been extended to us leaves us with very warm feelings and reflects I think the legendary spirit of the Filipino people."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"There is no greater nobility than offering one’s life to the nation and, Mr. President, your father offered his life so that this nation might be free. Your mother and the citizens of this great nation who took to the streets showed the world that true power lies with people. And with the canonization of Pope John Paul II, we also honor the role that the Catholic Church played in supporting the Filipino people and their desire for freedom."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"After Yolanda, America grieved with you and stood with you. But we were also inspired by your resilience and your determination to care for those who had been affected."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"So let me say tonight, on behalf of the American people: We are honored and proud to call you an ally and a friend. Through our treaty alliance, the United States has an ironclad commitment to defend you, your security and your independence."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"And finally, we feel our spirit — our kalooban — in the friendship between our peoples that expresses itself in so many ways. There's our mutual obsession with basketball. There’s our mutual admiration for Manny Pacquiao — even if sometimes he's fighting against Americans and it doesn’t turn out the way we'd like."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"There's our shared pride in the millions of Filipino-Americans who contribute to our nation every single day. There's one in particular I’m grateful for — Chris Comerford, our executive chef at the White House. Chris was born in Manila. She still has family here. We in the White House enjoy the occasional lumpia and adobo."
-speech during the state dinner at the Malacañang Palace, April 28, 2014

"There is a connection between our proud veterans from the World War II [and] our men and woman serving today. Bound across the generations by the spirit of our alliance. Filipinos and Americans standing together, shoulder to shoulder, balikatan. On behalf of the American people, I thank you all for your service."
-speech before Filipino and American soldiers in Fort Bonifacio, April 29, 2014

"God bless the Philippines, God bless the United States of America. God bless the alliance between our great nations."
-speech before Filipino and American soldiers in Fort Bonifacio, April 29, 2014