Eighty years after the US recognized Philippine independence, the United States remains central to the Philippines' economy and security — as a top export market, a major investor and Manila's most important defense partner.

But recent geopolitical tensions have also exposed the risks of relying so heavily on Washington, from tariffs and energy insecurity to fears of a wider conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

DW traces the partnership and looks at how the familiar pattern of "the larger partner decides, the smaller one accommodates" is playing out today.