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| Leaders of Philippine Alliance and its splinter group Global Alliance, and other guests show unity with a wacky pose with Consul Charles Andrei Macaspac. |
By The SUN Staff
Tributes poured on Aug. 26 at Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town, as about 100 leaders of the community said farewell to Consul Charles Andrei Macaspac who went back to the Philippines the next day, exactly six years to the day he arrived in Hong Kong.
Consulate officials led by Consul General Bernardita Catalla came in full force to show support for the popular officer fondly called Consul Chuck by everyone.
Congen Catalla thanked the leaders for their tributes, and for giving importance to her junior officer’s exemplary service to the community.
The gathering also served as a show of unity by Philippine Alliance and its splinter group Global Alliance, which had been at loggerheads for months following an acrimonious leadership struggle.
Leo Selomenio, chair of GA which co-organized the farewell with The SUN, graciously welcomed PA chair Walter Melicor and president Aldwyn Mas who joined the event at the request of Consul Chuck.
Mas thanked Consul Chuck for always giving “tulong, suporta, inspirasyon” to the community, particularly his group.
Selomenio who gave the final tribute, recalled how Macaspac remained by her group’s side even after a harrowing encounter with several organizations over Independence Day preparations five years earlier.
“Hindi nang-iiwan” was how Selomenio described the well-loved diplomat.
“Thank you very much for everything. We will never forget you,” was Selomenio’s heart-felt closing statement.
The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap lauded Consul Chuck’s humility, which she said made him listen well to those in need, learn from those who had been in the community long enough to know its problems, and help when need be.
“I have only two wishes on his departure. That we will have more officers like him in the Consulate, and that he will continue his good deeds wherever he may be posted,” said Mandap.
The obvious love and respect that the leaders had for Consul Chuck was not lost on Vice Consul Robert Quintin who was on his first working day as the Consulate’s head of community relations.
Quintin said his departing colleague was a “tough act to follow”. The newbie officer said he would do his best to emulate Consul Chuck’s example
Quintin’s wife, Vice Consul Timmy, said she would always remember Consul Chuck for his wisdom, much like the wizened character “Yoda” from the movie Star Wars.
Consul Chuck’s advice to his fellow officers to love the community and to always do their best to help anyone in need was, according to VC Timmy, something she would always treasure.
Also paying tribute were several community leaders who sent video greetings because they couldn’t attend the Bayanihan send-off.
Among them was militant leader Eman Villanueva who said Consul Chuck possessed three important qualities of a good public servant: approachability, an ability to respond quickly to any situation, and of having an open mind, which was important to progressive organizations like his.
“Hangad namin na nawa na ang paglilingkod mo dito ay pamarisan din ng iba pang nasa serbisyo publiko, ng papalit sa iyo. Sana ay madala mo din ito saan ka man dalhin ng iyong pagsisilbi,” Villanueva said.
In turn, Macaspac said in a video interview with The SUN that he would never forget Hong Kong and the people he had met here.
“Talagang isinapuso ko ang lahat ng mga experiences ko dito and I am sure that ang mga aral na napulot ko dito ay magagamit ko sa hinaharap para makatulong pa din sa mga kababayan natin sa ibang lugar,” he said.
