Neil Reeder, Canada’s new ambassador to the Philippines, presented his credentials to Malacañang on Dec. 2. Next day he was in Cebu to confer the 2013 Marshall McLuhan Fellowship on Eileen G. Mangubat.

 

She is the publisher and acting editor in chief of Cebu Daily News, PDI’s sister newspaper in the south. The citation is significant as Eileen is the first Cebuano and third community journalist to be named a McLuhan Fellow.

 

Ambassador Reeder said the award was to recognize Eileen’s contribution to journalism for all that has been achieved to promote the values of good faith and responsible journalism which has no boundaries or borders.

 

The ceremony was held at the Marcelo Fernan Cebu Press Center auditorium where Ms Mangubat delivered an eloquent inaugural lecture. There were lots of mass communications students in the audience.

 

Theme was most apt: “Journalism in the Time of Yolanda: The Evolving Role of Media in Covering Disasters.” The gist was that if journalism is done well, it empowers communities, saves lives, dispels dangerous rumors, cultivates passion and keeps hope alive.

 

The Marshall McLuhan Fellowship is named after the world-renowned Canadian communication scholar. It is the Canadian Embassy’s flagship media advocacy initiative. It was launched in 1997 to encourage responsible journalism in the country.

 

Eileen G. Mangubat has been recognized for her noteworthy efforts in steering and maintaining an independent and professional community press in Cebu, as exemplified by Cebu Daily News.

 

In her lecture, she said the earthquake of Oct. 15 and Supertyphoon “Yolanda” on Nov. 8 made her see more clearly the importance of news media not just to show the scope of damage as traditional bearer of bad news, but as pushing the basic job of telling the truth.

 

Traditional Christmas party

 

Among those present at the awarding and lecture was Robert Lee, honorary consul of Canada in Cebu. Later in the day, he and his wife Anna welcomed the Canadian ambassador to the traditional “Christmas Gathering of Canadians and Canada’s Friends.”

 

It was held at the grand convention hall of the J Center Mall in Mandaue City, and catered by Tao Yuan seafood restaurant located in the same building.

 

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama attended, as well as retired Ambassador Francisco Benedicto who for seven years was the Philippines’ envoy at Ottawa, capital of Canada.

 

Ambassador Reeder came with his wife Irene. They both speak excellent Spanish. They said their first trip out of Manila was to Cebu and were most happy about it.

 

Honorary Consul Robert Lee in his welcome address indicated that this was the 15th year Canadians and their friends all over the Visayas held a Christmas gathering.

 

Hopefully, whoever succeeds him in the post will continue with tradition. By April, Robert will be retiring from his consular duties. He and his wife Anna will spend more time with their children and grandchildren in Toronto, Ontario, where they have a home.

 

Among those seated at the ambassador’s table were Wally and Paulette Liu. They have been greatly instrumental in promoting the training courses for numerous welders for employment in Canada.

 

Canada’s Consul General Steven Chapman sat at the table of Robert and Anna Lee along with Nonito and Jennifer Narvasa, Katherine Rivera, Livian Garcia and Oscar Chua.

 

South African cuisine night

 

Casino Español de Cebu held an evening of South African cuisine paired with fine wines from the country. Here for the occasion was Madame Ambassador Ndteni Agnes Nyamande-Pitso. With her came Carl Le Roux of the South African Embassy in Manila.

 

On hand to welcome them were Gordon Alan Joseph and his wife Corinne, who had made the arrangements for the event. The food was prepared by chefs Bolly Bolton and Nick vans Rensburg.

 

They both came from South Africa and are connected with the resort campus of Lyceum of the Philippines University in Cavite. Bolly used to live in Cebu where he has many friends.

 

Casino Español general manager May Ocaba made sure everything was in tiptop order. From the club’s board of directors were house chairperson Eddie Gonzalez and Paco Jarque, director of social and cultural affairs.

 

Gastronomy can be a cultural expression, especially when applied to South African cuisine, influenced by many countries whose people have settled there.

 

You have the Dutch, the English, the Malay, the Indian, the Chinese and the African itself. “I am a food critic,” Ambassador Agnes told Bolly and Nick, “and you have passed the test.”

 

The evening’s favorite was the bread baked on a grill, and also the special sausage, miles of it, also grilled to perfection.

 

Dondi and Corinne Joseph were the best to indicate which wine was best with what dish. “You’ll love the Chemin Blanc,” he recommended to those near him.

 

Among those present were Spain’s honorary consul Anton Perdices with wife Maripaz and some friends, Jimmy Escaño and Ameth Galoy from Casa Escaño, Dr. Billy Jaca, and former Casino Español president Luis Moro Jr.