More than 700 attended the Christmas gathering of Canadians and Friends of Canada on Dec. 1 at the Cebu Grand Convention Center. Present as he was last year, and as were his predecessors, was the Ambassador of Canada, Christopher Thornley.

Attending to everyone were Canada’s honorary consul in Cebu, Robert Lee, and his wife Anna, who organize this event yearly. It gets better and bigger every time. The evening is highlighted by speeches, Christmas carols and a raffle that lasts practically all night. There were that many prizes.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Robert Lee who thanked the many sponsors, donors and guests. “This is the 10th year of the gathering,” he said.

Ambassador Thornley said it was indeed a pleasure to be present, “and in such wonderful company. Thank you, Robert and Anna, you are such an energetic couple.”

He further said, “Consul Robert and Anna don’t want to be recognized for their work, but I must say that they have been very generous with the less privileged. They have shown admirable dedication to the protection and welfare of Canadian citizens and they have been greatly instrumental in deepening the relations between Canada and Cebu. They are our ambassadors in the Visayas.”

There was great applause to that and to what followed.

Ambassador Thornley recognized the presence of Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, who has served as the Philippines’ ambassador to several countries (Singapore, Korea, Brazil, India and China, among them). “He spent seven years in Canada,” he pointed out, “where he is very well-loved by all, and not just the Filipino community.”

This occasion was also for the signing of a partnership agreement between the Canadian Welding Bureau, represented by Craig Martin, and Primary Structures Educational Foundation, represented by William Liu Jr. and his wife Paulette Deduque Liu.

We had quite a lively time at our table. In it were the Canadian Embassy’s Stephen El Azar, lawyer Felipe and Esther Velasquez, UK Honorary Consul Moya Jackson, Cebu Business Club president Dondi Joseph and Canada wardens Nonito Narvasa, Livian Garcia, and Catherine Rivera, escorted by her husband Ron Rivera, who lives in General Santos City.

Japanese affair

Next evening, on Dec. 2, it was the ambassador of Japan, Toshinao Urabe, who hosted a reception in Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to mark the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor Akihito.

Greeting the numerous guests as they filed through the reception line were Ambassador Urabe and his wife Etsuko, and Japan’s Consul in Cebu Yoshiaki Hata with his wife Setsuko.

Consul Hata gave the welcome remarks. He said the Emperor is now 78 years of age. He expressed his appreciation for all the support given his office by the Cebuano and Japanese communities since he arrived early this year.

Ambassador Urabe began his speech with greetings in Tagalog and Cebuano. He has been in Cebu three times in the last six months, and has made many friends. He led the toast to the good health of Emperor Akihito and the continued friendship between the Philippines and Japan.

Representing Cebu Province was Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who delivered an eloquent message, congratulating Japan for its recovery from the March 11 disaster. “If the earthquake was strong, the Japanese people have proved to be stronger. We admire their industry and tenacity,” she said.

Guests enjoyed the buffet of Japanese specialties. There was also a delicious piping-hot soup of noodles and shrimps.

Among the notables present were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama; Ambassador Benedicto; Department of Foreign Affairs Cebu office head Elias Balawag; his predecessor Angel Espiritu, who is now Cebu City Hall’s consultant for diplomatic affairs; and Ikebana International officers Carmen Go and Norma Sanchez.

There was a good representation from Cebu Consular Corps, led by its chairperson, Russian Federation Honorary Consul Armi Garcia; the vice chairperson, Honorary Consul of Germany Franz Seidenschwarz with his wife Elizabeth; and the secretary, UK Honorary Consul Moya Jackson, escorted by husband Antony Jackson.

Also present were the consul general of the People’s Republic of China and madame He Shijing; Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier with his wife Amparito, and Alliance Française de Cebu director Louis Thevenin; Honorary Consul of Sweden José Sala with his wife Susan; Honorary Consul of Romania Grand Benedicto; Honorary Consul of Canada Robert Lee and his wife Anna; Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic Antonio Chiu and his wife Nellie; Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic Philippe Go; and Consular Agent of the US John Domingo.