It isn’t always that people would get to notice the good that one had contributed to society. But almost always honor is given to those who do not ask for it.
Canada’s Honorary Consul for Cebu, Robert Lee, has received so many recognitions in his life but he never fails to attribute the true reason for getting these distinctions.
“I am an honorary consul with an honorary degree,” Consul Lee jokingly said. “The recent honor given to me by the Cebu Normal University has humbled me. All these distinctions I have received because of my desire to help others and because of God’s grace,” he said in an intimate interview at his residence in Guadalupe.
He added that people who always have God at the center of their lives always aim to do well for their fellowmen. “If we don’t have God in our lives, then we would always look for a reward,” he added.
Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Desjardin came to Cebu to personally witness the conferment of Consul Lee with the degree of Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa by the Cebu Normal University during their Graduation Ceremony at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
“I am doubly honored to serve as sponsor for the hooding ceremony (of Consul Lee),” said Ambassador Desjardin. “It is a great honor and opportunity to be given such a distinction and we are proud and happy for the consul,” he added. A dinner was hosted by the Ambassador at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in honor of the consul.
“My primary duty as a consul is to protect Canadians in the Visayas and some parts of Mindanao,” revealed Consul Lee. However, in countless instances he had acted beyond his mandate in his desire to help Filipinos who wish to work in Canada. Thus his help has also been extended to Filipinos, as well.
“People come to me asking for advice and help with their papers. And even when they are already in Canada, we make sure that they have a good home and that they are comfortable with the assistance of our religious community there in Canada,” he said. “You don’t have to be a part of our community, we welcome everyone.”
Consul Lee revealed that it was he who introduced the caregiver program at CNU. “(CNU) is the first government institution that benefited financially from the Government of Canada. Because of their good caregiver program, which I introduced and encouraged, the University is now able to improve their facilities,” he said.
Consul Lee added that the demand for Filipino workers in Canada is always there, the reason why programs like the Caregiver program of CNU would attract plenty of students.
“There is a great demand for skilled and unskilled labor in Canada. It is foreseen that in the next 16 years, we will be experiencing a labor shortage because of the aging population,” Amabassador Desjardin revealed.
Recognized as the most active consul in Cebu, Consul Lee has initiated many programs geared towards the creation of better relations between Canada and the Philippines, including programs for women entrepreneurs and several other initiatives in trade policies.