Canadian, Belgian national days draw Cebu’s leaders

Following the precedent set by previous ambassadors to the Philippines, two countries from different continents celebrated their national days in the City of Cebu.

The personable Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland and his charming wife Jo Lynne hosted a cocktail reception at the Manila Room of the newly reopened Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

The evening started with a toast by the Ambassador to the special relations and presence of Canada in the Philippines. Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, who not so long ago served as Ambassador to Canada for eight years, reciprocated. Honorary Consul of Cebu Robert Lee, who made all the preparations for the event, followed suit.

Extending their greetings were Japanese Consul Shigiku Sakunaga, Honorary Consul of Sweden Jose Sala and his wife Susan, Honorary Consul of Britain Moya Jackson, who came with husband Anthony, and Trade Attaché to Thailand Jose Ng. Also in attendance were Justice Isaias Dicdican and his spouse Lita, Marco Polo Plaza GM Hans Hauri, and Alegre Beach Resort and Spa general manager Fritz Kahler and his partner Cynthia.

Ambassador Sutherland acknowledged the noble accomplishments of PEACE (Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkage) in Cebu, which is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. Channeled through the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the organization helps promote and sustain various environment and educational programs as well as develop and strengthen small and medium scale enterprises.

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Belgian Ambassador Gregoire Vardakis and Honorary Consul of Belgium Enrique Benedicto and his wife Helen warmly welcomed friends and colleagues to an intimate reception at the Arctic Room of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel to celebrate the National Day of Belgium.

Ambassador Vardakis, in his brief remark, noted the favorable climate the Philippines, and Cebu, in particular, have to offer for economic growth and commercial opportunities between the two countries. He also mentioned National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who spent some time in Belgium where he wrote his masterpiece El Filibusterismo.

Among those who attended the event were Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his First Lady Margot, Chinese Consul General Cui Luosheng and his wife Liu Peifang, former Belgium Honorary Consul in Cebu and currently Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Francisco Benedicto and his wife Tina, who is incidentally Honorary Consul of Turkey, US Consular Agent John Domingo, Honorary Consul of Britain Moya Jackson, Spanish Honorary Consul Jaime Picornell and Romanian Honorary Consul Grand Benedicto. They were joined by lawyer Julius Neri and Sun Star lifestyle editor Nelia Neri, SM senior assistant vice president Marissa Fernan, Arts Council active members Elvira Luym and Vivina Yrastorza, and civic leader Tess Chan.