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Friday, March 29, 2024

As if we never say goodbye

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You might have noticed of late that my columns have taken a rather foreign affairs flavor. I’ve written about our relations with China, Russia, Sweden, ASEAN, the United States, and Japan, among others. Foreign and diplomatic relations have always been an interest of mine; I will never pass up a good opportunity to go abroad and learn about other countries as well as share a bit about ourselves to other nations. 

Indulge me once again as I write about our diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom, and pay tribute to a man who has both been a good patron and  true  friend.

 The Chevening Alumni Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.  with Ambassador Ahmad

Great Britain has always been close to my heart, and I’ve admitted here before that I am a certified Anglophile, brought about, in no small part, by my having the opportunity to be a British Government or Chevening scholar when I took up my Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Just recently, His Excellency Asif Anwar Ahmad CMG, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines, was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, one of the highest forms of recognition by Her Majesty the Queen for service in foreign and Commonwealth affairs (hence, the addition of the “CMG” to his name).

UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad

This bit of good news, however, was tinged with a bit of the sad, for Ambassador Ahmad will be leaving the Philippines and moving on to his next assignment as High Commissioner to Jamaica.  

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There was a lot of frenzied speculation as to where Ambassador Ahmad was going after his Manila post. I recall in a dinner hosted by my good friend, former Defense Chief Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., and his lovely wife, former Congresswoman Nikki Prieto Teodoro, guests at the table were all trying to pin Ambassador Ahmad down and make him admit where he will be assigned to next. Some of us even threatened to apply the “third degree”! But all efforts were to no avail as Ambassador Ahmad, true to form, did not cave-in under intense pressure. Alas, we were all relegated to the juvenile joy of sounding off, in excited voices, possible locations based on clues given by the Ambassador. But, now it can be told: He is Jamaica-bound. 

With Maisara Dandamun- Latiph, Mai Valera, Ambassador Asif  Ahmad, Atta. Joel Gregorio, Elcid Pangilinan, Stephen Michael Co,  and Ronald Rodriguez

Let me hasten to add, during the ongoing interrogation or, rather, during our desperate attempt to pry information, I saw US Ambassador Sung Kim make a phone call. In a few seconds, he had the information we had been trying to get for hours. Diplomatic niceties or security protocols prevented Ambassador Sung Kim from sharing it with us then. But from his smile, I knew. American intelligence at its best.

I recall when Ambassador Ahmad was appointed to the Philippines in July 2013. He caused quite a buzz, admiration, and interest when he started speaking and even tweeting in Pilipino. In the months before his arrival in the country, he learned Pilipino from a Filipina in the UK. Hearing him speak, you could easily mistake him for a local.

CAFPI Vice President Elcid Pangilinan

Ambassador Ahmad is one of that rare breed of diplomat who “walks the talk’. In his sterling stint as British Ambassador to the Philippines, he has immensely improved the relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom in terms of investments, education, and cultural exchange, among others.

He has brought Britain to Manila and Manila to Britain, so to speak. There was a substantial increase in Chevening scholars, and the annual Great British Festival at Bonifacio High Street was something more people looked forward to every year. 

His Excellency had also been instrumental in the Yolanda aid and relief effort. The Filipino people will always be grateful for this. It’s an emotional connection we will never forget and shall always cherish. Under Ambassador Ahmad’s watch we saw the increase of trade and investments between the Philippines and the UK to double its former size. What also doubled in size was the British Embassy in Manila. 

With Atty. Joel Lloren, Stephen Michael Co, JJ Moreno, Atty. Tess Lacerna, Judge Amifaith Fider-Reyes, and Tony Abad

Ambassador Ahmad’s tenure in Manila also saw to the re-opening, after sixteen years, of visits of Cabinet-level officials to the country, like the State Secretary for International Trade, the State Secretary for International Development, and two Foreign Secretaries. Even HRH Anne, the Princess Royal, returned to the Philippines for a five-day visit that took her all the way to Ormoc.

Last week, the Chevening Alumni Foundation of the Philippines Inc. or CAFPI, which I currently serve as President, held a farewell party for His Excellency, one of several parties feted in his honor. In the short but sweet and meaningful gathering of Chevening scholars, we all expressed our profound gratitude for his support to the program. 

We will truly miss Ambassador Ahmad and we wish him all the best in his new appointment. Perhaps a visit to Jamaica is in order, a sentimental journey to catch up with an old friend someday.

To His Excellency Asif Anwar Ahmad CMG, Godspeed and my warmest regards, my friend. Till we meet again. 

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