A public servant extraordinaire

TOGETHER with the Filipino nation, I mourn the passing of Ambassador Albert Del Rosario. Whether in the field of business, diplomacy, or public service, Del Rosario inspired respect and admiration. He was a consummate diplomat, a respected businessman, a public servant extraordinaire -- a friend to every Filipino.

As a respected businessman, he chaired the Philippine Stratbase Consultancy and the Makati Foundation for Education.

Del Rosario sat on the board of more than 50 companies in the banking, insurance, real estate, shipping, telecommunications, consumer products, retail, pharmaceutical and food sectors, including, directorships in PLDT Inc., Business World Publishing Corp., First Pacific Co., PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Philex Mining Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp., ABC Development Corp., Rockwell Land Corp., Cignal TV and TV5 Network As a diplomat, Ambassador Del Rosario cared deeply for the welfare and protection of Filipinos abroad, especially those in distress.

A defender of national sovereignty and interests, he represented the Philippines in a case against China’s claim of the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He led numerous humanitarian missions to rescue and repatriate Filipinos from conflict zones, disasters, and pandemics.

Del Rosario served as foreign secretary under then President Benigno Aquino III from 2011 to 2016. In the citation I wrote for the 2018 Ateneo de Manila Traditional University Awards Honorary Degree (Doctor of Humanities), he is heralded for his contributions:

“As foreign affairs secretary, he ‘underscored the economic role of the foreign affairs department and revitalized it through an aggressive promotion of Philippine trade, investments, tourism, and official development assistance, in cooperation with its partner agencies.

‘During his time, more than 205 economic agreements were signed, covering labor, trade, education, tourism and air services from 2010–2016 . . .

‘Within the department itself, Secretary del

Rosario implemented reforms that strengthened our diplomacy by boosting the morale of the career service corps, increasing their competencies through further training, and reinstituting the merit system, among others.

‘He also emphasized the management approach of leadership by example, rationalized Philippine presence overseas and reallocating resources where these are most needed, strongly encouraged all foreign service personnel to reach beyond their grasp, at all times, to promote the national interest, and brought cost-effective consular services closer to the people by moving DFA offices to malls such as Ayala, Gaisano, Robinsons, SM, and Ali Mall . . .

His memory is etched forever in the hearts and minds of the family and friends whom he loved, and the

‘Secretary del Rosario embarked on 151 official missions over the course of five years to advance the three foreign policy pillars of the Philippines: national security, economic diplomacy, protection and promotion of the welfare of Filipinos abroad.’”

Together with retired Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, he expressed the Philippines’ stance against China’s extensive maritime claims in both domestic and global forums. He asserted the arbitration decision obtained by his team in 2016 has legally safeguarded the country’s extensive exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea for current and future generations of Filipinos. The Ateneo citation honors him for this:

“If in the end, we will triumph against attempts to undermine our territory and sovereignty, it is because Secretary Del Rosario, with other likeminded Filipinos, stood their ground and drew sharp lines in the seas. Future generations will benefit from their vision and courage.”

An authentic patriot, Ambassador Del Rosario exuded patriotic fervor whether performing official duties or in his personal capacity, He will be remembered as a true statesman, a man who loved his country, and overall, a great human being.

A dignified and gentlemanly person, he fought indefatigably for his convictions and principles.

He led a purposeful life, in total service to his fellow men so much so that he could say, together with St. Paul his letter to Timothy,” I “have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. . . .”

The Ateneo citation rightly summarized his life: “It is said that a nation has four elements: its people, territory, government, and sovereignty.

“Albert F. Del Rosario has defended and promoted all of these that constitute what we are as a country.

“He took care of Filipinos in the diaspora, defended our territory and sovereignty with passion and discipline, and he worked consistently for a better and more dynamic government bureaucracy.”

Del Rosario joined his Creator on April 18, 2023 while traveling on his way to the United States for a religious pilgrimage.

Surely, he went straight to heaven for living such a life of service and giving.

His memory is etched forever in the hearts and minds of the family and friends whom he loved, and the grateful Filipino people whom he served with utmost dedication and selflessness.

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GG: Lessons in life you would like to inculcate in the minds of your offspring?

AP: God first. He is our priority in everything; give thanks because he is the source of perfect gifts.

NEARLY 127 years after the Basi Revolt in the northern town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte erupted on September 16, 1807, Anunciacion Duldulao was born on March 25, 1934.

Sixty-seven years later, she was to take her oath, before Judge Iluminada Ines in Pinili, where warriors walked during the Philippine-American War and the Japanese occupation in the 1940s, as local chief executive under bright Ilocos sunshine.

The mother of seven children and 20 grandchildren, and 11 more great grandchildren years later, was taking over the helm of the local government unit from her husband, retired Army Colonel Samuel Pagdilao Sr. – a position she held for two more terms.

Today, the educator-turned public servant, who holds a doctorate in education from the Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila, remains an active member of her town’s Sangguniang Bayan.

Years earlier, the 1.49-meter Dr. Pagdilao, who also worked for some time in Mindanao molding young minds, retired as Senior Planning Analyst from the Office of the Planning Service of the Department of Education in Manila.

She admits there has not been any change in her diet, in physical energy except a dimming vision 14 years ago but has since been corrected following a cataract operation in October last year.

The 2009 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee, given by the Civil Service Commission for extraordinary act of public service and consistent demonstration of exceptional ethical behavior, also admits taking maintenance medicines to control hypertension since seven years back, takes 12 glasses of water every day and sodas occasionally but no wine.

We were able to have an exchange of views with the God-fearing and lens-wearing likable public servant, in between her crafting resolutions and drafting proposed ordinances for eventual presentation in the town’s SB meetings.

We got a mirror of her character as a public servant, ascendant, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother as well as her philosophies and beliefs as an elderly.

GG: How do you handle physical and psychological stress now? Was there more stress when you were still working or what?

AP: I just pray when I feel tired. I go to rest and sleep.

GG: What time do you retire to bed? What time do you wake up now that you are retired or as an elderly.

What’s your meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner?

AP: Early to bed and early to rise is my habit ever since. I have not changed, except when activities required me to sleep late.

Generally, my diet is the same with little variation when invited to parties. My breakfast consists of one egg, rice and coffee with cream and honey, and two glasses of warm water.

Lunch, I have rice and vegetables and a big chunk of chicken specially legs.

For dinner, I have less rice, pinakbet (a typical Ilocano cuisine with sauteed mixed vegetables with fish or shrimp sauce), fish broiled or fried with tomatoes.

GG: Are you active in community activities, including those in religious organizations? AP: I am very active in planning, budgeting, implementing projects or programs.

As a public servant, I am committee chairman in various government organizations, and chairman of the board of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, an ecumenical protestant denomination committed and dedicated in manifesting prophetic witness of the Church.

GG: At what age did you start feeling you are physically weaker than previously?

AP: At age 85.

GG: What is your secret, if any, for biologically aging gracefully?

AP: I always smile and keep my thoughts clean.

I pray always for my children, and I never entertain hatred but love, even (for) the unlovely.

GG: Are there things you now remember as an elderly that you should have done when you were younger?

AP: Yes, my husband and I used to travel together. We were able to visit at our old age the Holy Land, China, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. We would have enjoyed more if we were younger.

GG: How do you address the fact of getting old?

AP: Part of life development. There is no turning back.

GG: Would you hide your true age? If so, any reason, if not, why not?

AP: No, I don’t. I am proud to tell (my age) because getting old in age shows wisdom. Besides looks reveal it anyway.

GG: Do you let your children make their decisions on their own, or do you try to influence their decisions?

AP: They make their decisions in life but I give encouragement and guidance.

GG: Your philosophy in life, as a person, as a public servant.

AP: Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam, 15:22).

And the Golden Rule precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .” This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian’s duty to his neighbor and states a fundamental ethical principle.

GG: Do you have fears as an elderly?

AP: No, I always consider that God is with me. I feel at ease when alone or when with a group. I can relate myself to any situation in life.

When my husband left (in May 2021) I (have since become) prepared; someday I will join him, he just went ahead.

What makes me confident is that he is now resting in peace and that his mission on earth is finished.

My mission is not yet finished; I linger a little bit more to finish my task.

After that I know he is there to welcome me home where God prepared a place for us.