Representatives of the University of the Philippines Alumni
Association – Hong Kong presented a commemorative
booklet on the late Ambassador Bernardita Catalla today, Apr 29, to Consul General
Raly Tejada.
UPAA president Sherina Erno-Manimtim and former board member
Jeko Abila handed over the booklet to Congen Tejada, who in turn, has undertaken to display it in a place accessible to the public for a time before it is added to their book collection.
“It is very well made and a fitting tribute to a fallen
hero,” said Congen Tejada.
The booklet contains pictures and remembrances of Amba Bernie, as
she was fondly called by many in the Filipino community in Hong
Kong , where she served as consul general from 2014 to 2017.
Catalla, who was 62, then moved on to take up the post as ambassador to Lebanon
Earlier, UPAA-HK members also donated around Php210,000 in
Amba Bernie’s memory to the UP-Philippine
General Hospital
in Manila
Congen Tejada said he also conveyed his gratitude to UPAA-HK
for its “kind gesture to donate to UP-PGH in the name of Amba Bernie."
 |
| Erno and Abila presented the tribute booklet to Congen Tejada, who is also from UP |
The late ambassador, who was a UP alumna herself, endeared herself to UPAA-HK
because of her active participation in the group’s various activities, and for
her friendly and easygoing nature.
Part of the tribute read: “During her time in Hong Kong , ConGen Bernie showed much dedication to tackle
the challenging demands of her job, while becoming a caring sister and loving
friend to many in the Filipino community.”
The booklet also includes a eulogy from The SUN, which cited
Amba Bernie as the prime mover of the ban on dangerous window-cleaning, which
now forms part of the employment contracts of foreign domestic workers.
Former UPAA-HK chair Rex Aguado summed up what the late
diplomat meant to the community by saying, “It’s hard to capture in words a
life well lived, even though that life seemed to have been unjustly snuffed
out.”
Amba Bernie’s remains were received with full honors on arrival
at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport
in Manila
A brief ceremony was held to
pay tribute to the late ambassador’s 27 years of service to the country, before
her remains were brought to a crematorium in Pasay City
The Department of Foreign
Affairs ordered flags at all its offices in the Philippines
