Why not name it as Amb. Chito Sta. Romana Bridge?
I WAS stricken with shock and profound sadness on learning that our ambassador to China, Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, had passed away this Monday, April 18, 2022.
From news reports, “Amba” was in Anhui province under a mandatory quarantine and was presumably preparing to return to Beijing when he died. This, after joining a Philippine delegation for a bilateral meeting with Chinese officials.
Yours truly shared the view of many that his appointment as our ambassador to China in posting in China in Dedis among the “best” decisions made by Pres. Duterte.
If history is also made by individuals, Amb. Chito has his footprints firmly printed in the annals of Philippines-China relations.
From the Chinese side, there is no reason to doubt that their expression of sympathy and admiration to our dear departed ambassador is sincere and coming from the heart.
In October 2019, on the 70th anniversary of the triumph of the Communist Party of China to unify the mainland after booting out the Koumintangs, yours truly along with my daughter, Karla, had the privilege to join a Philippine delegation of journalists as guests to the momentous event.
And part of that memorable meeting is our visit to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing where Amb. Chito warmly welcomed us, Filipino style.
As such, I had the opportunity, to observe, up close and personal, his wit and intelligence; his genial and polite manner cannot hide the depth of his knowledge of Chinese history and culture but without for a moment forgetting that he is there to promote Philippine interests, a duty that he has performed superbly and admirably—just look at the strength of our relationship with China today.
This is not just “a” but, “the” relationship that has helped Filipinos survived the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic but also buoyed up our economy. All of these, it is fair to say, are products of the labors of Amb. Chito.
In one of his last interviews, Amb. Chito said that he takes it with great pride that he got the “privilege” to be our country’s ambassador to China and where our relationship has been the target of all sorts of saboteurs serving the interest of US/Western Imperialism.
Well, he did not abuse that privilege given to him by Pres. Duterte but he used it instead to promote Philippines – China understanding and cooperation to a new, higher and better level.
The Binondo – Intramuros Bridge of Friendship recently donated by China to Philippines was just recently inaugurated by Pres. Duterte this month, together with Chinese Amb. Huang Xilian.
It would not be bad to rename it as the Amb. Chito Sto. Romana Bridge in honor and recognition of Amb. Chito’s success in building the ‘bridge of friendship’ between the Philippines and China.
To my mind, such posthumous tribute to this truly great Filipino patriot by both China and the Philippines is well deserved. I am sure both sides would be amenable to it.
What do you think, Pres. Duterte and Amb. Huang Xilian?
