The latest diplomatic affair

The Ambassador of Romania Radu Homescu hosted an intimate reception at the Cebu Country Club where he conferred the title of Honorary Consul of Romania on Grand Benedicto, a member of one of Cebu's oldest families with interests in several industries around the island.

Standing proudly beside him during the simple installation ceremony were his wife Genevieve and parents: Honorary Consul of Belgium Enrique Benedicto and his wife Helen.

Most of the Consular Corps of Cebu, headed by Austrian Consul General Arcadio Alegrado, included British Honorary Consul Moya Jackson, Honorary Consul of Korea Augusto Go, Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell, and Honorary Consul of Albania Ceferino Benedicto.They were at hand to welcome the newest member. Ambassador Jose Zaide Jr. of the Protocol Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs was also present to witness the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

The government sector was well represented, as well. They were Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña accompanied by his supportive wife Margot, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Representative Antonio Cuenco and former Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia.

Ambassador Homescu stressed in his brief message that with the appointment of Grand Benedicto as Honorary Consul, Romania expects the community in Cebu will soon appreciate the many opportunities available for mutual cooperation and benefit. He likewise disclosed that Romania is one of the first countries in Central and Eastern Europe to have established diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

The modernization of Romanian economy has resulted in a considerable upsurge in its foreign trade and commercial contacts. Newly appointed Honorary Consul of Romania Grand Benedicto, in his acceptance speech, pledged to pursue the opportunities to realize the true economic potential of the trading partners.