‘Pepe’ receives Sikatuna award

President Arroyo conferred Thursday the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Lakan, on veteran Spanish journalist Jose "Pepe" Rodriguez for his efforts in renewing and advancing ties between Spain and the Philippines during his 25-year stay in the Philippines.

In simple awarding ceremonies at the Aguinaldo Room of the Palace, Rodriguez was also cited for his significant contributions as honorary consul of Bolivia from 1987 to 2003, director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, adviser for Spain and Latin America of the Philippine, Inc., adviser and consultant for the European Union of ATO, director of the Spanish Council in the Philippines, and as a professional lecturer.

Rodriguez was also recognized for his able leadership and vision as president of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española, the Philippine Branch of the Royal Academy of Spain, in rekindling interest in the Spanish language, in particular, and in Philippine-Spanish relations, in general.

His election as president of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in 1992 and the Manila Overseas Press Club in 1995, during this term as regional bureau chief for Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the Spanish news wire Agencia Efe, were also mentioned in the citation.

In his acceptance speech, Rodriguez said that for someone who has spent the best years of his life in this country, he confessed that he felt like a Filipino at that very moment.

The Philippines has been Rodriguez’s home for over two decades, being married to a Filipina –the former Lulu Coching, a painter –and raising his two children in the country.

Rodriguez authored two books while in the Philippines. "Cronicas," a volume of random recollections of his days as a journalist for Agencia Efe, and "Portrait," a book which celebrates the lives of Philippine First Ladies, with portraits done by his wife.

"These two books were for me a way of thanking the people of these paradise of islands who embraced me as one of their own from the very moment I arrived in 1977," he said.

Friends and relatives of Rodriguez stood witness to the conferment rites at the Palace led by Philippines STAR publisher Maximo V. Soliven and wife ambassador Preciosa Soliven, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin, former social welfare secretary Mita Pardo de Tavera, STAR columnist Rosalinda Orosa and Babe Romualdez.