Frankly speaking

Death sneaks up on some people like a fart in the wind. A couple of friends passed away last Holy Week, including an askal named Jesus Christ. The streets of Cebu were practically deserted as we passed by the body of an askal who got hit by a vehicle and out of the sheer solemnity of the situation, I bowed my head and sang "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!"

Friends and relatives from out of town came over to celebrate my dad''s death anniversary and spilled over to Holy Week. Can you imagine a houseful of senior citizen chicks? Believe me; they just cannot stop on pecking at each other.

Frank came over to pick up the golden girls for a lunch soiree. It was one of those lunches I had to tag along and make sure I don''t pass out from being bored. I was just amused how Frank handled the girls as they barraged him with what is considered to be table manner faux pas: Politics and Religion. His comments were diplomatically absurd peppered with dry humor. He was just being Frank.

In between spoonfuls of mango sorbet, I blurted "Uncle Frank, how did you get to be an ambassador?"

In Sun Star Cebu''s April 10, 2007 issue, Wilfredo Gomez wrote:

"While reading a magazine that showcased Cebu''s tourist spots, I came across a list of Cebu City''s honorary consuls that is somewhat intriguing. Majority of these honorary consuls, although in all probability are Filipino citizens, seem to have pure Chinese blood. Latest additions to this group as published in the newspapers are the honorary consuls of South Korea, Romania, and Albania

While these individuals do not receive salary and are spending their own money for the needed expenses relating to their honorary positions, nonetheless they have the privilege to rub elbows not only with visiting dignitaries from the countries they represent but as well as high officials of our government. They are also treated as VIPs in social and other gatherings they attend.

In other words, the perks they enjoy far outweigh their out-of-pocket expenses. With due respect to them, this observation is not to question their selection but to call the attention of the appointing authority if the Department of Foreign Affairs not to limit the choice from the above-mentioned group.

How does one become an honorary consul? Is it by appointment from the DFA following an interview? Or is it simply on recommendation basis from an influential individual or association? And do the embassy officials of the foreign countries and Cebu City officials have a say in the selection process?

A response to shed light on the matter would be highly appreciated.

While Frank was stationed in Canada years ago, he had functions and parties to attend. One night, he slipped on an icy walkway and hurt his left arm. He picked himself up, got in the car and proceeded to a party hosted by a Filipino community. Even if he was in numbing pain and halfway bored he had to stay on. When one is tasked to look out for one''s fellowmen outside the comforts of his country, it is not always a bed of roses.

One can rub elbows with VIPs but will you be there for your fellowmen in times of need while they are far away from home? Will you have the resources to extend that service? When an individual reaches a certain status in his life that makes him want to give back it doesn''t matter which area in life you work on. The more you give, the more you receive. Power and influence can be found not only in high officials or VIPs, but in people who work selflessly to achieve something greater that goes beyond them. Each one of us has this power; it is up to us how we use it.

In between spoonfuls of green tea ice cream and clutching his bandaged left arm, Frank calmly replied "It was my dream to be in Foreign Service so I had to take the Foreign Service exam which was difficult for me at that time. Well, if you''re friends with the President, you can get appointed. Either way works."

Jesus Christ was one of the ambassadors from the Kingdom of Heaven. Would you care to take his place?