Today, we bid Consul Shigekazu Sakunaga all the best as he moves on to Los Angeles, his next assignment after Cebu. Those whom he has touched while he was Consul in Cebu for 3 years and 8 months are certainly going to miss a very “grassroots” diplomat.
It must have been his experience as a former volunteer. It must have been his love for people of various cultures. It must be his simple but unaffected style of dealing with people despite his diplomatic position. Whatever it was, Consul Sakunaga certainly succeeded in making those who had the occasion to meet him always feel at ease and well-attended to..
He could merge with those in power. He had time as well for those in need. Although one may have taken a position different from his own or his official position, he showed respect and earned respect in return. One of his dictum: keep to your beliefs as long as you are confident about the truth, then go ahead and continue to proclaim the truth.
He made people feel that he always had time for each one. He exuded a genuine liking to be with people and people loved to be with him as well. He was one not to throw his weight around though, despite his diplomatic position. In gatherings sponsored by the Japanese Consulate in Cebu which he headed, he was always mixing about, hardly giving himself time to take a small bite or a quick drink. He would, however, make sure that his whole staff would have food to eat after the very busy parties, just as a father would make sure his whole household is ok after trying moments.
Consul Sakunaga will certainly be missed very much in Cebu. The Japanese students whom he has also assisted will miss his special touch of personal care and concern for them like the students of Ferris Women’s University who volunteered to come all the way from Japan, at their own expense, to assist the Consul and the Consulate in whatever way they could for the ASEAN summit held here some years back. They returned to Japan with their unforgettable memories of the kindness of the Consul and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of assisting in the ASEAN Summit.
We have also heard how Consul Sakunaga took time one weekend to personally accompany a young Japanese language instructor who had just arrived in Cebu to hunt for a place to stay in. He could have asked one of his staff or perhaps some other long-term Japanese resident to do this but true to his style, he shared his valuable time and kindness instead.
And those who had the occasion to meet and work with him, up close and personal will miss that personal touch, that very expansive, generous and humane style of Consul Sakunaga.
Although he will be sorely missed, all agree, however, that he deserves to move on to share his personal touch with others – next time, with those in LA, as Chief Consul.
All those who heard him give his farewell speech last Tuesday also believe that he will keep his word, that he will come back to Cebu and that all those he touched during his assignment in Cebu will see him again someday!
May that someday be soon, Consul Sakunaga! Our prayers and gratitude with you as you embark on your new assignment and a new phase of your life. Not goodbye but mata au hima de ( until we all meet again…)
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com