What's On Expat Philippines News Paper

Consul Mellie Ablaza, Jeremy Rollins, Cynthia Carreon and Consul Helen Ong

Mme. Jo-Lynne Sutherland and Julian Payne

Atty. Tony Oposa, Ambassador Peter Sutherland and French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel

Ambassador Peter Sutherland and Mme. Jo-Lynne flanked by Canadian Embassy’s Elizabeth Whang and Joseph Whang Jr.

When departing Ambassador Peter Sutherland accepted the post to the Philippines nearly four years ago, little did he know that it would be one of the most memorable experiences in his 36-years in the Foreign Service.
And now, as the Canadian envoy prepares to return to Ottawa, as well as for his imminent retirement from the diplomatic corps, he and his lovely wife, Jo-Lynne, a teacher at the International School Manila, reluctantly said farewell to their many friends and colleagues in Manila. “It’s very tough saying goodbye so I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to say, as our French colleagues say, ‘au revoir,’ which means loosely translated ‘until next time.” And I guarantee if there’s one thing that’s certain, Jo-Lynne and I will be back,” vowed the ambassador.
   Not surprisingly, the Sutherlands were feted with numerous despedidas, such as the one organized by Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary for Sports and Wellness Cynthia Carreon at Au Fin Bec restaurant in Makati City. The night was short on speeches but overflowed with lively recollections and anecdotes about the couple from friends who attended the dinner. The night ended on a high note as several guests, including French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel and wife Ning, Australian Ambassador Tony Hely and UNDP Resident Coordinator Nileema Noble, to name a few, showed off their vocal stylings with several song numbers, much to the delight of the other guests.
   After all the parties, the Sutherlands themselves threw one last hurrah with an intimate personal farewell cocktail for close friends, which was held at their residence. The ambassador explained, “We had this special event to thank you very much, not just for coming tonight, but for being so friendly, so supportive, and such good friends in the almost four years that we’ve been here,”
   But perhaps it was Jo-Lynne Sutherland who said it best, recalling how easy it was to accept the posting to the Philippines: “I said there’s absolutely no choice but Manila!” She said, “I look back on our four years here and it has been enriching, stimulating and fun,” adding “it has been extremely happy.”
   To Ambassador Peter and Jo-Lynne Sutherland, bonne chance and au revoir from your friends in the Philippines!

Ann Marie Preysler, Kayomarz Noble and Mme. Wendy Jeffery

Sid Goulbourn, Stella Marquez Araneta, Jorge Araneta, British Ambassador Peter Beckingham, Grace Glory Go and Babes Romualdez

Ambassador Peter Sutherland and Mme. Jo-Lynne flanked by PAL president and CEO Jimmy Bautista and Susing Pineda

Farewell to Canadian Diplomats
By Jacqueline L. Ong

August is a bittersweet month for the Canadian Embassy as it bids goodbye to four of its well-loved colleagues. In a series of farewell parties, well wishes filled the air for departing Ambassador Peter Sutherland, Political and Economic Counsellor Steven Rheault-Kihara, First Secretary and Canadian Liaison to the Asian Development Bank Francis Uy and Third Secretary Gary Wallace.
   Well-liked for his affable presence, Ambassador Sutherland has endeared the Filipino people as much as the Philippines has tugged at his heart strings. As he finishes his four-year posting here, the workaholic and active Ambassador returns to his homeland and turns a new leaf in his career. “After 35 years of public service, and now that I have an opportunity to join the private sector, I’m moving on while I can still do it,” he enthuses.
    Rheault-Kihara completes a three-year tour of duty here in Philippines and heads to Bangkok for his next posting. A 14-year veteran in the Foreign Service, he was previously an international trade policy specialist in Ottawa and in the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. “What I like about Steve is that he’s proactive and not just responsive,” says Ambassador Sutherland, remarking how Rheault-Kihara would be missed for his energy and enthusiasm at work and play.
    On the other hand, Uy is taking a much-needed sabbatical after 17 years of service. “I’m happy to have accepted this posting because it’s like coming back from where I came from,” says the Philippine-born Canadian. Spending four years in the country, he is taking a leave but promised to come back. Prior to his “homecoming” post, Uy was in Vietnam, United States and Australia and headed various desks at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa.
   To Ambassador Sutherland, What’s On & Expat wishes you all the best in your new life outside the foreign service. And to Rheault-Kihara, Uy and Wallace, farewell and all the best!

Outgoing First Secretary and Trade Commissioner Francis Uy with Public Relations Officer Carlo Figueroa

Missing Manila: Francis Uy and Steven Rheault-Kihara

Immigration Counsellor Nicholas Oosterveen (right) says a few parting words to departing Third Secretary Gary Wallace

Toast to Us: Outgoing Political and Economic Counsellor Steven Rheault-Kihara and Ambassador Peter Sutherland saying their farewell with Canada’s ice wine on hand

What's On & Expat - Philippines