At the Philippine Festival Gala Night on June 10, the ambassador was visibly sad and somber. His brief speech was unusually emotional. There were long pauses, as if he’s trying to hold back tears. No one had a clue then what was going through his mind. But through it all, he held himself with dignity and grace. As he’s always done throughout the years.

I remember the first public event he attended. He just quietly ushered himself to the room, sat in the back and waited for his turn to speak.

What stood out for me was his soft-spoken and shy demeanor. Definitely a stark contrast to his predecessor, the flamboyant Ernesto Maceda, who called attention to himself at every turn.

But there was no fanfare when Ambassador del Rosario took over his post.

Maybe because not very many people knew of him. And so for weeks before his arrival, we wondered who’s taking over the premier post as Philippine government’s representative to the most powerful country in the world. Ambassadors have tended to be figures of high political stature, with imposing presence and impressive bank accounts. The only exception was Raul Rabe, Fidel V. Ramos’ man in Washington. Although he was not a “political personality,” he was actually an old hand, a career diplomat who came from the ranks. Just the kind of man needed at the time when relations between Manila and Washington were strained.

Rabe was described as “sober and solid, someone who does not merely look for what is explosive and sensational.”

Rewind to January 2001. EDSA ‘dos’ had just ousted Erap Estrada under questionable circumstances. Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takes over, thanks to an acquiescent Supreme Court and an assertive military. Understandably, many viewed her ascension as a naked grab for power orchestrated by anti-Erap forces.

But with her reign under a cloud, the country’s friends and allies had to be assured. The Philippines needed to convince American investors that it’s not all gloom and doom over there, that the country is politically stable.

A tough job, to be sure. And that’s why Albert del Rosario was the right choice, a successful businessman in his own right and knowledgeable about Washington’s ways. He, and Mrs. Gretchen del Rosario, developed an instant rapport with the Filipino community, and the community warmed up to them just as quickly.

In one of his final speeches, before the World Bank/IMF Filipino Association, he thanked the community for having “the good fortune of being embraced by you in the warmest way. You’ve supported me and protected me. I’ll always look back to the five years I’ve spent with you as being an important part of my life, as having made supportive friends. So I hope the friendship will be life long. We will find ways of working together. I want you to think about how you can be represented in the U.S. in a strong way. There’s no reason why you should have a few congressmen in the U.S. Congress and I’m sure anyone of you will be in a position of good leadership.”

Keenly aware that Filipinos can sometimes be fractious, I’m sure the ambassador would want nothing better than to see the 2.4 million Filipinos in America focusing on larger issues, flexing their political muscle and letting their voices heard, both in the White House and in Malacanan. Thank you, Ambassador and Mrs. Del Rosario!

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