Volume 4, Issue No. 9
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .
Our latest as of Thursday, July 28, 2022
~ In the good old days not too long ago, Philippine Ambassador Pedro O. Chan was officially Congen Chan to his legions of constituents as Consul General in Toronto. However, to his small circle of close friends, he was simply Brod Pete, the wisecrack endearingly appended to him to mock American actor Brad Pitt. But he was no actor; Brod Pete was highly respected by his peers and well-loved by the people he served as a diplomat in Canada.
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BROD PETE TO HIS CLOSE FRIENDS
Tribute to Ambassador Pedro Chan
He Was Philippine Consul General in Toronto from 2011-2012
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
“The value of our lives is measured by our capacity to love others.”
―
TORONTO - Ambassador Pedro O. Chan had one of the briefest tenures in his diplomatic postings as Philippine Consul General in Toronto, spanning only 10 months from June 9, 2011 to April 2012. His career, however, spread over 34 years in various capacities.
Though that term seemed fleeting - he was reaching the age of 65 - he had cultivated friendships further than what his rank and position encompassed among constituents in Ontario, especially in this provincial capital which happens to be Canada's largest city where he was based.
He was Congen Pete to many, and to a small circle of friends that included this reporter, he was Brod Pete, the moniker they attached in jest even as it sounded like a caustic remark mocking American movie actor Brad Pitt. He didn't mind it at all.
Sadly, Brod Pete "passed away this morning (July 27 Manila time) due to a vehicular accident in Butuan, Agusan del Norte," according to Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, Charge d'Affaires, ad interim, of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.
Ambassador Chan served as Minister and Consul General at the same embassy from 1996 to 1998, and later as Consul General in Toronto from 2011 to 2012. Prior to that, he was the Philippines Ambassador to Turkey. His posts previously included Milan, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; and Los Angeles and Honolulu, USA.
"I am certain," says Fernandez in his announcement, "that the Filipino community across Canada remembered his commitment and dedication to promote the interest of the Filipinos in Canada".
Upon learning of the accident, Frank Luna, the Labor Attache at the time of Congen Pete's term at the Toronto consulate, says: " I am just at a loss for words for the profound loss".
When we were both in Manila in 2015, Frank and I visited Brod Pete in his well-appointed home in suburban Paranaque. And as expected among friends, we had a good laugh and light drinks recalling the many inconsequential events we encountered in the Filipino community.
He had a knack for singing, especially his favorite song "You're Always On My Mind" as sung by guitarist and songwriter Wille Nelson. One time he accepted a dare to sing it in a restaurant and karaoke bar in east Toronto. (Videos at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZt5KQdMdeI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cN1BZca3HY)
Congen Pete's admiration for Filipinos and their legendary resilience were most notable in how he treated them whenever they seek help from the consulate.
"The Filipinos can be independent even if they are in a foreign country and that they seem to still like to help the native land even if they are far away. It just shows you that you can take the Filipinos out of the Philippines but not the Philippines out of the Filipinos.
"At saka napaka-independent ng mga Pinoy dito, very resourceful. That's what I admire about them," he said in my interview in April 2012 at a get-together at the residence of Ruben and Tess Cusipag in Markham. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqjP4DWUpg).
Teresa Torralba, lately of FUN Philippines Toronto Street Festival, is one of the many community leaders who applauded Congen Pete.
On the eve of his retirement, she wrote: "He is such a sincere and honest person. For a brief moment, our community was blessed with his presence and such a short time to enjoy a kind-hearted and very candid politician. I don't think they make them anymore:--)".
Former Philippine Independence Day Council president Norma Carpio has described Congen Pete as the "most special person in Toronto" - her way of saying he was so "well-liked and popularly loved".
In the words of the late journalist Tenny Soriano during a farewell dinner in April 2012, he noted that "Congen Pete has made a great connection with the community in so short a time". (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlEqVoDa4gg).
"I am amazed by his candidness and tireless advocacy of Filipinism through passionate promotion of dual citizenship."
Congen Pete had a rebel streak in him that got him into trouble when serving as Consul General in Los Angeles, California. Though very much part of the Marcos (Ferdinand Edralin) Sr. administration, he was one of the first diplomatic officials to break away and throw his support to the "People Power" revolution of Corazon Aquino in 1986.
It was this part of his professional career that he wanted to document in a book. Most times during his off hours, he would speak of historical vignettes that would form part of his memoir. Up to the last contact with him years ago, it wasn't clear if he had finished writing one of the most fascinating chapters in his life.
Rest in peace, Brod Pete! (Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved).
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