40 February 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com Having arrived on the island eight months ago, His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver has thrown himself into his first ambassadorial posting with aplomb and has big plans for 2016. Ambassador Ver has served as head of mission and deputy ambassador in a number of countries during his diplomatic career but says this posting holds a special place in his heart. He explains: “Bahrain is very open, vibrant, cosmopolitan and has a diverse economy. Over the past few months I’ve tried to get around as much as possible and I still have certain places here I haven’t visited, but that just means there are hidden jewels to be discovered. “I’m trying to learn as much about Bahrain as possible. I want to learn the language, explore the rich culture and understand what it is about the Kingdom that has made so many Filipinos make it their adopted home for, in some cases, 30 years.” Ambassador Ver says it’s been a very exciting eight months and he has been working with the Bahraini government to come up with initiatives to bolster bilateral relations. As part of his role, the ambassador is keen to tackle what he calls the cornerstones of his diplomatic mission. One goal particularly important to him is raising awareness about his country’s diverse culture. He says: “Filipinos are known as good, reliable, honest workers at all levels, from professionals to household help. However, we also have a rich culture that some may not know about, a good example was the recent performance by the National Ballet Company of the Philippines. “Performances like this present a different side of us and our culture and I would like to see more events like this taking place in the near future.” Another area His Excellency hopes to breathe new life into is the Philippines as a tourist destination for visitors from the Gulf. He explains: “We have some of the best beaches in the world and beautiful nature attractions. Many people from this region choose Thailand for their vacation but the Philippines offers a charm all its own. In fact, our tagline is ‘It’s better in the Philippines’. Besides the natural beauty, His Excellency says another reason to visit the archipelago is medical treatment. He explains: “Most of our doctors are trained in the US because of our close relationship with America and we also have world-class medical facilities.” According to Ambassador Ver, there are more than 10 million Filipinos currently living overseas, with an estimated 80,000 of them in Bahrain. With national elections taking place in April, His Excellency says that Filipinos in Bahrain can come to the embassy to vote. “One of the services we provide is the overseas voting – there are many overseas workers and that is a huge block. We want to make them part of shaping the future of their country even if they’re abroad. In fact, in 2014 Filipinos working abroad remitted USD26 billion back home. Surely they deserve a say!” Ambassador Ver says that his role requires him to wear a number of hats, from marriage counsellor to psychologist and even just a friendly ear for his countrymen. He says: “I pride myself on being reachable any time and the embassy is very welcoming. We’re here for our people.” In turn, His Excellency says that Filipinos living in Bahrain have a responsibility to continue doing their part. He explains: “I tell them, you’ve been graciously welcomed here and given the opportunity to work, so you have a responsibility to be good citizens in the place you have chosen to make your second home. I tell them, in the end, you are individually the best ambassadors of our country, not me.” INTERVIEWS ALSO THIS MONTH: 43 MODEL UNITED LEARNING 44 FRANK’S NEW DOMAIN PHILIPPINES ON THE MAP! CHARLIE HOLDING Philippine Ambassador Alfonso A Ver talks to BTM about his impressions of Bahrain and what he hopes to achieve during his time in the Kingdom. HE Alfonso A. Ver
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