Rome – Today, I am flying home to Manila after a quick 2-day trip to Rome to deliver the Philippine Country Statement during the 41st Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization Conference.
The week-long Session also officially ended the Chairmanship by the Philippines of the 40th Session of the FAO Conference.
In 2017, I was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the 40th Session of the FAO Conference making history as the first Filipino to chair the Session.
This Session’s Chairperson is Enzo Benech, Agriculture Minister of Uruguay.
Yesterday, before leaving the FAO Headquarters, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Ding Nolasco, asked me to pose in the gallery of portraits of former FAO Conference Session Chairpersons.
As I posed with Ambassador Nolasco beside my portrait, I could not help but wish that someday my grandson, Duane, will see his grandfather’s photo among the few Agriculture Ministers of the world who chaired the FAO Conference Session.
I hope it will inspire him that his grandfather, born to a poor farming family from Bialong, Mlang, Cotabato, walked the historic halls of the FAO Headquarters and told the world the story of farmers and fishermen in the Philippines.
Thank you President Rody Duterte for giving me the opportunity of working with you anf serving the Filipino people.
(Photos by Mayette Tudlas)
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