This personal narrative recounts the author's unexpected posting to Papua New Guinea and their initial impressions of the country, its people, and its unique culture.
I DREAMED of a diplomatic posting in Africa, but it was not meant to be. The closest I came to, it was an assignment to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Oceania, located in the western edge of the Pacific Ocean (followed by a Qatar assignment). Kenya affords one the opportunity to be at the same time the Philippine representative to the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi, where I was doing a continuing consultancy work on environmental law.
I did brief work for the Asian Development Bank just a few months before I received the PNG assignment, so somehow I knew the place. Strangely, just five months after arriving in Port Moresby, I was informed that the Nairobi post had become available, but I decided to stay put as I had eased into life in PNG.PNG: A whirl of a timeMy first 48 hours in Port Moresby (the capital of PNG) was a whirl of a time — presentation of credentials to the governor-general (representing the Queen as a Commonwealth) and the next day, I was on a flight back to Manila accompanying the PNG prime minister who was to attend the 4th APEC conference. It was, at the same time, my first exposure to the world of APEC.Back at Port Moresby, Day 1 was for formal briefing with the small embassy staff — all males. (It took a few more years before a female could be assigned to the post).The embassy in the late 1990s was servicing around 5,000 Filipinos. Professional and skilled contract workers abounded in the government and in the private sector, with 90 percent in the latter. There were also around 300 Filipino religious missionaries all over PNG with their mission houses concentrated on a hill in Port Moresby, popularly referred to as Little Vatican. Majority were Catholic priests, nuns and lay missionaries. Also present were missionaries from other denominations, e.g., Protestant, Seventh Day Adventists and Iglesia ni Crist
DIPLOMACY PAPUA NEW GUINEA PHILIPPINES MISSIONARIES APEC
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A look at the whirlwind events that led to the impeachment of South Korea's presidentSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament on Saturday voted to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree this month, a shocking stunt that paralyzed the country’s politics, halted foreign policy and spooked financial markets.
Read more »
Guinea's Junta Chief Sets 2025 for Referendum and ElectionsGuinea's junta leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, announced that a constitutional referendum will take place in the first quarter of 2025, followed by general elections. This comes amidst international pressure and calls for a civilian transition from opposition parties and civil society.
Read more »
In business, new problems need new solutionsIN the distant past, entrepreneurs did not have to worry about such incidents as phishing, internet outages, software errors, malware, ransomware and data leaks. But they had to endure cold calls, flying overseas just for meetings and snail mail proposals.
Read more »
Creative Guild elects new officers, sets new vision for 2025THE Creative Guild — an organization of creative directors from member agencies of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As) of the Philippines — has selected Joe Dy, chief creative officer at VML Manila, as the new president of the organization for 2025.
Read more »
No greater gift to the nation: New laws, new map of territory and sovereign rightsFirst word
Read more »
New Orleans New Year's Day Attack Leaves 10 Dead, 35 InjuredA driver intentionally crashed his truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's Day in New Orleans, killing at least 10 and injuring 35. The driver then opened fire, striking two police officers before being killed in a shootout.
Read more »