(Eagle News)–The Philippines’ ambassador to Lebanon has passed away due to complications from the coronavirus disease 2019.
This is according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which issued a statement on Thursday, April 2, on the passing of Bernardita Catalla.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a Tweet Catalla passed away at 12:30 a.m. in a Beirut hospital where she was confined.
“I extended her for a great job in a difficult post,” Locsin said, noting that he had promised her Paris, France as her next posting.
“But she just laughed, ‘Now I must learn French.’ She saw me to say goodbye last March 9,” Locsin said.
Catalla was a career diplomat for almost 30 years, and served in key posts such as Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, the DFA said.
She was also passport director where she delivered frontline service to millions of Filipinos.
Prior to her assignment in Lebanon, she was Consul General in Hong Kong.
“Bernie, as Ambassador Catalla was fondly called, has always lent a helping hand, to her family, friends and colleagues. Her ever ready smile and infectious laughter may have been extinguished but her dedication to our country will be always be there as a guiding light for all members of the Philippine foreign service,” the DFA said.
