Ople's Visit Boosts Brunei-Philippine Ties
By Tony Alabastro

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei told visiting Foreign Secretary Blas F. Ople yesterday he was looking forward to his state visit to Manila next week on the invitation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

His Majesty granted an audience to Secretary Ople yesterday afternoon at the Istana Nurul Iman.

"When I expressed my appreciation for the great welcome I received on my visit to Brunei, His Majesty cited the goodwill and contribution of the Filipinos in Brunei," Ople said.

"His Majesty's visit to the Philippines will give a new boost to the relationship existing between the two countries, boosting tourism, air travel, ventures in petrochemicals and economic cooperation.

"Filipinos are very privileged to work in this land of peace and stability. I have been to the Middle East where the Filipinos are living under the fear of the possibility of war breaking out," Ople said.

He also cited the improved delivery of services of the Philippine Embassy in its new premises under the sterling leadership of Philippine Ambassador Ms Virginia H. Benavidez.

Ambassador Benavidez described Secretary Ople as the most experienced member of the Arroyo cabinet with his 33 years of public service. His vision is the building of a world-class foreign service. Ople came first to Brunei in February 1984 when he accompanied President Marcos for Brunei's first National Day celebration, Ms Benavidez said.

Secretary Ople handed to 11 companies and four individuals the OPLE (Outstanding Performance in Labour and Employment Recognition) Awards at the Hagonoy Multipurpose Hall of the chancery.

The awardees are: Wiltshier Interiors, TNC Landscaping Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Sukma Jaya, Sunlit Advertising Sdn Bhd, PDS School, Mashhor Group of Companies, Komputr Wisman Sdn Bhd, Functional Engineering Sdn Bhd, Aziz Latif & Company, Aryaduta Sdn Bhd and Adinin Works & Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Four individual awards were given to Daljit Singh Sandhu And Associates, a leading law firm in Brunei, Dr. Colin David Reynolds and the staff of Riverview Medical Clinic, Antonio Q. Alabastro, a sub-editor, and Rudolf Portillo, photographer of the Borneo Bulletin. They were cited for "their exemplary performance in the field of media relations and selfless dedication to projecting a positive image of the Philippines and the Filipino people in Brunei.

Marcos Aquino Ramos, senior interior designer, received the award for Wilshire Interiors.

Secretary Ople and Ambassador Benavidez then unveiled the Department of Foreign Affairs Mission plaque.

Jesse James Agustin, President, Filipino Association in Brunei, and recipient of the 2002 Philippine Presidential Award, talked on the enhanced delivery of Embassy services and the contribution of Filipino overseas workers in Brunei.

An oil on canvas painting of Secretary Ople was presented by Sixto Buscocho jr., a driver of the Canadian High Commissioner. His paintings adorn the chancery's multipurpose hall. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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