Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Honorary Consul to the Philippines, Everoy Chin (left), speaks with His Excellency George Reyes, Ambassador of the Philippines, at a reception in his honour at the Hilton hotel recently. and Dagmar Berry (left), along with Sherryl Ferron and Bill Whiting, lyme a little at the reception in honour of His Excellency George Reyes, visiting Philippines Ambassador to Jamaica. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Their voices have rarely been heard in Jamaica; their concerns usually not the topic of conversation.

That's about to change for the over 200 Filipinos living in the island, as they now have a consulate, providing the official link with their homeland. It all came to fruition last Saturday with a trio of activities. First, the swearing-in of businessman Everoy Chin as the Honorary Consul to the Philippines, this segued into the opening of the consulate located in the Home International complex on Red Hills Road. To cap off a wonderful day in the lives of Filipinos, they were introduced to their non-resident ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency George Reyes.

The ambassador was the special guest at a reception thrown by Chin at the Hilton hotel. According to Ambassador Reyes, the Philippines does not have the resources to have ambassadors posted in all the countries and territories they would like. Therefore, Filipino officials found Everoy Chin, a successful businessman with good standing in the community, a heart for philanthropy and a person who they felt would represent them well.

great pride

Chin, who is CEO and chairman of various companies between Kingston and St. Mary, took great pride in introducing Ambassador Reyes, who is quite a jovial fellow. The ambassador is a veteran of his country's foreign service for over 30 years, and has served in countries such as Thailand, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Argentina. Ambassador Reyes asked the members of the Filipino community who were present to look to Chin as their father and to cooperate and assist him in every way.

"Each of you has a role to play. That way you show the kind of people that we are," he said. The speeches done, guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle and enjoy the repast that had been prepared.