Q&A: Jesus S. Domingo, Philippine Ambassador to NZ

Photo c/o AmbaGary's Facebook account

This post first appeared in my other blog Vortex NZ Foundation.  I decided to reprint it here because it is very apt for this blog and I would like to make this amiable fellow, much more closer to Filipinos in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I've met His Excellency Jesus S. Domingo, Philippine Ambassador to Aotearoa New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga a couple of times but haven't really sat down for a real chat. He seems to be a man of deep insights. I'd like to someday have a real conversation on his Universal Diplomacy concept.

Kiwinoys fondly call him AmbaGary Domingo (it is also his Facebook account name).  But I'd rather call him DJAmbaGaryD (because he's the other Gary with a D) plus he used to be a DJ back in college.  When I interviewed him on radio last year, he accepted my open invitation to be a guest DJ in my radio show.  That would be a blast for sure.  I'd also like to know more about his fascination with sci-fi, the mysterious Diwata Diplomacy, and his being a Knight.

Thank you for accommodating this Q&A into your busy schedule.  I emailed him the questions late at night and in a matter of minutes he quickly came back with his answers.  Aksyon man talaga!

Q: What motivates you?
A: Being of service to God, Mankind and the Filipino People - as a Diplomat and Knight.

Q: What is your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Two actually, if you don't mind - becoming a Dad, and appointment as Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand.

Q: Who is your inspiration behind your role as ambassador?
A: My Dad, Ambassador Benjamin B. Domingo, and the things I've learned from him, the Overseas Filipinos I've met in the course of my careers, and other inspiring persons - which form the core of "Universal Diplomacy" - my approach to my work as Ambassador.

Q: What has been a challenge in being an ambassador and how did you manage it?
A: How to work with the Filipino Community - by coming to realize that our destiny is not just to make a stronger country for ourselves, but to create a better world for all through our Overseas Filipino Diaspora.  Our work in building a better New Zealand goes hand-in-hand with helping the Philippines.  Thus, I encourage "Kiwinoys" not to just focus their energies inward to the Filipino Community, but to look outside our comfort zone and work with Kiwis and NZ/Global Society as a whole.  For example, I am encouraging Kiwinoys to take up local sports such as Touch Rugby (and not to be too fixated with Basketball), and to be active in all-Kiwi groups such as the Multi-Cultural/Ethnic Councils of NZ Cities (and not to be too "hung up" on divisive FilCom internal politics).

Q: How did you face failure?
A: By realizing that it is natural, to learn from it, and to move on.

Q: Name 3 people, living or dead, you'll like to have dinner with, why?
A: Dr. Jose Rizal - to ask him for guidance in my work, Sir Peter Jackson and Mr. JJ Abrams - to discuss making movies in the Philippines, whether they be spin-offs of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Star Trek franchises, and in furtherance of my "Diwata Diplomacy" project.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, why?
A: I'm both, but more of a Cat Person.  I am convinced that Cats are an intelligent, sentient species monitoring us humans.

Q: Where in the world is the place you can call as your sanctuary, why?
A: As a diplomat I am always on the move, so I have to create "sanctuary" wherever I may be - it is more of a state of mind and spirit.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I really didn't want to become a Diplomat - I only realized it was my true calling quite recently.  I really wanted to either go into the Military, or be a Producer/Director of Science Fiction Movies.

Q: Give your teenage self some advice?
A: That it is really true that God has a plan for everyone, and to have faith in yours - no matter how difficult things may be.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, why?
A: As with No. 6 - meet up with Dr. Jose Rizal when he was still in Europe, and discuss the future and destiny of the Filipino People - and perhaps even to warn him of what fate awaits him if he returns to the Philippines.  Chances are, he would not change anything ...

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To continue being an Ambassador for the Philippines and Humanity until God calls me to the next life.