INTERVIEW

JUNIE PEÑA

Of mixed Lithuanian-American and Filipino parentage, Junie Peña was recently appointed Honorary Consul of Lithuania for the Philippines. A fervent supporter of the arts, the Fordham University graduate is a long-time member of the board of Repertory Philippines. She shares her passion for books and movies - and diplomacy - with her husband Fernando, and daughter Natalia

“Family life has changed in one way: all meals have been at home so I’ve had to become pretty creative.”

How did you get involved in consular work? What does your job as Honorary Consul entail?

My father was the Consul for many many years, and when it came time for him to retire, he nominated me and I was thrilled and honored that the Lithuanian government accepted me.

As we are not an embassy I cannot issue visas, which is our number one inquiry, but we assist any Lithuanian in the Philippines when they need it. When a citizen is in trouble or taken ill, situations like that. The biggest challenge this past year was when on March 16, the Philippines went into lockdown, hundreds of foreign nationals including Lithuanians, were stranded here with no idea how to get home. So, working with my amazing Ambassador Gediminas Varvuolis in the Lithuanian Embassy in Tokyo, we were able to get them all out.

What a way to start my diplomatic career!

How has your work been impacted by the pandemic? What about your home/family life?

Well, as my home is my consulate, that hasn’t changed much, except that we no longer see anyone in person unless it’s a dire emergency, and thank goodness that hasn’t happened yet (knock on wood)!

Family life has changed in one way: all meals have been at home so I’ve had to become pretty creative and not bore my family to tears haha!

What have been your go-to coping mechanisms to survive the pandemic? Any films and books you highly recommend?

All these wonderful new TV series that have been coming out are a godsend! Like Condor, Bridgerton,

Queens Gambit, Lupin, The Undoing and Defending Jacob, just to name a few. And books are like comfort food to me; once in a while I go for one that will teach me something but mostly I read books that make me happy, or sad, or even scared, but definitely to entertain! At the moment I’m reading a fictionalized story of the first Cosmopolitan cover by Helen Gurley Brown and how it came to define the Cosmo we all know and love, told through the eyes and adventures of her (fictional) new young assistant, it’s called Park Avenue Summer by Reneé Rosen. Next I think I’ll look for the best horror novel I can find.

Will you get the vaccine? Where would you like to travel to once international leisure travel is allowed?

I will most definitely get the vaccine, I can’t wait!!

Anywhere! Everywhere! Oh my, Bangkok, Madrid, London, and I definitely have missed going to Hong Kong with my friends!

Where is your happy place?

Definitely our home in Tali Beach, Batangas. Where we’ve had all our happiest memories and I’m sure many more to come. It was even where my husband and I would see each other when we were dating! So it’s my past, present and future! And to tell you the truth, the Manila Polo Club has been a huge part of my life and I will always feel at home there, and plus Manila House, I’ve had so very many happy memories there already and can’t wait to continue to enjoy its warm cozy atmosphere again!! There’s nothing like a club to make you feel at home!

Junie performing her official duties as Honorary Consul, together with her father, Romualdas Vildzius, whom she recently replaced