Jeepney Press / Neriza Saito

Neriza Saito's On the Road to

C marks the Spot for Connection, Community and Camaraderie

with CONSUL-GENERAL VOLTAIRE D. MAURICIO Philippine Consulate General OSAKA - KOBE

“T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a.... but alas, someone... so jolly and bright comes out from the kitchen with a chopping board laden with holiday delights!!”

Oh.... Christmas is a time to fantasize and a time to get-together and I was only trying to put our featured personality as a parallel to St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, who can bring a smile to any child and to any other person of any age.

Consul-General Voltaire D. Mauricio, his wife, Bell and their family arrived in 2021 for his new post at the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe. When the officers of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council paid him a courtesy call on June 10, they were in the middle of moving to their new residence and their road bikes were still unpacked.

“Our family likes to go cycling together that’s why we brought our bikes here from the UK. That’s my wife’s passion. We hope to see as many places in Japan where we can meet more Filipinos,” he said.

Despite his magnanimous presence, Congen has a way of putting anyone at ease by simply asking about where one is from and amazingly, he would know the specialty of that place. That’s another passion of the Mauricio family - good food. For instance, he knew where to eat the best “Serkele“ in Baliuag or the best “Bagnet” in the Ilocos region or the most famous place to have “Sisig” in Pampanga. There’s a special way by which he makes his listeners savor the taste and aroma of any dish through words. A big fan of the late writer on Philippine theater, cultural historian and food critic Doreen Fernandez, Congen Voltaire brings anyone to a journey beyond Epicurean delights and the process of partaking of the meal. It’s more than “pagtikim” (tasting) that later turns into a memorable experience when the food is not simply “masarap” (delicious) but also “malinamnam” (delectable).

That meeting was the beginning of more memorable experiences with Congen Mauricio and his family and staff at the Philcongen for meetings with other Filipino communities in other parts of Japan. He explained several issues commonly asked by Filipinos in Japan clearly and simply such as Dual Citizenship, Absentee Voting and judicial jurisdiction of divorce.

That can be attributed to his strong background in law and politics having graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman (Bachelor of Law) Ateneo de Manila University. Former Consul in Osaka, Senen Mangalile was on the same Sigma Rho fraternity in the College of Law. They belonged to the batch of young diplomats in the DFA under the tutelage of Ambassador Antonio Villamayor who was also the Consul-General in Osaka in 2003 and was the moving force in the transfer of the consulate office in the OBP. “Consul-General Senen Mangalile was my boss in the Embassy in London. I was the First Secretary and Consul, so we were on several outreach missions together. First and foremost, we must know our Filipino community in our area and respond to their needs. They should be treated with respect, as being individuals not as statistics.“

True to his word at the first exploratory meeting with the PCCC in Mie Prefecture, Congen Voltaire and Bell and their two young daughters and the Consulate staff have been on the road almost every other weekend for consular outreach to Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Kurume, Hyogo, Mie, Shiga, Takamatsu, Yokkaichi and Nagasaki. Congen has already met with some mayors of those cities. His goal is to visit all the 23 or more prefectures. And so what makes Congen so admirable aside from his being a connoisseur of good food, a food bon vivant, a lawyer of high caliber? His wife, Bell was quick to say that any experience with him is so memorable because he can talk about topics for hours without you getting bored at all.

Then I asked him, “Had you not decided to become a diplomat, what profession would have been good for you?” He answered, “A teacher because I’d like to be an inspiration to young minds.”

Meanwhile, as the Mauricio family gets ready for Christmas in Japan, Ms. Bell will be busy putting up the traditional Filipino lanterns and will be cooking their Noche Buena in her favorite set of kalderos. Congen will be chopping and serving guests. Like Santa, a caring Congen doesn’t need to unlock doors to get into the hearts of people.

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON!

More from Congen and Mrs. Voltaire D. Mauricio

Where are you from in the Philippines?

V: Davao City and Manila

B: Calamba, Laguna and Silang, Cavite

What activities were you involved in before being assigned in Japan?

Department of Foreign Affairs’ Legislative Liaison that coordinated with the House of Representatives and the Senate First Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Embassy in London.

When you arrived in Japan, did you notice something different in behavior, attire, way of talking or relationships with other people?

V: I noticed their sense of meticulousness on matters that other societies take for granted. For instance, things that we use everyday in our daily life, the toilet, has been elevated to that of a shrine of modern technology - the flushing sound, music, the lid with sensor, etc.

B: They are very fashionable and trendy. I also love the changes in seasons and the Japanese know how to blend with the colors of each season, as if they are also part of the natural landscape.

When you are lonely and you long for the Philippines, what do you do to overcome those?

Well, by meeting our kababayans. By engaging with other Filipinos we re-engage with things we miss. Sharing the food we like is essentially going back to things we miss back home because food brings back memories of our beloved Philippines.

What is one good Filipino value that your parents taught you?

Pakikipagkapwa-tao, Paggalang sa nakatatanda, at pakikisama ng tunay. One long-lost tradition that we have taught our children is “pagmamano“ or “kissing the hands of our elders“. That was one of the most treasured tradition that my grandmother taught us and of course, the use of “Po” and “Opo“ when talking with people older than us or with our superiors.

What thing from your province or from the Philippines did you bring to Japan?

V: Sangkalan from Surigao called Magkuno (real heavy one) because I want to serve people at parties and break bread together with them because it’s the best way to get acquainted quickly.

B: Kaldero at Kawali because my family enjoys cooking.

What items did you bring home as a souvenir from Japan on your first homecoming there?

A lot of Japanese sweets, the Japanese corned beef in a tiny can, canned sardines and mackerel and of course, instant ramen.

Which places of interest in Japan have you visited since your assignment here?

V&B: Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe, a grape farm in Kashiwara, and a garden in Mie Prefecture.

In your present position as a diplomat, were there some experiences that are truly unforgettable or memorable for you?

While in the UK, there was one special occasion that we were invited to a High Tea with her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. At the last moment, I decided to wear a “Barong Tagalog“. As we were having tea and exchanging pleasantries with other guests, Prince Phillip came up to me suddenly and said “Your Barong is exquisitely beautiful!!!” He surely knows that it is made from pineapple fiber. I was absolutely elated as he really singled me out among the many other guests present and at the same time proud of our Barong and wondered also that he must have been worried that I wasn’t dressed warm enough for the garden tea party.

NERIZA SARMIENTO-SAITO

Jeepney Press