Outgoing Myanmar envoy plans retirement life in RP

PIA-Pangasinan
January 18, 2008

ALAMINOS CITY -- The outgoing ambassador of the Union of Myanmar, Thaung Tun, said that he and his family plans to stay in the country once he retires.

Ambassador Thaung Tun, who is slated to be his country's next ambassador to Belgium, was joined by his wife Sandar Lwin in a two-day vacation here last week.

Thaung Tun, who considers the Philippines his second home, expressed his preference to spend some time or live permanently in Alaminos City and other coastal cities in the Visayas.

The ambassador told Mayor Hernani A. Braganza during a courtesy call that he was very surprised by the splendor of the city after watching on television 'Living Asia'.

He said he became so interested about the Hundred Islands and started to read more about the city through its official website.

"We could entice more tourists from other Asian nations like Myanmar to visit Hundred Islands once an airport is built here," Thaung Tun said.

"I think it will be good if we neighboring countries will have a cooperative effort in terms of tourism promotion, "he said, adding that Myanmar "is also slowly working on it."

Thaung Tun, former Director-General of Political Department of his country, also expressed appreciation for the visions and programs of the administration of Mayor Braganza.

"I hope you will be very successful in your future endeavors for the city and more power to you," the ambassador told Braganza.

Fascinated at the way the marine environment is being preserved in the Hundred Islands, the Myanmar ambassador vowed to encourage sister city arrangement between Alaminos and key cities in his country.

"When we come back, we are no longer after the beauty of the place but (more importantly) on the people's warmth, the culture and Filipino food."

The ambassador was the first member of the diplomatic community to visit the city this year.

In 2006, Charge D'Affaires of Embassy of Nigeria S.A. Dada Olisa and top Cambodian officials were also here for an eco-tour and team building.

Also here last year to initially discuss sisterhood ties and investment ventures for Alaminos were Chinese consul Chen Lai Ping and His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Y.A. Al-Mutawaa, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Qatar.