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(Redirected from Jose Santiago "Chito" Santa Romana) Philippine journalist and diplomat (1948–2022)
His ExcellencyJose Santiago
"Chito" Santa Romana
Ambassador of the Philippines to China
In office
September 28, 2016 – April 19, 2022
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byErlinda Basilio
Succeeded byJaime FlorCruz
Personal details
BornJose Santiago Santa Romana
(1948-01-15)January 15, 1948
Manila, Philippines
DiedApril 19, 2022(2022-04-19) (aged 74)
Huangshan, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China

Jose Santiago "Chito" Santa Romana (January 15, 1948 – April 19, 2022), was a Philippine journalist and diplomat who served as that country's ambassador to China.

Early life

Born in Manila, Romana was the grandson of Senator Santiago Lucero, for whom he was named.

Activism and exile

As a young man, Romana studied at De La Salle University and was active in the anti-government demonstrations known as the "First Quarter Storm". In 1971, as a student, he visited the People's Republic of China as the head of a Philippine youth delegation. However, during this period, the then Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos began to suppress the Philippine communists, and Romana was forced to stay in China. After that, Romana studied at the Beijing Language Institute (now Beijing Language and Culture University) and later became a translation editor.

In 1987, Romana went to the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States to pursue a master's degree in international relations. After graduation, due to the continued instability in the Philippines, Romana returned to China. From 1989 to 2010, Romana served as a long-term reporter for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in Beijing. In 2011, Romana returned to the Philippines after 40 years and joined the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement in 2012.

Ambassador to China

On September 28, 2016, Romana was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippine Ambassador to China, with concurrent accreditation to North Korea and Mongolia. Romana presented his credentials in March of the following year. He "played a key role in repairing once-tattered bilateral relations".

Death

On April 18, 2022, Romana died of illness while undergoing quarantine for COVID-19 in Huangshan, Anhui Province while serving as the ambassador to China, at the age of 74. After his death, he was described as "an old friend of the Chinese people".

References

  1. "PH envoy to China Chito Sta. Romana dies". CNN Philippines. April 19, 2022. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  2. ^ Robles, Raissa (19 April 2022). "Tributes pour in for late Philippine ambassador hailed as 'good friend' of China". South China Morning Post.
  3. Efren Cruz. "Farewell, Chito". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  4. Wilson Lee Flores. "Emmy award-winning journalist Chito Sta. Romana on Philippine-China ties, Marcos, Cory, Edjop, Mao & Deng". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. "Jose Santiago Sta. Romana". PRRM. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023.
  6. "Beijing-based journalist 'Chito' Sta. Romana is new PH envoy to China". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  7. "菲律賓駐華大使安徽隔離期間去世 官方未交代死因". 星島日報. 2022-04-19. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  8. "Chito Sta. Romana, Philippine envoy to China, passes away". ABS-CBN. 2022-04-19. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  9. "外交部发言人汪文斌就菲律宾驻华大使罗马纳病逝答记者问". 中华人民共和国外交部. 2022-04-19. Archived from the original on 2022-05-15. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
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