MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday (April 2) confirmed the demise of one of the country’s top diplomats due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement, the DFA said Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita Catalla lost her battle to COVID-19 on Thursday.
Ambassador Catalla served as a career diplomat for 27 years. She held key positions in Philippine foreign posts in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Prior to her assignment in Lebanon, she was Consul General in Hong Kong. Since December 2019, she spearheaded the voluntary mass repatriation program of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
“Bernie, as Ambassador Catalla was fondly called, has always lent a helping hand, to her family, friends, and colleagues,” the DFA said in its tribute.
“Her ever-ready smile and infectious laughter may have been extinguished but her dedication to our country will always be there as a guiding light for all members of the Philippine foreign service,” the DFA concluded.
