Interview with Ambassador Adnan Villaluna Alonto

After passing the bar examination in 1986, I began working in different law offices in the Philippines handling civil, tax, corporate, labor, election and administrative cases. At the same time, I provided legal advises and opinions to clients assigned to me.

When my family and I left for the United States in 1996, I then worked in several companies as a legal professional. In the US, I handled litigation and labor and employment cases until 2016.

Lastly, prior to my assignment as Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, I worked as a Litigation Paralegal at a software company in California, United States of America. In the said company, I executed and implemented policies and programs pertaining to customer care, dispute resolution programs and litigation issues.

I arrived in Saudi Arabia to assume my position as Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 15 November 2017. I have been in the country for a little over 2 months.

When the President informed me about my assignment to become the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, I knew that it is not going to be an easy task. I realized, however, that this is a good opportunity for me to be of service to our fellow Filipinos by safeguarding their interest and welfare while working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Having lived in the US for a good while, there is widespread perception of the ultra conservative nature of Saudi society, at least from the perspective of western culture. It was a surprise, therefore, to realize that Saudi society has significantly liberalized. Women are now allowed to vote, represented in the Shoura Council and even assumed prominence in selected professions and businesses. The recent decree that will allow women to drive is certainly an aspect unthinkable in years previous. I am certain that the increasing liberalization of Saudi society will spawn more surprises in the future.

The physical separation from my children and grandchildren stands out as the down side of my work. The power of the internet and social media, however, have eased by loneliness. On the other hand, as a Muslim, being near the holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah is the ultimate fringe benefit.

Aside from the change in climate and environment, as a new Ambassador, I learned that there is a variance between perception and reality. I immediately realized that the real situation on the ground is different from what you hear and see in social media and other platforms.

My work as an Ambassador is not only limited to attending diplomatic and official functions as it goes deeper to being up-close and personal with our fellow Filipinos, to understand their needs, particularly those who are in distressed situations. Rendering immediate response and action are key to their needs. It is actually a 24-hour job needing action in different places.

As the Head of the Embassy, the most challenging part of being an Ambassador is bridging the connection between the Philippine government to the Filipino people. I need to properly convey to the Overseas Filipino Workers that the Embassy is working to protect their rights and well-being.

Perhaps, the most rewarding feeling I experience daily is the satisfaction that I made a difference in people’s lives.

Ensuring that services at the Embassy are efficiently and promptly rendered requires me to be on the ground. Direct interactions with our nationals are an essential ingredient to a satisfying day. I end it meeting with my officers to discuss process improvements and analyses impinging on world affairs and bilateral relations with the host country.