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| Photo from his Facebook account |
Kiwinoys fondly call him AmbaGary Domingo (it is also his Facebook account name). But I'd rather call him DJAmbaGaryD (because he's the other Gary with a D) plus he used to be a DJ back in college. When I interviewed him on radio last year, he accepted my open invitation to be a guest DJ in my radio show. That would be a blast for sure. I'd also like to know more about his fascination with sci-fi, the mysterious Diwata Diplomacy, and his being a Knight.
Thank you for accommodating this Q&A into your busy schedule. I emailed him the questions late at night and in a matter of minutes he quickly came back with his answers. Aksyon man talaga!
Q: What motivates you?
A: Being of service to God, Mankind and the Filipino People - as a Diplomat and Knight.
Q: What is your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Two actually, if you don't mind - becoming a Dad, and appointment as Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand.
Q: Who is your inspiration behind your role as ambassador?
A: My Dad, Ambassador Benjamin B. Domingo, and the things I've learned from him, the Overseas Filipinos I've met in the course of my careers, and other inspiring persons - which form the core of "Universal Diplomacy" - my approach to my work as Ambassador.
Q: What has been a challenge in being an ambassador and how did you manage it?
A: How to work with the Filipino Community - by coming to realize that our destiny is not just to make a stronger country for ourselves, but to create a better world for all through our Overseas Filipino Diaspora. Our work in building a better New Zealand goes hand-in-hand with helping the Philippines. Thus, I encourage "Kiwinoys" not to just focus their energies inward to the Filipino Community, but to look outside our comfort zone and work with Kiwis and NZ/Global Society as a whole. For example, I am encouraging Kiwinoys to take up local sports such as Touch Rugby (and not to be too fixated with Basketball), and to be active in all-Kiwi groups such as the Multi-Cultural / Ethnic Councils of NZ Cities (and not to be too "hung up" on divisive FilCom internal politics).
Q: How did you face failure?
A: By realizing that it is natural, to learn from it, and to move on.
Q: Name 3 people, living or dead, you'll like to have dinner with, why?
A: Dr. Jose Rizal - to ask him for guidance in my work, Sir Peter Jackson and Mr. JJ Abrams - to discuss making movies in the Philippines, whether they be spin-offs of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Star Trek franchises, and in furtherance of my "Diwata Diplomacy" project.
Q: Are you cat or dog person, why?
A: I'm both, but more of a Cat Person. I am convinced that Cats are an intelligent, sentient species monitoring us humans.
Q: Where in the world is the place you can call as your sanctuary, why?
A: As a diplomat I am always on the move, so I have to create "sanctuary" wherever I may be - it is more of a state of mind and spirit.
Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I really didn't want to become a Diplomat - I only realized it was my true calling quite recently. I really wanted to either go into the Military, or be a Producer / Director of Science Fiction Movies.
Q: Give your teenaged self some advice?
A: That it is really true that God has a plan for everyone, and to have faith in yours - no matter how difficult things may be.
Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, why?
A: As with No 6. - meet up with Dr. Jose Rizal when he was still in Europe, and discuss the future and destiny of the Filipino People - and perhaps even to warn him of what fate awaits him if he returns to the Philippines. Chances are, he would not change anything ...
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To continue being an Ambassador for the Philippines and Humanity until God calls me to the next life.
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