16 September 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr., accompanied by the Cultural Officer of the Philippine Embassy, Ms. Rosabelle Q. Toledo, visited San Miguel de Allende, State of Guanajuato on September 12 to release the passport of 93-year old Filipino artist Romeo V. Tabuena.

Mr. Tabuena is a well-known Filipino painter who is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit Award in 2009.  He has been living in San Miguel De Allende since 1955.  He has chosen to retain his Philippine citizenship notwithstanding his long absence in the Philippines.

Mr. Tabuena was expressed gratitude for the Embassy´s kind gesture of  personally delivering to his residence his passport.  He said that at his age, it would be very difficult for him to travel to Mexico city for the release of his passport. END