Ambassador Constancio R. Vingno, Jr., has been given a special award by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in recognition of his demonstrated excellence and unwavering commitment in the field of foreign service, and his significant contributions in advancing the interests of the Philippines overseas.
The Felipe Agoncillo Lifetime Service Award was conferred to Vingno in a ceremony during the celebration of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Day at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini in DFA Manila, on June 23.
“I am deeply honored to have received this award from an institution that I have faithfully served for the last 40 years,” Vingno told The Filipino Times. “I share this with everyone I have worked with, and to those whom I have had the pleasure of serving during my diplomatic career.”
Before his current posting in the UAE, the ambassador, fondly referred to in the Filipino community as “Amba Bong,” has served as head of the Philippine mission in South Africa, and in various capacities as diplomat in Greece, Japan, Romania, and Germany. He has also served as Assistant Secretary in the Department’s Legislative Liaison Unit (DLLU).
“There have been times when the challenges I faced seem insurmountable but I have always reminded myself that I am doing what I have to do for my country. Such simple reminder inspired me all throughout to do the best that I can, wherever I have been assigned to. Again, my gratitude to DFA for this recognition,” he added.
The conferment of the award followed deliberations made by the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the committee on the Program on Rewards, Awards and Incentive for Service Excellence (PRAISE) of the DFA. The awardees were considered based on their work performance, work ethics, attendance and length of service, among others.
The Felipe Agoncillo Award was named after Felipe Agoncillo, the Filipino lawyer representative to the negotiations in Paris that led to the Treaty of Paris in 1898 and ended the Spanish–American War, achieving him the title of “outstanding first Filipino diplomat.”
The award was received by the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Ambassador Claro S. Cristobal, on Ambassador Vingno’s behalf.
