Bon Voyage, Gill!

A group of ESU Philippines officers and members got together on Wednesday, August 2, for a dinner in honor of outgoing British Council (Philippines) Director and Esuphil member Gill Westaway, who will be leaving end-August for her new assignment in Sri Lanka.

Aside from Gill, ESU’s special guests for that evening were British Ambassador Peter Beckingham and his wife Jill, who braved the horrendous traffic to join a merry table that included Esuphil chairman Amb. Cesar Bautista, board members Butch Dalisay, Krip Yuson, Kat Legarda, and Marlu Vilches, and charter members Lourds Montinola, Gani Cruz, and Luigi Bernas.

Gill—at one time a teacher of English, and always an exponent of it—will long be remembered in the Philippines as one of the most dynamic, passionate, and committed BC directors we have ever had. Unknown to many (and revealed to us by Gill only at that dinner), her marching orders when she first arrived more than five years ago had been to revitalize the British Council in the Philippines—or face the prospect of a shutdown.

Over those five years, she was able to turn the British Council into an important, helpful, and friendly presence on the Philippine cultural and educational scene. Gill herself became a dear friend to many Filipino writers, artists, and educators, as she plunged into diverse activities to project Britain’s role in this part of the world and the utility and beauty of the English language (while learning and using a good deal of Filipino herself, a most impressive trait).

We will miss Gill Westaway, but we know she’ll be back, and Sri Lanka can only be fortunate to have her. ESU Philippines wishes one of its staunchest members (she was invaluable in organizing last year’s successful launch) all the best, as much as we thank Ambassador and Mrs. Beckingham for sharing with us their time, their insights, and their good humor. Many thanks as well to all who came to our despedida. Mabuhay kayo!