Noni Trota - in common with nearly every Filipino ever born, Edgardo S. Trota had a nickname - died of a heart attack shortly before Christmas at the comparatively young age of 59. He had been Ireland's Honorary Consul in the Philippines from 1976 to 1992. With his death Ireland has lost a true friend and champion.
But if Ireland's loss is considerable, his own country's is gigantic. For Noni was a quintessential Filipino endowed with a great pride and love of country, though he was not blind to some of the failures of its leaders from time to time. That perception added to his greatness. When I heard of his death, I was reminded of the speech of the heroic Benigno S. (Ninoy) Aquino Jnr made, in 1980, three years before his assassination:
I have asked myself many times: Is the Filipino worth suffering, or even dying, for?
Is he not a coward who would readily yield to any coloniser, be he foreign or home-grown?
Is a Filipino more comfortable under an authoritarian leader because he does not want to be burdened with freedom of choice?
Is he unprepared or, worse, ill- suited for presidential or parliamentary democracy?
I have carefully weighed the virtues and the faults of the Filipino, and I have come to the conclusion that he is worth dying for.
Noni was in the same mould as Ninoy Aquino but he also felt the Philippines was worth living for and so he helped to give much employment there - up to 1,000 people worked in his various enterprises. In addition, he had a number of restaurants in California.
In 1962, while a student in St John's University, New York, Noni met Noreen Finucane from Moyvane, Co Kerry. They were married in Manila Cathedral the following year.
Noni had a great love for Ireland, especially Kerry. He visited Ireland frequently and travelled there extensively. He was deeply interested in Irish culture and the Irish way of life. He was a considerable golfer and especially loved to play on the world famous course of which his wife is a member, Ballybunion.
The home of Noni and Noreen in Manila was a haven for Irish men and women of all walks of life. They were especially kind to the missionaries and to the staff of Aer Lingus and the ESB who visited there some years back; but all Irish visitors were made very welcome.
During the celebrated trial and imprisonment of Father Niall O`Brien, Noni was a pillar of strength, attending many of the court sessions. While in prison Father O'Brien was in constant contact with Noni and, indeed, Noreen flew down to Nagros to visit him on Noni's behalf.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Noreen (who herself succeeded in 1996 to the post of Honorary Consul of Ireland) as well as to their children Caroline, Christina, Robert and Jimmy and their grandchildren, whom he especially adored.
H.O'F.