The Lacanlale’s summer 2022 family milestones

The Lacanlale’s summer 2022 family milestones

When Ambassador Linglingay Fonacier Lacanlale turned 74 last July and retired after 42 years of Philippine diplomatic service this year, she and husband Eric thought of a special summer vacation that would bring them together as a family to celebrate the two important milestones.

After all, with several years of being assigned in different diplomatic posts all over the world, and being away from her four children while they were growing up, she thought it was time for the whole family to go on a fun trip together somewhere.

Eric was more the mainstay although his international work with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) brought him to different countries, but allowed him to be based where his wife’s foreign postings were.

Still, both parents maintained close meaningful relationships with their children, now all married and living in the United States. They made sure that they travelled to the U.S. to be with them each Christmas, even when Linglingay held her various ambassadorial posts in far away countries like Austria, Thailand and Argentina, and some home office assignments that included the position of Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. There were also rare precious times when the kids could visit their parents wherever they were assigned.

To compensate for the shorter than desired vacations with family in the past, the couple chose to stay longer in a place known for its beautiful sites, good food, and vibrant culture and history, family-friendly summer destination: Lisbon, Portugal.

There, they rented an Airbnb which they had all to themselves, while enjoying good times together, especially with the young grandkids, in the city’s famous tourist sites.

Of the four children, eldest son John, wife Vida and daughter Natalie were unable to join the trip but were in constant touch by online video to join the celebrations. The touring group of 10 included Linglingay and Eric; second son Mike and wife Roxanne and children Tyler and Kaia; third son Marc and wife Churteny, and son Gavin; and daughter Catherine.

Well-travelled as they are, the Lacanlales still maintain a special connection to Edmonton, Alberta, where a couple of Eric’s siblings reside with their families as Canadian citizens.