United Nations diplomat Francisco ‘Frank’ Llaguno; 72

United Nations diplomat and columnist Francisco “Frank” Llaguno died of leukemia on July 1. He was 72.

Llaguno was information desk officer of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) based in Rome from 1975-1986.

As a diplomat, he lived in a community that was making poppy seed cookies in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He was then tasked to observe FAO’s project to help the community plant less poppy seeds and grow more healthful and nutritious crops. He also wrote about FAO’s several projects on food production in South Africa and several parts of Asia.

“He always aimed to write the best FAO report during his observation trips,” said his wife Jenny.

At the University of the Philippines, Llaguno was one of the founders of the Banana Club, which was then composed of self-styled intellectual machos. His fraternity, Beta Sigma, is known for brawn and brains.

Llaguno finished law and worked for his master’s degree at Michigan State University. His scholarship was endorsed by his mentor, Rafael Salas, a former executive secretary in the Marcos government and first head of the United Nations Population Fund.

In 1991, years after he came back to Manila, Llaguno worked with Rafael Alunan, (then a Cabinet member of Corazon Aquino) during the presidential campaign of former President Fidel Ramos.

He became a columnist for Manila Times during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.

Jenny said her husband became a believer when he admitted on his deathbed that he saw a light and walked toward it. His son Carlos said he was happy that his father “was able to come across God through my mother.”

The last viewing for Llaguno’s cremated remains will be on Tuesday, at Sanctuaryo on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. Sigma Beta will sponsor the event. The burial date will be announced later.