The country lost one of its distinguished representatives to the international community, the diplomat, journalist, educator and activist Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, who died on Monday at the age of 74. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in its statement on Sta. Romana’s passing, did not mention the cause of his death, while the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said he died “due to an illness.” Both the DFA and Malacañang emphasized his “distinguished tenure” as the country’s ambassador to China—“the most challenging foreign post,” the department even said, through which “Phili…