Philippine consul in Hong Kong had a front-row seat for the Occupy protests
Bernardita Catalla had a front-row seat as Occupy unfolded outside her office window and was impressed by the discipline of the students
Images of the 79-day protest that played out right outside her office window have been burnt into the memory of the Philippines' top diplomat in Hong Kong.
"During the Occupy Central, you can view [the students] from here," says Consul General Bernardita Catalla as she gestures towards the window which offers panoramic views over Harcourt Road, where thousands of students camped out for weeks to fight for greater democracy.
"In fact, when the media people from the Philippines came, I just told them to come here … I was telling the media people, when they interviewed me over the radio, I said: 'It's peaceful'."
That Sunday evening saw chaotic scenes, centred on Harcourt Road, as police fired tear gas while defiant young protesters refused to budge.
The protests were triggered by Beijing's ruling that Hong Kong would be able to elect the chief executive by one man, one vote in 2017, but only two or three candidates could run and they would need majority support from a pro-establishment-dominated nominating committee.