Guess whom did I meet in a metropolis surging with 12 million people on a Sunday? A TB guest!
June 15 is celebrated by Filipinos in many parts of the world as Migrant Workers and Philippine Independence Day.
In Tokyo, the event was celebrated at a railside park in Ouji, a sprawl of lush greenery in the northern suburbs. I attended the event to work, manning two booths and mobilizing about 15 promo girls for two telecom companies. There were entertainers from sponsors ABS-CBN and GMA, the main draw of the event which was attended by some 4,000 to 5,000 Filipinos. Because we were awash with freebies, the two booths I managed had one of the longest lines.
In Filipino gatherings, one or two from the crowd occasionally recognizes me, as I had worked in three publications at different times in the past. But I was surprised when a kindly, soft-spoken lady at the queue popped her head to tell me, "Nakita kita sa TB". As she spoke in Tagalog, at first I thought she said TV, but when I asked her to repeat what she said, she really meant TB.
Ang ngalan niya si Rose Olaer Ueda, from Guindulman. I think she'll read this one of these days. Hi Rose! I think we've known each other by face for a long time. She said she only peeps in occasionally, as she doesn't know how to sign up. I gave her instructions. Apil unja diri sa among kukabildo. Too bad I wasn't able to get photos. Later, she also introduced me to a group of young Boholanos from Taloto,Tagbilaran.
Tubag Bohol has really arrived. I think this Boholano bond will continue to spread round the globe...
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