“The Philippine SSS President and The Ambassabor’s Wife”

Three months ago, I came across an article posted by a son of Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America – Willy Gaa. I was very impressed on the article that chronicled the activities of the Ambassador’s son in relation to the activities of his father. Incidentally, Ambassador Gaa is a fraternity brother in the Upsilon Sigma Phi. After reading the article which was posted in our fraternity’s yahoogroup,  I decided to send an e-mail to give my personal comments on it.  When I opened my e-mail the following day, I was delighted to read the response of Mrs. Linda Gaa – the Ambassador’s wife. Linda refused to be addressed as Madam or Mrs. Ambassador and insisted that I address her simply as Linda.

 After a few exchange of e-mails, I came to know that Linda had viewed my appearances in the Philippine television’s telenovelas! Moreover, she informed me that she had been following my postings in our yahoogroups specially those that I wrote about my tv appearances. She also informed me that our big boss in the Social Security System – Mrs. Corazon S. De la Paz –Bernardo is their close family friend. She told me to extend her regards to Mrs. De Paz-Bernardo.

A couple of months passed, but I did not have the chance to meet our SSS big boss – Mrs. De La Paz-Bernardo. When it was announced that our group – the Investments Group will have our Planning Workshop and that our SSS President De La Paz-Bernardo will be attending to give her usual speech during the opening, I told myself – at last I will be able to finally extend to her the personal greetings from Linda.

Last week from 20 – 22 February 2008, the SSS Investments Group Planning Workshop was finally held in Makiling Highlands, Calamba City. During the opening ceremonies, our President arrived a few minutes early for the 9:00 a.m. scheduled opening ceremonies. When the Master of the Ceremonies introduced the workshop participants, the usual style of the associating significant characteristics or attributes of the specific participant was made. When I was introduced, of course, my being a character actor was mentioned and when I was asked by the EMCEE if I have new shows coming up, I immediately grab the opportunity to plug my coming appearance in GMA 7’s “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita”!

After the introduction of participants, the next number of the program was the speech of President De La Paz-Bernardo. I was very much flattered to hear the opening lines of the President: “ A few days ago, we had dinner with the family of Ambassador Willy Gaa. Mrs. Gaa asked me if  Egay Sandalo is still with the Social Security System. She told me that in Egay’s last appearance he was placed inside the coffin (referring to my scenes as Professor in Lobo)”. I recalled during a flag ceremony Mrs. De La Paz-Bernardo approached me only to tell me that she had watched me in a telenovela!

When Mrs. De La Paz speech was over, I approached her and told her about the greetings from Linda.

 Thank you very much President De La Paz and Linda for finding time to watch our local TV shows. Linda, rest assured that I have not resigned from SSS! President De La Paz-Bernando, I promise to continue to abide with the stipulations in the permit to have outside employment given to me by the SSS HRD that I will shoot and tape ony after official office hours!