GILDO and BING

ANGELO ( GILDO) Sampaga has practically grown up in our house especially when my dad was still around. They have a strong physical resemblance so they developed this strong bond. As what my father did to me, ( he "spoiled" me rotten ), he gave the same treatment to Gildo. He would bring him to places like Urdaneta, Dagupan, etc. When I got married and settled in Los Banios, my dad and Gildo visited us every now and then.

Knowing of his fondness for electronics, I gave him a tube tester from Radio Shack as a gift when I was already in Canada..Years later when I came home for the fist time in 1986, he told me the tester was still working and it helped him in many of his projects and home repair jobs..

The passing years can do so many things to a man. He got married to a pretty girl from Urdaneta; they had 2 kids, Marlon and Ailyn. Met the two in 2003 ( with another cousin Jasmine ) during the last Balikbayan trip I had. Marlon, I found out is just the carbon copy of Gildo when he was of his age. He visited me in our ancestral house just beside their house and we would talk about various things. Even my brother Donato grew fond of him. In him I saw a great potentiality if he would just grow up in a good environment free from the various problems that beset most people in Asingan.

A few months after we came back to Toronto, we heard that Bing left for Saudi to work. We emphatized with her because we know the great need for most of us to go abroad to find a better life. In my case, we came together as a family. In the midst of the usual hardships that confront you as a new Immigrant, somehow you have your family to console and inspire you. When we learned that she left Asingan, somehow we were concerned. And of all places to work ( Saudi ) we were quite worried because of the horror stories we heard from there..But then, we can not prevent somebody to leave for abroad if there is a chance..Months later, we heard that her employer is a very good family. We were able to breathe easier.

Then came another blow. Early this year, we heard that Gil got terribly sick and he has to be hospitalized..But how? And Bing's contract was still to expire on September 2006. The worst that could happen to a separated couple is to know one is sick and there are thousands of miles between them..Now, there is no parent who would look after Marlon and Aylin.

Financial help was sent to Gildo from us in Canada, but in some cases money is not the answer.

But God never abandons His people. We heard that Bing is coming home..Did she break her contract? Can she still go back? We do not know..Again came the nagging question: how will anyone survive in Asingan with no work?

But the happy news came from a phone call from Bing to my sister here in Toronto. She came home with a round trip ticket given free by her employer. Her employer, it turned out is one of the kind people in Saudi and it seems they like her, so they want her to come back..

I can just imagine the tearful reunion they must have had..Not seeing her 2 kids for almost 2 years..And seeing her husband who is already very thin. Gildo told my sister he felt forsaken by every one in Asingan. My sister promised Bing to help them with the hospital expenses. While saying this, Bing broke down and cried.

Well, at least Bing is back. It is a good start. She will go back to her old job on August 2006. There is still lots of time to catch up and spend with her family before then.---#