I decided to go back to Manila to try my luck once more. I have been married twice, each time to a Filipina. In both cases, the marriage ended in divorce.
I checked into the Newgrange Condotel. I have been in several hotels before, but I wasn’t happy with them. True, I didn’t want to spend a huge amount of money because I would be staying a fairly long time. Three weeks at least. So I always picked an affordable hotel that was well-located– meaning close to eateries and public transport, clean, and having a good ambiance. Newgrange was all that. In fact, I was surprised to see such big rooms for the same price as a lower-class hotel. Definitely, the kitchen and small lounging area was a plus!!! They also had a small balcony where one could discreetly hang some laundry, so long as it wasn’t in the public eye.
Having taken cared of the basics, I set on my mission. I looked up all my friends to introduce me to nice, marriageable, loving girls. I dangled the possibility of a green card if our marriage would go on the “forever” mode.
Two weeks went by swiftly. Perhaps I was pushing it too fast. I was starting to panic. What if my time was up, and I would go home alone? I was terrified of the prospect. After a few days of panic, I decided,
“Well, if not this time, maybe next year.” So I put my defenses down.
My brother brought me to my Dad’s home town. Dear old San Luis. My Dad was born here, but he practiced his surgery in Laguna. Anyway, we would go here to visit dear Grandma. I liked her. She accepted us even if we were children from a second marriage. The first wife was still alive, but she bore no children. So, in a way, that made it right, to have progeny that would continue one’s line.
I met my cousin who was the Secretary to the Mayor. He boastfully introduced me to his office mates, laughingly adding that I was offering a Green Card to anyone who would marry me. It seemed like a wonderful joke. As they say, “birong tutuo” – a joke that was true.
I was already going shopping for pasalubongs back at the Newgrange, when the Front Desk informed me that someone was waiting at the lobby for me.
Those Front Desk people are so friendly. They have always treated me like family, from the moment I checked in. When I went out to dinner, I would try to remember to return with a little something for them to eat. Oh, a visitor!!! I was perplexed,
“Send him up to my room,” I said, assuming it was my brother who was always hanging around with me while I was in town.
“Sir, it is a SHE.” Said the Front Desk, softly. I knew from the tone of her voice that the bedroom would not be the right place for this lady to meet me.
I went down to look at who it was. It was one of those ladies I met at the Mayor’s Office in San Luis. I looked at her, as though for the first time. She was young, with a pleasant face.
I decided to invite her to go to SM City in EDSA, not too far from the Newgrange. We saw a movie, chose a nice restaurant, and talked for hours. She told me about herself. Her family was poor, and the prospect of a Green Card was attractive to her. I decided to postpone my trip to find out whether I would indeed award her with my love and a Green Card.