A punishing (but fulfilling) US trip

Today as Fil-American Friendship Day (which has ceased to be a holiday unlike in the past) and I thought it’s quite timely that I’m writing about my recent trip to the US, no not for work and certainly not for pleasure, but to apply for another re-entry permit that would allow me to stay longer here in the Philippines, but at the same time be able to hang on to the almighty green card. (I’m not all that crazy to live in the States, but as they say, it’s good to have options, especially in these uncertain times in our country.)

Flying to the US can actually be punishing because you have to advance deadlines and miss TV work. (For all its supposed glamour, we’re really no different from regular daily-wage earners: no work, no pay.)

And then there are the pasalubong you have to buy for relatives abroad: dried mangoes that I had to ship all the way from Cebu, hopia (mongo – not ube, they specified), sampaloc and durian candies and kropek that I had to buy at P5 a pack – plus Boy Bawang. (I wanted to bring canned laing, but the Moon Dish brand was out of stock.) For the ladies, I also brought pieces of jewelry from Miladay that all turned out to be reasonably priced. (The sales clerks there are so helpful – they will give you exactly what you need... within your budget.)

Fortunately, the trip (via PAL) was pleasant – starting from the counter (thank you again, Lyn Tanael). Up high in the sky, the attendants on duty were all very nice: Annie Sulit, Susan Castillo, Rino Tan and Soc Bonoan.

At the immigration in LAX, I looked for the sign that said "Residents" and got myself in line. Although I had a valid re-entry permit that should make things easy for me, my heart thumped just the same. The immigration officer who attended to me was Asian and I thought he’d give me an easier time. Well, he didn’t exactly give me hell, but in previous visits, they hardly asked me any question after I had waved to them my re-entry permit. But this Asian immigration officer was inquisitive and asked so many questions. One lesson I learned there was to just be honest with your answers.

At customs, it was another Oriental who manned the counter and deep inside, I could only sigh: "Oh no, not another Asian!" Instead of the usual question: Any food?, he asked me how long I was away and why. I was so tempted to tell him that that was no longer his business because his colleague at the immigration already asked me that, except that I was worried he would confiscate my hopia, along with my Boy Bawang. Although he let my box through, I couldn’t understand why Asians have to make it so difficult for their fellow Asians. (White American customs men made it so easy for me in the past.)

At the arrival area, I remembered suddenly why I was hesitant to go on this trip in the first place. It’s summer in the US now and I’d rather have Manila weather than the scorching heat there.

In Glendale, which is my base, I just watched television most of the time and one TV-movie I saw was entitled Tainted Blood, which is about how an adopted teener killed his foster parents – and how his twin is doomed to the same fate. It’s a terrible film with bad acting courtesy of Raquel Welch (although she still looks great now – thanks undoubtedly to the wonders of science) playing a book writer.

After I had worked on my immigration papers with the help of my cousin, Catherine Lim, I decided to turn this US visit into a pleasure trip by taking in Vegas, which was like a huge oven with its 119-degree temperature, and on to the Grand Canyon via chopper that was rented by my generous aunt, Dolly Lim.

Back in L.A., I was able to finally hear Mass at the massive Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels where Lea Salonga was wed a couple of years ago. That cathedral in downtown L.A. had been there in my previous visits, but it was only recently that I was able to check out its interiors and even had the time to visit the tomb (located at the crypt below) of Gregory Peck. All the tombs around him (done apartment style) are still empty, but have all been marked "reserved." Wouldn’t it be great to be buried beside him and be able to exchange Hollywood gossip with him all throughout eternity?

With extra time to spare, I called up former colleague at the Film Academy, Alice Chomi, who was once secretary to now National Artist Eddie Romero. Alice is married to a wonderful husband, Dandy, and together they run a very successful company called M2000 Group, Inc. that is into real estate (they also help you get your loans approved, which is another service they provide). Another former FAP employee, Marjorie Camacho (then secretary to Nick Lizaso), is also doing well in Alice’s company. If only their former Academy colleagues could see them now.

Also doing fine in California – I was told – is former actress Jennifer Cortez. Married to a Mexican, she has a very good-looking son, who is now 14 years old. Although she doesn’t exactly have her Temptation Island figure anymore, Jennifer has retained much of her Bb. Pilipinas-Universe features.

Still active in the L.A. cultural scene is former singer Becca Godinez (once married to Morris Albert), who participated in a book reading in Santa Monica only last Saturday, along with Dermot Mulroney of My Best Friend’s Wedding fame.

Also based in L.A. now (after spending quite some time in San Francisco) is Nora Aunor, who now rents a four-bedroom home in Burbank. My editor, Showbiz Stripped host Ricky Lo, was able to have a one-on-one interview with her along with Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and April Boy Regino (what great company April Boy is, ‘no? See related story on C-8) and he’ll be able to tell you the latest on the Superstar so you just watch for that.

That recent US trip was very short and soon I was flying back home via PAL again (thank you this time to Mr. Jonathan Alba who made sure I got shipped back to Manila in one piece). On the way back, I was on the same flight with former Sen. Freddie Webb, Mary Ann Pagsibigan, Guimba, Nueva Ecija Mayor "Bopet" Dizon and Kristine Floirendo, whose entire family already resides in L.A. On this flight, I also met stewardess Antonette Jalandoni, who it turned out, had been my neighbor for the longest time.

At the carousel in NAIA 2, I stood next to Mike Buffer, the announcer in the Pacquiao-Larios fight last Sunday and I was starstruck. If only for that, I thought that expensive (I’m a lot poorer now) and tiring US trip was worth all it.