Meeting Jojo

MANILA, Philippines - Have you ever experienced something completely unexpected and so out of the blue that made your jaw just drop? Well, I have a couple of times, but this time, it was a really crazy one! Just recently, my family was checked in at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, and on our first day, we decided to run to try Sofitel’s run route for our triathlon training the next day.

We split into two groups. The boys ran with my dad, and my sister and I ran with my mom. The boys ran off really fast that we couldn’t keep up with them! We ran very slowly and after quite some time, my sister got really exhausted so my mom decided to just take us back to the hotel.

As we were entering the back entrance, I noticed a really pretty girl and then realized it was Jojo! She was on her way to Sofitel’s Le Spa.

Because we chanced upon Tita Ella Marie Lacson, the spa manager, we walked in to say hello and Jojo started talking to us and told me she was going to have a concert! It’s like I didn’t know about it, so obviously I couldn’t get tickets! But it doesn’t really matter because I didn’t have to stand up for hours just to actually meet and get to know her! After we got an autograph and a picture, we said thank you and went to the poolside. We saw my dad and the boys so we ran to them and whispered in such an exciting way “Dad! We met Jojo! Look!” My brothers were pretty jealous so they said we had to go back! Yes, we did go back! It was only 30 seconds away. When we got to Le Spa, Tita Ella said Jojo was having a massage already, but she’ll be done in 30 minutes. They really didn’t want to miss the chance so we waited. While waiting, my siblings and my mom just chatted with Tita Ella, while my dad worked out. Jojo actually finished after an hour, but it doesn’t really matter ‘cause it was worth the wait! We chanced upon Frankie J while waiting.  In the end, my brothers got their autographs, while I got some for my friends! It was a really fun experience. I really thank God for all the unexpected and crazy things that happen, even on an ordinary day. He really can turn them extraordinary! I surely will never forget this experience. 

(The author, 13, is the daughter of Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan. She will be in first year high school at Reedley International School this coming school year.)