My daughter stumped Claudine

The only conclusion you can get on seeing the video of Claudine Barretto in that airport fracas and the stories accompanying the incident is that she must be someone used to getting her way and would not countenance any effrontery by anyone.

 But in the first and only time that I met her personally, my daughter unintentionally got her so disoriented she almost dropped dead. But that was many years ago when Claudine was still such a sweet young thing.

 Our encounter with Claudine happened during the opening of Glico’s entertainment center in Ayala, not very long after the mall opened. The young actress was probably one of the guests at the ceremony.

 Anyway, as it was still not common for movie stars to drift into town, I sort of nudged my eldest daughter, then still a very young girl, in the direction of Claudine, who was coming in our direction.

 As Claudine drew near my daughter, she instinctively put out her hand for a handshake. But my daughter, brought up to kiss the hand of elders, interpreted differently the hand that was thrust in her direction.

 So my daughter delicately got hold of the hand of Claudine and kissed it. The gesture caught Claudine completely by surprise. Her eyes opened wide and she stopped in her tracks, unable to speak or move.

 I would not say Claudine felt bad about the unexpected kiss on her hand from a young girl. But I am sure she was expecting a handshake, or a request for an autograph. I don’t know if in her world of make-believe she remembered there was such a gesture.

 Eventually, Claudine managed to regain her composure and moved on without looking back. In the life of an actress, where so many things happen, including an occasional brawl, as was her case, I doubt if she will ever remember that brief encounter with my daughter.

 To most people, it was an episode that is probably not worth remembering all these years. But I do remember if only because it made me realize that, as the world marches on, we begin to lose some of the values that allowed our elders to lead principled lives.

 Like my daughter, I in my own time grew up to show respect to our elders and one way of showing that was to kiss their hand. But the moment I saw the shock in Claudine as soon as my daughter kissed her hand, I knew the world was going down a path bound to lose all humanity.

 Of course I was shocked to see Claudine totally losing herself in that airport fracas. But when I recall that long ago incident with my daughter I realize it would not really come as a surprise. Without values that hold character together, it is so easy to just fall apart.

***

 I am calling the attention of all members of the Suico clan that the 9th biennial grand reunion will be held this coming May 19 to 20 at the San Fernando sports complex in San Fernando, to be hosted by the lineage of Pruto Suico and Victoriana Alfeche.

 The Suico clan has its roots in Mandaue City but, over time, has spread all over the country and to many parts of the world. During this reunion, the plan to set up the Suico Clan Foundation will be formalized.

 Details about the upcoming reunion and information about clan matters can be obtained by getting in touch with Mr. Diosdado Suico of Mandaue City at 5122486, host lineage president Celso Alia Suico at 4888040 or 09322025359, or Fr. Fiel Suico, clan coordinator, at 09994623610.