Tootsy Angara, Small Laude & Karen Davila: The ‘Botswana Gang’
Like a three-legged stool, the triumvirate of broadcast journalist Karen Davila, influencer Small Laude and media executive and education advocate Tootsy Angara cradles a friendship. Take away one leg, and the trio wobbles.
Each contributes a pillar to the friendship: Karen makes them think of their purpose in life, Small brings them joy and laughter and Tootsy makes them pray and aspire to be better persons.
They call themselves the “Botswana Gang” because they first bonded over a safari to Botswana in 2023 with their spouses DJ Sta. Ana, Philip Laude and Sonny Angara (now the education secretary), their children (nine combined) and Anna Angara, sister-in-law of Tootsy. Of the three husbands, Sonny is said to be the “funny” one, DJ the “quiet one” and Phil Laude, “the in-between.”
“I’ve known Small since the year 2000,” Karen told me in an interview aired on PeopleAsia’s newly-launched YouTube channel. “So this will be our 25th year as close friends to best friends. Small met me when I was pregnant with David, and Small was the one who first told me David may have autism. Small was also the one who helped me treat David’s autism.”
On the other hand, Karen and Tootsy met at ABS-CBN.
“You know, we just clicked,” says Small. “When we were in Botswana, it was so easy for us to enjoy each other’s company. I was very close to Karen already and when I met Tootsy, who was previously just as an acquaintance, I loved her instantly.”
“Our friendship runs deep because aside from us, our husbands get along and our children get along,” Tootsy adds. “So, every time we’re together, we bring the whole family and then time just goes by so fast.” For Karen and Small’s children, Tootsy is the coolest Tita because she can be their barkada and even drink with them.
“And one thing about Botswana, there was no Wi-Fi, so when we were together, there was really meaningful conversation that went along with our families. So, it’s different when you bond with other families and you don’t mind spending days together,” says the “cool’ Tita Tootsy.
Of Small, Tootsy says, “She brings joy wherever she goes.” Small will send Ines, Tootsy’s daughter, a whole paper bag full of all of the best of Sephora even when there’s no occasion.
Of Karen, her colleague at ABS-CBN before it shut down, Tootsy says, “She really cares about society. She’s outspoken and she connects people, which is really a gift.”
For Karen, the Botswana trip was special because of how everyone cheered on her son David.
“I’ll be honest — I felt very at home in the trip because as a mother with a special child, it matters to me who cares also for your kid, right? And what I have to say is, I’ve seen Small and Tootsy love David. And it matters,” says Karen. “As a friend, lalong mapapamahal sa iyo at mamahalin mo ‘yung nagmamahal sa anak mo.”
Karen herself is an anchor to Small, who recently lost her “Dadeh” Andres Eduardo.
“Karen is always there,” says Small. While Small was en route to Manila while her Dadeh was fighting for his life at the ICU, Karen was there in the hospital with Small’s Ate Alice Eduardo.
And during personal crisis, Small calls Karen even when the latter is doing TV Patrol. Karen would talk to her and comfort her during commercial breaks.
Tootsy, on the other hand, is their prayer warrior.
“What I admire most about Tootsy is the fact she’s just so good,” says Karen. “Tootsy doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She’s so kind and it’s so infectious that you want to be like her.”
The self-effacing Tootsy says that when the Botswana gang is together, “we don’t talk about other people. We talk about our dreams for our families, our dreams for our children. And it’s always so positive and so authentic. That’s why I like being with them.”
When asked what she admires about Small and Karen, Tootsy is not at a loss for words.
“What do I admire most about Small? She’s small, but she has a big heart. Her joy and her kindness are infectious. For Karen, she authentically and sincerely cares about her friends. And you know, it matters. A real friend will check on you even if you don’t ask for it. That means she feels you. That means there’s a sixth sense that you need her. And that’s Karen. The one thing I love most about Karen is, one time when I was kind of like questioning my purpose in life, she helped me figure it out and she helped me make it happen.”
“I’m so blessed with these two ladies,” says Small. “I’m just grateful for the friendship,” They’re so dependable, sincere, genuine. I’m so thankful for that.” *
(Catch the full interview in PeopleAsia’s Youtube Channel.)
You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.
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