Last Friday afternoon I went to the Jose Cojuangco Building situated along the same street where I reside, hoping to buy some souvenir items for my best friend in the US. She loves Tita Cory and so do I.
The lobby guard directed me to the 4th floor where he said such items could be found. I entered the designated room wherein a young man showed me some items, but they were books about Ninoy and souvenir neckties. He said they had no items on Tita Cory for sale. I thanked him and was on my way out when he asked me if I would be interested in some fans. I said yes and he accompanied me to the 7th floor where he directed me to a room. I asked the guard stationed there where Tita Cory's office was and he said that I was at her waiting room. No wonder her paintings dominated the walls.
The young man soon reappeared with a lady who asked me what I wanted. I told her I was looking for souvenir items on Tita Cory. She said all they have are fans because the bags are no longer available. She went to Tita Cory's office and came out with a big box with a transparent cover inside of which were 3 fans made of wood hand painted by Tita Cory. I asked her if they also had miniature versions of her paintings and she went inside the room again. When she came out she showed me a box of hand painted greeting cards with various flower designs. She also gave me a complimentary book titled "Ninoy and Cory", the glossy pages of which contained mostly family pictures.
As I was admiring the items, I heard a male voice beside me asking what I wanted. I turned to look and since he was such a tall guy, my eye level was on his chest and not on his face. I noticed the familiar yellow ribbon pinned on his barong. I said I wanted that ribbon. When I looked up I saw a familiar face. He was Mel Mamaril, the loyal personal bodyguard of Tita Cory who was one of the speakers at the necrological rites. I could tell that he was such a good man by the way he spoke. I told him I was glad that he was still with the family. He said he now watches over and accompanies Noynoy on his various sojourns. We conversed for some time. I requested him never to leave the Aquino kids. I also told him he was lucky to have met Tita Cory.
When it was time for me to leave, he even escorted me from the 7th floor to the main lobby on the ground floor. He waited for me while I retrieved my ID from the lobby guard. He walked me to the exit. As we were walking, his cellphone rang and he took the call. When we reached the glass door I waved goodbye to him and thanked him. He put his phone down and told me to take good care of myself always. I was touched by his gesture.
Walking home carrying my precious souvenir items, I thanked God for giving me this wonderful experience. I thought of the man and how exceptionally good a person he was. Believe it or not, I can tell a person's character just by looking at him and by the way he talks and carries himself.
Now I know why God assigned him to Tita Cory. They are both kindhearted individuals.
Kindness begets kindness.
Wherever he is at this moment I pray that God will always take care of him, considering the danger of his job.
That surely was an exceptional Friday for me as God made it possible for our paths to cross.
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