A VISITING RELATIVE FROM PINAS

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

My wife's nephew from the Phils. arrived last friday at the house of my mother in law. He is a graduate of nursing back home and wants to find what we call his "Kapalaran" in the states. He is such a good and polite kid. He is only 23 and I have never seen such a young gentlemanly and very polite young man. My wife at the dinner table was telling me she was surprised when this kid, who was with me to pick up my wife from work, step out of the car, and opened up the door of my SUV for my wife. My wife entered the front seat, looking at me and even her was surprised about it.

While we were inside the car on the way home, we were talking to him and he was using the polite "Po" and "OPo" on all the things that he says and reply to us. He is also using the polite plural and it was so strange to hear that from the new breed of young Pinoys. This is unheard of. Then I found out from my mother in law, this kid's Lola that they grew up with a very loving parents but stern disciplinarian in their character and they were molded up very nicely by both parents. That is an A plus for me.

I introduced him to all of my friends who works at the different nursing home and assisted living community, and these friends of mine has position in the respected place of work. They were all so happy also when they met this young man because all of them was telling me that this kid is very polite and very gentlemanly. Okey.

I was teaching him how to use the washing machine and dryer at the basement and how to use the fabric softener, which he said they never used at hom because they don't have any of the machines that we are using. He was telling me that they hand wash, including him their clothes at home. So, we were sorting out all his clothes, there was not much to sort. The entire wardrobe was only into two small load in the washing machine. Then I found out that he has only two pants with him, four pairs of white socks and 4 pairs of underwear that includes what he is wearing. He was telling me that they was and wear his undies from shirts and underpants at home. I was so devastated. Here I am and my children with all the convenience in life and all the things that we have, and here is this young man who is so happy and contented with what little he has with him. I was really touched.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, I was so touched also when he told me that when he gets a job in the states, the first thing he will be doing is to send the money back home, so that his younger sister could finish college. I was telling my wife about this and both of us agreed that this is a fine young man. Then I have to bring him to the store to get two bags of undies for him and one bag of socks. He was so embarrassed and so to make him feel at home with me, I told him to think of me as his father in the states. And then this boy gave a big hug and thanked me.

Ay Tiya....que pobresito tambien!!