All four of us (my mother, Rossana and her brother Archie and myself) were standing in front of our two containers. Expectant and happy at the same time. But, our knees kept on shaking. The faces of the customs officers looked very, very serious. Of course, our inventory list for both containers was excessively long. "Why did you bring three washing machines, three bicycles, three television sets, three radios, three stereo units and so on...! Maybe you are hiding three cars too?" Rossana replied quickly and with presence of mind, " Because we are three migrants to the Philippines and we belong to the same household!" The customs officers were flabbergasted and smiled. After a few hours of waiting and a lot of paperwork, our two containers were released.
Yes, our first two years were full of surprises. Father Bacarez, our former Philippine Community Berlin chaplain visited us and blessed our whole compound. Meanwhile my mentor returned back to the Philippines and taught at Santo Tomas University Manila - among several subjects European History and also German Language. His books about German-Philippine Relationships and many talks with Monsignore Hermogenes "Gene' Bacareza gave me many inputs and knowledge. On January 25, 2003 in appreciation of his efforts promoting harmonious relations between both countries, Dr. Johannes Rau, then German Federal President conferred on Father Gene the highest honor of Germany, das Grosse Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Insignia of the Order of Merit).
Father Gene was so happy knowing of my new work in Philippine media. Yes, meanwhile I had become Marketing Director of the Davao Carholic Herald and the radio station DXGN 89.9 "Good News Radio '', both located at the Bishop Thibault Center Davao City in the San Pablo Church Compound. I was allowed to contribute my regular column "The Daily Life" - and, I started my first radio program - entitled "The Passion of Music". Ludwig van Beethoven and all other classical masters could be heard in my Sunday program right after the life coverage of the 9 o'clock mass from San Pablo Church. Yes, it became true: Beethoven resides already under palms... .
Rossana suffered from her first culture shock. "In Germany everything is so fast - the traffic, people, talking, everything somehow", she let me know. After 16 years she had become a typical German. We looked at photos together - photos from back then. Like this one from 1977: American-Philippine Friendship Day at Talomo Beach in Davao City. I felt that she was longing to dance again. Said and done.
Maybe we became (again) risk takers. But the Manisan Dance Studio opened ... !
When we were strolling through the Victoria Plaza Mall on a beautiful Sunday morning after attending mass, Rossana wondered to herself; "Look over there, there is a TV recording or even life broadcasting. Yes, it was "Singgit Davao", and the host and director were former classmates of Rossana. And it was indeed life.
Finally a big surprise happened!
(To be continued!)
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