A GERMAN EXPAT IN THE PHILIPPINES
Chapter VIII: Love at first sight?
My publisher informed me that I would be given more responsibility in the future. And a higher salary. More responsibility meant: manuscript editing, proofreading, layout arrangement, coordination with the printing company. I was really shocked. "Can you do this?" my publisher asked me. My answer was very simple, "Of course, Sir. I can"!
From time to time, I visited different stage plays and classical concerts on different occasions and stages as well as concerts halls in West-Berlin. I was fascinated by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan: Ludwig van Beethoven - George Bizet - Frederic Chopin - Evald Grieg. Awesome classical composers, their compositions often bring me to tears. Love at first sight? Yes, with so many classical composers. A joyous Mozart symphony or perhaps a gentle Bach suite that's closest to my heart or a majestic piano concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven. And since I became a piano player, Chopin kept on fascinating me more and more.
Although my job became very stressful, I didn't care. I enjoyed it. And I took several time outs while staying in Germany's wonderful nature. Inhale - exhale ... .
And then the big day came. The flight from Berlin to Frankfurt, during that time by Pan America kept me still calm. It was similar to many of my business trips on behalf of my publisher due to several editorial meetings all over Germany.
When "Philippines Airlines boarding" in Frankfurt reached my ears, I really got somehow very nervous. Manila was different during that time in 1982. My pen friend there tried to convince me not to go to Davao City in Mindanao which was shaken by civil war during that time. "Davao City is killing fields!" My pen friend from Manila sounds really serious. I found myself back as a risk taker.
In Davao City, Evelyn waited for me. She didn't become my love at first sight. It was a certain Rossana Balcom. A teacher from the International Harvardian University and an ethnic dancer of the legendary Manisan Dancegroup Davao City.
My penfriend in Zamboanga City waited for free. Before I went back to Germany, I and Rossana fianceed each other.
Overjoyed I flew back to Berlin - not knowing that some dramatic news awaited me - positive and negative.
(To be continued!)
