Seeing tall people
What I (love) like about ushering for funeral services at Libingan ng mga Bayani is that I could actually see some popular people. Call me showbiz, ’cause I really am. Just like yesterday, we were assigned to attach black ribbons on the sleeves of the VIPs at the late Max Soliven’s funeral honors and services, which was actually scheduled last December if only there was no typhoon scare.
Eyeing for the VIP is not an easy task. For one thing, you cannot judge a person alone by how he/she looks. What happened in our case is the random VIP interrogation. We approached them and asked if they would like to have the black ribbon. For most part, we went to the people in white polos, who might be the next-of-kin, and foreign-looking ones, who are probably ambassadors from different countries.
One particular instance that I couldn’t forget was when one of the teachers from the O.B. Montessori delegates asked if we should attach ribbons to high government officials. She pointed me to the Department of Education Undersecretary. I said yes, approached the lady in green suit and asked if she’d want to have a ribbon. The gracious lady immediately approved and introduced herself, “I’m Secretary Vilma Labrador of the Department of Education. I’m also a consul[...].” She also asked where I was from, although it was quite obvious from my uniform and ID on my chest pocket. I was surprised that she bothered to introduce herself and even asked a thing about me. See what I mean about meeting high-profile individuals?
Then on the procession, I saw this one big guy who’s busy talking on his mobile phone while walking outside the lane. Cito Beltran. I don’t know where he is now but he once hosted a debate show with broadcaster Korina Sanchez on ABS-CBN. At the grave site, we positioned ourselves farthest among the crowds. While the ceremony was taking place, a BMW stopped and lo, the former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, got out of it and walked in front of us to the site.
No one ever knows whom we’ll meet or what exciting event may occur next so I’ll never excuse myself from ushering while I’m still in this service.
[...] My closest encounter with his was inside in the weights area of the Wellness Center’s gym. Like whoa. He’s got these bulky bi and triceps and it didn’t matter if he’s breathing same air exhaled by us, peasant soldiers that we are. We began calling him our "gym buddy" (without him knowing it, of course). I’m really fond of seeing these tall people. [...]