Sen. gordon Prefers going to Normandy than Meeting Pinoys in Paris

Few days ago while I was in Cairo, I received an email from a guy in Jeddah announcing the arrival of Senator Gordon here in Paris and if I could meet with him and jokingly said if I could share a drink with him from my husband's wine collection. He even gave me the Senator's roaming celphone number.

Then another email followed from an aid of the Senator asking if I could organize a Pacquaio fight show on tv (although delayed telecast) and invite the Senator to watch with the Pinoy community.

As soon as I arrived yesterday, I tried to arrange the necessary move so that the Senator could watch the show and be with the Pinoy communtiy at the same time. I called the Maharlika Association president in Paris if he could arrange that and he immediately accepted my request. And there should be no problem. What a relief!

I was able to talk on the phone to the Senator after a brief exchange of SMS. He gave me his itinerary and he wouldn't have much time in Paris as his schedule was so full. I told him that it's only Sunday that the Pinoy community will be available to meet with him today. He said that he will be going to Normandy and even asked me if the place is nice. And I said yes. He told me that the embassy is taking him there but he will let me know if something changes.

I thanked him after the conversation and I texted him trying to encourage him not to go to Normandy by to go and meet the Pinoys instead. I told him that it was important for them to meet with him

He responded my text saying he was going to Normandy.

I was a bit disappointed because I would have really wanted him to see and listen to the Pinoys in Paris. They haven't got always a good living condition here as most of them are undocumented. I would really wanted him to talk to them and if he could deliver a ray of hope to these people and inform the Philippine government from a first hand information he gets and how to help these people out.

I know he's got the right to have his own choice but being already in France and has limited time, being a leader who is supposed to represent government, he could have chosen to be with the Pinoys. It could have been a great boost to their morale especially in this time of crisis where no one is sure what the future awaits them.

Anyway, have a great time in Normandy Senator Gordon and enjoy your other meetings in France.

Susie Barbieri
Maharlika Member
Paris, France