Divaholics: Blithe and Bubbly Diva in Warm Bahrain!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Blithe and Bubbly Diva in Warm Bahrain!

"Ang iniiiiiiiiiiiiiit...!" ang salubong ko kay Diva when I picked her up at the NAIA terminal 1 last June 13 at 11:45 am. Pero she still managed to smile at sabi niya, "Ate mas matindi ang init sa Bahrain!" Yes, I agree sa sinabi niya...at di naman nangangahulugan na nagko-complain siya. In fact, Diva was overwhelmed sa mainit din na pagtanggap sa kanya ng ating mga kababayan sa Kingdom of Bahrain. Kasing-init nga daw ng panahon doon.

While at the van, she started sharing stories. I was just really amused the way Diva talked about the show, the people, the place and her experience there, but I guess there wasn't any culture shock on her face. All just amazements! As what was written here, It was her first time to work or perform abroad. At sobrang hindi yata niya inaasahan na ganoon kadami ang mga Filipino sa Bahrain. I recalled when she said, "Nakakatuwa ate, para akong nagso-show sa Cebu sa dami ng mga Cebuano, Davaoeno at mga bisaya doon." So it means, di naman siya nanibago ng husto. "Lahat ng stores na mapasyalan namin sa malls at sa iba pang shopping area doon may Pinoy employee", she added. I knew how excited she was at that moment. She can't wait to reach her place, because she took out immediately a box of chocolates from her luggage and said, "Pasalubong ko sa mga kids mo at sa iyo ate!" I don't remember if I had expressed exactly my joy when she handed it to me. But it indeed brought me happiness. ( I want her to know that.) It's not the chocolate but her sweetness and thoughtfulness. :)

I can feel how she misses Party Pilipinas, as DIVAholics and her friends miss her energetic production number there too. Pero she loss nothing, because she gained a different kind of experience in lieu of her absence sa show. And it's part of the job. While Party Pilipinas has its Independence day special, Diva has her different celebration of the same event too. Iba din ang mag-celebrate ng Araw ng Kalayaan ng mga Pilipino sa labas ng Bansa. Ang sarap ipagmalaki ang pagiging isang Pilipino!

According to Diva, there's one person na di niya makakalimutan sa pagpunta niya sa Bahrain. It was Khalid Isa Al Alawi one of the Starstruck V contestants who made it to top 28. Khalid was one of the eight international contenders chosen this season, and he was from the Kingdom of Bahrain. They became friends here in the Philippines during the earlier part of the search. Kaya naman, very happy si Khalid na magkita sila ni Diva muli. According to Diva, malaking tulong ang naibigay ni Khalid sa kanya doon. Nagmistula nga daw na tour guide niya ang kaibigan. Kaya naman sobrang thankful ang Starstruck V First Princess sa kanya.

After the show, Diva took the remaining time to explore the place. She bought some stuff and took some photos as a souvenir of her first job abroad! Tolerable naman daw ang temperature doon pero it was really hotter than the Philippine summer. Filipinos are pliant like a bamboo so we could easily adjust to any place or any condition. And knowing Diva, she can find ways to enjoy, kahit gaano pa ka-limited ang time na meron siya.

For the trust and opportunity, Diva wants to thank GMA. She also wants to extend her gratitude to Ms. Gen Magno for taking good care of her all through out her stay in Bahrain hanggang sa pag-uwi and to the the Filipino Community and Philippine Embassy of Bahrain para sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanya at sa patuloy na pagtangkilik ng mga ito sa GMA Pinoy TV!