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Saturday, October 15, 2005
German lady finds long lost uncle
SHE finally found her long lost uncle in the Philippines, and of all places, it is here in Zamboanga City.
Gudrum Albrecht, 47, arrived in the city last October 3 on invitation of her uncle, Robert Albrecht Jr., and will spend her 13-day stay here, the period allowed her by the government.
"I was ready to see him, and I am happy to be here. At last, I found my relatives in this city," she happily expressed her feelings.
Three years ago, she said she traveled to Cebu in her first visit to the country. She said she found one Albrecht name in the directory. Unfortunately, she failed to make any contact, and returned to Germany.
Gudrum, who hails from Stuttgart, Germany, said she discovered Roy (Robert's nickname) address through the Internet only this year -- although Roy posted it in the web-site in 2001, according to her.
"We discovered we have the same family tree as Roy's grandfather is the brother of my great grandfather. Roy is already my uncle," she declared when interviewed last October 13.
She said Roy showed her various places here, including Basilan, where she paid a day's visit.
"It's a nice city, the area. I went to Basilan to visit the island for one day," Gudrum said.
Gudrum was so anxious to see her uncle in the country early that she even spent her 47th birthday last October 8 in the city.
"She is a brave girl. She is not afraid to visit the place of the Abu Sayyaf," Roy said. Basilan is known worldwide as the birthplace of the radical extremist group linked to the al-Qaeda terror network.
"I brought her to Bulingan (barangay) where she loves the beautiful waterfalls Lo-ok and Balobo (in Lamitan), the place where the beheading by the Abu Sayyaf of innocent civilians took place," Roy said. He said his niece enjoyed going to market in Kaumpournah, Isabella City, "just to buy coffee," Roy related.
Roy also showed her the colorful festivities that bedazzled the city's fiesta events, including the Department of Tourism (DOT) world-class presentation of Wow Philippines' Zamboanga Peninsula version at the national museum, at Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City.
"She is really enjoying her stay here. She loves our landscapes and the people's friendliness," Roy described her niece's visit here.
Gudrum, in return, is inviting Roy to visit Stuttgart, their forefathers' native place.
Roy's father left their native place in Germany in the year 1898, and enlisted in the US forces. He fought in Cebu before he stepped on the Philippines shores in the early 1900's. He married a Filipina during peacetime prior to the outbreak of World War II. He settled for good here, and his children, including Roy's were all born in the country. Roy, who is connected with the state-owned DXMR Radyo ng Bayan, said he is looking forward to visit his grandfather's homeland next year.
Gudrum will return after her 13-day stay in the country will end on the 16th.
"I want Roy to visit Stuttgart, and to see his relatives there," Gudrum expressed her wish.
While still in the city, Gudrum continues to enjoy its tropical climate which is not found in Germany. Roy said one tree his niece enjoys to see is the coconut tree. "She enjoys it, because they don't have it in Germany," Roy revealed.
Gudrum said she will surprise Roy if ever he visits Germany.
"I know he will enjoy (my surprises)," the petite Gudrum assured. Roy, for his part, makes sure his German niece is well protected from any harm.
"They are always guarding me, because they want to make sure I'm safe here," she informed, breaking into laughter.
But Roy missed one thing to offer her visiting niece while in Lamitan--the calesa (horse-drawn cart).
(October 15, 2005 issue)
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