Viray: My friend, Peddie

I WOULD tell you today of my friend who lives in Los Angeles, California.

He was Pedie. Now, he is Freddie.

He was my classmate in Grade 1 up to High School. Since their house was near the elementary school where we studied, I used to eat my meals with his family. He went to college at the University of the East in 1965. Since then, I barely saw him. Sometime in the year 2000, he surfaced and went on looking for me. We embraced each other as long lost brothers.

He narrated his roller coaster life. He went to the United States sometime in the ‘70’s. Since he was a diligent young man, he pursued his American dream. Then, he was reported to be a TNT (illegal alien, tago ng tago) to the US Immigration that led to his arrest and deportation. In his desperate situation, a kindly slightly older lady offered her help thru marriage. He sired one daughter after which they agreed to part ways thru divorce proceedings. Having received his green card, he opened a car dealing business. He helped every Filipino to acquire who is acquiring a vehicle the moment he steps into American soil. His car business blossomed and he was on top of the world. He met his second wife, Tess. They had beautiful daughters and a handsome son. It was unfortunate that the son was shot and killed in broad daylight in a Los Angeles suburbs. The death of his son added to the deteriorating second marriage. He got divorced again. His dealership suffered a blow. He closed shop.

In between, he pioneered in cultivating live tilapias in Palm Springs. He made the impossible -- possible. He raised fish through big containers in the mountains. He sold live tilapias exclusively in Hollywood! But there is no permanent thing in this world. This venture also folded up.

But do not count my friend out. Elpidio M. Lacap (Freddie) is a survivor. He came back. Some years back, he met Suzette in Angeles City. They fell in love and he was married for the third time.

Elpidio brought Suzette with him to the United States. The last time I visited them, both of them are in cloud nine.

I am proud to tell you that Elpidio has been my friend for the last 67 years -- 1954 up to the present.

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