3 weeks ago, I woke up early in the morning to go to PAL office here in Saigon to book my ticket going back to manila for xmas holiday. Before heading out of my room, while trying to check my bag, I suddenly found out that I lost my ticket which unfortunately worth more than 600 bucks. Of course I'm sure I might have just misplaced it somewhere and I just need to calm down and try looking for it anywhere for days around the house, like a contestant of “finders keepers” show.

Well, I thought I did try my best but I cant seem to find it. I then just called up PAL office to seek advise on what to do regarding the lost ticket. As expected, I was told that I have to go through filing papers like affidavit and pay for having it notarized then pay again for the charge for printing of new ticket. The filipino PAL manager is quite optimistic and told me to just try again and look for it once more to be sure.

During my friendly conversation to this newly appointed manager….(syempre binarkada ko na si manong, ang bait sakin kasi pareho kami taga-Bicol ), the topic of the coming xmas party of the Filipino community  here in Saigon came up and he was telling me to attend. Most of pinoys here are quite reluctant to attend due to the high price of ticket which is 35 bucks. “Sayang eh, almost 2000 pesos din yun” is what pinoys commonly utters when ask about  attending the party. Eventhough everyone knew about the 35bucks ticket will be raffled on the party and the grand prize is a round trip ticket to manila. “Mabuti sana kung ako ang mananalo nung round trip tiket, eh di a-attend ako” is what you’ll hear from all of us. As for the manager, he told me that for sure he will have to be there ‘coz he’s the one  who’s going to be awarding the ticket to the winner.

More than a week after I lost my ticket, out of nowhere I just felt like I know where could have been the lost ticket were. I grab my bag removing all things inside it and the last white piece I saw was just right on the very bottom, appears to be a cigarette. I took it out and it turned out to be the lost ticket, curled and rolled in the shape of cigarette….dang! how stupid I am. YOOOHHOOOOHH!!! Stupid is as stupid does. There I went…..off to the PAL office and booked my flight. The manager came up and as expected….”sabi ko sayo hanapin mo uli eh makikita mo rin”…..NAAKSSS naka-bida pa.

Last Sunday, December 13 was the scheduled early xmas party of the Filipino community. Anyways, I opted to attend just to experience for the first time being in the pinoy xmas party here in vietnam. Okay lang to pay 35dollars….kasi malay mo ako manalo sa raffle ng round trip ticket…diba?. Well, as one of the most awaited highlights of the party is the last part- the raffle of the ticket….everyone stayed and raffle begins.

                        With Teresa at the Xmas party of "Samahan ng Pilipino sa Vietnam".

First ticket was drew and my fingers was crossed, then the number was two digits….mine was three digits so I let loose of my fingers and thinks its ok ‘coz there is another tiket….i mean theres 2 round trip ticket to be raffled out. Next ticket was drew and the host said again its two digits…..wheeww, its number “44”, Im done……but then everyone is looking around and nobody is standing up to claim the prize…..all the pinoys is shouting….”going once……number 44” the hosts said. “Going twice……..WALA?” then the host ask for to draw a new number. YESSSS! ......Im back in the ballgame I thought. The numbers of tickets in the bowl is about 300 stubs but then….”its three digits” the host said…....I told to myself  “yes, yes, yes”. Crossing my fingers, I heard the first two numbers were “1,…5,……” together with the drum rolling for the background. The host shouted…” ITS…154!!! ”. YEESSSS!!!!. I stood up straight raising my hands holding my ticket number…man its....…154 it is. Then the whole room full of more than 300 pinoy expats here in vietnam staring at me in silence with the looks of  “syeeettt, bakit sya nanalo…dapat ako eh, sayang”……..except for some of my good friends around who were as excited as me. I walked to the stage towards my new friend, the PAL manager who also can’t believe that  my ticket is 154. They had to check my ticket and its official….I won. YOOOOHOOOOHH!!!!!!.

While handing out to me the ticket with videos and cameras flashing in front of us, and as  I was being instructed to pose for them,……. PAL manager butts out on me…..“Napakaswerte mong bata ka pare koy, benta mo na lang to, diba nakita mo na yung nawawala mong tiket bwahahaha!!! ”.

So then…..my friends in manila..…I’ll be home for xmas and new year……and I’ll be home in manila as well on February…courtesy of PAL and my 35bucks raffle ticket.

                                          The certificate and ticket awarded to me by PAL.

P.S.:

While walking out of the banquet room of the party, many pinoys came up to me for the  “swerte mo, congatulations” parting words, even the philippine ambassador and consulate general……… but there is one I wont forget for a while. From the guy outside  who is assigned to handout all minor prizes, came up to me and tap my shoulder and said “ang swerte mo pre, busy ako sa trabaho ko dito sa labas”  then flashing his ticket right on my face.  Unfortunately for him and fortunately for me ……..It’s the ticket number “44”.