Imagine this.
I am sitting on a plane from Sydney to Manila aboard Philippine Airlines on row C, an aisle seat beside the window seat. The woman across the aisle on my right is looking at me from time to time. She is clearly a kababayan who has been away for sometime. The few occasions I hear her talking to the Aussie man beside her, I learn she is a factory worker and she has a Luzon accent. It is also her second plane ride in 8 years. I try not to establish eye contact. I am tired and very much just want to be lost in my own thoughts and concerns. Throughout the trip home, I notice she is looking and wanting to talk. An hour away from Manila, after the last meal is served, she finally musters the guts to open a conversation;
Woman: Kilala kita eh..
Me: (smiles at her)
Woman: Ikaw ba si….
Me: (bigger smile.. as in ‘the jig is out’. Oo, ako yun. Bistado na).
Woman: Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Ikaw si…Ikaw nga. Oo. Di ba ikaw si..si…ikaw si FANNY SERRANO, di ba?
Me: (Eyes wide-open as in shock). ANO? (I am flabbergasted and speechless and I am staring at her with really dilated eyes).
Woman: (Very excited now and feeling she hit bullseye). Di talaga nagbago ang mukha mo. Ganoon pa rin. Pati boses mo.. Sabi ko na nga ba eh ikaw si Fanny.
Me: (Incredilousl and with what must have been an expression of shock or at least great curiosity. I ask matter-of-factly.) Bakit? Mukha ba akong bading?
After awhile, I catch myself in a chuckle as the ridiculousness of the situation sinks in.
‘Palagay ko, napagkamalan mo ako sa ibang tao. Ako si Jim Paredes ng APO!’
Woman: ‘Aaaaaahhhhhh…OO NGA! (Without batting an eyelash and REALLY exzcited now) Talagang di ka nagbago. Ganoon ka pa rin. Idol ka ng mommy ko. Meron akong cassette niyo sa Melbourne. Paborito ko nga yung ‘nakapagtataka’ eh.. blah blah blah!’
Jim Paredes????????? Huh?????
Meanwhile, I can hear Lydia and Tabby (daughter of Betta nd Butch, APO’s management who was traveling with us)who overheard everything suppressing their laughter at the comically pathetic situation I am in.
Bwahaha! Such are the perils of having ‘face value’. Being recognizable definitely has its perks but it can also have its rude surprises. I have been mistaken for other people, some famous, some not. Thank God I had the ability to laugh at it even after being on a plane for almost 7 hours.
Many times, ‘face value’ means getting a nice table in a restaurant, or being upgraded when traveling, or getting extra courtesies in hotels, government offices, and when dealing with people in almost all situations. One time, it even got my friend out of a traffic violation with an MMDA officer. When the policeman saw me inside the car, he was almost apologetic as he addressed me as ‘bosing’ and ‘idol’. He then advised me in an ever so friendly way to get my driver friend to renew his license ASAP. All this with hardly a word from me.
It does not always work though. I admit I almost always try to use ‘face value’ every time I enter a subdivision and am asked to leave my license. Most of the time, I am actually ‘exempted’ from it but the times I am not, I still try to give my best recognizable smile and when it still does not work, well, I end up leaving my license! %&#@$*!!
The truth of the matter though is, I enjoy being recognized most when I am doing APO stuff—performing, or being in public with my two friends. Most of the time, I am quite happy just being anonymous. I know some of you may not buy this but, believe me, fame isn’t what it’s cut out to be. It can get tiring hearing your name whispered as you pass by rows of aisles in department stores. Celebs are not always ready and up to being famous 24 hours a day although the public seems to assume we are , or at least we must!. People can be pushy, demanding and forever engaging celebs as excited, loud fans, and that’s OK when you are in the mood for it. It’s fun when you are ‘on’, as we call it in our business. When we are not, when we just want quiet, peace and non-engagement, we are mistaken for being aloof, masungit, mayabang, etc.. But as they say, all this is supposed to go with the territory. Luckily, I can be ‘on’ easily and sincerely enjoy being with people 95% of the time.
During my trip to Sydney last week, I was dumbfounded to discover that I was almost ‘completely anonymous’ with regards to showing proof of who I was. In fact, more than anonymity, I had a case of ‘non-identity’. We were filling up applications to rent our future home and I had to produce evidence of employment, an Aussie driver’s license, a local credit card a utilities statement which of course I did not have. I tried to explain that I had just come in to settle but it was no-go. In the end, a good friend had to sign the contract for me.
I must admit this left me quite intimidated. I will most definitely need an identity with roots in Aus if I am to function in this society. Thus, I will need to show income, get a credit card, and become an entity here ASAP to make life easier for all of us. I have been reviewing the NSW licensing test and let me tell you, it is tough. Almost every other day, I take the practice test on the internet so that I can work on being able to drive as soon as possible. But just as I am intimidated, I am quite excited and challenged by it.
No special treatment. I will do things on my own just like everyone else. I will be an average suburban bloke chasing after a job in Sydney and starting from scratch. That can also be refreshing! But deep down, I know that life will probably not be anywhere near cold and merciless down under. Not by a long shot. This early, I have met kababayans who have willingly offered help for all sorts of things to get us started. Friends have offered us mattresses, a car seat for Ananda, and many other stuff as gestures of hospitality and welcome. And that is a wonderful thing for which I am grateful. Thank God we Pinoys are the way we are.
* * *
For those of you who have been asking when APO will be performing in Manila, here it is:
Don’t I resemble Billy Crystal here?
THIS IS AN UPDATED POSTER WITH THE RIGHT DATE!
The APO EXPERIENCE
March 11
SM Cinema 3
Pasig Metro manila
8:30 PM Saturday
Tickets at 600P. 800P. 1200P. Reserved seats.
This is most likely our final show before I leave. We wanted a big one but alas, it’s been too hectic to plan while traveling. It takes a few months to get an ULTRA or Araneta going. Besides, Araneta is booked solid with foreign acts this year.
We leave again in a few days for Canada to do Valentine concerts. See you on March 11. Yes, it will have a live band and will be fun, fun fun!!
hi Mr. Jim! its really good the 3 of you coming back again for concert! nakakatuwa kayo 3. sayang andito po me sa Dubai…not unless you’ll go on Tour!
hi! i don’t know what to call you. sir jim, mr. paredes, or “tito” jim. haha joking. but i think that you, boboy and danny should be called “sir” (like sir elton john, etc.) i admire your photography and your writing. no doubt where ala and erica got their wits. your daughters are great writers! and ala is a good example for today’s youth. keep up the good work!
–from a 19 year old 🙂
Hi Jim, I’m a great fan of APO, as a matter of fact, I have collected almost all of your hits. So it’s nice to hear that APO is still around.
Anyway just my 2 cents, I only needed to show my Philippine Driver’s License and they booked me in for a practical driving test. After driving around town (with the examiner) which lasted approx. 20 minutes, they issued me a driver’s license. Good thing I brought my Philippine license with me.
On the other hand, it did took a while before I could find a place to rent since they required a lot of documents, and they were a bit choosy about it.
All the best!
i laughed my head ofF! hahahaha! that is so funny(fanny?)
i just wanted to say you still havent changed.
JIM PAREDES.
🙂
funny!
unfortunately, i cannot see your concert but i am wishing all of you Good Luck and Best Wishes.
aww….
and yes, you DO remind me of billy crystal there 😀
Wow! I dont think I know anyone who can look like fanny serrano and billy crystal and jim paredes all at the same time!! IT’s LIKE A MAGIC! :))) Hahahahaha!!!
Wishing you the best in Australia! Im sure you’ll have more adventures to write about from there! 😀
hehe cool anecdote there! Anyways, I hope to attend your concert on the 11th. I can just it would be so much fun to see APO live in performance! I could sing so many of your songs from memory, and that is not to mention that I just rediscovered your wonderful music only a few months ago 🙂
Hello Mr. Jim. Am sending you all the positive vibrations for your “big move” to settle in Oz.
RE: Driving Test. Kayang kaya nyo ang theoretical exam (that is if you need one). But the actual/practical driving test is really diffcult! Unsolicited advice po: Take at least 4 hours of driving lesson from a credible Driving school in the area where you’re going to take the practical exam and let them know thatyou’re going to sit for a test. The teacher will ‘troubleshoot” your driving and teach you so that you’ll pass it. Good luck!
Hi Jim, my wife and I made the big move to Sydney in November of 1980 and although it was a little hard in the beginning (culture shock mostly) we can honestly say we are happy we did it. I think once you hurdle the need for ‘katulongs’ you can call yourself a ‘true blue OZ’. Like yourself, music is one of my passions and it wasn’t long before I was able to hook up with fellow expatriate musicians here. Look forward to meeting up with you soon.
Good Luck,
Jujie
hahaha. nice. yes, no offense to Fanny, but Billy Crystal is more like it 🙂
this post reminded me of Scott Adams,
http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2006/01/getting_away_wi.html
godspeed on APO’s gig.
soooo funny! made me laugh really hard! buti na lang wala boss ko sa area…hahaha!!!
hi jim, do you know the details of your concert in canada? is it in toronto? my parents would love to see the apo hiking society.
i’m happy that apo is still together – i grew up listening to your music. glad to have found this site. good luck in australia. ~alie
wishing you all the best, sir jim.
all the best.
been reading your posts lately… nakakatuwang nakakalungkot.
sydney is a nice place. been there… like the place, the people, the environment. from time to time, may maririnig ka sa paligid na nagta Tagalog, at nakakatuwa ang feeling pag ganoon.
i, myself, is torn between the choice of leaving the country or not. i,too, love the philippines despite sooooo many things.
good luck to you and your family =) post ka pa din ng blog when you get there =) – loraine (www.mygaseous.blog-city.com)
dont worry! sa tingin ko po mas napahiya yung babae. kasi if i were in her situation, pagkatapos kita mapagkamalan na fanny serrano, my face would turn red. by the way, manonood po ako! 😉
sayang, na-move and concert date. feb 25 would have been perfect since it marks the 20th anniversary of people power. i think i’ve told you, jim, that i first heard that something was happening in edsa through the apo. you were hosting “discorama” on february 22 (saturday) and suddenly you told viewers to go to edsa.
Hi Jim.I Just bought the tickets for your March 11 concert in Megamall…….. I am looking forward to watch you in your major shows. I first saw your group in St Scho Marikina in 1975, Meralco farewell concert. ULTRA during the Snap Elections, in Loyola during the Panalo Na Posila concert.. and many more. I am sure I will enjoy your show.
Hey guys let us buy tickets already for the show……..
hahahaha!:) that just killed me. that girl had some guts. i mean, if it were me, i’d have melted the moment i realized my mistake. grabe, fanny serrano tapos hajji alejandro (nakapagtataka)! hindi ko talaga kinaya!
re: the APO experience, i am definitely there, insha-Allah! *so excited!*:)
nakapagtataka is one of Jim’s compositions and is part of their album Songwriter. (tama ba, Jim? i have all my APO LPs (yup, LPs) back home in Pinas, e, kaya hindi ko ma-check.)
anyway, Jim, this post is just what i needed after your previous post. ha ha ha. i got teary-eyed while reading your previous post (for purely selfish reasons – he he he – kasi wala naman ako sa pinas but i still felt sad that you won’t be, at least for the next 2 years.) and this entry got me laughing so hard i had tears in my eyes long before i finished reading. 🙂
well, my friend, i wish you all the best. i’ll be praying for you and your family. i’m looking forward to hear (and see) more about your adventures down under.
if i may quote richard bach (from his book “illusions”) – ” don’t be afraid of goodbyes. a farewell is necessary so that you can meet again. and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”
until we meet again, kaibigan.
Good luck in your concert!
This entry is so funny – personally, I think you look more like a mix between Benjamin Bratt/Jimmy Smits. Definitely NOT bading…
thank you for the good laugh [although i’m sorry it had to be at your expense!]. and you do look a lot like billy crystal in that poster.
is APO planning to come here to the US anytime soon?
i hope all goes well in australia.
ingat po!
Hi Mr. Jim, i’ve been reading your posts lately, interesting kasi…love all of it!
It’s nice to hear that may concert na kayo after so many years…nakaka-miss seeing the 3 of you together, performing…
My goodness! Ang dami na niyong sumulat!
Len-Dubai will happen one of these months. Hang on.
wys–thanks for the great compliment
wyn, trotskybee-Yes, I am aware that the RP license helps. I am still worried abt driving on the other side of the road. Gotta practice!
mich, doranne,maria elizara, coolmel, anonymous, claudzki–ha, ha. Definitely one of the best mistaken identity experiences I’ve had. By the way, my sister always said I looked like billy crystal.
jonjoaquin- Too bad. There will be a next time
jujie–Thanks for the advice. I intend to totally immerse myself into life there.
Jehannah, baby pink, dennis,roy allan–see you there sa March 11
alie–check out the apo website at http://apohikingsociety.org for details about the Canada gigs.
Maricar–friendships are borderless. thank you for the gift of your friendship all these years. We will see each other again one of these days.
Isay–salamat sa bisita
Magic–sana makapanood ka!
hi mr. jim! i’ve been a silent reader of your blog for the past couple of months and i find your entries very interesting.
by the way, my real purpose was to ask you if you could devote some of your time for an interview for my research paper about blogging. I have conducted library and Internet research on this time period but i still need a personal touch which only an interview could provide. if you’re interested, let me know. i’ll send you the interview questions immediately.
I sincerely hope that you will want to take part in this project. Thank you very much and God Bless!
marilet lian caluag
bs biology
up manila
peewee_kew198@yahoo.com
Hi Jim,
It’s been a while…but I get in touch thru your blogs. Anyway, I wish you all the best when you move here in Australia. Keep on practicing on the internet for your driving test. Based from my experience, many (if not most) of the questions will appear in the actual test. Cheers
Hey alf,
Great to hear from you. Where can I find you in Aus? Write me at jimparedes@gmail.com.
Would like to get in touch when I get there. Been reviewing the test questions. kaya ko na, palagay ko.
hey there…if i didnt check your blog today, i wouldnt have known you guys are leaving.im sure many will miss you…especially my dad, hehe. he loves apo music.
OT:i’ve my gallery in deviantart (link:http://ghreay.deviantart.com)..ope u find time to visit it.and do criticize if needed.
if ever i mistake you for someone else, then it is tony blair of uk! maybe bec of your same physique or eloquence? i really don’t know why i associate you with him & vice versa, since i don’t “really know” both of you.
anyway,wish you all the best & have fun down under. may another of your dreams come true!
fanny serrano? hehehe medyo malabo ata.
sana din baka ka makaalis, makagawa ng coffee table book featuring your photos.
So, Fanny est funny!
Have a great time preparing for your move. It’ the unpacking that will be hard and getting settled down. But, it will all work out for you all.
Good luck on your upcoming tour in Canada, Manong Jim.;-p
That Fanny Serrano bit made me laugh hard, good thing you still had your composure. Anyways, good luck on your next great adventure down under Jim. Hope you’ll be able to update your blog regularly once you’re settled in.
God Bless. 😀
This is hilarious… I Have met and seen famous peeps in my life but never once I have approached them esp when they are much on a private zones
Hey, sir Jim! Marcelle Fabie here. Remember me? I was meaning to ask you for a favor. If ever you’re in town, I’d really hope you can contact me via SMS over 0917-8359426. I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! 🙂
as faculty member of the ateneo, you could ask tonette angeles how you can register yourself with the ateneo-la trobe uni (in melb) phil-aus academic tie-up. you could share a thing or two out there about philippine music.
bilang ako–I didn’t know where to find the comment thingy on your page.
girlie–A lklot of people have said that. I see the resemblance.
benjie ordonez–one day that will happen
singleguy–tuloy itong blog, siyempre.
anonymous–that’s good to know. Can you give me more details on the academic tie-up?
regarding ateneo-la trobe tie up, you can browse these sites:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/socsci/pasc/
and
http://www.ateneo.edu/offices/pasn/
tonette palma angeles, who is current academic vp of ateneo is the local counterpart. i think ateneo people get to visit melbourne every semester, though ive never got to attend a forum just yet. at least theres a venue where atenistas can now congregate in this side of oz.
Mr. Jim Paredes,
I’m writing for a news magazine. I hope to interview you for a story I am doing but I can’t get your contact number. Can I have your e-mail so I can tell you more about the story I’m writing? Thanks in advance.
oh im sorry.i thot you’re a member of the site..ala is a member of it kc.feel free to email me instead (cradled_in_his_arms@yahoo.com).comments/feedbacks are very much appreciated..btw,ope you guys can feature an article about shooting pics at night in “picture perfect”.
anonymous,
It’s jimparedes@gmail.com
hi jim, your experience is typical of what every new migrant has experienced. i am sure you will easily adjust to life here. you will find there is more a semblance of order compared to our ‘old country’. pretty soon you will be calling your friends “mate” complete with the oz accent. i grew up with the music of apo. i wish you and your family good luck! – alex/melb-aus
Hello. Just send you an email.
Hi Mr Jim. I saw you walking up the escalators in Westpoint Blacktown when you were still here in Sydney. I didn’t have the courage to go up to you and ask for a photo for my dad, as he really loves APO and a huge fan of your band, songs, and what APO embodies. Anyway, I just wish you all the best here in Sydney. I’m pretty sure I’ll be seeing more of you and your family, as it’s such a small city. 🙂
Hi Jim,
I don’t know if you already know this but you can download the questions to the DKT from the RTA website.
I’ve been trying to memorize the questions and answers since yesterday since I’m taking the test tomorrow.
Good luck on the test.
wow! concert! i do hope to watch it, a birthday present for myself. is it possible na maging substitute si Fanny Serrano on one of your concert if ever you are not available? hehehe! =) keep well Jim!
If you are coming to Atlanta, please let me know. I’m not sure who you are, but I would like to show you the redneck underground.
hahahaha
that is so funny
you do not even have the slightest similarity to fanny serrano
Hey fellow atenista, welcome to Australia. I’ve been here five years and I don’t regret coming here one bit.
Of course you being a star back in the islands will probably need to get used to being a bit less of a hi-profile person here. But the thing is, and the great thing about this land is that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.
Anyways all the best and just keep in mind that a lot of Pinoys here made it with a lot less!
welcome to sydney mr.paredes…it’s al true pala , after reading your blog a month ago…ako din po fan ni paolo coelho and nag eail dina ko..and walah!! after 3 wks or so sumagot din po sya..again, welkam sa sydney..
jerome dizon
air_fx12@yahoo.com.au
benedict ignacio–It’s good to know there are fellow atenistas there. I would be happy and relieved to be treated anonymously. See you in OZ
swipe–been taking the RTA test sa net. Getting good at it.
enigma–ha ha! And I could be a hairdresser.
jerome, trishs–hope to bump into you guys in Sydney.
jb–we were in atlanta last year!!
red door8– very fanny talaga!