PDI grants 22nd wish: Photo-op with Tessa P. Valdes By Kenneth del Rosario Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 02:09:00 09/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines—It was a simple wish.
But for Marjorie Te, having her picture taken with Philippine Daily Inquirer lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto-Valdes makes for a “fun and interesting” activity.
So when Tessa showed up last week at the Inquirer office in Makati City to pose with Marjorie, who came all the way from Davao for the photo shoot, the latter could not find the words to describe the experience.
Marjorie, 41, was one of 22 Inquirer letter-writers chosen to have their wishes granted during the paper’s 22nd anniversary last December.
Tessa, whose column appears on Sundays in the Lifestyle section, did not disappoint. Wearing a knee-length vintage dress, she came wearing one of her trademark wigs—a fluffy, pink Afro.
Matching blue Afro
But she was not the only one sporting a colorful headdress. Before the shoot, Tessa gave Marjorie a matching blue Afro wig to wear.
Tessa also gave Marjorie a personal gift—a pouch—to bring home to Mindanao.
After exchanging hugs and greetings, there was no stopping the two from striking a pose—several poses. Both loved the camera and endlessly made faces as the photographer clicked away.
“I couldn’t believe how funny Tessa was,” said Marjorie, a former children’s party host. “She wasn’t intimidating at all.”
As far away as Davao
For her part, Tessa said she was overwhelmed and flattered to know that her column was being read in Davao.
“This proves that the Inquirer is read nationwide. It’s truly special when I meet people who have read my articles and even quote what I’ve written in their everyday conversations,” she said.
Interestingly enough, this was not the first time that Tessa and Marjorie met. What’s more, this was not their first photo shoot.
Early this year, Marjorie attended a pregnancy forum where Tessa gave a talk. This was the first time they met and even had a photo taken together.
Family business
Born to Chinese parents, Marjorie resides on Sta. Ana Avenue in Davao. She once worked with a nongovernmental organization teaching and helping street children.
She now helps in the family business, Car Tech Marketing, a shop that sells automobile lubricants, filters, accessories and spare parts.
Marjorie runs the business with her mother, Pacita, and younger brother, Manuel.
She was working in the shop when she found out she had won in the contest. It was a normal day, she said, until she saw her name in the paper on the list of winners.
Like winning the lottery
“I was jumping around and I was screaming at the top of my lungs. Every one in the shop, even the customers, looked at me and thought I had won the lottery,” Marjorie recounted.
A loyal reader of the Inquirer for eight years and counting, Marjorie said if she were granted a second wish, she would ask for a digital camera. She said she used to run a photo studio and loves taking pictures.
“I love taking candid pictures, catching people in their most natural state,” she said.
If Marjorie had a third wish, she would ask for a year-long subscription of the paper. That’s because for two years now, they have had to stop their subscription as they needed to save money.
News first
This, however, did not stop her from reading the Inquirer. On weekdays, she would borrow a copy of the paper from a friend who sells rice near their office. On weekends, she would buy a copy from the newsstands.
“It’s the Inquirer’s layout that caught my attention and has kept me a loyal reader this long,” she said.
Marjorie said she would read the main news section first and then finish reading the rest of the paper during her free time in the office.
A paper people trust
For the opportunity to meet Tessa and have a picture taken with her once more, Marjorie is grateful.
“I hope the Inquirer continues to deliver the truth as it is the only paper that people can really trust. Long live Inquirer,” she said.
With her wish granted, Marjorie said: “If there’s another contest this year— for the Inquirer’s 23rd anniversary, I will send another entry. Who knows, I just might win again and get that one-year free subscription.”
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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