The Life Story of Annie Paris Suan

And who is Annie Paris Suan?  Name pa lang too snobbish na.  Annie?  That’s me.  Paris?  Hilton?  Suan?  Swan?   That kind of name spells royalty.

Let’s read about her life story.

She was born in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.  The 6th child and eldest female in a brood of 11.

Her parents were farmers.  Father was a Barangay Captain and very well respected in the community.  He was always invited in social events.   She learned how to cook from her father.

She went to high school in Bacolod because the school there was better.  She grew up in a happy family,  both parents loving and respecting each other.  She had a happy childhood and was the favorite of her older brother.

She lived with her cousin in Bacolod.

After finishing first sem in college,  her elder brother came back from Manila with his wife and two kids.  Their father told her to quit school so that all their money would go to his brother’s schooling  because he already has a family to support at sya ang  padre de familia.    The brother went on to finish college and successfully passed the board exam  in marine engineering.

Omb———-“Kumusta ang brother mo?”

APS———-“Sa awa ng Dyos patay na rin sya”.

He was 41 when he died.  He went home for a summer vacation,  had a cardiac arrest.

His wife remarried to a retired air force personnel who was separated from his first wife.

Omb———“Kumusta naging bagong asawa ng hipag mo?”

APS———-“Namatay na rin sya”.

From Bacolod,  she moved to Malibay, Pasay on June 3, 1978 and stayed with her eldest brother who was a teacher in Arellano University.

Omb———“Bakit ka lumuwas ng Maynila”.

APS———-“Sikat kasi pag tiga Maynila at Tagalog ang salita”.

June 10, 1978—— She applied for a job in a baby dresses factory.

June 26, 1978—–  Her first day of work at the Sewing Department, Novelty Philippines, Inc..

She started as an apprentice with a salary of P15/day  then became a line leader in 3 months.

Love Story

One day, some of her workmates went out.    They saw their kababayan who was working in a printing press, specializing in Song Hits.     They placed their names and addresses in the Wanted Penpal column.  Although she was not with them,  they included her name and instead of writing down her full name, Antonia, they put Annie,  the pet name given to her by her work mates.

A welder named, Ricardo or Ric for short,  was working for CDCP in Aramco, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.   He loves to sing and is fond of reading the Song Hits.    Among the eleven names listed under the Penpal Section,  he got attracted to the name Annie Paris Suan.    Suan is from her Chinese bloodline,  her father being half chinese and half Filipino.   Her middle name Paris was from her Spanish lineage,  her grandfather was half-Spanish and her Lola was half-Filipina.   These would make Annie 1/4 Spanish,  1/4 Chinese and 1/2 Filipina.

Ric wasted no time in writing to Annie.  He sent her a letter together with his pinaka gwapong picture.

Annie was attracted to the guy but her landlord advised her to ask him if he’s still single.

landlord——“Tanungin mo kung binata,  kasi kung may asawa,  wag na lang, baka madisgrasya ka”.

The landlord made a rough draft which she copied.  She mailed the letter to Riyadh.    She included her favorite photo wherein she was wearing a sleeveless dress.  She said she looked like Amy Austria.

Ric felt he hit the jackpot when he saw Annie’s photo.  “Wow ang ganda naman.  Parang si Amy Austria”.

Annie——–“Picture pa lang yan”.

Ric sent out his sisters to visit Annie’s workplace to verify her real identity and to check if she’s really what she claims to be.  If indeed she’s the beautiful girl in the picture.

Annie——–“Na inlove na sya sa picture pa lang”.

Annie’s elder brothers were worried “baka dehado ako”.

Ric’s sisters went to Novelty Philippines’ factory where Annie worked.  They traveled the whole night from Bicol.

Guard———“Paging Annie Suan”.

She was in their company uniform,  wearing make-up, high heals and stockings.

When Ric’s  two sisters saw her,  they were shocked at how pretty she was.   Annie shook their hands while saying nice to meet you.   They were so impressed.

Sisters of Ric ——-“Wow flawless, ang puti-puti”.

Annie brought the two sisters to her dormitory and entertained them.  They returned her hospitality by inviting her to visit them in Camarines.

That weekend,  immediately after coming from work,  she boarded a Pantranco bus in Pasay City going to Bicol.  She arrived at 8 am and spent the whole day with the family of her penpal, Ric.

His parents and relatives were enamored with Annie.  They were mesmerized by her beauty.

Annie———“Tarantang-taranta sila.  Gustung-gusto nila ako.  Kering-keri nila ako.  Puro sili ang pinakain sa akin.  Tumikim lang ako kunwari”.

“Nagkatay sila ng manok para sa akin”.

Father of Ric——“Ikaw na ang magluto kasi baka hindi mo magustuhan ang luto namin”.

Annie cooked tinolang manok

Parents of Ric —— “Wow ang sarap nito”.

Aside from looking like an angel,  Annie passed all marks, including being a good cook.

They gave her pili and bukayo as send off gifts.

Annie took the Sunday night bus to Pasay to make it to her work at 8 am the following monday.

Ric’s parents reported to him their encounter and first impression of Annie.

“Parang artista si Annie.  Wag ka ng mag-asawa ng iba.  Gusto namin si Annie”.

After that,  Annie started receiving money and jewelries from Ric every time someone arrived from Saudi.

For the next two years,  Ric showered her with  solid gold necklaces, rings,  perfumes, bracelets  and lots of cash,  $150,  $600.

Antonia aka Annie  ——- “Hindi ko pa sya sinasagot pero tinatanggap ko na yung pera.  Syempre,  hindi ko naman hinihingi.  Kusa nyang ibinibigay”.

“Ang dami kong pera,  pinapautang ko sa mga work mates ko,  P100 ,  sampu ang hulog every week hangga’t makabayad sila”.  Wow Antonia that’s 10% interest a week or 40% a month!

She was able to help send her nieces and nephews to school.

After two years, Ric came back to the Philippines after finishing his contract with CDCP.   He arrived in Antonia’s workplace with a Sony cassette recorder and manicure set pasalubong.  He tried to put his arms around her but she was naiilang.

She had a boyfriend before in Negros but they only held hands and an occasional peck on the cheeks.   They broke up because Antonia’s parents didn’t like the boy.

Ric———— “Love, I love you”.

Antonia——“I love you too”.

Then he kissed her on the cheeks,  she kissed him back,  on his cheeks.

Ric————“Natupad na rin ang pangarap ko na magkita tayo.  Babaunin ko ang pagkikita natin kahit saan man ako pumunta”.

Antonia——‘Madrama ka naman.  Baka mamaya iiyak ka pa”.

After a month,  Ric went back to Saudi for another two years contract as a welder in Aramco.    He continuously sent the girl of his dreams jewelries and money.

After two years,  Antonia’s parents arrived in Manila.  They told her Ric sent them money to come to Manila because he and Antonia were getting married.

They were married by a judge (huwes). A five days honeymoon followed in Winston Motel in EDSA, Pasay.

Antonia——-“First kiss ko mam yun. Syempre ibinigay ko na lahat dahil mag-asawa na kami”.