"So, when you go to your classes, you tell them, Thanks a lot!"
Miracle in Island Buffet
by Elvin Jerome Laceda |
| Island Buffet Restaurant, Gateway Building, Polynesian Cultural Center, Lai, Hawaii October 2017 ©Laceda |
As our team prepares for the closing of our restaurant, a man came to the buffet line, and as I approach him, I hear him saying, "Oh, this looks delicious, you have lot's of food...". Usually, when 7:15pm comes, I usually tell the remaining guests that the "Ha: Breath of Life" night show "begins in about 10 minutes", and I also ask them if they still need food from our lines. But for this individual, I even told him, "Sir, you can take your time and enjoy your dinner, it's your private restaurant now". He is gleaming, warm and friendly.
After ten minutes, I returned to his table, and I asked him about his experience so far in the islands, I learned he is from Houston, Texas, and his family was affected by the recent Hurricane Harvey. Then he continued asking me questions about my studies and share some counsels, to study well and work hard. When we start talking about the Philippines, he told me that Manny Pacquiao the world-class Filipino boxing champion is his idol. He said, "I watched all his fights, I admire him so much". He continued, "I know Manny's secret, why he keeps winning during the heyday of his career". I was curious to know it, so I asked, "what is it?". "It is the Bulalo" (Bulalo is a Filipino stew made from beef shanks and marrow bones), he said his mom (Mommy Dionesia) has a special recipe for that. I attest, Bulalo is also my favorite. Then our conversation goes on, we also talked about why he is here in Hawaii.
He said, "I came here to bury my foster father". I felt sorry for him, but he said he is fine and happy he came into the Polynesian Cultural Center. As he finishes his dinner, I returned to his table and he told me, "when you meet Pacquiao tell him, I admire him and tell him I told you his secret!". "Definitely", I replied, then I asked him if it is okay for us to take a photo for a souvenir and also for me to show Manny Pacquiao once I have the chance to meet him.
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| Elvin, Tutana, and Jim, at Island Buffet Restaurant. October 25, 2017, ©Laceda |
After taking photos, something remarkable happened,
"After Hurricane Harvey, all people who helped us are LDS. You know what your vest on, helping. So, when you go to your classes, you tell them, Thanks a lot! You guys are everywhere helping us!". Jim knows we are LDS but we are not the same individuals who helped him, but still, he recognized that we belong to a group of people who directly helped them during the recovery in Houston.
So grateful to be part of the community of Latter-day Saints. We are our brothers and sisters keepers.
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