DAVAO CITY — Sometime in the ?80s, Annie Yanagida went to Japan to work as an entertainer, one of the thousands who go to that country each year to seek greener pasture.
But unlike most Filipina entertainers in Japan, Annie, who graduated from the Holy Cross of Davao College, saw other opportunities. After marrying a Japanese, she put up Annie?s English School, which she has been nurturing for the past 20years.
Tarsila Villarente knows Rizal Park perhaps like no other people in Davao City. It has been her home for decades now. And she?s not complaining. On beautiful, sunny days, she luxuriates in the shades, graciously offering cigarettes to customers. For her, it doesn?t get any better than this. Davao Today?s Cheryll D. Fiel takes a peek at Tarsila?s life.
Erwin “Pastor” Emata, quite apart from being one of the country?s best mountaineers, is also a deeply religious man. The Davaoe?o will soon be among the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world?s tallest peak.
By Keith Bacongco
davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY ? The clich? that faith can move a person to climb even the highest mountain could be proven true next month. Quite literally.
Erwin “Pastor” Emata, quite apart from being one of the country?s best mountaineers, is also a deeply religious man. The Davaoe?o will soon be among the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world?s tallest peak.
His faith, they said, would no doubt augur well for the mountaineer from Tagum City who, along with Leo Oracion of Cebu City, will undergo a ?reconnaissance climb? of Mount Everest next month. Emata is a member of Marco Polo Mountaineering Club-Davao.
?He is one of the best mountaineers in the Philippines,? said Dodong Realse, a veteran mountaineer and a close friend of Emata?s. With his strength and experience, he told davaotoday.com, Emata can make it to the summit.
?He has faith in God. He is a very religious man, that’s why he is called pastor (preacher),” Realse said. “He leads the prayer in our climbs and even before we eat. Very religious. He is also a disciplined athlete. Never smokes or drink any liquor.”
