The Email Ordered Wife

By L C Clark

The book was launched in 2012. The Second Edition came out in 2014. Filipinas have been in America for hundreds of years but not much is known about them. They are stereotyped as house maids or mail order brides. There must be more to the Filipina than that. After all three of them have ruled the country and one of them, Imelda Marcos was not even the President. History shows the Filipinas have led armies in the revolution. They fought as guerilla against the Japanese in World War II. They have taken the lead as overseas workers braving strange lands and cultures to support their family and their country’s economy.

The Email Ordered Wife, attempts to correct misconceptions on the character of the enigmatic Filipina, the one woman in Asia who does not walk paces behind her man. She is misjudged as dollar hungry green card chaser while she could be a doctor, nurse, domestic helper, hooker, just like women of any other nationality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L C Clark
• Release date: Feb 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988188525

L C Clark

L C Clark was born in the early 50's. By mid 60's, she was a political activist as a teen at the University of the Phil. She was a business woman, single mom through the 80's and 90's. After those turbulent decades in Manila, she caught the mortgage crisis of the 2008 in America. She started writing in 2009. Her fist book The Email Ordered Wife explores the immigration experience. Her second book, Rebel is a tribute to a political activist during the Martial Law. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Book preview

2014 Edition

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2012 by L C Clark

ISBN 10: 0-988-1885-0-3

ISBN 13: 987-0-9881885-0-1

This book is based on real life, the sequel to the book REBEL.

To Sugar’s daughter, Esse

PART ONE

Love at First Sight

On the outside, their life was good. They have just moved into their new home in Imus, Cavite from an apartment in Manila. Gina got the idea to acquire a home from a conversation with her cousin who was planning on buying one. Anton did all he could to discourage her.

Another one of your crazy ideas! We don’t have any money to buy a lot much less build on it Anton said.

Gina did not respond to that. She had asked her Mom for an idle lot her Mom had inherited. It was a long shot but her mother said yes in a heartbeat. She was going to tell Anton the good news about the land. After the way he reacted to her plan she decided to keep it to herself.

She transferred the lot title to her name only. As per Philippine law, inherited assets, anything handed down from relatives living or deceased is not conjugal property. She then asked a childhood friend, who has become a famous architect to do her construction plans for free. He agreed instantly. Armed with her lot title and construction plans, she applied for a Social Security Service housing loan.

You’re wasting your time and effort. You’ll never get that loan approved. We’re under Martial Law, remember? This government is so corrupt the only way you can get that loan is to have a politician back you up. Now, do you know one? Anton said, when he found the Social Security reply in the mail confirming Gina’s loan application. Gina did not respond. She has a nasty habit of not defending herself with words. Instead she would tie herself in a knot to prove her attacker wrong.

I didn’t think so! Anton followed up with a smirk.

A couple of months later, Gina received the loan approval notice. She thought Anton would be pleased. She showed it to him hoping to get a way to go!

What now? This approval notice says we need to start construction before they release the money. We don’t have any money! That’s why we applied for a loan in the first place. Didn’t I say this would be a total waste?! was what she got from her husband.

We? We applied? I did it by myself! she replied.

Gina had some savings from her sales commissions in her bank account. Not big and not nearly enough for a construction company to start ground breaking. But she thought with a little break she can still get this project under way. She didn’t really care much for a nice place for herself. She wanted her two sons to bring their classmates and friends to a better home.

On one of her sales calls, Gina mentioned her housing loan approval and her predicament to her client.

My driver has a relative who owns a construction company. They may start without any down payment, as long as you can sign over to them the loan release. It would be their problem to collect the money. They won’t get it unless the house is standing as per plans you submitted. the client said.

This sounded too good to be true. She always believed anything too good to be true probably wasn’t. She filed the offer in her mind as one of those come-ons her clients dished out to impress her into going out with them. A week later, the client called to tell her the construction company owner would like to meet with her. She went for it although still skeptical. It turned out the company was legit. Her client actually signed the contract as guarantor. Construction started in two days after the meeting. No cash changed hands. Her savings was not even touched. She started dating the lucky guarantor.

She didn’t mention the construction to Anton. The client/guarantor believed she was single. Anton’s showing up would mess up the deal. Three months later a friend of the couple who heard about the house construction project saw the bungalow in the finishing stage and commended Anton for the good job. Anton marched to the site like any proud owner would, examining for defects.

Excuse me sir, who are you? the site manager asked.

I am the owner of this bungalow, Anton replied.

Sir you must be mistaken, the owner’s name is Gina...

That’s right, I’m Gina’s husband Anton cut him off.

Sir, you have to discuss your complaints with Gina. Our contract is with her, the site manager said before he walked away.

That night Anton eagerly waited for Gina. He needed to go over the details of his inspection with her. After all she’s a woman, what does she know about construction? He’s an Engineer, she can’t do this without his input.

I went to the construction site this morning. How come you never mentioned the house is almost done? Anton said as soon as Gina walked in.

Didn’t you say my housing project was a total waste?

Anton said nothing more, no apology, nor commendation. He decided to wait for the house to be finished then he would enumerate his criticism of her project.

After they’ve moved into their new home the daily ride to work would now take an hour. The Coastal Road which would make the commute from Imus, Cavite to Makati City faster was still under construction. Gina bought a second hand red Volkswagen Beetle with the savings she didn’t get to use on the house.

On November 19, 1979, their 8th wedding anniversary. As it had been their way for eight years they both consciously ignored the significance of the date. She remembered the church wedding. She carried yellow roses and had little yellow flowers threaded in her hair. On their first anniversary she waited for Anton to say something. Whether he forgot or simply didn’t care, no one knows. She did not remind him neither did she complain about his indifference. That wedding day was never celebrated, no gift giving, no dining out, not a word of greeting was exchanged between the couple. Two decades from here, when both their sons would be married and celebrated their own wedding anniversaries, Danny would ask his parents why they didn’t celebrate theirs. Gina would reply We shouldn’t celebrate mistakes.

At 7:00 in that morning Anton was driving the red Volkswagen Beetle to Makati City where he worked as Assistant Marketing Manager and his wife Gina was a Media Sales Representative. She was on the passenger seat putting on make-up with her hair on rollers. The Beetle didn’t have seat belts. The country didn’t have a strict seat belt law.

I wonder when this government is going to open the coastal road this traffic is costing us too much gas Anton was complaining as usual subtly implying it was Gina’s fault. They wouldn’t have to suffer the long drive to work if Gina hadn’t built the new house. Neglecting to appreciate he wouldn’t be driving a car if they had not moved. Public transportation is readily accessible when you live in the city. There would be no compelling reason to buy a car.

Later let’s meet at the fast food court at Shoe Mart Mall. We need some groceries Gina replied ignoring his grumbling.

I’ll be there at five thirty. How is it going with the Philippine Basketball Games streamer? Do you even have a prospect client? The conference starts next week.

The Philippine Basketball Games streamer ad was contracted to Anton’s company where he handled the advertising. The vendor gave two locations near each goal to hang the company streamers. The brand would get TV exposure at the back drop whenever the players try for that goal. Anton used one and asked Gina to sell the other. The vendor had agreed to rebate half of the contract cost to Gina as commission if she sold it. This is something companies in the United States call self-dealing, but in the Philippines it was simply called TPC or third party commission.

I got someone in mind. I’m going to see him today Gina assured her husband.

At Gina’s office, her boss, Peck was motivating the sales force.

We still have three thirty seconds spots open on Manila Disco Show. Better start calling clients give them 15% discount let’s fill those spots, Ladies.

Yes boss Gina, Brenda and Joji replied and they all left for their client calls. They would be back at five in the afternoon to report their sales calls. Gina had completed her sales quota for this month when the soft drink client bought into two of their shows. She went straight to her prospective client for the basketball game streamer.

Hi Charlie I got the proposal for the PBG streamer I called you about Gina greeted Charlie.

I discussed it with Mr. Nakuyama. He’s not interested, said he’s already got plans for the remaining ad budget for this year. Why don’t you see the Advertising Manager at Samson Trading, his name is Sugar, maybe they got uncommitted budget.

Gina proceeded to see the man Charlie mentioned.

Do you have an appointment with Sugar? the receptionist at the lobby of the Samson Trading Building asked Gina.

No, I don’t, but I was hoping he’d see me for a few minutes. Please tell him I was referred to him by Charlie of Reyes Industries.

Gina was ushered into the Advertising Manager’s office. There were three desks sharing the room, occupied by a lady and two men.

I’m here to see Sugar. My name is Gina De Leon, she opened up with her introduction.

I’m Sugar the one nearest the door spoke.

I work for Non-traditional Media Incorporated. I was referred to you by Charlie Tan. Gina said while she handed him her business card.

Please have a seat. Let me introduce Thelma and Raffy. What can I do for you? Sugar introduced his officemates in the room. He knew Charlie Tan but the guy has never sent anyone to him before. It made him wonder what this was all about.

Gina glanced briefly at the other two people in the room and simply smiled to acknowledge the introduction. She got seated and turned her eyes back to Sugar. On closer look she was immediately captivated by the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. He has black hair, the high cheek bones made his eyes deeper and the pointed chin drew attention to his full lips with buck teeth and a tooth slightly on top of the next, an imperfection that seemed so appealing to her.

We have an open spot for streamer at the PB Games. It’s near the goal so even if the shot doesn’t score your brand name will. The package deal is for the whole conference which airs nationwide for only PHP1000 per game day. It starts in seven days Gina started on the sales pitch for the PBG streamer.

Could we pick the dates? The championship dates would give the most exposure when the ratings are high.

The contract is for the whole conference but even the dates prior to the championship week get better ratings than the other shows on that time slot.

Send me a formal proposal and I will take a look at our budget

Gina knew she was being dismissed but she could not leave her seat. She needed a reason why she wasn’t moving. She knew she was not supposed to present a second product on the same call. It confused the client and gave them options. The client could pick one and reject the rest or make comparisons and reject them all.

We also have a project called ‘Free Movie in the Park’. It is a public service for those who want to enjoy the Rizal Park at night. It’s a giant screen on the playground that shows movies every night with commercial spots. The sponsorship package is only P100 per night so it’s only three thousand a month Gina started about another product.

That sounds interesting. Bring me the proposal for that package too

Gina noted Sugar said send the first one which means a messenger can deliver. He said to bring it this time. That would give Gina a reason to return. That should have been good enough but she could not get herself to leave.

Oh, I almost forgot, we are also selling the Manila Disco Show and we have an open spot for this weekend’s episode.

Ah, you’re also selling that too. You must make a lot of money. Let’s include that proposal in our next meeting. Sugar said, grinning now, deep dimples marking his cheeks. He knew about the one product per call rule. Three products on a sales call was quite a stretch. An above average intelligent man, he could read her body language. She didn’t look desperate for a sale. She just didn’t want to leave!

I will see you tomorrow with the written proposals. It was a pleasure meeting you Sugar Gina said. She extended a hand shake and reluctantly got off her seat.

The pleasure is all mine, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Sugar took the handshake. The woman amused him so that he couldn’t quit smiling. The Media Rep was obviously smitten and didn’t care if it showed.

Hey, what just happened?! It was like Thelma and I were not in the room Raffy teased Sugar as soon as Gina stepped out.

The strange woman who just left had taken him to another place. He forgot he’s got some flirtation going on with Thelma when Raffy was not around. This morning would alter the course of that secret office romance.

Gina walked on air the rest of the day. She had always been attracted to prominent cheekbones and chin but she has never seen such beautiful dimples on a man before. She had met and dated good looking men all her life but none of them had dimples. For reasons she can’t understand this moment felt so different. She kept her eyes on Sugar during the entire conversation as if she was afraid he might disappear if she blinked. Could this be love at first sight? Generations have debated the phenomena. Skeptics dismissed it as fleeting fascination. In the Bible she found an incident that sure sounded like love at first sight. Upon meeting Rachel for the first time Jacob kissed her and burst into tears. Jacob worked for fourteen long years to have Rachel as his wife. That didn’t sound like fleeting fascination.i

The Philippines has a permissive business practice. Sexual harassment law may or may not be in the books in 1979 but not in practice. In fact some powerful men have two assistants, a plain but extremely competent one to do all the work and a drop dead gorgeous one to usher in the guests and entertain the boss during lunch.

Gina presented herself as single to the entire advertising industry. She bravely dated choice clients despite being in her terms ‘happily married’. She rationalized that at the end of the day she came home to a seemingly content husband and well raised sons. Anton was the first to cheat on her so she refused to feel guilty. The first blood principle was one of the values historically passed on in her province of Cavite. The province was predominantly matriarchal and notoriously vindictive. They had a thing called "ubusan ng lahi" which meant if someone in a family gets murdered the victim’s family gets to kill the killer whose family retaliates. Revenge keeps going until both families have finished each other.

When Gina reported back to her office at five in the afternoon, she could not contain herself.

Ressie, I met a gorgeous guy!! His name is Sugar…

Ressie cut her short. Yea, yea, he just called. He said to tell you to call him back as soon as you walk in

What?! What else did he say? Gina got all excited. He seemed too formal this morning. She wasn’t expecting him to call.

I didn’t talk to him very long. He kept speaking in English. I passed him on to Mary.

Gina, his voice was a panty dropper! It seems like you got a new catch Mary said as she came out from the break room.

What time is Anton coming? There’s something I got to tell him unless I hear an offer Boss Peck butted in. Gina has heard similar threats from a lot of people. Sometimes she would dare them. Want Anton’s phone number? or if you need back up I’ll take you to Anton myself. On that particular day her answer to her boss was different.

Well, you’re not getting anything. This one I’m willing die for. Gina said while dialing Sugar’s number. The girls laughed, the boss shook his head. She loved sounding tough, giving the impression that she was not afraid of losing Anton and she loved the shock effect on people. With no divorce law in the country there would be no alimony, no child support and no way to remarry. A separated mother would have to raise her children by herself. If she looked good and had no morals she could find another man to share her life with who can virtually but not legally adopt her kids. If she were religious like most Filipino women she would have to say goodbye to sex forever and spend her life as a single mom. However, she was raised by parents who were overly concerned about what would people say so in the advertising industry where she played, she liked to think she was not a slut but a hot, liberated woman. Within the community where she lived and the congregation where she attended Sunday service, she made sure people saw her as a happily married, Boy Scouts mom which was her version of a soccer mom. Though she did not allow her boys to play any kind of sport. She was afraid they might get injured and be maimed for life. But she loved seeing her Jojo, her eldest, in the Boy Scouts uniform. She didn’t particularly care about the Boy Scouts. She simply loved to see her son in parades. She followed him with her camera, waving and screaming at him to look her way.

Hi Sugar Gina said in her usual flirty tone.

You were all shop talk this morning. I couldn’t bring up any monkey business. Sugar started flirting.

Your two friends were listening.

Next time let’s pretend we’re alone.

And I’ll find a monkey I can offer you Gina said alluding to a figurative monkey she intends to offer him. They both laughed. The call lasted thirty minutes, each one trying to charm the other, a ritual as old as time.

The next morning, Gina took extra care in picking what to wear. She chose the new green and black see-thru top and the green silk pants. Her breasts are not as big as she wanted but the new push up bra with water padding helped a lot.

At Sugar’s office she did not just walk in. With an arm raised she leaned on the door frame, a seductive pose she has seen on television.

Hi, Sugar Gina spoke like Jean Harlow while looking Sugar in the eye.

Sugar got caught up in the see-thru top. His jaw dropped and his mouth hung open for a few seconds. Gina pretended not to notice. It was more reaction than she had expected. It made her feel absolutely beautiful. Men told her all her life she looked good but she assumed they were just trying to get in her pants. She never really believed it till now. Sugar convinced her without a word. His reaction was priceless.

Come in please Sugar said a bit self-conscious. He felt Raffy and Thelma observing him and Gina. The two both dropped what they were doing and focused on them.

I got the written proposals with me. How would you like to see the Free Movie in the Park project? It’s just two blocks away, I got my car. It will only take a few minutes Gina said thinking she needed to get him away from these clowns.

Yes, that’s a good idea! Sugar replied thinking he wanted some time with her away from these clowns.

Gina’s red Volkswagen Beetle took the couple off to Rizal Park. They parked in front of a structure that was designed to look like a monster TV. It was a throw-back to the drive-in theater of the 50’s except this was free and supported by sponsors like a regular TV show. Typical audience was composed of dating teens, families enjoying the park, walking food vendors and out of school children. That part of the park was deserted during day time.

Sugar thought she was obviously older and may already have a boyfriend. He thought of asking for her age but it wouldn’t be polite to ask a woman that question.

You seem too young to be an Advertising Manager. I hope you don’t mind my asking, how old are you Gina asked.

I don’t mind at all. I’m twenty four, what about you? Sugar lied. He was twenty one but he was trying to close the obvious gap between their ages.

I’m twenty five, Gina said discounting a couple of years for the same purpose.

Your card says Jr. Your father’s name is also Sugar? Gina asked after the ages have been clarified.

Oh no, Sugar is just my nickname. My real name is Remigio. If you don’t mind, may I ask if you have a boyfriend?

Boyfriend, I got none right now. How about you, got a girl? Gina didn’t lie. He didn’t ask her if she was married.

I haven’t caught one. I don’t know how to chase them

You should look behind you once in a while. They’re probably chasing you!

On the drive back to Sugar’s office, Gina was thrilled that their age difference was only one year, no big deal. The fact that she was married with two sons, which was a big deal, never came to mind.

Fresh out of college he has not had a sexual relationship. He almost made it with Thelma in the office once while working overtime but fear of consequences put the brakes on before they reached the point of no return. Sugar thought Gina looked too good to be unattached but true or not when a woman says so it means she’s open to be hit on. He has to be insane not to hit on this one.

That night at home, Gina went thru her routine. She fixed dinner. They watched their favorite TV shows, Donnie & Marie and later Starsky and Hutch. Anton noticed she’s distant and distracted. She went to sleep immediately he thought maybe she was tired. She was always available for sex with Anton, even after a date with some other guy. Not out of passion or love. She felt it was an accomplishment to juggle her affairs and her marriage smoothly. A girlfriend commented to her You know you think like a man!

On the following days, Gina and Sugar spent a lot of time on the phone like a couple of teenagers. The advertising deal was signed and aired but the date invite Gina was waiting for never came. She had no more business reason to see Sugar. Her heart was screaming she’s got to have the man. She was not used to listening to her heart. It never spoke to her before so during that time she couldn’t tell where the voice was coming from.

Anywhere

Gina told her boss she was going home early and then she called Sugar.

Hi Sugar, are you busy?

Not really, what do you have in mind?

I don’t feel like working but I don’t want to go home. Let’s see a movie. I’ll pick you up. Gina said. Sugar didn’t have a car. He rode home with his mother who worked in the next building.

You caught me at a bad time, I’m broke right now. How about a rain check Sugar was embarrassed to admit.

"Oh don’t worry about that, you’re my client so of course I’m