One Woman's Journey

By Dr. Bonnie Gilbertson

The Philippine Islands is a fascinating place for adventure, and that is what one woman found. Terror strikes not once but twice, leaving her bewildered and suspicious. Her small daughter gets wrapped up in the enigmatic problems. As a military wife, she leads her family and indigenous friends down paths of danger with life-threatening events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684982950

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One Woman's Journey

Dr. Bonnie Gilbertson

Copyright © 2022 Dr. Bonnie Gilbertson

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-68498-294-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68498-295-0 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

About the Author

To the late Jodie Renee Gilbertson (1963–1982)

Thank you Cole and Courtney

Preface

This would be my husband's second deployment to the Philippines, and from his shared memories, I had kept an inquisitive, courageous, adventurous hat on and dropped my ephemeral craving for television. Lloyd had been stationed at Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, years previously on a ship. I expected this tour would be a great experience for us as we would be a family enduring or enjoying a complete diversity of culture together.

This is a fictional story based on some fact. It is dedicated to our adopted daughter, the late Jodie Renee Gilbertson.

Chapter 1

It was in the year 1969. Just last week, our daughter Jodie and I left from Los Angeles at midnight to follow the sun for about sixteen hours. Jodie looked so cute in her yellow dress with a little bow in the back. Her light-blond hair was curly, and her cherub smile glowed for anyone who spoke to her. For five years old, our adopted daughter had developed a sharp vocabulary. She was tiny for her age, but her size did not repress her interests in absolutely everything. Most of the people on board the airplane got a kick out of her playful personality after we both woke up over the Pacific Ocean.

There were two stewardesses aboard dressed in real chic, light-blue, button-down front, jacket suits. One was a blond and had a curvy figure, lots of makeup applied perfectly and quite attractive. The other stewardess had a cute smile. She was a little heavy but actually more friendly. Her black hair was up in a short pixie cut.

Our plane planned to refuel at Guam, and everyone would have to disembark the aircraft, and I looked around at the others knowing they felt the same as I did, hoping to get out and walk and stretch our legs. My backside was sore from sitting too.

It was a smooth flight, but I did notice the sky was not as bright, so we shut the window cover, and both of us shut our eyes for a time.

We landed at the Guam airport, and it was raining. I noticed passengers covered their heads with magazines and ran into the airport from the tarmac. It was still very warm outside, but with the 100 percent humidity from rainfall, it was quite comfortable. I carried Jodie as fast as I could go, and we found it was pleasant sitting in air-conditioning. After a while, we had a cold drink and washed our face in the ladies' room.

One hour later, there was a general announcement. Please have your paperwork in order. A bad storm is approaching the island. The pilot will want to depart immediately. Any delays could cause a layover. Jodie and I got ourselves ready to stand in line to reembark. While there, I heard people arguing at the ticket counter. Many of us looked over and saw a man arguing with the airline attendant at the counter with an obstinate demeanor and in a loud, disruptive mood! He looked Filipino, short but quite stocky, with a wide chest and husky arms. He was using curse words in English, and the attendant was attempting to quiet him down.

His pants looked like they had been slept on, and his shriveled gray jacket was a size too small. As Jodie and I continued walking in line, I overheard that his papers were not in order, but he demanded to get on this flight.

He yelled, My papers were good in Japan, and they let me on the plane in Tokyo, you idiots! I couldn't help but look over and eye the man causing all the ruckus. I was curious to see the argument continued to ensue until the captain again made the announcement from a loudspeaker that due to a storm on the way, he wanted to commence to depart Guam. I couldn't help but see, and we could hear other passengers remarking that we need to get out of here, and we are a little anxious over the weather.

In a compassionate voice, Jodie said, Mommy, let's go.

Jodie and I were seated and strapped in. In a few minutes, I looked up and saw the Filipino man who was angry walk by our aisle, and he looked right into my eyes and said, Bitch, I saw you looking at me! Make sure you mind your own business!

His face was contorted in anger! He frightened me! This really shook me up as he continued down the aisle and saw a seat. When I looked back, I watched him feverishly want a war with someone, and he picked up the man who evidently was sitting in his seat. The Filipino man had a ticket for the window seat, and a Caucasian gentleman was sitting in that seat, reading a paper. You're in my seat, bobo [stupid]. Can't you fuckin' read?

The gentleman looked up when the Filipino grabbed him by his suit collars, shoving the man onto the aisle floor and his glasses flew from his face. Another passenger picked up his glasses and wiped them off, then gave them to the poor passenger who was dethroned from the window seat. The Filipino immediately sat down in the window seat while the Caucasian gentleman, stunned and shaken, walked up the aisle slowly to meet with a stewardess.

This piece of discarded waste frightened the stewardess too. But I noticed that she found the Caucasian man another seat, nearer to the front and asked him if she could get him anything, Whiskey, scotch, coffee?

The Caucasian man said, No, thank you.

I saw the blond stewardess go back to the Filipino passenger and spoke quietly to him. Then I heard loudly, Go to hell, blondie. The stewardess then returned up front. She knocked on the door of the pilot and went in. A minute later, the captain came out of the door and walked down the aisle, speaking nicely to passengers but telling us of a storm he was attempting to miss by getting airborne. He stopped at the Filipino man's seat and spoke very softly where I couldn't hear him. Then he returned more quickly. Everyone was quiet.

The pilot started the engines and taxied toward the runway. Without delay, turning to the runway, the aircraft shuttered as the pilot advanced the throttles for full takeoff and quickly gained speed and rotated just as a blinding flash of lightning lit the air. The lightning strike hit the right engine of our plane. There was a loud sounding crash on the outward starboard engine! The blinding flash of the lightning illuminated the entire passenger cabin. All the passengers were crying out with fear in their voices. I felt the aircraft lift off, and immediately the two stewardesses disappeared down the aisle. A few minutes later, they returned with a navy senior chief between them sitting down and strapping, and I heard them asking, Are we going to crash?

He answered, I cannot ascertain that sitting here. The senior chief immediately got up and started back down the aisle.

A few minutes later, he reappeared and sat down between the two stewardesses and strapped in. Turning to the two stewardesses, I overheard the senior chief say, The pilots are dumping fuel. I observed it from the trailing edge of the wing. Anticipate possibly up to a sixty-mile downwind leg as the pilots get the aircraft to a safe landing weight. If they don't do this, the landing struts will be driven through the wings, and we will be nothing but a fireball. I believe you have two of the finest trained pilots in the world in this aircraft. They appear to know what they are doing and should be able to execute a safe landing back to Guam.

What seemed like an eternity, the main mounts touched down, causing the aircraft to shutter. Shortly thereafter, the nose gear made contact with the runway. Immediately there arose a loud cheer and applause from all of us on board! He saved us! Jodie and I kept clapping our hands and yelling thank you!

Here we were, back in Guam. The engine of the airplane exploded due to lightning, but our pilots were so professional we were able to land in one piece.

We had to find quarters to sleep as it was a small facility. Our Filipino passenger was very angry that we had a layover and immediately began arguing with literally everyone. I was only interested in how Jodie and I could find quarters, and I asked the counter desk. I was told that the airline or navy would take care of me and not to worry about it.

They put us in a small cabin together, and I was delighted for anything actually. I felt blessed. Jodie appeared frightened, and I held her for a long time, explaining what had happened and why we were staying until another airplane would come to get us, and then we would continue on our journey.

Jodie and I walked up some steps outside the terminal to cabin B, and we opened the door. Beds were not made-up, but sheets and blankets were there. But who needs blankets in this heat and humidity? I clicked on the AC from the wall, and Jodie was so happy to receive the air. At the moment, we had no luggage, so I decided to run to the airport shop and get us something to read and something for Jodie to play.

Chapter 2

Itook Jodie by the hand and put my bag over my shoulder, and we walked together back to the airport. The heat was stifling, and I was perspiring like never before. It was a short walk, and when we arrived, I opened the door and ran chest to chest into the Filipino man from the plane.

I said, Oh, I'm so sorry.

And he blubbered something in what I believe was Tagalog, then in English angrily retorted, Good damn fuckin' thing, you didn't spill my beers. His arm had a six-pack.

Sir, please don't use that kind of language around my daughter, I said softly.

He then whipped around and grabbed me by the arm, dropping his sack of beer and glass, and his beer went spewing all over, pieces of glass everywhere, the smell of beer and the liquid all over the place! Seeing I was going to scream, he put his other hand around my mouth violently! My back was against his chest! I let go of Jodie and started hitting him with both hands and arms from behind, then maneuvered my body toward him to possibly kick or knee him in the testicles when a couple of men seeing this began yelling and pulled him away from me. One of the men got the Filipino on the ground, and I began crying, Help me please. My first thought was to have him arrested for assault. I felt angry, bruised, and thankful for the help, and I was in wonder at why he snapped like he did.

We've gotcha, ma'am. The other man picked up Jodie and held her, for she began crying from the ruckus, and there was glass all over the ground.

The Filipino was more than angry. As a psychologist, I know there was some dysfunction mentally with this man. He was threatening in two languages, and looking at me so that no one could hear him, he said, I'll see you in Olongapo.

Swiftly two sailors from the military police came and took the disgusting passenger by his arms, marching him away. A military police woman came to help Jodie and me to see if we needed first aid. We went into a back room that was cool, and Jodie and I told her about what happened. By this time, Jodie and I were both crying, and she was kind. She brought Jodie a coke in a plastic cup and brought me a cup of coffee.

In a few minutes, one of the male MPs entered. We greeted one another.

My name is Dr. Bonnie Taylor, and my daughter's name is Jodie. We are going to Olongapo, Philippines, to be with my husband who is in the US Navy, I said.

The male MP said his name was Dave, and his partner was Joyce. They asked questions as to what happened.

I am a clinical psychologist, and I have seen men snap but not as many times as this man in one morning. I believe he has other mental issues. I discussed further what happened on the plane.

Dave said, We have already been alerted to this Filipino man, Doctor, so we are not surprised as to his actions. So what we are going to do, ma'am, is keep him in our lockup tonight, then we'll put him on a plane back to Japan, under arrest, of course, for assault, that is if you will sign the papers here for everything that happened. We also have to get signatures of the witnesses. I am sure they will cooperate. The captain of your aircraft and two stewardesses have already come forward. Furthermore, we will have an MP riding along with him handcuffed back to Japan. I would advise you, ma'am, if you ever see this man in the Philippines, stay away from him. He has taken a true dislike of you.

Advice accepted! I know he can be dangerous. He definitely has a dark side. I cannot thank you enough for your help. Never in my life did I think something like this would happen to me!

As Jodie and I walked to the door back into the airport, we again thanked them for their kindness and returned to the area of the airport where we could pick up some munchies, and we found several different magazines. Jodie found a sixteen-inch light-brown bunny rabbit that was soft and cuddly, a jump rope, an eight-inch round bouncing ball, and an expensive Raggedy Ann.

I got on the phone as soon as we went back to the cottage. Lloyd answered the phone, and it was such a joy to hear his voice I started crying again. I muffled it as much as I could so we could have a conversation. Jodie enjoyed talking to her dad, and we told him about what happened to us. Lloyd was furious! He advised me not to talk to anyone on my trip.

He said, Honey, I'm not there to protect you, so please stay close to people. The world is not full of lovely people!

I promised him I would. We told each other how much we loved, and we were both unhappy that I have to stay here a day or two more, but things happen in life, and we have to accept them. He said he was going to find out the Filipino's name and any information he could get as he would be in Olongapo eventually. He talked to Jodie before hanging up.

It was a day later that another super airliner arrived on the tarmac, and we all clapped our hands in happiness. He refueled, and we were told there would be another stop at Wake Island prior to our final stop in Manila International Airport. I was disappointed…another stop! But I accepted it as at least we would be there today sometime. Probably all of us had the desire to get home to Wake or to the Philippines. It was nice leaving the humidity and the hundred-degree heat and getting on the aircraft with air-conditioning. I was also feeling the kindness from the passengers who smiled at Jodie and me, giving us hugs in support of what we had to endure with the Filipino man.

Jodie and I sat down in the fourth row, right side, and it took a bag to carry the toys I bought her, and I decided to give my magazines away to anyone on the airplane. The stewardess took them happily and went down the aisle, giving them to passengers who wanted them. We brought some candy bars and fruit with us to munch on the way to Wake Island.

We saw nothing but water. The storm was way behind us, and we all were thankful for that. The stewardesses and captain were sympathetic for all we had been through, so they gave us all the drinks we wanted. I had a gin and tonic before dinner, which consisted of just a little beef with potato and carrot, and one glass of grape. Mmm…I deserved it!

The captain announced, We are starting descent and beginning our approach to Wake Island and will be landing in approximately ten minutes. So please fasten your seat belts and prepare for landing. We will disembark the aircraft for refueling.

I put Jodie over my shoulder because she had not fully awakened, and I struggled a bit down the aisle to the opened door like the other passengers. Then the humidity hit me like a blanket in the face. At the door, I stopped to take a deep breath, and a young sailor touched my shoulder with a look of compassion in his eyes that said he wanted to help me and nodded that he would take Jodie for me.

Thank you. I smiled gratefully and started down the steps of the aircraft and could rapidly feel wet from the humidity as the heat was almost stifling. It was well over one hundred degrees, and with the humidity, it felt like a sauna bath. It took my breath away, and at first, I thought I would pass out.

I took another deep breath and courageously tossed my bag strap over my left shoulder, wondering if this was a precursor of what the Philippines would be like. I then stepped onto the tarmac and felt the heat immediately come through my small sandals. I felt relief standing however as we had been sitting for so long. The muscles on the calves of my legs felt swollen and sore.

I just knew there would be air-conditioning inside the airport, and Jodie and I could cool off and maybe wash up in the bathroom. But we were all let down as we entered the airport doors, and the same heat and humidity hit us in the face. I was hot, frustrated, and tired, turning to the young sailor who had helped me. I took Jodie from him. He relaxed his arms and looked around as I did when we heard someone say, The AC is down!

No joke! I heard a group of people yell.

I could hear huge fans running from somewhere in the building. Maybe they thought the hot air from the fans would help.

You have been so kind helping me. Can I buy you a soda if they're cold? I asked the young sailor, smiling.

No thanks, I think I'm soda-d out from the plane.

I can sure relate to that. Thanks again for your help. Jodie and I cheerfully left him, and I bought Jodie and I a bottle of drinking water and went to look for the ladies' bathroom in the back of the airport. The bathroom was very clean, and the water wasn't cold, but it felt good