ShareThisA second life.
This is how actress and promoter Annabelle Rama describes herself after undergoing the biggest scare of her life in a near mishap on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Los Angeles.
She recounted her ordeal when one or two wheels of the PAL plane she was riding exploded just when they were about to land.
“I sensed something was wrong when it was announced that we’ll make an emergency landing,” she said. “Ikot ng ikot lang ang plane, hindi bumababa. Mga stewardess, nakaupo lang lahat, walang tumatayo.”
She said she was so hungry at that time as she did not take the meal before the landing.
“ I was so hungry kasi hindi ako kumain and I was asking for anything but they won’t serve,” she said.
“ We asked what’s happening but they won’t talk. We thought it’s a terrorist attack. Ang katabi kong babae, iyak na ng iyak. Ako naman, naisip ko: paano na mga apo ko, talents ko, si Eduardo, mga anak ko?” she said.
“ Yung bahay namin sa White Plains, kapapagawa lang, dapat lilipat kami sa end of September, di ko na yata malilipatan,” she said.
Annabel said she prayed hard during those moments for her safety and other passengers of their plane.
“I got my rosary and prayed. After that, at peace na ako. I felt that if I had to go, I’m ready,” she said.
She added: “ Buti na lang, magaling ang pilot namin. We were able to land safely. Pag landing namin, ang daming nag-aabang na bombero at media. Hindi ko na hinintay ang luggage ko, lumabas agad ako’t hinanap ko si Eduardo na siyang sasalubong sa’kin.”
“ Alam na pala nila what’s happening kasi na-report na sa TV. Parang second life sa’kin. Pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas, diretso ako sa Cebu at nagpasalamat ako sa Sto. Nino,” the actress and talent manager from Cebu said.
Ironically, Philippine Airlines was honoring her as their first Million Miler from the local entertainment industry, a distinction that puts her above the rest and gives her a lot of privileges making her a PAL VIP with priority check in, access to Mabuhay lounge, additional free baggage allowance, upgrading to business class, and many more.
“Loyal naman ako talaga sa PAL,” she said. “For 16 years now, tuwing pupunta kong US at Cebu, PAL ako.”
In an interview, Annabel said she’s happy that her children and talents are all busy with new projects. Richard Gutierrez is starting the new season of “Survivor Philippines” soon. Ruffa is in a new movie with Gabby Concepcion for Regal. Raymond has become slim due to Sexy Solutions dishes and boxing, in preparation for the launch of the local Esquire version that he’ll edit.