MANILA, Philippines — The first two things foreign authors immediately notice upon arriving in the Philippines are 1) how well we speak English and 2) how Filipinos are such avid readers. Most of them are amazed at the “rock star treatment” they receive from Filipino fans.
For an author of Mitch Albom’s caliber, he of “Tuesdays With Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” fame, the rock star treatment began even before he reached NAIA’s baggage claim area.
“A young man, his name was Jeff, came to me and he had a book; he was very nervous, he was shaking and asked if I could sign it and take a picture with me. I was so surprised! How’d he know I was here? That was after midnight,” Mitch recalls.
“It’s very nice, it’s very humbling. I don’t take this for granted. I’m still amazed all these years that people know who I am, have read anything by me; it’s an incredible blessing.” he adds.
Mitch was brought here by National Book Store to meet his fans at two book signing events: one happening this Saturday afternoon at National Book Store’s Glorietta branch, and another at Ayala Center Cebu on February 23, Sunday. The visit is also tied with promoting his latest novel, “The First Phone Call From Heaven,” a drama-mystery story about a small town in America whose residents receive phone calls from loved ones who have died.
Filipino fans have been begging Mitch to drop by and visit here, but it was Super Typhoon Yolanda that ultimately swayed him to come over.
Having had first-hand experience on how massive natural disasters severely impacts a country—Mitch helped rebuild an orphanage in Haiti after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in 2010 (he is still running the orphanage)—he wanted to show his support for those affected by Yolanda.
“I asked if I could please try to do something to call some attention to the Tacloban area; I’ve had some experience with natural disasters, particularly in Haiti where I work every month. We have an orphanage in Haiti, and so I’ve seen the immediate outpouring of support after the earthquake came, I’ve seen how devastating that kind of damage can be. But I’ve also seen what happens when the world sort of forgets. There’s a big flush of money at the beginning and then everybody goes on to another story but the people who were devastated, they’re affected forever. It’s not over for them, it’s not over because two or three months have passed—it’s gonna go on for a long time,” says Mitch.
He will be visiting Pawing Elementary School in Tacloban, one of several schools where the National Book Store foundation is donating books to help rebuild libraries destroyed by Yolanda.
Mitch also donated funds to the Yellow Boat Of Hope foundation, an organization working on helping typhoon victims restore their means of livelihood.
To find out more about Mitch’s book signing schedule, visit www.nationalbookstore.com.ph or follow them on Twitter/Instagram: @nbsalert.
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