Clarkson surprises mom’s relatives
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Los Angeles Lakers sophomore Jordan Clarkson yesterday had a heartwarming reunion with the Kapampangan cousins of his mother, Annette, who was born here.
Among Clarkson’s maternal relatives who greeted him inside the CaféFrance beside the Angeles University Foundation Arena was Romeo Tullao, first cousin of Clarkson’s grandmother, Marcelina.
The 69-year-old Tullao, whose father is a younger brother of Marcelina’s father, said he never expected to have a chance to meet his famous grandson.
“Napapanood ko lang siya sa TV pag me NBA at doon namin siya napag-uusapan,” Tullao said in the local dialect. “Akalain ko ba naman na makaharap ko siya ng actual dito?”
Tullao said their family originated from Bacolor but was forced to disperse after the town was buried under lahar when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
His wife, Lolita, was beside herself with joy on being introduced to Clarkson, hugging the NBA player who flew in late Monday from the States accompanied by his friend and mentor Timothy Fuller.
“Sobrang saya ko!” gushed Lolita, who made Clarkson promise to send her regards to his grandmother. “I miss her so much so please tell her about me.”
Clarkson’s private meeting with his mother’s relatives and the ensuing basketball clinic was arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in coordination with SBP Region 3 director and ex-PBA player Gil Cortez.
He is in the country to shoot a commercial for Smart Communications and to accompany the Gilas Pilipinas team to the Jones Cup tournament in Taipei as an observer.