Two Filipinos based in Paris are thankful that the rock concert tickets they bought online were for another date and not last Friday when terrorists carried out the bloody attack that killed at least 80 people.
Paris-based worker Harold Encina shared what seems to be a twist of fate that nearly cost his life and his Filipino friend, Chester Sampang.
Encina said they could have been included in the list of fatalities when suicide bombers stormed the Bataclan concert hall with massive gunfire before detonating their bomb belts.
Both Encina and Sampang were ready to watch a rock band concert Friday night, only to find out barely 48 hours before the event that they had the wrong date.
They bought the tickets online almost two months ago.
Had they not discovered the actual concert date, Encina believes they could have proceeded and watched that fateful day the concert of Eagles of Death Metal.
Encina has been an OFW in Paris for nearly 13 years. He is a member of a Filipino music band, playing bass guitar.
His friend Sampang is also a band mate.
Encina had watched many concerts at Bataclan and it could have been a first time for Sampang.
After the tragic incidents, Encina and many Filipinos in Paris are now taking precautionary measures and staying away from public places.
Encina joined the one minute prayer at the historic Plaza de Republique, known as the center for all forms of protest movements within France.
He also lighted a candle to honor the dead.
The solemn high noon prayer held simultaneously in other key cities all over the world manifested the solidarity among nations in the fight against terrorism. It culminated in a thunderous applause later.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to France Teresa Lazaro urged Filipinos to remain vigilant.
“Stay vigilant until the end of the month dahil nga dito sa Cup 21 where France is expecting 120 heads of state,” she said.
At least 2,000 Filipinos are based in Paris.
Source and image: ABS-CBN News
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