A Filipina “Cinderella” story in Japan who came from a poor family in Tarlac is currently making the rounds on the internet as she wants to give back to the Philippines. Abby Watabe’s life story is a cl(–foul word(s) removed–)ic rags-to-riches story and a modern “Cinderella” Story fairy tale.
Watch the video interview of Abby Watabe:
The Filipino-Japanese Abby Watabe never got the chance of going to school but right now she’s running a total of 135 Karaoke branch and internet cafe chain business in Japan after she got married to a wealthy Japanese businessman.
The mother of the modern Cinderella was a laundry woman and her father worked as a carpenter in Tarlac. She is the youngest among seven children, they previously live in poverty which deprived them of a decent education.
Abby Watabe’s dream of having a shot at a better life never ended until the time came when she worked as an entertainer in Japan. At around 2005, she met a Japanese man in an elevator, who later told her he owned buildings and some business.
During the first few times when they met she doubted the intentions of his Japanese suitor and only wants to impress her without knowing that the Japanese he met was indeed a wealthy businessman. Abby only learned the truth about the true wealth of his suitor when they got married.
Shorty after Abby and his Japanese husband got married, the Japanese asked her to quit her job at the night club. The Filipina was convinced by the wealthy Japanese to enroll in a Japanese school, with her husband paying for everything. Abby was able to learn many things from her husband, such as managing their business and helping other people.
In an interview with PhilStar, Abby was even quoted as saying “My husband did not just love me, he loved the whole Philippines.” Abby stated.
To show the Japanese love her wife and the entire Filipino community, around 300 to 400 Filipinos would be invited during each of their business openings, with all of them treated well to an all-you-can eat buffets.
According to Abby Watabe when her husband heard the news of the super typhoon Yolanda, the Japanese quickly give an all-out support to the victims and survivors. The company of his husband placed donation boxes in the 135 branches of their business and prompted her to send relief good and build cl(–foul word(s) removed–)rooms in her hometown.
