More than five decades after exchanging handwritten letters to practice English, a German man is hoping to reunite with the Filipina pen pal he lost touch with.
A Reddit user who identified himself as “Harry” said he used to write letters to a girl named “Madelyn” in 1970.
Harry said his English teacher had arranged a pen pal connection so they could practice their English skills when he was living in East Germany.
He shared that he received a “beautiful photo” from Madelyn, who he said was “about 16 years old in 1970.”
Harry estimated that she “would be around 71–72 years old today,” adding that she was born around 1954.
“She was likely a high school or university student in Manila in 1970 [or] 1971,” he wrote.
“I am looking for a long-lost friend from my youth and hope for the power of the Philippine community,” Harry said.
He also accompanied his post with a photo of Madelyn, which he said had a stamp on the front from “UNI Art Manila,” a photo studio that was located in Manila’s University Belt area at the time.
“Sadly, I lost her letters over the decades, and this photo is all I have left of our ‘new blooming friendship.’ I would love to know what became of her and if she is doing well,” Harry said.
”If anyone recognizes her, knows the exact location of the old ‘UNI Art’ studio, or has access to High School yearbooks from Manila around 1970–1972 featuring a ‘Madelyn,’ please reach out to me. Thank you so much for your help!” he added.
Looking for “Madelyn” from Manila – A 1970 pen pal friendship across the Iron Curtain
by
u/harry-madelyn-1970 in
pinoy
The post was shared in another Reddit community, where the sharer claimed Madelyn’s “niece” had already seen his post.
“She asked for his email address because she will give it to Madelyn. I am hoping for a very nice outcome of this post,” the sharer said, adding a smiling face emoji.
A pen pal is someone with whom one exchanges letters, typically without having met in person.
Correspondence is usually done through snail mail, but with the rise of technology, it has evolved to include emails and even messaging platforms.
