Baby Orosa remembers T.S. Eliot in Harvard

Prior to the interview, there was a profuse apology by phone for the extensive work being carried out in her house and the consequent noise that could disrupt our conversation.

However, when I reached the residence of multi-awarded journalist and art critic Rosalinda Orosa  better known by everyone familiar with her and her work as Baby Orosa  what greeted me was a house as prim and proper as the lady herself, hardly the mess that had been earlier apologized for, despite the number of workers in view.

How could one expect otherwise? Afterall, the interviewee comes from an illustrious family. The daughter of two doctors, both with golden hearts  both idealists who moved to Jolo in times of political strife, instead of joining their peers in Manila  she is also the sister of National Artist for Dance, Leonor Orosa Goquinco and a street found in Malate has even been named after her aunt, Maria Orosa.

There is, of course, so much more to Baby Orosa than the distinguished clan she hails from. To begin a catalogue of her achievements, one needs to mention that her innumerable essays have been translated into several languages. The author of three books  What’s in a (Nick Name) in 1968, Above the Throng in 1981 and Turning Back the Pages just this year  she has received numerous awards. Among them are the Catholic Mass Media Award, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gintong Bai Award, the University of the Philippines Distinguished Alumna Award, the Araw ng Maynila Award, the United Nations Decade of Culture Award and the National Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award.

She also takes the pride in receiving the Premio Zobel and winning the top prize of the First Quijano de Manila Journalism Contest.

Offshore she is the recipient of two French awards for Arts and Letters, two German citations including the Commander’s Cross, which is the highest that could be given to a non-German and the Isabela la Catolica Award from King Juan Carlos from Spain.

All these and more have merited her the honor of being included in the 10-volume Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, becoming one of the recipients of the CCP Centennial Awards.

Her influence in the world of arts and culture is wide and deep and can be attested to, by various luminaries like Cecile Licad who speaks of her with reverence: “Miss Orosa discovered me.”

For the interview, she led me to a quiet corner of a room whose walls were lined with books and old mementoes. In our presence was an old, but trusty Smith Corona typewriter, where essays for her columns in The Philippine STAR and for Starweek magazine are born.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

ROSALINDA OROSA: I was going to study abroad  at Harvard to be precise  and on the same plane to the United States, there was this blind girl. I don’t remember her name anymore. The year was 1950. All I can recall now is that she was on her way to a school for the blind in New York. She seemed so frail and I didn’t have it in me to leave her unassisted. I took care of her during the entire trip. However, my first domestic trip was to Iloilo, where I was the only passenger aboard the private plane of the Lopez brothers  Eugenio and Fernando. The reason for my visit was to dance at the Iloilo Carnival.

What won’t you leave home without?

I travel very light. Unlike most writers I rarely ever bother bringing a book  just the barest essentials which include a pen and a notebook. I need these to record my thoughts till I can get back to my typewriter; I know it sounds rather antiquarian. Despite encouragement by other people to use a computer, I still prefer a typewriter. It stimulates my thinking. Too bad it’s too heavy to bring with me when I travel, though.

Who is your ideal travel companion?

I usually travel alone. But if left with a companion, I would prefer a fellow journalist  one who goes in and out of the same circles I go in and out of. That way we would have several things in common and would have a lot to talk about.

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?

Going to museums is always a must for me. Museums, libraries, theaters and opera houses. When I was at Harvard, I would take the subway to (nearby) Boston to attend the rehearsals of the Boston Symphony Orchestra  and all that for amount of only two dollars! Some of my most memorable experiences were in such spaces. In Washington, D.C. for instance, I saw the great Ingrid Bergman in Tea and Sympathy. And did it matter that the play was in French? And in Paris, I got to watch so many operas, among them The Pearl Fishers by Bizets and saw the fantastic ballerina Yvette Chauvire.

Describe your most memorable trip.

It was during my school days at Harvard where the legendary T.S. Eliot  the same modernist poet who wrote “The Wasteland” and “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”  was there as a lecturer!

What is the best travel advice you have been given?

Be vigilant all the time. Once, in Germany, I suspected a man was following me. Before I reached my hotel room, I saw the man going to a room opposite mine. Could I have charmed him with my exotic Filipino ways? But soon after I had gone into my room, there was an urgent knocking in my door. I was very frightened and made sure my door was locked. Since then, I’ve always wondered if it was the same man who I thought was following me. Could he have had less than honorable intentions? (Laughs)

What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?

I was in London and I saw a small chapel. I thought I should visit it and say a little prayer. Then while I was on my knees, a lady approached me, begging for alms. She caught me by surprise  not only because she didn’t look destitute, but also because this was in London. And my impression of the place was that it was a very prosperous city. Thinking she wasn’t really in need, I just excused myself and said, “I’m sorry, I cannot help you.”

Let’s talk about favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

I would say Munich. I experienced the hospitality of the Germans there. At first you’d think the Germans are very reserved. But when you get to know them better, they are really very warm. In my trips I’ve discovered that the colder the country, the warmer the people.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

It is not easy to pick one out of the many. But the first that comes to mind is Puerto Princesa. I made a memorable trip years ago to their Underground River. I felt it was a very vast cavern with water underneath it. It really is a global jewel.

Favorite airline?

I think the German Airline Lufthansa. It’s got what the Germans are known for  utmost efficiency. The stewardesses are thoughtful and kind.

Favorite airport?

I will have to say my favorite is Heathrow Airport in London. It’s very orderly and organized. You can’t get lost in it.

Favorite museum? And if you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?

The Louvre is my favorite. There is so much to see there, especially the impressionist paintings of the masters. I’d take home the “Mona Lisa” if I could. It’s a very enigmatic painting. Her smile is very mysterious. A testament to her enigma is the plethora of conflicting stories about her, all these myths and legends that, up to this day, remain unconfirmed.

Favorite hotel or resort?

Not a hotel nor a resort, but the apartment of my friend, Helga Kuhle  the widow of the former director of the Goethe Institute in Manila. Not only was it such a comfortable, homey space, as most apartments tend to feel, but the space felt like it was awash with hospitality. The place was simply radiating with her generosity, friendship and love.

Favorite landmark, building or park?

I was going to say the Leaning Tower of Pisa because I find it so unusual. But suddenly, I recall how fantastic my experience was climbing the Statue of Liberty. I felt giddy being inside her head. It’s a funny feeling being inside Liberty’s head. (Laughs)

Favorite musical or play?

Onstage, it’s My Fair Lady, but on film, it’s The Sound of Music. Both very entertaining. Never a dull moment. And of course, it would be extra nice to watch these with my friends  Betsy Westendorp, Chloe Periquet, Ricci Barrios, Rachy Cuna, Minerva Tanseco and others, too many to mention.

Favorite restaurant or bar?

The Tivoli at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Very good gourmet menu, excellent gourmet cuisine. The service is incomparable – everyone’s courteous and attentive and snappy.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in.

I have never been to the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, I would like to go there one day. Likewise, I would like to go to Russia for the ballet  the Bolshoi or the Kirov  and watch their best ballerinas perform Swan Lake.

What are your favorite pasalubongs  inbound and outbound?

Going out of the Philippines, I bring native things  bags, trinkets, jewelry and the miniature knives I sometimes see at Rustan’s. Then going back home, I always bring fancy little jewelry items for the women. But for the men, I never know what to get them! I rarely get anything out of the usual. I’m excited nonetheless to distribute all my pasalubongs immediately. In fact, it’s one of the first things I do upon getting home  second only to taking off my shoes. (Laughs)

Name a place you have never visited but would like to someday.

I would like to visit Turkey, because my grand niece married a Turk. Aside from being very handsome, he has the manners of a prince. This one man has made me very curious about an entire culture and its people. I want to find out and in this same spirit of curiosity, that I also wish to visit Batanes. I find it very intriguing, very mysterious. I wonder how the people live in such a climate and weather conditions.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Aside from arriving at the destinations, it’s meeting the people  especially the interesting ones. Almost all of my travel memoirs deal with such people that I have encountered and I’ve even gotten to know them better.

What would you say is the worst part of travel?

Delayed flights can be really stressful with repercussions  from missing a connecting flight, to entirely missing an event you’ve made the trip for in the first place. This is not to mention delayed flights that could sometimes mean staying overnight in a strange hotel, in a place you didn’t want to stay too long in.

If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

There are so many good places. But the first that comes to mind is Barcelona. I’ve met very nice people there.