Who’s The Most Famous Person You’ve Encountered?

My work has given me the opportunity to meet famous personalities, and I thought it would be interesting to ask the celebrities themselves about the famous people they’ve encountered. As for me, it’s really hard to say who among the famous people I’ve met have made the biggest impact on my life. I do remember, however, that back in 1981, I was in Rome with my sister Lupe and then broadcast journalist Loren Legarda. We were very excited to have an audience with the Pope so we left our hotel early to make sure we got a nice spot at St. Peter’s Square. Our excitement turned into tears when a few moments later the Pope was shot right before our very eyes, a few meters from where we were. This was a man we loved and revered and it was heart-breaking to see him get hurt. I realized then that famous people, even those beloved by millions, are human beings, too.

Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.: I met President John F. Kennedy in 1962 at the White House when I was a student at Harvard Business School. We had a nice conversation, after which he gave me his tie clip and I gave him mine. I admired him then and today I’m an advocate of his philosophies.

Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, TV and film director: Internationally, I’ve met a lot of heads of states from Indira Gandhi to Ronald Reagan to George Bush. I went shopping and had merienda with Sharon Stone because my husband Ken is a good friend of her husband Phil Bronstein.

Locally, I used to do political TV shows for the Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party and independent candidates and so I met Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos, etc.

Margarita Fores, chef-restaurateur: There are two: The Pope when he was in Manila, and Salvador Dali. My meeting with Dali was almost surreal. I was then living in New York with my mom. He even asked my mom to pose for him and borrowed her ring. She refused the former request but gave in to the latter. When he gave back her ring, he sent two books as well. Dali was truly larger than life.

Mia Borromeo, co-owner of Regatta/consultant of Wish: Several years ago, I was in England for a friend’s 30th birthday and his father’s 70th, which when put together was a centennial celebration. For such a special occasion they got permission to use for one night an old family house in the country that had been turned over to the National Trust. It was absolutely beautiful and among their guests was Queen Elizabeth. That was definitely very memorable. Another memorable person is the Holy Father, John Paul II. We had been given a papal audience and I’ll never forget how, as he walked into the room, I was totally overwhelmed by his powerful presence. I thought it was just me but when I looked around I realized that everyone was moved to tears.

Tina Maristela-Ocampo, model-turned-entrepreneur: I guess the one encounter that really struck me was when I was in an elevator alone with Calvin Klein. It was at the Mercer Hotel and my husband Ricco had asked me to pay the bill at the reception area. The elevator opened and there was Calvin Klein standing in one corner. I went to the other corner so there was just the two of us. The elevator was going down three floors, a quick, short ride. I kinda glanced at him and said, "Are you Mr. Calvin Klein?" He said, "Yes." I told him he was very famous in the Philippines and he replied, "Oh, that’s nice to know." I then asked him, "I read you’ve been staying in Mercer for a couple of months already. Are you going to stay here for long?" He said, "I’m building a loft nearby." Then the elevator opened and before going out he said, "Well, goodbye and say hello to the millions of my fans in the Philippines."

Ej Litton, managing director, Wish: When I was five years old, I was introduced to Walt Disney in the US since our business had something to do with foreign films. At the time it never really occurred to me the significance of the meeting but as I grew older, I realized how great this guy was. He continues to inspire me in almost everything I do today. Whatever ideas my kids have, no matter how unimaginable they seem, I still encourage them to pursue them. I believe that the wilder their imagination is, the more successful they can become because of someone like Walt Disney – the guy who made the mouse into what it is today.

Inno Sotto, fashion designer: Hillary Clinton. The first time I met her was when she came to Manila to visit a project of then First Lady Ming Ramos. She was very cordial and warm.

The other person is Queen Sofia of Spain whom I met a year ago when she opened the Philippine Arts Exhibit at the National Museum. At the time my Retrospective show was still on display at the next hall and she graciously decided to take a look at it.

Louie Ysmael, disco king: A lot, such as Stevie Wonder whom I met at Euphoria, Prince Albert at Venezia, and Rod Stewart on the Concord years ago as I sat next to him.

It was really interesting to meet Stevie Wonder because you could feel his soul while talking to him and we both shared the same interests in music. We even had breakfast at the Pen.

A famous statesman that I met was President Dwight D. Eisenhower during his state visit here because he borrowed our Cadillac convertible. We took him for a ride to the American cemetery.

I met Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1995. They are my idols because I’m a racing fanatic myself.

Doris Magsaysay-Ho, businesswoman and columnist: Does "encountered" mean bumped into? Or talked to? Or a famous person who knows me as well? Shucks!

If it means "bumped into," then, it’s Brad Pitt. Conrad Onglao and I stood side-by-side Brad Pitt while paying for our purchases at a small shop in LA. It was awfully difficult not to stare.

I stood in line to give our coats to the checker with Warren Beatty and Dianne Keaton. The question on my mind was: Do celebrities get upset if you talked to them? An Italian actress-friend told me that they feel bad either way – when you recognize them and when you don’t.

I once talked to Billy Crystal at a restaurant in Venice. He was awfully nice to my kids and me.

I have a handwritten letter from Harrison Ford. What does it say? Secret!

Vicky Zubiri, socialite: When I was in Paris in the late ’70s, I met Benazir Bhutto. She stayed overnight with my girlfriends and me. We went skiing at Crans-Montana and she even asked me to teach her how to put on makeup.