The inside story: Loren Legarda’s crush and Parisian affair

During the 1980s, while serving as tourism attaché at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, I met and was instantly impressed by a young lady with a mission, religiously reporting to work at the next door offices of the National Media Production Center. I soon discovered that she was not one of the regular employees but a temp.

Yet she possessed what the popular radio and television commercial jingle declared – vim, vigor and vitality. I said to myself: She could be our country’s answer to the United States’ Barbara Walters.

Fast forward to the turn of the millennium at the World Economic Forum which chooses a hundred outstanding young leaders in the various fields of business and industry, politics and public interest, arts and the sciences and media, at their annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She was elected as one of the Global Leaders For Tomorrow for the year 2000.

Her name is Loren Legarda, a member of the Philippine Senate since 1998. A recipient of numerous awards and citations, Loren is truly a civic-minded citizen and an advocate of the environment, education, family and women. She had a distinguished career in broadcast journalism and is today considered among the most credible and trusted public servants.

Married to businessman J. Antonio Leviste, former governor of Batangas and currently a governor of the Board of Investments, with whom she has two sons, Lanz and Lean, Loren constantly thinks, loves and absolutely adores trees.

She is a firm believer of the educational benefits of travel. But most of all, its irresistible magic.

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

Loren Legarda-Leviste: I traveled alone to Singapore to meet up with my friends residing in the city and I remember the terrible air pockets almost all throughout the flight. The holiday was a gift from my parents when I graduated from high school. I was both anxious and excited.

What would you never leave home without?

My old rosary. I feel totally safe with it. Since I always want to be in touch, I cannot leave the house or go on a trip without my cell phone.

Name your favorite city abroad.

Though I don’t consider myself a city person, Paris is an exception. But I think the residents could be a bit more friendly. I enjoyed the South of France – St. Paul de Vence and Cannes. Monte Carlo and Marrakesh also come to mind.

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel?

Unpack completely. Remove all my clothes and everything I brought with me from the maleta and immediately arrange it in proper designated closets, drawers and counters.

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

Visit the museums, even those in small towns, because it is where we easily can learn to understand the history, culture and the arts of the place and its people. I have never liked malls so I earnestly hunt for antique stalls in flea markets where I haggle to my heart’s content. Haggling for bargains gives me a thrill.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Northern Palawan – Busuanga and its neighboring little islands with their Robinson Crusoe-inspired cottages – for its natural and pristine beauty as well as for the serenity and tranquillity it offers. I like Vigan and I love Marawi and Tawi-Tawi, too.

What do you miss most when you are away from home?

Lutong bahay. Though I regularly sample other cuisines, kindly serve me steamed vegetables any time. Somehow I yearn for home-cooked meals.

What is the best travel advice you were given?

Travel light, which I seldom do. I have the knack of taking along everything I need and things I don’t really need – all because I don’t like the cold and dislike drafts.

Describe your most memorable trip.

There have been so many trips that I have wonderful memories of. One trip was with my husband Tony, our eldest son Lanz, and my dear mama who had just undergone breast cancer surgery and was grateful for her second lease on life. The year was 1994 when we all flew to Paris for the opening of the San Diego Exhibit and we toured the Loure Valley’s century-old castles.

Another trip was in 2001. Our immediate family complete with second son Lean, upon the invitation of Ambassador Benny Tantoco, visited Morocco where I was immensely infatuated with the country, its history and culture. It is truly exotic and a shopper’s paradise especially for those who love antiques.

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

When I was 21 years old and touring Europe for the very first time in the company of friends such as Mons Romulo-Tantoco, we all agreed that the men – waiters included – looked so gorgeous and handsome. The girls dared me to don a bright violet knitted headdress with all the sabit-sabit. And guess what, I did!

Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite restaurant?

Sugi and Cabalen. Recently I discovered Good Earth and Kai at Greenbelt.

Favorite museum?

Across Central Park in New York, there is a beautiful family home that has been wonderfully converted into an irresistible private museum. Far from being overwhelming in size and content, it is delightfully doable. The name: The Fricke Collection! And don’t let the small museums of Romania and the Ukraine fool you. They are full of pleasant surprises beyond belief.

Favorite resort?

The idyllic resorts of Palawan where I hear the sounds of birds perched on trees. La Mamounia Resort in Marrakesh. Architecturally speaking, even the doors in Morocco are works of art.

Favorite musical?

The Phantom of the Opera. I can recall all the songs and hum them.

Favorite park?

I honestly feel fulfilled whenever I drive by or pay a visit to a Luntiang Pilipinas forest park which, together with so many, I have labored so hard to establish and maintain.

Favorite store?

The fascinating Souks in Morocco and in Egypt.

Name a movie you could see over and over again.

Movies of my crush, Harrison Ford. Through weekly dates with my movie buff of a son, I have been re-introduced to the entertaining and educational world of film. I especially like light, romantic comedies.

Name a book you would recommend others to read.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Due to my stint at the Defense College, I have read it several times.

What are you addicted to?

I don’t go for coffee – not even for chocolates. I guess its work and my bahay kubo in our hideaway island in Batangas.

Who would you like to bump into, dead or alive, during your travels?

Nelson Mandela. Though I got a one-on-one interview with him, I would like to see him once again. And, oh yes, let’s not forget Harrison Ford!

What do you most enjoy doing on a Sunday?

Going to church, sharing a sumptuous lunch with my family and having a leisurely massage.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

Tony, our sons Lanz (who is now big enough to assist me with my luggage) and Lean because I relish watching them enjoy the holiday.

What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?

An artistically-painted kite which could not fly no matter what we – experts included – did.

If you could enforce one law to the fullest, what would it be?

There are many laws that need to be fully and efficiently implemented, but I would give priority to environmental laws – the Clean Air and Ecological Solid Waste Management Acts.

Let’s fill in the blanks: "Where in the world...only in the Philippines?

Where in the world do you see individuals pass water on sidewalks, only in the Philippines.

If I had more time I would...

Do watercolor painting of landscapes and seascapes just like I did when I was younger. And to finish reading the many books I have accumulated through the years.

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

Istanbul.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Turkey.

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

I can’t imagine myself living anywhere else.