Remembering Natasha

Who is she?" inquired a male stranger when the Goulbourn sisters were vacationing in Paris.

Perplexed, Katrina politely asked, "The girl I’m with?"

"Yes! She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life," admired the Frenchman.

The woman in question was Katrina’s younger sister, 27-year-old Natasha.

This is but one of the many encounters Katrina remembers vividly when asked about her fun memories with Natasha in Paris. There was a pattern to their trips: Countless men would approach Katrina, complimenting her sister and telling her how gorgeous Natasha was. This happened all the time, whether they were shopping in a mall or having dinner in a restaurant.

Katrina would always answer, "My sister’s a really beautiful person. Men and even women never failed to notice her."

Natasha’s beauty now remains a memory to the people whom she loved and to the countless lives she touched.

Her only sister, business partner and best friend Katrina Goulbourn ponders, "She was truly a beautiful and loving person. I am blessed to have had her as my sister."

Undeniably striking, Natasha Goulbourn – who was part Canadian, part Chinese and part Filipino – possessed remarkable presence. Needless to say, she always made a strong impression anywhere she went. Anyone who met or saw her will say the same. There was so much life in her bearing, spirit in her sparkling eyes, energy in the way she tossed her hair, and verve in the manner she handled herself in public (always playful and flamboyant but always put-together, nevertheless).

People noticed her not only for her physical attributes, although no one can deny that her long wavy hair, towering frame, flawless, fair skin and beguiling smile were engaging. Despite her youth, Natasha was very polished, sophisticated and unmistakably sensual.

Childhood and close family friend Margarita Locsin remembers, "Tasha was very humble. She was always very beautiful, yet she didn’t seem to know it and even thought she wasn’t pretty. She was constantly dieting. At one time, she was eating just cereal because everything else, she thought, was fattening."

Margarita continues, "If ever she did know she was beautiful, she really didn’t care. She was a bit clueless. She wouldn’t know a boy liked her even if it was already so obvious. But Tasha didn’t get that much attention from boys when we were young. It was when she modeled in a Pantene commercial that the guys began to see her in a different way. ‘Tasha’s hot pala.’ That was really the time when a lot of boys in school (International School Manila) started noticing her. But even then. Tasha never boasted about it or even about her achievements. She’s worked for some of the most famous brands in the world but she never bragged about it. She wasn’t the type."

Close friend Luccia Jacinto adds, "Tasha was one of the most beautiful women I had the pleasure of knowing. What I loved about her was that her beauty came from within. She cared so much about everything. She was also one of the most generous and thoughtful people I ever met in my life."

Between travels, Natasha also kept a radio DJ-ing stint here in Manila at the Hive, where she was better known as the "Gimmick Girl." In the show, she openly shared her thoughts on men, dating, relationships and other subjects.

Colleague and very close friend Bea Jacinto muses, "Tasha was beautiful inside and out. She was a shoulder to lean on, a person to laugh with, cry with, sing with, dance with and dream with. She was one of my true friends. I’m grateful to have been blessed with her friendship. She was also a big inspiration to me and to others as well. She was very kind and giving."

Katrina muses, "Natasha had a very strong personality. She was stunning and had unbelievable presence, and she was really a people person. She was also passionate and emotional. Between the two of us, it was she who was more like Mom."

"Mom" is designer and successful businesswoman Jeannie Goulbourn, an enduring force in the fashion industry. It can be noted that Jeannie’s passion has driven her to establish looks that were identifiably Goulbourn through her ready-to-wear line at the SM Boutique Square while her progressive outlook allowed her to develop business ventures, such as Silk Cocoon, which she built on her 25 years of success and popularity.

Today, Jeannie Goulbourn’s daughter Katrina, who graduated with a degree in design and marketing at Parson’s, is currently the in-house designer for the company and has carved a name for herself in the local fashion scene.

New York-trained Natasha, on the other hand, was initially shy to enter the local fashion world. Jeannie recalls, "Natasha always wanted to be a veterinarian. She loved animals."

High school friend Noel dela Merced recalls, "Natasha’s love for animals was incredible. One time, she saw a stray cat in the middle of Ayala Avenue. She stopped the car on the road, got out and picked up the cat, causing traffic in the process. The cat even bit her. But that’s how far she was willing to go. And she had that trait even when she was much younger."

Her love for dogs was also very apparent in the Goulbourn household, where visitors would see the family pets: a Cocker Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever – definitely well-trained and well-disciplined "members of the family." That’s apart from their cats, of course. Jeannie recalls, "Natasha loved her dogs greatly. They were the love of her life."

Jeannie was very uncomfortable with Natasha’s initial goal. She narrates, "When she told me she wanted to be a veterinarian, it slammed me in the face. I had a lot of growing up to do as a mother. I had to learn to let go. Eventually, I let her be. Later, she decided she wanted the city life. She left for Hong Kong and worked with Nine West at its bags and accessories development department." After her stint at Nine West, Natasha remained in Hong Kong as she and sister Katrina were to begin an accessories business of their own.

Very entrenched in the fashion business, Jeannie had always wished her daughters would follow suit. Besides, fashion was practically in their blood, having her as mother and the influential Salvacion Higgins (of Slim’s fashion school) as grand aunt.

Jeannie narrates, "After my stint as a model, I packed my bags and went to New York. I took a course at the Fashion Institute and Technology. Later, I became a bridal designer there. I lasted only a week. Then I got a job at McCall’s magazine. I was enjoying it there but my family wanted me to go back home to run the fashion business we had here. So I went home and worked for the family."

One day, she just decided to give that all up when she met Sid Goulbourn with whom she shaves a life-long loving relationship. Jeannie shares, "I got married at 25 and had two kids, Katrina and Natasha, in a span of 18 months." While establishing her nest, she got a job at Shoemart as fashion merchandise consultant and coordinator, working with Cesar Guapo, Patis Tesoro, Christian Espiritu, Rusty Lopez and Caloy Badidoy. Later, Henry Sy asked her to come up with her own line. So while Jeannie was pregnant with Natasha, she was sketching over her tummy and running around the stores.

Little Katrina would stay up with her mom as well and help in research and design. Katrina shares, "I’ve always been into fashion design. Because mom’s office was in the house, I was exposed to it early on in my life. And I’ve learned so much from my mother. Plus, Mom always brought us to her travels. So Natasha and I had a chance to be exposed early. But we were taught our lessons well. We were already packing our own suitcases at five and we knew the value of money. All those are opportunities not many people are lucky to have. The travels also made us really bond well. When Mom would be busy, it would be just Natasha and myself. We were taught to be independent at a young age."

These constant travels also developed the stylish eye of the Goulbourn siblings, even at a young age. During an interview with Starweek Magazine last year, Jeannie said, "They were both very fashionable even as kids. Both are very stylish but they’re also very different. In fact, they’re opposites. Katrina is like a Siamese cat; she enters very silently. Natasha comes in and your world gets shaken. She thinks aloud, unlike Katrina who’s more laid-back. But what’s common among the three of us is that we all share the same passion for books, music, art and fashion. We go shopping together and have figured out each other’s tastes already. We all love chatting, spending time with each other, whether in the city or out by the beach."

Friends say Natasha was naughtier than Katrina. Margarita explains, "Tasha just had more whims between the two sisters. She was more carefree and fun-loving."

Katrina shares, "Natasha got along famously with everyone. She was really friendly. She talked to anyone and got along with people right away. I take time when opening up."

If their lives were a book, their relationship would probably be parallel to the Dashwood sisters in Jane Austen’s Sense And Sensibility. Obviously, Katrina being the more level-headed Elinor and Natasha being Marianne, who’s all heart. Katrina’s more practical when it comes to life and love. Natasha, on the other hand, was more passionate. Yet, it was their being different that made them get along well and complement one another.

Katrina continues, "My mom and I, we’re very different. She’s like Natasha. She loves drama. I’m more simple and minimal. In terms of business though, Natasha and I saw how mom learned along the way. If she made mistakes, she would share it with us in the hope that we won’t make the same mistakes. She always listens. And she always gave Tasha and I sound advice about men."

Jeannie replies, "I always told them to find someone who’ll make them happy. Preferably someone who is very balanced, with good technical know-how so he’s logical and hardworking. But he should also have a creative side, a passionate heart and a feminine side so he’d be loving and understanding."

Jeannie adds, "Through the years, I learned a lot from my kids. I learned to listen. I didn’t want to be strict with my children because I wanted to be their friend. What made me so happy was that they got along so well – they hardly fought as kids!"

Jeannie emphasizes, "The two girls are my greatest gems. Katrina always described how beautiful Natasha was, while Natasha always thought Katrina was the most beautiful person on earth. Natasha was Katrina’s greatest fan. Wasn’t that such a beautiful sight to see?"

Many good and loving memories fill the Goulbourn home. The walls bore witness to the beautiful blossoming of two gorgeous siblings whom Sid and Jeannie Goulbourn brought up famously well. But like Jeannie once said of Natasha, we all have to learn to let go.

To the family and friends whose lives she moved, Natasha will be remembered.

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Editor’s note: Parts of this story were based on the author’s interview for Starweek Magazine which was published last year.

Natasha Goulbourn passed away last Thursday, May 21, in Hong Kong. Her remains will be at the Capilya de la Virgen in Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati today and tomorrow. Interment is on Saturday, June 1, at 2 p.m.