Marilen Espiritu meets up with Hillary Clinton & Prince Charles
August 5, 2001 | 12:00am
Marilen Espiritu loves to travel. Some dear friends claim she lives to discover and explore new destinations. However, she declares, "I can’t seem to survive being away for more than three weeks. I find myself planning and preparing to return, rushing to come back home."
And if you meet her husband OV, highly-respected banker son Victor Johann, daughters Michelline and Tisha — achievers all — their equally impressive spouses and her seven active grandchildren, then you will soon find out why.
One recent Saturday afternoon, I dropped by their sprawling residence. Admiring the artistically-decorated art pieces from travels around our islands and foreign shores, and the beautifully-landscaped garden people only dream of, I immediately asked myself why — why does she ever want to leave home?
But she does. She travels with a passion. Marilen definitely has the best of both worlds.
While the villagers and their families continued to troop endlessly to her craft shop at her Alabang workshop (but that’s another story altogether we promise to share one day), we took several leisurely trips around the globe. If you wish to listen to some segments of our conversation, please read on.
Philippine Star: Describe your first trip abroad.
Marilen Espiritu: It was going to be a dream of a trip abroad, on one of the ships of the American President Lines. That’s how some classmates and officemates envisioned it to be. But soon after the heartwarming departure ceremonies at the port amid shouts of bon voyage, a series of huge waves hit the ship and shook the passengers. The beating continued all throughout our crossing of the China Sea.
We were hopelessly ill during the entire voyage to Hong Kong. Out the porthole went our dream. We disembarked on our first stop-over — more dead than alive. Surprisingly even on firm land, we could still feel the dizzying motion of the rough seas.
We tried all sorts of remedies. Upon suggestion — and we were desperate — we even took multiple showers and baths all in one day. Nothing worked. We were so miserable. There was no way we would sail homeward — our first voyage was such a trauma. You guessed it. We flew back to Manila. And to think my maternal grandfather was a ship captain, a harbor pilot.
What won’t you leave home without?
The ever-dependable Vicks Vaporub which I transfer into attractive practical traveling containers. It’s my magic relief — it heals all, cures all.
How do you entertain yourself on flights?
Don’t ask me why, but I always find myself updating addresses, phone numbers and other similar data. In the process, I get rid of several bits and pieces of paper or anything which I have scribbled on, stuck among the pages of the now bulging have-seen-better-days address book. I carefully sift out all the essential information. You know what, the hours fly by quickly. The long flight seems a lot, lot shorter.
Name your favorite city abroad.
My top choice is Rome. Every visit without fail brings new discoveries. I love the Eternal City more each time with beautiful memories that certainly last forever. I also enjoy the ever-present excitement of New York and the charm of the old world and everything that goes with what London has to offer. San Francisco is exceptional for it is a city where several great friends reside.
You must have a favorite hotel. Which one is it?
The Peninsula in Hong Kong. It is a star property beyond compare. It’s in a class of its own. The service is impeccable at all times. My other favorites are its sister hotel in New York, the Oriental in Bangkok and the Four Seasons properties in Singapore, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. The Amannusa in Bali is my prized resort while the Mala Mala in South Africa is my preferred safari lodge.
What’s your favorite spot in the Philippines?
Punta Fuego. It is uniquely situated on the tip of a breathtaking peninsula where one may experience both the sunrise and the sunset without having to move an inch. It is truly a piece of heaven!
Who are your ideal companions for a holiday?
Without a doubt, my husband and family. I can’t begin to tell you how much we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I am also lucky to have a group of traveling pals, all good, close friends such as Nene Quimson, Baby Araneta, Lucille Villanueva, Ito Velhagen, Menchie Cu-Unjieng, Chary Aboitiz, Pacqui Aboitiz, Isabel Wilson and Helen Small. They are all adventurous enough to journey to countries most tourists don’t go to and will try anything once — well, almost anything. And together we all have fun.
What is the best travel advice you can share?
Travel with an open mind and make the most of whatever comes your way. Soon you will discover everything else is an added bonus and disappointments will be few and far between.
During your travels, a wish has been granted to have a meal with three personalities. Who would they be?
The three persons that come to mind are Nelson Mandela for the principles he believes in and stands for, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for being Jackie O and Julia Roberts, the epitome of the woman of today.
While you traveled around the world through the years, you must have met several global newsmakers. Can you share some insights on some of them?
Let’s start with Hillary Clinton. She was First Lady when I met her at a campaign dinner for her husband’s second term in Boca Raton, Florida. She was extremely gracious and I found her to be warm. I claimed that somehow the press, in my opinion, did not do her justice. Oh she thanked me most profusely in between other remarks. That’s when you admire her attitude, her intelligence and her wit. A remarkable lady. And let me end with Prince Charles who I found not to be as tall as I thought he would be, but nonetheless came across as very charming and a true gentleman.
Describe your most memorable trip.
My husband OV has been actively involved with the Young Presidents Organization for many years. Sometime back, the association chartered the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth II for an exclusive seven-day cruise from South Lampton to cities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. On board were some of the world’s movers and shakers in government, business, commerce, information technology, media, entertainment — name the industry, we had their leaders. Just to give you an idea, we had King Simeon of Bulgaria, Simon Peres, the Prime Minister of Israel, William de Klerk the President of South Africa, and many other heavyweights. Unbelievable roster — a PR man’s fantasy of a guest list! And that’s not all. Every port of call tried earnestly to outdo each other in playing the role of the ultimate host. We were entertained by top performers featured in world-class original productions at royal palaces and fabulous private estates such as those constantly featured in television documentaries and glossy magazines, the lavish, more-than-just-a-home of Malcolm Forbes. And we had chefs — all multi-awardees who dictate the trends in cuisine — to oversee the daily feasts. Yes, we had the best of the best — a la Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous. What a trip. What a learning experience.
You have a 24-hour-long fantasy. How would you spend your day?
Wake up early to the sounds of the waves at Punta Fuego. Sit on the terrace and watch the ships and boats go by at the endless horizon. Before sunrise, take a boat and sail around the Batangas coast and feel the wind. Observe the morning sun slowly peeping from behind the mountains while schools of fish fly over the waters. As the day becomes warmer, I picture myself on another terraza. This time in a mountain getaway in Baguio enjoying the zippy weather while having a hearty breakfast admiring the breathtaking view of my surroundings, slopes and ravines.
After breakfast, stroll in the garden to smell the flowers. Lie on a hammock, breathe in the pine-scented air while lazing around listening to nature’s sounds, daydreaming about making dreams come true.
Have a light lunch. Take a short nap. Sit on a rocking chair by the fireplace with a favorite book. Rush to Punta Fuego. Watch the sunset holding my prize drink. Patiently wait for the full moon as it rises, casting its silvery rays over the sea.
Home with other members of the family for dinner with laughter and lively conversations. Then to bed, to bed.
Name a world event that you wish to be a part of.
The passionate reenactment of the Passion Play at Oberamargau and the riotous New-Years-Eve experience of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you would do upon returning home?
Request for authentic Filipino food and enjoy the meal.
And if you meet her husband OV, highly-respected banker son Victor Johann, daughters Michelline and Tisha — achievers all — their equally impressive spouses and her seven active grandchildren, then you will soon find out why.
One recent Saturday afternoon, I dropped by their sprawling residence. Admiring the artistically-decorated art pieces from travels around our islands and foreign shores, and the beautifully-landscaped garden people only dream of, I immediately asked myself why — why does she ever want to leave home?
But she does. She travels with a passion. Marilen definitely has the best of both worlds.
While the villagers and their families continued to troop endlessly to her craft shop at her Alabang workshop (but that’s another story altogether we promise to share one day), we took several leisurely trips around the globe. If you wish to listen to some segments of our conversation, please read on.
Philippine Star: Describe your first trip abroad.
Marilen Espiritu: It was going to be a dream of a trip abroad, on one of the ships of the American President Lines. That’s how some classmates and officemates envisioned it to be. But soon after the heartwarming departure ceremonies at the port amid shouts of bon voyage, a series of huge waves hit the ship and shook the passengers. The beating continued all throughout our crossing of the China Sea.
We were hopelessly ill during the entire voyage to Hong Kong. Out the porthole went our dream. We disembarked on our first stop-over — more dead than alive. Surprisingly even on firm land, we could still feel the dizzying motion of the rough seas.
We tried all sorts of remedies. Upon suggestion — and we were desperate — we even took multiple showers and baths all in one day. Nothing worked. We were so miserable. There was no way we would sail homeward — our first voyage was such a trauma. You guessed it. We flew back to Manila. And to think my maternal grandfather was a ship captain, a harbor pilot.
What won’t you leave home without?
The ever-dependable Vicks Vaporub which I transfer into attractive practical traveling containers. It’s my magic relief — it heals all, cures all.
How do you entertain yourself on flights?
Don’t ask me why, but I always find myself updating addresses, phone numbers and other similar data. In the process, I get rid of several bits and pieces of paper or anything which I have scribbled on, stuck among the pages of the now bulging have-seen-better-days address book. I carefully sift out all the essential information. You know what, the hours fly by quickly. The long flight seems a lot, lot shorter.
Name your favorite city abroad.
My top choice is Rome. Every visit without fail brings new discoveries. I love the Eternal City more each time with beautiful memories that certainly last forever. I also enjoy the ever-present excitement of New York and the charm of the old world and everything that goes with what London has to offer. San Francisco is exceptional for it is a city where several great friends reside.
You must have a favorite hotel. Which one is it?
The Peninsula in Hong Kong. It is a star property beyond compare. It’s in a class of its own. The service is impeccable at all times. My other favorites are its sister hotel in New York, the Oriental in Bangkok and the Four Seasons properties in Singapore, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. The Amannusa in Bali is my prized resort while the Mala Mala in South Africa is my preferred safari lodge.
What’s your favorite spot in the Philippines?
Punta Fuego. It is uniquely situated on the tip of a breathtaking peninsula where one may experience both the sunrise and the sunset without having to move an inch. It is truly a piece of heaven!
Who are your ideal companions for a holiday?
Without a doubt, my husband and family. I can’t begin to tell you how much we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I am also lucky to have a group of traveling pals, all good, close friends such as Nene Quimson, Baby Araneta, Lucille Villanueva, Ito Velhagen, Menchie Cu-Unjieng, Chary Aboitiz, Pacqui Aboitiz, Isabel Wilson and Helen Small. They are all adventurous enough to journey to countries most tourists don’t go to and will try anything once — well, almost anything. And together we all have fun.
What is the best travel advice you can share?
Travel with an open mind and make the most of whatever comes your way. Soon you will discover everything else is an added bonus and disappointments will be few and far between.
During your travels, a wish has been granted to have a meal with three personalities. Who would they be?
The three persons that come to mind are Nelson Mandela for the principles he believes in and stands for, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for being Jackie O and Julia Roberts, the epitome of the woman of today.
While you traveled around the world through the years, you must have met several global newsmakers. Can you share some insights on some of them?
Let’s start with Hillary Clinton. She was First Lady when I met her at a campaign dinner for her husband’s second term in Boca Raton, Florida. She was extremely gracious and I found her to be warm. I claimed that somehow the press, in my opinion, did not do her justice. Oh she thanked me most profusely in between other remarks. That’s when you admire her attitude, her intelligence and her wit. A remarkable lady. And let me end with Prince Charles who I found not to be as tall as I thought he would be, but nonetheless came across as very charming and a true gentleman.
Describe your most memorable trip.
My husband OV has been actively involved with the Young Presidents Organization for many years. Sometime back, the association chartered the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth II for an exclusive seven-day cruise from South Lampton to cities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. On board were some of the world’s movers and shakers in government, business, commerce, information technology, media, entertainment — name the industry, we had their leaders. Just to give you an idea, we had King Simeon of Bulgaria, Simon Peres, the Prime Minister of Israel, William de Klerk the President of South Africa, and many other heavyweights. Unbelievable roster — a PR man’s fantasy of a guest list! And that’s not all. Every port of call tried earnestly to outdo each other in playing the role of the ultimate host. We were entertained by top performers featured in world-class original productions at royal palaces and fabulous private estates such as those constantly featured in television documentaries and glossy magazines, the lavish, more-than-just-a-home of Malcolm Forbes. And we had chefs — all multi-awardees who dictate the trends in cuisine — to oversee the daily feasts. Yes, we had the best of the best — a la Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous. What a trip. What a learning experience.
You have a 24-hour-long fantasy. How would you spend your day?
Wake up early to the sounds of the waves at Punta Fuego. Sit on the terrace and watch the ships and boats go by at the endless horizon. Before sunrise, take a boat and sail around the Batangas coast and feel the wind. Observe the morning sun slowly peeping from behind the mountains while schools of fish fly over the waters. As the day becomes warmer, I picture myself on another terraza. This time in a mountain getaway in Baguio enjoying the zippy weather while having a hearty breakfast admiring the breathtaking view of my surroundings, slopes and ravines.
After breakfast, stroll in the garden to smell the flowers. Lie on a hammock, breathe in the pine-scented air while lazing around listening to nature’s sounds, daydreaming about making dreams come true.
Have a light lunch. Take a short nap. Sit on a rocking chair by the fireplace with a favorite book. Rush to Punta Fuego. Watch the sunset holding my prize drink. Patiently wait for the full moon as it rises, casting its silvery rays over the sea.
Home with other members of the family for dinner with laughter and lively conversations. Then to bed, to bed.
Name a world event that you wish to be a part of.
The passionate reenactment of the Passion Play at Oberamargau and the riotous New-Years-Eve experience of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you would do upon returning home?
Request for authentic Filipino food and enjoy the meal.
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