At school, she was a dynamic campus leader and a consistent honor student gra-duating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Theresa’s College, Manila. She then pursued her masters in Philosophy.
Olga is married to entrepreneur Jose V. Martel. They have a daughter and two sons – Katrina, George and Michael. Since all three were in universities abroad for several years, and with her infectious enthusiasm and organizational skills, she kept herself busy in volunteer work with various socio, civic, cultural, educational and religious associations.
In addition to her active involvement with the Catholic Women´s Club and the Zonta Makati and Environs Foundation and as treasurer to both the Sagip Foundation, a drug prevention program, and the Women of Negros, a livelihood project for rural women, she served as president of the Friends of the Cultural Center of the Philippines where she inspired a better appreciation in the development of art and culture through the establishment of its foundation. She also served as president of the Alliance Francaise de Manille where in recognition for her services in the promotion of French art and culture and in the development of closer ties between the Philippines and France, she was awarded the prestigious L´Ordre Nationale de Merite by the French government.
At present, she is the chairperson of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), an organization close to her heart as it is dedicated to the upliftment of the status of women.
When asked what makes her do all these voluntary work, Olga claims this is her prayer of thanksgiving, her very own Magnificat. "By serving others," she declares, "I thank the good Lord for the bountiful blessings – specially for a loving and thoughtful husband, three outstanding children, achievers all and three adorable grandchildren – the precious jewels of my life."
What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?
My very first trip to a foreign destination was as Mrs. Jose V. Martel on our honeymoon. Seeing several countries and experiencing distinct cultures in a different perspective and season – it was wintertime – created altogether an impressive impression.
What won’t you ever leave home without?
My address book and cosmetics.
Who is your ideal traveling companion?
My husband of course and any of my three children. When they were young, we always traveled together, for my husband and I are great believers in exposing them to different worlds. We started taking them on annual vacations abroad as early as the age of seven. Somehow, I dislike group tours for various reasons. Come to think of it, I only enjoy my trips abroad when I am with members of my family. So much so, that whenever I attend conferences, I always, without fail, request either my husband or one of my children to join me in the city where the meetings are held.
Name your favorite city abroad.
Paris, London, Rome, Venice, Madrid, Munich, Vienna, Copenhagen, Athens, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Sydney, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hong Kong and so many, many others. All these places are beautiful in their own unique way. But in my opinion, Paris is still the best designed city in the world. Unfortunately, it has been defaced by modern structures that do not blend with its original architecture.
What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?
As a first timer, I do all the sights to include famous landmarks, churches, palaces, shrines and museums. On my own I would go shopping and try the best restaurants. For cities I know so well and have seen all the tourist attractions, what I usually do is go to the theater or attend concerts, shop and have dinner with friends. If there are sanctuaries within the area such as the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal at Rue Du Bac in Paris, then I make it a point to attend mass before the image at least once.
Let’s talk favorites. Favorite restaurant?
In Paris, I love Laserre where the roof slides open and one dines al fresco beneath a starlit sky – oh, its very romantic. Le Doyenne is also another top choice. And so are the bistros along the River Seine that caters excellent dishes. It’s always a thrill to watch the trees suddenly transformed into golden magical delights as the bateaux plying the stream focus their lights along the river banks. I likewise make it a point to try highly-rated dining places such as Le Tour D’ Argent and Maxim’s at the height of their popularity.
In Rome, there’s a family-owned restaurant called Giovanni close to the Excelsior Hotel where the award-winning lamb dish melts in your mouth. We had befriended the family – the father is the chef, the mother handles the cash register, while all the children assist in the service. We particularly remember Lily, one of the daughters, who would always give us her personalized care and attention. In 1971, the restaurant was just a hole in the wall. Through the years, it has expanded into two full floors and the grandchildren have grown old enough to serve as waiters. I wonder how they are, as the last time we were in Rome, Lily was ill.
New York has an abundance of excellent restos. New ones crop up as fast as others close down. My son George, who lives in Manhattan, is an ideal guide as he knows all the best places. My latest favorites include the Firebird on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues which is located close to the theater area, elegantly furnished reminiscent of the Czarist period, Le Colonial situated on 57th between 3rd and Lexington Avenues which reminds me of a Vietnamese plantation home and specializes in Oriental fusion and Tao on 58th Street between Madison and Park Avenues. The place is dominated by a huge Buddha, has a lily pond and lots of candles. It offers Oriental fusion as well. And lastly, how can I forget Molyvos, a Greek Bistro on 7th Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets and its fantastic lamb specialty.
In Manila, my choice would be Le Souffle because the food is consistently superb and the service impeccable. We find ourselves there feasting very often. I call it my second dining room.
Favorite museums?
The Louvre and the Orangerie in Paris, the British Museum and the Tate Gallery in London, the Vatican Museum and the numerous outstanding museums in New York. One small one I remember with fondness is the Chagall Museum in Nice. Viewing his original paintings touched me so much as it revealed his thoughts and his life in vibrant whimsical creations.
Favorite hotels?
My favorite hotels are my homes away from home. I frequent them for their elegance, strategic location and deluxe personalized service. Paris – Plaza Athenee; Rome – The Excelsior;Venice – The Danieli Excelsior; Madrid – The Ritz; London – The Churchill; New York – The Palace; and San Francisco – St. Francis Hotel.
Favorite landmark?
In Paris – Notre Dame; London – Trafalgar Square; Rome – St. Peter’s Basilica; New York – St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Pisa – The Leaning Tower; and Sydney – The Opera House.
Favorite musicale?
Among my favorites include My Fair Lady which I watched in London with Rex Harrison as Mr. Higgins and The King and I with Yul Brynner. Both were fantastic actors. Some years later I watched The King and I again in New York. Brynner was already quite ill at that time. In fact some of the more strenuous numbers were dropped. It turned out to be his last performance as he passed on a few weeks later. My other favorites are Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. Les Mis had deals on social relevance, while The Phantom is purely romantic. Both were excellent productions and have beautiful musical scores.
Favorite operas?
My choices would be Lucia di Lammermoor, La Boheme, La Traviata, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Nabucco and Tosca.
Favorite ballets?
I never tire watching the full length ballets of Giselle, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Eugene Onegin and Romeo and Juliet. I also love Katchaturian’s Spartacus.
Favorite stores?
I prefer shopping in designer’s boutiques. So wherever I am, I try to locate their shops. This is best done in Paris, London and New York because most designers are in places exclusively their own. When I am in New York, I go to the following stores: Saks Fifth, Bloomingdales and Berdorf Goodman.
What is the best travel advice you were given?
My family always reminds me to travel light which I can’t seem to do. In fact, I leave Manila with overweight luggage. And to think I have closets full of clothes in my daughter’s house and my son’s apartment in New York.
Name a world event in August 24 that you would like to participate in.
I would like to participate in programs directed towards the eradication of poverty, the end of gender-based violence and the discrimination of women, the promotion of justice, equality and world peace.
If you could enforce one law to the fullest, what would it be?
I would ensure the enforcement of the new law against trafficking of women and minors. Such a problem has grown into alarming proportions.
Let’s fill in the blanks. "Where in the world … only in the Philippines?"
"Where in the world can you find personalized services of domestic helpers at your beck and call, only in the Philippines.
‘If I had more time, I would . . . "
" . . . work for the improvement of the status of women and continue the struggle for justice, equality, emancipation and their economic and political empowerment. Statistics show that the feminization of poverty has become a global phenomenon. Over the last two decades, the number of women living in absolute poverty has risen by 50 percent. Women now constitute at least 70 percent of the world’s 1.3 billion absolute poor. They work the longest and receive the lowest pay. They are the least protected and are often the victims of violence. There is an urgent need to develop a dynamic membership organization, that can undertake fundraising, communication and outreach programs that can help alleviate the worsening problems confronting women. I urge all concerned women to join our organization the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Philippine Committee, to enlist as members and contribute their time and effort in this noble endeavor.
Name a city you have not visited but would like to someday.
St. Petersburg to view the art collection at the Hermitae and Prague to visit the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Name a country you wish to explore.
France, it will likewise give me an opportunity to learn more of their culture and improve my proficiency in the French language. Although this is one country I have visited most often besides that America, there is still so much that I would like to see and experience.
What would you say is the best part of travel?
Visiting interesting places with diverse cultures – a learning and enriching experience.
What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?
Boracay. But I have not been there for quite awhile since we lost our yacht M/V Michael Victor in a typhoon while docked in Manila.