Independent and highly-driven, the successful entrepreneur divides her time attending to her several enterprising business concerns both here and abroad. "I am one con mucha marcha," she admits. "And my zest for life is truly alarming."
At her lovely home on the hills of Maria Luisa Park overlooking Cebu City, Margie talks about her two children, Christopher Claudine. She is mother-in-law to Mikel Ugarte and Kathy Woolbright and doting grandmother of eight grandchildren. She has an adoring clan and very supportive friends. She travels constantly and when she finds time in her hands, she sketches and draws.
"Can I really ask for more?" she smiles. "As you grow in years, being fit and healthy pretty well sums up great happiness.
Philippine STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?
Margie Lhuillier: Since I was 10 years old, my parents would ship me every summer alone on an educational fully-escorted package tour complete with a guardian and do Europe, one country at a time. This went on for a number of years. By the end of the tour, I would be totally castled out and heaven knows how many Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s I had recited in first-time-to-be-visited basilicas, cathedrals, churches and even chapels forever praying for the three wishes. Oh, how I disliked those trips – then! You see, my friends were having the time of their lives. They were going around our islands visiting parientes and other friends, spending wonderful days together on the beach or the nearby haciendas. It was one fiesta after another! Two different worlds and I knew where I wanted to be. But in hindsight, my tours around in Europe were certainly among the best things that happened to me in my life. Parents truly know best!
Other than some members of the family, who would you like to be seated next to on a flight?
Frankly speaking, I’d rather find an empty seat beside me. Most of my trips are for business reasons. So I want to be able to rest and upon arrival be ready to work.
What would you consider a must-do activity at every visit?
Without fail, I visit the major and most important sights – whether natural or man-made – the sights the place is known for, the very reason why some travelers go around the globe.
Name your favorite city abroad.
Barcelona and Sevilla in Spain.
Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite museum?
The Louvre in Paris. Whenever I view the collection I get high!
Favorite resort?
I really truly love Amanpulo Resort. Please revise that to read I love all the Aman properties. I care for and fancy Amanpulo so much that I have invited so many to visit the island. It’s a world of its own. It’s my idea of paradise.
Favorite landmark?
The Palace of Versailles, the Parthenon in Athens, the Alhambra in Granada, even the buildings by Gaudi.
Favorite musical?
I constantly watch out for the what’s-good-in-it in every musical that I see. The last I really enjoyed – Mama Mia. The songs were all familiar – son de mis tiempos. Mama Mia was very different. It was fun. Another choice is South Pacific which I saw in San Francisco. Besides how can I ever forget Robert Goulet? And then of course Miss Saigon.
Favorite store?
(Laughs) Friends say I am a shopper. I seriously think I am not. I generally go for the better department stores that have it all – Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette in Paris and El Corte Ingles in Spain. In addition, I go berserk in su-uk, which are usually situated in tiny city back alleys and in far away distant suburbs.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home?
I miss family, friends, everyone – they mean so much to me.
What is the best travel advice you can share?
I would have to say always be cautious. Look around, open your eyes, be aware of your surroundings. I was almost destined to be a sad, sorry victim of a mugging incident right in the London Underground had I not been on the guard.
Describe your most memorable trip.
On my last holiday in Europe I traveled with an extremely fun group, moved a lot, did a lot and attended a beautiful unforgettable wedding of my niece – Amparito and Michel Lhuillier’s daughter – in Paris. I also recall with fondest the cruises I have taken most specifically to Alaska and the Caribbean with my children and their spouses. Even my ex-husband – un hombre muy amable and the father of my children – together with his present wife were my guests. We had a glorious time. A ball. It was fun, fun, fun and more fun all along the way!
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you on a trip?
I was being a bit naughty when I pretended not to recognize La Toya Jackson. Of course I know who she is. Tell me who doesn’t? One morning we both coincided to be outside our respective apartments whose main doors are across each other. We both reside at the Regency Towers in Las Vegas. She was dressed like a million-dollar doll complete with an attractive hat. Estaba guapisima! Guapa, guapa, muy guapa. Que ba guapisima! Meanwhile, I had errands to do – had jeans and a T-shirt on. Standing in front of her face to face, I greeted her with "So you’re my neighbor" con mucho animo. Remembering that some construction job had to be done at my place, I apologized for the mess and the noise it may have created. Very soft spoken she whispered, "Please don’t worry. They came to clean up." Small talk followed. Walking down where the elevators were, she asked if I had 10 minutes and if it was alright to see my apartment. "Sure," I replied. My place is very Oriental. She was in awe! "Now that I’ve seen yours, you have to see mine," she explains. Her place is done along French Colonial style. It was beautiful. She then confessed that she never talks to strangers but she just had to speak to me because I was full and bursting with energy. Once we reached the building lobby and she stepped into the outside world, she put on her sunglasses and played the star. Such an unbelievable transformation. More phone calls followed since that very day. Oh, she is so friendly and nice. Did I tell you that la Debbie Reynolds lives in the same condominium building? She has no airs at all. Not pretentious. A very sweet lady indeed.
Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in?
The annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Let’s fill in the blanks. "Where in the world... only in the Philippines."
Would one give up one’s meal to feed a guest or even a stranger? No wonder our visitors constantly fall in love with our people.
Name a country you wish to explore.
Though I have not returned to Moscow since I was a teenager I wish to explore more of Russia and its changing world.