Oh, the chic & funny & strange things that happen to Criselda Lontok!

With the love of family, the support of friends and cooperation of colleagues, Criselda Lontok has successfully reinvented herself through the years.

The Lipa-born, Manila-bred product of Maryknoll and St. Theresa’s College, was a beauty titleholder (Miss Batangas, among many others), a much sought-after ramp model (ask Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno or Aureo Alonzo), a perennial favorite cover girl of popular women’s and lifestyle publications (remember Luisa H. Linsangan’s Weekly Women’s Magazine?), a producer of fashion spectacles showcasing her very own designs (her Woman of Substance tribute was the talk of the town) and the list goes on and on.

Today, she is the well-respected in-house designer of Rustan’s, the trailblazing chain of prestigious department stores, with her own exclusive line of RTW, shoes and bags to match. She likewise represents the conglomerate – a sort of decision maker style-wise – for its unique, can’t-find-it-anywhere-else imported goods where global travel is a must. And she can’t be more pleased, to say the least.

An early-to-bed, early-to-rise person, Criselda, a firm believer of time and motion management, is organized and systematic in everything she does and considers herself a disciplinarian. "That’s why I salute Lee Kuan Yew, the father of modern Singapore," she says. Others in her personal choice of admiration society magic circle include her late mom Isabel ("Never compromising her provincial values in any way whatsoever, she was with me all throughout – my chaperone for life – who naturally meant the world to me."), la buenissima Chona Kasten ("I admire her original style, sheer elegance and for everything that she stood for – a true lady in every sense of the word till her demise."), la graciosa Mary Prieto ("She‘s always been concerned, protective and caring – just like an older sister to me") and Glecy Tantoco ("A soft-hearted, strong-willed woman with an incredible, unbelievable foresight – she was so genuinely sweet and treated me like a daughter.").

Proud mother of three grown-up children – sons John, twins Carlo Maria and Maria Carla, now all happily married and beautifully settled with enriching lives and fulfilling careers of their own – and the forever-doting grandmother of five ("hopefully soon to be six"), she admits her own share of "not-so-sunny days and cold blistering nights." "But such is life," she smiles, "I just close that particular chapter of my book and cautiously move on."

One rainy Saturday afternoon, we got together at her condominium in Makati City and talked about her travels.

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

Criselda Lontok: I was but a young girl when my grandfather and mom brought my older sister Helen, my younger brother Celso and me to Tokyo. I was so taken by surprise for I found myself in an entirely different world. Nothing looked familiar – from the temples to the plants, from the signages to the food. Even the spoken language sounded odd to me. Everything seemed so peculiar. Was I amazed? Oh yes, absolutely! And let me tell you this, the beautiful images of the lovely cherry blossom trees in full bloom are still clearly etched on my mind. It certainly made quite an impressive impression on the young girl then on her very first trip abroad and somehow it continues to do so till this very day.

What won’t you leave home without?

It is simply unimaginable for me to go anywhere without my cellphone and my complete makeup kit. I remember when my luggage was left behind in Paris and I had no choice but to sleep with my makeup on – which is a real no-no! And I had an early appointment the very next morning. Please don’t ask me how I looked.

Other than a member of the family, who would you like to be seated next to on a flight?

John F. Kennedy Jr. – if only...too late. He was so handsome that I could continuously gaze at him and perhaps break the spell once in a while by having a chat with him.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

It is always enjoyable to travel with someone who shares the same interests as mine and my only daughter Carla comes to mind. Her husband Jon is a meticulous planner and it’s wonderful traveling with him. He constantly spoils us ladies no end especially when it comes to the selection of food and the choice of entertainment.

Name your favorite city abroad.

Paris – the city of romance. It’s picture perfect. I find its landmarks and gardens, its architecture and museums, its ambience in general so very fascinating and enchanting. Being in the fashion industry, it is a realization of one’s dream to visit the different boutiques of Chanel, Givenchy, Valentino, Versace and other famous houses of courture whose collections and accessories are featured in prestigious ladies and lifestyle publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Town and Country and Vanity Fair.

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

Oh, I play the tourist and nothing escapes me. I try to see as much as I can. So I visit centuries-old churches, famous landmarks, leading museums and of course flea markets and other shopping areas. I even try the local cuisine and participate in unique activities.

Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite museum?

The Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert in London.

Favorite park?

The Piazza San Marco in Venice. It’s a world of its own.

Favorite landmark?

The Duomo in Milan. Nothing like it. It’s truly imposing and really elaborate. One can not but admire the exceptional and outstanding Italian artistry and craftsmanship of each statue on every spire.

Favorite musical?

Miss Saigon – not only for the aesthetic reason of successfully and dramatically having brought in for the very first time a helicopter on stage, but more so for the fact that it has demonstrated and shared with theater goers around the world our talented Filipino performers such as Lea Salonga, Leo Valdes, Jamie Rivera, Cocoy Laurel, Monique Wilson...the list is endless.

Favorite store?

Neiman Marcus in Union Square in the center of downtown San Francisco. I appreciate its orderly layout and revere the restaurant for it is exquisitely decorated. Sad to admit, but I am sorry I cannot claim the same for the floor plan and display arrangement of the various items at Galeries Lafayette. However, its one-of-a-kind dome is something to look up to and be delightfully astonished by.

Favorite hotel?

The very elegant Hotel Crillon in the French capital – a showcase and a testimony of the ultimate in French design, architecture and workmanship at its stately grandiose best.

Favorite restaurant?

I do love seafood and Sidewalkers of New York is an absolute favorite. The place is rather unsophisticated but the crabs are without a doubt the best. The atmosphere is pleasantly casual. All the tables are just covered with thick, hardy plain white paper. The crabs, which come by the dozen, are literally poured on the table from a pail. This same pail serves as the receptacle for empty shells and other inedible portions. No utensils are given except a wooden hammer for cracking the yummy crabs. Another treasured restaurant is the River Café situated along the banks of the Hudson River somewhere in Brooklyn. I distinctly remember our memorable dinner with Leo and Mary Prieto. But only after we bestowed upon Leo the title of Ambassador in order to obtain a table reservation as it is always but always fully, fully booked.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

My family, especially my grandchildren. Like any doting grandma I do miss their calls, their visits, even their vivid sketches and colorful drawings.

Describe your most memorable trip.

During one of our trips to Paris, Maritess Pineda, her son Carlo, Bessie Legarda and myself went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes where we soaked ourselves in prayer together with a multitude of devotees. I can never forget what happened to us. We were busy seriously debating whether to go up the hills and do the Stations of the Cross. We dilly dallied. Then all of a sudden we noticed an old, old lady – hunchedback because of her advanced years – slowly pass us by, exerting all her remaining strength to make that sacrifice. We all felt so embarrassed and without saying a word, together immediately headed straight to the hills. A very rewarding, memorable experience. On the lighter side of things, Bessie and I shared an umbrella on our way to board an aircraft during the same visit when a smart little boy – a character you think only exists in comic strips – mockingly asked us if it was raining. We smilingly replied, "No, but the sun is shining." You should have seen the perplexed look on his face.

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

Many years ago, while I dropped by at the California Mart in Los Angeles, I accidentally crossed over through an exit door which I, two seconds later, realized was not for public use. But it was a bit too late. I tried to re-enter, but the door was locked. I knocked, but no one heard me. I rushed down to the lower floors and kept on knocking. No response at all whatsoever. Oh, I felt so all alone. I went back to the floor where I originally got locked out and pounded on the door with all my might until an angel rescued me. Lo and behold was I glad to be back in civilization, back in circulation. I have certainly learned my lesson.

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

I have always admired Audrey Hepburn for her style and elegance, Princess Grace of Monaco for her composure and serenity, Coco Chanel for her fearless innovativeness and Tom Ford for brilliantly having turned around the Gucci empire in the nick of time.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to witness.

Wouldn’t it be marvelous to be a part of a Grand Show in Paris together with the greats, the remarkable Valentino, the flamboyant Versace, the classic Chanel to name but a few. We can all dream, can’t we?

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

Where in the world, would one call another person by shouting sutsot instead of calling his name."

If I had more time, I would...

...actively assist in several institutions for abused children. I recall my encounters at Marillac, when an eight-year-old girl confessed to me that she was raped by her stepfather and her own mother refused to believe her and when several teenage girls breastfeed their babies. My heart bled and it tore me apart. Honestly.

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

Vienna. I would like to tour the homes where the music geniuses such as Beethoven and Mozart lived and be lucky enough to listen to some of their compositions right in their former residences.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Turkey. How can I ever forget the face of a handsome Turk I met at the airport in Torino who never stopped talking passionately about his "beloved country of beautiful sceneries, outstanding landmarks, and a shopping mecca that is more than just unbelievably fantastic."

If you could be transported anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to be?

The Vatican having an audience with the Pope with my entire family.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

The actual enriching experience of being in a totally different world and be able to say "I’ve been there and loved it." Meeting some world leaders and admirable celebrities along the way would be the icing on the cake.

Looking back at your travels abroad, what would you say is your biggest regret?

Skipping Vienna and all because I wanted to stay longer in Rome to shop for more shoes. Never forgave myself for the not-so-wise decision.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Tagaytay for it is not too far from home and is an area where I can really relax and rest.

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

Florence without a doubt. I love the arts, the food, the shopping, the gelato, the music, the people . . . I love it all.