Joe Salazar never leaves home without his rosary

As I took leave of Joe Salazar’s beautiful home one rainy Sunday morning after the interview for today’s column, I knew it was time once again to play the game I call abc–xyz while heading for home.

So here it is in alphabetical order–Joe Salazar, the man his work, his life, his world.

Artistic achiever, Bravo, bravissimo, Creative creature, Dramatic designer, Exquisite elegance, Friendly Francophile, Gentle gentleman, Hand-on hallmark, Industrious innovator, Jars and jewelry, Karilagan kid, Lush landscape, Model’s mentor, Nationalistic nature, Old-world optimist, Passion personified, Qualified quest, Reflective romantic, Sense and sensibility, Theatrical touch, Unrivalled ultimate, Venerable visionary, Wonderfully wholesome, Xxx, Yearning yet yielding and Zealously zero in on.

Meanwhile let’s listen to the man himself on his world of tours and travel.

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

Joe Salazar: It was such a thrill – the excitement of my life. In 1971, Tita Conching Sunico and the Karilagan International were invited by the Hilton Hotels both in Hong Kong and Melbourne to present a show featuring Philippine songs, dances and fashion. Two designers were chosen – Tente Wilwayco and myself. The Hong Kong shows were at the Eagle’s Nest, a popular restaurant on the hotel’s top floor frequented by anybody who was somebody. The extravaganzas at Melbourne were performed outdoors for they coincided with the great Moomba Festival. I recall lots of serious work but for me it seemed like it was all fun. The entire trip was a dream fulfilled.

What won’t you leave home without?

I have a wooden rosary that is forever in my pocket. Should I ever leave it behind, which seldom happens, I rush home. It gives me a feeling of security that nothing can go wrong and everything will be all right.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

Ben Chan. He acts like a big brother who is in control of every situation. I am most comfortable with him for I have known him for years and he knows everything about me. So there are no unpleasant surprises along the way. As a bonus, he has an excellent sense of humor.

Name your favorite city abroad.

Paris. The city is truly just simply beautiful – both day and night – in more ways than I can ever tell you in a day. The fashion is unbeatable – original, with distinctive style and oozing with genuine class. It’s a destination one cannot ever dream of skipping while doing Europe. It would be a crime. London comes second. I love the misty, hazy, wet, cold weather. It completely transforms the total look of the place most especially the parks. It’s surreal. It’s so out of this world. It’s magical.

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel?

Inasmuch as I am still on the go, with my adrenalin on a high, I immediately unpack and begin to organize my room. I hang the clothes that have to be hung. I store away the items that have to be stored. I arrange all the articles in their proper places and in no time at all everything is in order. I then rest awhile before I do the city.

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

Having found a Catholic Church – that’s really my first priority – I then search for a park and wander around till my feet give up. I eventually look for a comfortable bench, park myself and lightly contemplate on life in general as time goes by. On most occasions I people watch. It gives me glimpses of the different slices of life of the many characters residing in the city and it may be both interesting and educational.

Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite restaurant?

I love Japanese food and Tsukiji on Arnaiz Street – formerly Pasay Road in Makati – is my favorite restaurant in town. Nothing beats a generous serving of sashimi taken with a little bit of sake.

Favorite museum?

I must say the Louvre. The joy multiplies whenever I see different masterpieces on every visit that I make.

Favorite park?

Kensington Gardens in Central London. It’s one of a kind. On one end stands Kensington Palace, the former residence of Princess Diana and on the other sits the Gallery, the venue of ahead-of-its-time art exhibits. It has monuments honoring Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert. It even has an endearing sculpture of the playful Peter Pan. In addition to playgrounds for children, fields for soccer games and courts for tennis matches, various paths for horseback riding, cycling, skateboarding, jogging or simply a walk in the park, one cannot miss the popular Orangerie, the well-cared rose garden, the entertaining fountains, and the man-made pond where swans glide gracefully. I can spend happy days just wandering around.

Favorite musical?

The Phantom of the Opera. The music alone is enough to set you on a high and when you see the production, the stage, the costumes, the lights, all the works – and not to mention the acting – it brings you to a higher high on a wonderful, happy orbit.

Favorite store?

I prefer to shop at boutiques that are unique. I love them!

Favorite hotel?

A secret little place in New York.

Favorite resort?

The Pearl Farm Resort in Davao. It does wonders for my body and touches my soul.

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

My garden. Inspired by my background in architectural studies, I personally landscaped every nook and cranny of the area – a creation all my own. It gives me inner peace and enhances my creativity and artistry.

What is the best travel advice you may wish to share?

Travel light – it will simplify life on the move. Be on time, be punctual – it certainly will eliminate a lot of possible unpleasant complications.

Describe your most memorable trip?

It was 1978. We were all so young and hopelessly carefree, very adventurous and super daring. We had all the time in the world on our hands. Together with a bunch of fun-loving good friends, we criss-crossed all over Europe by air and by land and did Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland...we even toured Israel. It was an ideal time for a grand holiday.

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

Censored (laughs).

What is the worst souvenir you have brought back home from a holiday?

I am a compulsive buyer of sorts especially so when it comes to souvenirs for I have this funny feeling that I may never pass this way again. So naturally I usually end up purchasing a lot – mostly small items and knick-knacks – which luckily I always somehow give away as soon as I get home to people who appreciate them.

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

The awesome duo of Audrey Hepburn and Hubert Givenchy – both aristocratic and dignified, a real lady and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was talented and dedicated and his creations were original, classic and flawless. Caring and loving, she was classy, elegant and graceful.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would have wanted to be a part of.

The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. An event dreams are made of.

If you could enforce one law to the fullest, what would it be?

A law to assist the fashion industry and everything that goes with it in every possible way.

Name some of your pasalubongs – outbound and inbound.

Outbound – any local wooden products such as trays or bowls and any practical containers made of weaves of weeds. Inbound I go through the exercise of getting what an individual really needs or truly wants – perhaps a book.

Upon returning home from a trip, what is the first thing you do?

A quick but thorough ocular inspection of my home and my garden, noticing the changes and making a mental note of what’s missing.

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

Moscow and hopefully to be able to discover the understated beauty of the city often times missed by an unobserving pair of eyes.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Exotic Mongolia. With so much still unknown to the outside world, it would be a thrill and a kick to go on a journey full of discoveries.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

The tours, the sights, the parks, the shows, the cuisine, the shopping – my list is endless.

What would you say then is the worst part of travel?

The takeoffs and landings during air travel.

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

The south of France where life is ideal and living is easy.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

The islands of Batanes and the isles and islets of Palawan.

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

Shuttling between Paris and London – the best of two worlds – my idea of heaven on earth.