How Dading Clemente left her heart in San Francisco and found it in New York

People think of travel as a wonderful escape from the daily grind. And if your work involves frequent overseas travel, then that may seem like an enviable perk. But that’s naturally the point of view of those on vacation. What about for folks whose job it is to provide comfort and leisure, as well as fun and adventure that go with being on holiday? It’s less glitz and glamour and more nonstop work with a smile. That’s just how it is when you belong to the travel and tourism service industry.

Just ask Alejandra “Dading” Clemente, chairman emeritus of the Rajah Group of Companies. Dading has been to countless countries countless times, but she has collected more bookings and charmed more people into visiting the Philippines than she has created memories or amassed souvenirs for herself. But for Dading, a law graduate who handled criminal cases for a couple years before finally choosing her true calling, travel is not just a lucrative business. It’s an unquenchable passion, a lifelong obsession, and an essential part of a full life.

She put up a small travel agency in 1972 — the height of martial law — that has become one of the pillars of Philippine tourism. She was a young mother expecting her second child back then, armed with only P10,000 as startup money. Though she has passed on the reins of Rajah Travel to some of her children, Dading remains as driven and hands-on as ever, even as she has become a doting lola to her five grandchildren.

A survivor, she is the widow of Jose Clemente Jr., who was a pioneer in tourism, serving as a top leader at the Department of Tourism since its inception. It was a devastating time for her and her children — Jose III, Alexander, Marilen and Aileen — losing such a beloved man who was the bedrock of their lives.

Dading was a tower of strength for her family through all those crises, and it is with the same determination that she faces life in her mid-70s. She has finally learned how to slow down, and smell the roses.

She often talks about retiring, but no one seems to take that seriously. It’s just that Dading has always been a gutsy dynamo.

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

ALEJANDRA “DADING” CLEMENTE: I thought it was the best of times. I was young and single, and I just hurdled the bar exam. Then my world collapsed: my father died, and it was the first death in the family. I was grief-stricken, and I felt so down and out.

To complicate things, I received a marriage proposal. I got cold feet. So I flew to New York. With no travel experience at all, I felt I was lost in a jungle. And I even felt more confused than ever within the first few days. But soon enough, I got a hold of myself and then slowly was fascinated with the new world I was seeing for the first time.

What won’t you leave home without?

My favorite towels and a set of bed sheets. I use my own things, whether at prime hotels or private homes. You see, as a struggling tour operator, I would camp in little-known hotels that sometimes had little cockroaches and other strange insects crawling around. I couldn’t sleep a wink then because I would watch their every move! But I had no choice. I was trying to spend my money wisely.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

It used to be Joe, my late husband. But nowadays I enjoy traveling alone.

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

Walk around the vicinity or perimeter of the hotel and establish my sense of place and direction. Then plot and visit the nearest church. I never forget to request three favors if I’m a first-time visitor. I study and review the addresses of my tour wholesalers and plan on how to reach them in the most efficient and economical way — whether by taxi, streetcar, bus, or the underground. I also try to enjoy the taste of local cuisine in reasonably priced but excellent restaurants.

Describe your most memorable trip.

Two trips come to mind. The first was our two-week honeymoon in June 1969. Joe and I went to the capital cities of Europe — Rome, Paris and Madrid — it was my introduction to the continent that I’ve learned to love (sighs). And then we ended up in New York. Need I say more? (Smiles)

The second was a 1978 vacation with my husband and our four children. The six of us went to the West Coast, visiting San Francisco, Los Angeles and its environs. We did all the tourist attractions, such as Disneyland and Universal Studios. It was a very special experience.

What travel advice do you wish to share? 

In the past, most of my trips were business in nature, so I would mostly fly in and out of cities. Rush, rush, rush! But I’ve learned how to make time to explore the destinations, to — as they say — just be in the moment and be open to whatever life may bring in that window of time.

On the more practical side, I would advise travelers to be very careful with their handbags, wallets and travel documents. Losing any of them can certainly spoil your trip or even ruin your holiday. Always be on the lookout. Be alisto!

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

I’ve been actively traveling for over 30 years, so I can recall several. I was a first-time visitor in a foreign city where hardly anyone spoke English. I was accompanied by my tour operator while I did a series of sales calls. In between meetings, I was constantly on the phone to follow up on various wholesalers. By the time I reached the airport, I was exhausted. The flight was announced, as was the custom then. How was I to know the native language? Besides, I was more dead than alive, so I slept through it. After some hours, I found out that I had missed the flight! To complicate things, it was the start of the weekend — that’s sacred abroad so I didn’t bother to call my tour operator. Well, guess what? In those days of one-flight-a-day-to-a-city, I slept at the airport! (laughs)

Another instance was when I was in Paris, traveling with Gina Valdes, who was then with The Manila Hotel. We brought with us what seemed to me tons and tons of brochures and luggage — we had more than 12 pieces! In those days, our clothes had to be matchy-matchy, terno-terno — everything from our winter coats to boots.

We needed to hail a taxi to reach our hotel: Hôtel Meurice, where we were booked for three nights. Since I was wary of how some drivers try to take advantage of tourists, I asked a policeman, who happened to be standing nearby, how much would a taxi cost to our hotel. Upon realizing we had reservations at Hôtel Meurice, he said, “You’re crazy to be worried about the taxi fare.” I guess he was thinking about how luxurious the Meurice is. Little did he know that we were a pair of hardworking ladies enjoying travel industry discounts at the hotel, with suitcases that were mostly filled with brochures, giveaways, contracts! (Laughs) This was before the era of computers and the Internet.

Let’s talk favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

San Francisco is part of the list. We have a branch office there, and it’s where I spent a lot of time taking care of Joe after he suffered a stroke. Lately, however, I’ve discovered how fantastic New York is. My daughter Marilen lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The pulse of that city is so unique! It’s life at its best — from the restaurants and shows and store-wide sales... the list goes on and on. I also meet up with several old friends who have relocated there and we catch up with each other’s lives.

In Europe, I love the zest for life I see in Spain, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Everything is so alive and vital, from the history to the cuisine. I’m also fascinated by the small villages and towns in Switzerland and Germany.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

El Nido Resorts in Palawan. Nature is all around you, and I love the peace and quiet of the Blue Lagoon.

Favorite museum?

Because most of my trips are for work, I’m only familiar with the more important museums in main cities, like The Louvre in Paris, The Prado in Madrid, The Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Secondary museums — if you can call them that — are just as important with regard to masterpieces, so they are high up on my bucket list.

Favorite hotel or resort?

Of course, Hotel Meurice in Paris. The Waldorf Astoria in New York. And any hotel that’s part of the InterContinental Group, like the London Park Lane near Hyde Park. Locally, my top choices are Boracay Discovery Shores and Lagen Island Resort in El Nido. They consistently rank high in travelers’ surveys, so how can you go wrong? No wonder so many people rave about these resorts!

Favorite landmark or park?

Central Park in New York and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Both have several garden areas. So in the midst of those urban centers, there are pockets of serenity, full of trees, greenery and flowers of all colors. I love taking strolls there.

Favorite musical or play?

The West End in London is the best place to watch plays and musicals. I was blessed to have seen Evita, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard. From what I’ve read and heard from friends, I have a feeling that Phantom of the Opera will soon belong to my list of favorites. But somehow it seems like I’m always in the wrong city at the wrong time because I keep missing it.

Once, I was in New York very briefly, and even though I have countless connections there, I could not get a ticket. And boy, did I try! The show finally came to Manila, but guess what? I was away during its entire run. I can’t believe it! It must be the curse of the Phantom (laughs).

Favorite mall or store?

During the ‘70s and ‘80s I’d make quick visits to Harrods in London, Printemps in Paris and similar department stores in New York.

Today, I only shop for items that I truly need like favorite colognes and soaps, food and more food from El Corte Inglés in Spain. For everything else for my home and family, there’s Macy’s in the US. Sorry, but I don’t go to malls.

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

My earlier dream was to participate in all the major travel fairs and tourism congresses. Having graduated from that part of my life, these days I’m crazy about something else. Believe it or not, it’s going to stadiums and watching sporting events such as the games of the NFL and NBA. Yes, I’m into football and basketball! I would also love it if I could witness one of the biggest events in tennis: the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.

What are your favorite pasalubongs — inbound and outbound?

I usually bring our sweet delicacies such as pastillas de leche, lengua de gato, and pili tarts from Bicol, which are genuinely appreciated by their recipients. For inbound, I take back chocolates and packets of snacks in various flavors, most especially for my grandchildren. I also like bringing home steaks, which I get from Costco.

Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you do upon returning home? 

I immediately take a shower. Then I go see and hug my grandchildren, whom I’ve missed. After that, I need to eat some home-cooked adobo and tuyo.

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

Johannesburg in South Africa. I may finally visit the city before the end of 2013. My jetsetter of a friend, Marget Villarica, has invited me to join her.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Beth dela Fuente, a dear friend from my early days in tourism, plans to organize a group trip to Scotland and Ireland to trace her roots. Perhaps I might go with her because I wish to explore those places as well. Closer to home, my choices are Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia — countries that have gotten more interesting in recent times.

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

New York, New York, New York! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would choose it as the place to be, but here I am. In the past, I would get to the city, attend to my business without wasting a minute and immediately I would head out to San Francisco, where I have a home.

That has drastically changed, and maybe it’s because my daughter is now a New York resident. After several trips to visit her, I finally discovered the magic of the Big Apple. Need I count the ways of how fabulous it is? We’ll be up till dawn.