The extraordinary life & loves of Minda Feliciano

It’s been said that life is stranger than fiction. Truer words have never been spoken if Minda Feliciano Lonsdale’s fascinating, colorful life is any measure. How did this lively, lovely lass from Angeles City end up as a vivacious jetsetter who moves in the glittering, glamorous circles of international celebrity and grand nobility?    

It would seem like prominence was always part of her heritage. She’s the daughter of Manuel Valdez Feliciano, a district engineer, who had a series of assignments in Bataan, Nueva Ecija and Surigao. An honest, upright man related to the great statesman Lorenzo Tañada, Minda’s father ended up as an undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal, from 1961 to 1965. Her mother, Amparo Santana Feliciano, was from Batanes and sadly died at the young age of 31.

As a model and fledgling actress, Minda began to see more of the world. She may not have reaped the rewards of fame, but her considerable charms certainly didn’t pass unnoticed. Her marvelous love stories with some of the world’s most sought-after and prominent men have certainly not faded with the passing of time.

 One great love was Sir Michael Caine — the two-time Oscar winner and preeminent British thespian known for cult movies Alfie and Get Carter, as well as more recent blockbusters The Prestige and Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. Knighted in 2002, Caine was nominated for the Oscar six times before he won for Hannah and her Sisters in 1986 and The Cider House Rules in 1999, both for Best Supporting Actor.

Accompanying Caine to shoot locations when he made films, Minda truly believed that “being with him was what I thought my life would be.” They got engaged and tried to have a child. But eventually, things didn’t work out and they decided to part ways. She recalls wistfully, “It wasn’t meant to be. I was truly devastated.” 

She also had a special friendship with Tony Bennett, the suave singer famous for his signature song I Left My Heart in San Francisco. The shy Bennett, a 17-time Grammy award-winning crooner, doesn’t really talk about their relationship, but Minda is still gushy about how wonderful he was.

When they met, Bennett’s career was not at its peak, and Minda was not only his biggest cheerleader, she was also his best supporter. Whenever and wherever he’d go to perform, she would welcome him at the various airports — from Tokyo to London. There wasn’t anywhere she wasn’t willing to fly to, just to be with him.

But inevitably, there came a time when it was either their relationship would turn serious or Bennett would focus his energies on his career. So Minda decided to make her graceful exit. “There is always a reason, I believe, for everything,” she explains with a fond smile.

Enter, the dashing Englishman Norman John McClintock Lonsdale. He was a direct descendant of the Duke of Wellington, the gallant war tactician and political leader who defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the famous Battle of Waterloo. His family practically had blue blood coursing through their veins, but his father, Captain Leopold McClintock Lonsdale, didn’t wish to have the title Lord Armaghdale.

Norman didn’t want it as well. But title or no title, his noble lineage and  aristocratic breeding always shone through. “He remained forever a gentleman,” sighs Minda. Some observers even noted that he behaved with more dignity than most royals. Little wonder that he was the favorite escort of Princess Margaret — Queen Elizabeth II’s only sister — for years.

A successful TV executive, Norman was a widower with three young children when he and Minda met. They were introduced by Ned Ryan, who was also part of Princess Margaret’s close circle. Designer Anouska Hempel was invited to stay on Minda’s yacht when it was docked in France. As a thank-you to Minda, Hempel threw a London dinner party where Norman and Ryan were guests. Ryan decided to play Cupid and asked Norman to take Minda home. The rest, as they say, is history.

Norman and Minda were married in 1997 in the 12th-century church at Kingston Lisle, the family’s 2,000-acre home in Oxfordshire. It was where they entertained beloved relatives and cherished friends like film stars Joan Collins, Roger Moore and his wife, Luisa, Peter Sellers and his then-wife, Britt Ekland.

Laura Monica Greig Lonsdale, Minda’s stepdaughter–in-law, was a former roommate and a lady-in-waiting to the most unforgettable royalty of all time: Diana, Princess of Wales. She became the godmother to Laura’s daughter, Leonora Lonsdale. The people’s princess would drive herself to Kingston Lisle and have meals at the estate.

An avid golfer and tennis player, Norman was a regular spectator at The Championships Wimbledon, he also loved to ski and was a patient teacher to a reluctant Minda, who would rather attend the lunches, cocktail parties and dinners at the ski resort. “My schedule infuriated him, but he persevered in teaching me how to ski. I learned how to enjoy it, too,” she reminisces with a laugh.

Minda nursed Norman back to health after his first bout of cancer, but he eventually succumbed to it in 2009 at age 82. Naturally, she misses him terribly. As she points out, “My forte is looking after my man. I always wanted to do things for him. Never a day passes without me thinking of him,” she muses dreamily. Clearly, she is a woman who loves to love.

Now a widow, Minda is a UK resident. Her ivy-covered home faces the River Thames. Surrounded by roses and other potted plants, her abode is “quite a sight during the summer months, when we would usually host informal barbecue meals.”

Evenings will find her spending quiet time at home, where she loves to relax by reading magazines or watching television. She also loves going to the theater to watch plays, musicals or concerts with friends. “London is such a happening town,” she enthuses.

Minda also spends considerable time shuttling around Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas and Florida because most of her relatives reside in the US. She is likewise a frequent visitor to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where her only son, Brent Hemenway, is with his wife and two sons.

Always a whirlwind of activity, Minda says she counts Italy, France, Spain, Hong Kong as among her favorite destinations. Of course, she loves coming back to the Philippines. “I keep coming back because I love it here! I want to bring my two grandsons here—one is six years old, the other is four months. They are the apple of my eye,” she shares with a grin.

What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

My very first plane trip alone was to Australia in search of a British education in that part of the world. I don’t really know why Hong Kong wasn’t on my list. I literally went shopping for a school. Being a Gemini, wanderlust flows in my veins, so I visited many cities and checked out several colleges and universities. My parents were livid because I was just traveling around! (Laughs) In the end, I chose the University of Melbourne.

What won’t you leave home without?

Makeup, makeup, makeup! And that’s being absolutely honest. In addition, I’m always being criticized for being an importer-exporter of cooked food . My late husband, Norman McClintlock Lonsdale, used to comment and tease me that if I can’t find some kind of food that I’m certain I’ll want while on holiday, then I’ll just bring it along instead. 

I end up cooking several dishes at home way before departure date as they still have to be vacuum-packed. Norman liked it even more when he dreamt of a particular meal and then I surprised him with it — all this while we were away from home.

How do you pass time at airports?

While at the airline lounge, sipping wine — or better still, champagne. I used to read books and magazines in the good old days. Today, with my laptop, iPhone or iPad, I play a lot of games. I’m an avid poker player and golfer, and my scores have hit eight million! I also enjoy word games, but at times, I doze off!

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

My son Brent Hemenway, who is now married with kids and resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He totally took care of me even at a young age. He would observe me and the rest of the traveling public and immediately put everything good to practice. He learned fast. A very dependable companion.

My Norman, who was all of 6’2”, didn’t enjoy the actual traveling — quite my opposite — but I doted on him, made him more than just comfortable. As the years went on, he discovered it was more convenient to travel with me. He was great company.

To complete the list would be some lady friends of many years standing, and some gentlemen with whom I’ve had relationships.

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

Together with my husband, we would visit museum after museum, go around art galleries and other sites, or just anywhere and anything that had to do with history and heritage, art and culture. We also made it a point to explore the local markets, especially the flea markets and the wet markets. These are the places where the locals would congregate, giving us a glimpse of their daily life. Oh, yes, Norman definitely knew all kinds of fish — the vendors were astonished! It was a sort of game that he always played with them.

Describe your most memorable trip.

All those years when we owned The Minda, a 100-foot motor yacht, which had a crew of five. It could comfortably accommodate 10 of our friends. And whenever we had more company, the sofas could be turned into beds.

Together with our friends, we would sail through the south of France—Cannes, Antibes, St. Tropez, all the way to Marseilles. Some summers would find us at some ports in Spain and Portugal. There were even times when we would cruise to the enchanting Greek islands, drop anchor in Capri, Amalfi and Sicily in Italy then proceed to Malta, Turkey and Croatia.

Every morning, we would visit the port village market together with our chef and plan all the meals of the day and write them down on the slate. It was my life for many, many years. It was my home, complete with my piano, television and the love that it exudes. When Norman passed on, the memorable trips ended as well. I miss him so very much!

Locally, I have fond memories of my trips to Sabang Beach at Puerto Gallera in Mindoro. Those were in the early, early days, back when there were only three small dive shops and a tiny bar which served nothing but beer.  

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

The Eternal City of Rome, hands down. I love Italy and everything that goes with it. More so the Italians!

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Batanes. My mom, Amparo Santana Feliciano, hails from there. She is a close relative of Butch Abad, who is currently the Department of Budget and Management chief. Unfortunately, I don’t go there often enough.

Another place would be Cagayan de Oro, where during one visit some six years ago, we had a grand reunion, complete with all the trimmings of a fiesta, such as marching bands, buntings, banners and garlands, plus games and food. It was the first time that I met some relatives. We had a great, wonderful time.

Favorite airline?

British Airways. I’ve known them all these years and they fly everywhere. I’m a proud Gold Card holder.

Favorite museum?

Though I’m more familiar with the British Museum, where I take most relatives and friends who visit me in England, my choice would be the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. I find it the most interesting of them all.

Favorite hotel?

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes on the French Riviera. It’s where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton honeymooned!

Favorite landmark or park?

Piazza Navona in Rome. It’s just so romantic. It’s filled with artistic masterpieces that are placed in perfect harmony with each other. It has so many open-air cafés and seasonal fairs that give it a bustling but welcoming air.

Favorite musical or play?

I love old musicals that include children in the cast, such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. I watched a lot of musicals when I was growing up because it made me happy. I also have a soft spot for Grease and Mamma Mia! Both rekindle lots of beautiful memories.

Favorite mall or store?

Westfield London Shopping Center by Shepherds Bush. It’s enormous! I enjoy their Vue multiplex cinema, which is the biggest and most high-tech in the UK. The seats recline as desired. And with some wine, I can relax completely. I can stay there for hours.

Favorite restaurant or bar?

I’m faithful to the San Lorenzo in Beauchamp Place, central London. It was one of Princess Diana’s favorite haunts. The food is just excellent! It’s where I meet up with long-standing friends such as Joan Collins, Roger Moore and his wife Luisa, as well as Naomi Campbell.

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

I’m a tennis fanatic! I’ve been going to the Championship games in Wimbledon for many, many years now. Likewise for the US Open, the French Open, the Australian Open. Would you believe that in the old days, before all this present technology, I used to take a small TV set with me even when I would watch the matches? That way, I could follow what’s happening to the games being played simultaneously in the other courts. I’d use earphones so I could listen to the commentary in peace. And surprise, surprise: I would yell and cheer for the other game, too. The umpire even called my attention a few times.

What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?

I have never been a souvenir shopper of any kind, of any sort. If I’d purchase anything at all, it would be a painting from an art gallery.

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

England. I’m living the life. (Sighs and smiles)