Isabel Preysler en Filipinas 2007

ISABEL with mom, Betty Preysler; cousin Rosanna Fores; sister Vicky Preysler and niece Christina Tuason; aunt Mercy Tuason; and good friend Ching Montinola

By Anton San Diego Columnist Inquirer

Posted date: November 25, 2007

MANILA, Philippines - It was Isabel Preysler week when one of Europe’s most glamorous, beautiful and iconic women came to Manila. Isabel, who had not been home for more than eight years, took Manila by storm. She was here to attend the Inno Sotto and Bea Valdes gala fashion show and, of course, to visit friends and family. As expected, everyone wanted to spend some time with this sorely missed Filipina, and a series of dinners were immediately planned for her. The first one was, naturally, given by her family at the home of her first cousin, Rosanna Tuason Fores. Another one was hosted by her Assumption classmates at the home of Mary de Leon. Then there was the fashion show. The next day, after the show, Sotto also hosted a dinner at Sala, and guests included Patxi and Sofia Elizalde, Maurice Arcache, Bea Valdes, Marietta Santos, Gina Roxas and Pilar Roxas. The Philippine Tatler, likewise, gave a dinner for her at the Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Tivoli Grill, which was attended by Ting Ting Cojuangco, Lyn Ilusorio Bildner, Doris Ho, Inno Sotto and her sister Vicky Preysler and niece Christina Tuason. Jaime and Bea Zobel also gave a dinner at their home before she left. Preysler had to jet back to Europe in time to catch her son Enrique Iglesias’ concert in London. Her two daughters, Ana and Tamara, went with her to the concert, along with about 15 other friends. To find out how iconic Preysler really is, she had barely arrived in Madrid when photos of her in Manila came out in Spain’s premiere society/lifestyle magazine Hola. The magazine has a circulation of more than a million readers. I was privileged to get an exclusive interview with Preysler in Manila at the tail-end of her visit. Below is the one-on-one with this beautiful and gracious lady that the whole country is so proud of. What is it like coming home after eight years? Seeing family, friends and classmates again? Seeing Manila as a city? Coming back to Manila after so long was wonderful. I see my family often because we travel a lot and they come to Spain. But friends … I always love to see the ones from my childhood and teen years, they are part of my roots. Manila has changed so much in eight years—so many more buildings and remarkable improvements. What do you miss most about the Philippines? Family and friends, first of all. Then the food. I love Filipino food, although some I can get in Spain. And of course, Filipino hospitality, which is something that cannot be found anywhere but here. How’s your visit? Hectic? Too short? Both—definitely hectic and too short; but I am enjoying every minute of it. What would you say are the highlights of your trip? Spending time with family and friends. Of course the fashion show was a wonderful event. My classmates also made my stay in Manila memorable by hosting a get-together. It allowed us to catch up and share some laughs. You get a lot of attention in Spain. Is it the same with people here in Manila who would like to meet you and ask to have photographs taken with you? It’s a compliment and always a pleasure when people want to meet me or take a picture with me. To feel liked and appreciated is such a blessing, isn’t it? Your trip was a time to catch up with your family. What was that like? This trip gave me the opportunity to spend time with some of my cousins who I do not see often. Although I have said that I see many of my relatives frequently, it was nice to visit them in their homes for a change. How was the fashion show? Your thoughts on Inno’s designs? Bea Valdes? Fantastic! Beautiful colors, very original gowns and, as usual, Inno showed his creative talent and Filipino ingenuity. Bea Valdes? What can I say? So much talent in someone so young. I loved the beautiful bags. What will you take with you from this trip? So many fresh memories with my life-long friends. And food … mangoes, suman and ensaymada (which she took along with her back to Spain) When do you think will you be back? Because I have three children and a grandson in the United States, I take every opportunity I have to visit them. But when we are all able to, I definitely want to come back soon with all of my children. The last time I was here, my three girls came with me. Julio and Enrique have also been here, but we all must come back to Manila together. Your message to your family, friends and the country as a whole? I am so grateful for the warmth, the care and love I have felt on this trip and most especially over the years. Although I do not get the chance to come back to Manila often enough, I’m always so overwhelmed by the support I get from my family and friends.

Isabel Preysler Family Photos

Billy Crawford being interviewed.
Bianca Araneta and fans.
Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler with her mom, Beatriz Preysler, and two sisters. Lola "Beba" is living with her apo (grandson) Enrique Iglesias, in Miami, visiting the casinos.

Isabel Preysler Lecturas

Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler on the cover of Spanish magazine Lecturas for November 2007. It's basically the same exact article and photoshoot done for her by the Philippine Tatler, but published for her Spanish fans and public.

Enrique Iglesias with Isabel Preysler at concert

Enrique Iglesias with mother Isabel Preysler backstage at one of his concerts.

Philippine Architecture

Manila
Taal Basilica
Vigan (above and below)

The Best of Filipino Art: Juan Luna

Juan Luna y Novicio was born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, on October 23, 1857, and, like Hidalgo, was the third of seven children. Early in his life, the family moved to Manila and lived in Trozo. The young Luna received his early education at the Ateneo Municipal and later at the Escuela Nautica de Manila. In 1873, he became an apprentice officer and traveled to various Asian ports. Whenever his ship was in port in Manila, he took painting lessons in the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura of Fr. Agustin Saiz.

Legendary Filipinos: Gloria Romero and Willie Sotelo

Legendary Filipino actors during the golden age of cinema: Gloria Romero and Willie Sotelo.

The Best of Filipino Art: Fernando Amorsolo

Fernando Amorsolo

The first National Artist for painting, Fernando Amorsolo is the foremost Philippine artist of the early 20th century. An outstanding art student, the businessman Enrique Zobel de Ayala awarded him with a study grant to Spain. This allowed him to visit important museums in Europe and the United States.

In contrast to Luna's heavy and predominantly European themes, Amorsolo was known for sunny landscapes of Luzon and smiling images of dalagang bukid (country girls). His rendition of Philippine sunlight and its nuances was unparalleled during his time. Fernando Amorsolo was named National Artist in 1972.

19th Century Filipino Fashion: Principalía

Costume typical of a family belonging to the Principalía during the late 19th century. Photo of exhibits in Villa Escudero Museum in San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines. Author: Sulbud.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal triumphs at Latin Grammy Awards

Filipina singer Shaila Dúrcal, daughter of Filipino singer Junior, triumphs at the Latin Grammy Awards 2007. She didn't win the award she was nominated for, Best Pop Female Vocal Performance, but she did do an awe-inspiring rendition of Amor Eterno in a tribute to her deceased mother, Spanish singing legend Rocío Durcal, and was named by Univision's fashionista of the stars as one of the best dressed celebs of the night.
Shaila arrives in Las Vegas, Nov. 7 for rehearsals for the Latin Grammy Awards.
Shaila Durcal performs Amor Eterno, Nov. 8 on the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas.

Isabel Preysler returns to Philippines

Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler, better known to younger Filipinos as Enrique Iglesias' mother, featured in Hola magazine as she hosts and funds an Inno Sotto-designed fashion show at the Shangri-La Makati Hotel in the Philippines with proceeds going to homeless Filipino children in her home country via the Virlanie Foundation, for which she also got a large donation from the Amade Foundation headed by Princess Carolina of Monaco. Isabel is seated below next to Imelda Cojuangco.

Vanessa Hudgens Filipinas Cover

Filipina actress Vanessa Hudgens is on the cover of Filipinas Magazine for November 2007.

"I love being Filipina. There aren't many Filipina girls in the industry, so to stand up and be that girl makes me proud."

Read entire article.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal Hola November 2007

The covers of Hola! Magazine Spain for the past few months have been filled with Filipinos: Junior talking about the death of his wife, Isabel Preysler on the cover twice, one in Paris and another with George Clooney, fashion designer Tamara Falco in Paris, Enrique Iglesias with his new album in Miami, and now Shaila Durcal, daughter of popular Filipino actor and singer Junior.

Latin Grammy-nominated Filipina singer Shaila Dúrcal who performed "Amor Eterno" in a touching tribute to her deceased mother during the November 8th awards presentation last night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, is also making plans for a walk down the aisle with her fiance, Dorio Ferreira. Hola! magazine reports that, following a four-year courtship, the couple will be united in a wedding ceremony to be held in Mexico in the spring of 2008.

Filipino singer Enrique Iglesias talks about Isabel Preysler

Enrique Iglesias is featured in Elle Magazine where he talks about his mother and gambling with his lola (grandma) in Miami. Translated from Spanish by yours truly.

Isabel is the only song with a name on your album, with the same name as your mother...

Yes, but it's the only song that I didn't write. It's not about her.

And what are some of the things that you identify with about your mother?

My mother is the one that keeps the family together. She's a 10. She and my father have done a good job in surrounding us with good people.

Since you know yourself well, what is it like being around Enrique Iglesias?

In two words: gili-pollas (laughs). I think I'm very curious and I have a sense of humour, I'm always in a good mood. My dad is also a joker, like my grandfather, who was the one who kept us together. He never got mad. He lived happy to the end. I was very sad about his death, but he died leaving behind a happy life... I hope the day I die, I'll do it with the same happiness as him... Well, I still have my grandma Beba, the mother of my mother, who's also a lot of fun!

Si?

She's the best of my family. I say that because I love her very much. She's a great woman. She lives with me right now in Miami. She also likes to play and joke around. I take her to the casino. She goes crazy. My mother scolds me, "What are you doing over there gambling with your grandma!?!"

Enrique with his lola (grandmother) at their home in the Philippines.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal on Latin Grammy Awards

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal, daughter of Filipino singer Antonio Morales Barreto "Junior" and deceased Spanish singer Rocio Durcal, will be performing on the Latin Grammy Awards airing tonight LIVE at 8 p.m. from Las Vegas and pre-show at 7 p.m. on Univision here in the United States, Spain, and Latin America where she is also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Shaila Durcal talks to Elle magazine about how she was "conceived":
«Mi madre me contaba que yo llegué inesperadamente. Mi padre llevaba unos meses trabajando en Filipinas y, cuando regresó, ella ni siquiera estaba en el momento fértil de su ciclo. Sin embargo, se quedó embarazada. Por lo visto fue por la presencia del macho… »

"My mother told me that I came unexpectedly. My father was working for a few months in the Philippines, and when he came back, she wasn't even in her fertile cycle. Regardless, she became pregnant. It was because of my dad's macho-ness."

Shaila's real name is Shaila de los Ángeles Morales de las Heras.
Our Dayanara Torres, beloved among the Filipino people for her years spent as an actress and host in Filipino TV and movies, will also be featured tonight as a presenter. She's on my TV screen right now being interviewed as I type this, I'm recording it straight to DVD right now to my DVD recorder right now and on my Tivo, so we have can have two copies just in case.

Filipino singer Enrique Iglesias on The Young and The Restless

Filipino singer Enrique Iglesias will be guest starring on the CBS soap opera The Young and The Restless, today at 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, his latest album Insomniac has gone platinum in various countries around the world.

Frank Sinatra in the Philippines

SERIALIZATION: The Traveler and the Gate Checkers
"Manila My Way, Boss"
Part 1: The elusive Miss Belgium
By Ted Lerner

The skinny taxi driver with one white towel wrapped around his neck and another wrapped like a bandana around his forehead fiddled with his pair of tweezers, waiting for the car in front of us to inch forward. We were stuck in another monstrous traffic squall, the kind that much of the world thinks is positively unbearable, but people in Manila just yawn at and take for granted. While he waited for the traffic to open up, the driver continually stuck the tweezers into his nose and plucked out tiny nose hairs. Each time he did this, he took the freshly plucked hair and wiped it on the middle part of the steering wheel. I could see that he'd been doing this since before I got in his cab because the steering wheel was covered with probably 20 nose hairs. When a space did open up, he quickly dropped the tweezers in his lap and literally peeled out, lurching forward ten or 15 meters then pounding on the brakes when the traffic came to an abrupt halt.

His cab was somewhat old and a rattling noise came continually from the back. The nose hairs, the rattles and the continual whiplash and the near nausea it all induced would normally have made me miserable and cranky. But at least his air-conditioner worked well. And in the sweltering late June heat of Manila, that's a bonus one doesn't take lightly. I was also listening intently to his radio, which he had turned up loudly to an AM talk show where they were talking about Frank Sinatra. The 78-year-old Sinatra was in Manila for four concerts, starting the following night.

The hosts on the radio were interviewing Sinatra's publicist on the phone from the Manila Hotel, where Sinatra was staying. The publicist pointed out that though Frank had never been to Manila before, he knew he had legions of fans in the country and was excited about performing. The hosts talked about how much money Sinatra would be earning in Manila. Four shows, four nights, a whopping quarter million dollars per show. They talked about the exorbitant ticket prices: From $50 all the way up to $800 for the front rows. The hosts gushed and the publicist promised nothing short of heaven. Indeed Sinatra in Manila was for Filipinos almost like having the Pope come to town. Frank's songs are a part of the social fabric of the Philippines. Every single one of the millions of karaoke machines that dot the Philippines is loaded with Sinatra classics.

The song "My Way" is perhaps the most preferred song when the drinks start flowing and the karaoke gets turned on. The song is so popular, and singing it is taken so seriously, that dozens have literally died because of "My Way." Perhaps someone laughed while a buddy was singing during a drinking spree, or someone didn't like the way the guy at the other table clapped after he tried to imitate Frank. It's always a ridiculously stupid reason but, no matter, out comes the fan knife or the pistol and wham!-it ends in a liquored-up flash, another senseless death due to "My Way." I wondered if Frank was aware that so many had died because of that song.

Apparently 6,000 people a night would be attending the shows but I knew I had no intention of going. I'd never gotten into the Sinatra myth. I always considered Sinatra to be of another generation. I was raised on rock and eventually ventured into things like reggae, funk and salsa. Frank just never caught my imagination. I had never seen him and had little interest in seeing him in Manila. It sounded like something for the old folks and sentimentalists. Anyway, at that point, my main concern was getting my hands on someone perhaps more popular than Ol' Blue Eyes, at least in Manila anyway. Her name was Christelle Roelandts.

Christelle Roelandts? Although she was probably the most popular person in the Philippines at the time, even Filipinos didn't know her by her real name. Mention the moniker, "Miss Belgium," however, and you'd get quite a different reaction.

The Miss Universe pageant had been held a month prior in Manila. Although she didn't win, and didn't even make it into the top ten, Miss Belgium was the one contestant who nearly brought the country to its knees. Her innocent, vulnerable and voluptuous features made her the instant favorite among the beauty pageant-crazed public and press in the Philippines, all of whom mobbed her wherever she went.

The country simply fell in love with her. Anything she did drew crazed interest and a horde of people. The four Belgian neckties that Miss Belgium donated to the Miss Universe charity auction fetched a hefty total of $400. Miss Belgium even complained that a woman was waiting to take her picture as she came out of the stall in the ladies' room. There were several stories about men who got in knife fights over who was more beautiful, Miss Belgium or Miss Philippines. This was how big Miss Belgium had become in the Philippines, as big as Sinatra. Normally it would take a botched version of "My Way" to set off a murderous brawl. But in this instance, which occurred during a drinking spree, two men had taken Miss Belgium's side while one argued for Miss Philippines. The two men attacked the Miss Philippines supporter and killed him.

"She's a natural beauty," said a doorman at the Manila Hotel, where the contestants stayed.

"She's mysterious and intriguing," said one of the hotel's supervisors. Explained one Filipino reporter, "Miss Belgium is the typical girl any Filipino male would love. Filipinos love mestizas-white skin, tall, with a face like a doll. She looks so vulnerable."

I had covered the Miss Universe pageant a month before and was trying to write a story on the event for a magazine back in the States. I was able to get a lot of pictures of the contestants during the pageant but nothing good of Miss Belgium. Each day for a month, the pageant organizers had put out photos for sale of the contestants and you couldn't even get near a shot of Miss Belgium, unless you felt like elbowing people in the head. Men and women were acting like stark raving lunatics trying to get their hands on her pictures. This spawned a thriving black market in copies of Miss Belgium's photos. In June, one month after the pageant, underground copies of her photo were still the hottest selling item on the streets of Manila.

In Manila if you want something from the underground, you're very likely to find it in the teeming madness that is Quiapo, where you can just about get anything your heart desires, and doesn't desire, as well. I was also informed that Quiapo had a street known for its many photo shops. I figured Miss Belgium could definitely be found down there.

The taxi finally crossed over the Pasig River and crept along in traffic through the old city of Manila. I knew we were near Quiapo but wasn't quite sure exactly where the area began. One bright spot about being stuck in a monstrous traffic snarl is that oftentimes it affords you the luxury of some good people watching. As befits a place where supposedly you could get just about anything you wanted-or didn't want-Manila never failed to give the appearance that chaos reigned. People were everywhere and the crowds were thick. Nobody seemed to follow any kind of rules, such as crossing at the intersection, or on green. They just walked when they wanted, in and out of the idling cars. The sidewalks were littered with vendors selling everything imaginable; fresh fruits, newspapers, cheap toys and electronics and imported hardware.

"Boss I want to go to Quiapo," I reminded the taxi driver.

"Yes Quiapo, I know," he said, "but heavy traffic. I know short cut." When a Manila taxi driver tells you he knows a short cut, it often turns out to be a short cut to disaster. I was pretty sure Quiapo was to the right, but he found an opening and veered left around a large church. Ten minutes later we were still stuck in traffic. I figured I was pretty much near the place so I decided to get out and walk. When I paid him I noticed his steering wheel was littered with dozens of nose hairs.

It was a searing hot and sunny afternoon. I stood on the sidewalk outside the Sta. Cruz Parish Church, which teemed with the faithful. The large doors to the church stood wide open and people strolled through into the sultry, cavernous parish. Near the entrance stood a statue of the Virgin Mary. As a white robed priest spoke dryly in English, the newcomers stopped by the statue, dipped their hand in the holy water, made the sign of the cross then took their places among the subdued throng.

I strolled up the sidewalk past the gates of the church. Everywhere people had set up makeshift businesses. Vendors sold pirated tapes, a new fangled screw driver with a tag that blared, "As Seen on TV!", various knickknacks and cheap jewelry and accessories. One man had a table full of miniature Buddhas. Nearby, a blind man played harmonica while holding out his cup. A few steps down, a family had set up a makeshift carinderia (canteen); a small gas tank provided the flame while on the stone ledge sat a small bowl of raw fish, a bowl of vegetables and a pot of rice. Further on I stumbled upon several guys selling various sexual potions, love oils and a stunning array of sexual devices known as French ticklers. One of them had photos of the Miss Universe contestants, including the coveted Miss Belgium.

He wanted 25 pesos for each photo but I didn't like their look. The pictures were photos taken of other photos and the quality was poor. I was sure I'd be able to find plenty of good stuff in the photo district, if I could ever find it. In the winding, narrow alleys and congested streets of old Manila, I suddenly realized the real Miss Belgium could prove elusive. So I flagged down a calesa (horse drawn carriage.)

"Boss I want to go to Quiapo," I said. "There's a street there with many photo shops."

"Yes, boss no problem. Quiapo. Photo shops." In mere moments we were trotting down a curving back alleyway, past an off track betting shop and several buildings that were either run down or under construction. Around a corner we came across a busy, clogged commercial area containing mostly hardware stores with signs written in English and Chinese. I quickly got the feeling that the driver was taking me on a tour of Manila's Chinatown before he took me to Quiapo. For sure he would charge me for it later. But I wasn't averse to a little sightseeing. Chinatowns the world over usually offer interesting surprises. And riding in a horse drawn carriage under a cooling canopy provided a rather pleasant respite from the broiling sun.

Trucks and pickups lined both sides of the narrow street, making the going stop, start, stop and wait. Everywhere we went guys loaded and unloaded things like steel pipes, cabinets and doors. It was like this for block after block; mostly old and crumbling buildings lining the lanes, black wires strung high on leaning poles careening wildly all over the place and down on the pavement below commerce bringing the streets alive.

Along the way we passed some of the filthiest canals I've ever seen. The pollution level in some of Chinatown's canals can only be described as alarming. The stagnant water looked like it was bubbling with chemicals, mosquitoes and every sort of filth known to humankind, including piles of garbage standing in the still water, festering and reeking. Some creeks were lined by ramshackle squatter homes with tin roofs. Others were lined with dirty concrete apartment buildings.

As soon as we passed by this degradation, though, we came across a shiny new building containing a five star Chinese restaurant or a fancy bakery. I was impressed by the traffic expertise of our small brown horse. He waited patiently while stuck in a traffic snarl and, as soon as a space opened up, he was off trotting at top speed over a bridge and down the street.

I soon lost all sense of direction, which led to the feeling that I was no longer in the Philippines. Indeed Chinatown in Manila feels like another country. It's China with Filipinos doing all the grunt work. The crumbling looking buildings, many adorned with incomprehensible Chinese lettering helped set the scene. But it was more than that. I marveled at how the Chinese do business; they sit inside these old, dank offices and warehouses with piles of invoice books, receipt books, old typewriters, cardboard boxes, whatever they're selling or making strewn and piled everywhere, talking on the telephone all day, watching closely as one little nut and bolt, a piece of wire, a sheet of sandpaper, some gadget for a motor, a styrofoam box, or six steel pipes go out the door. The Chinese sell everything that nobody else knows the origins of; that certain kind of rope, the hard to find nut, the grip that goes over the handle that rolls down your car window. They'll sell one piece or a thousand, earning cents on each but making millions on the whole, no doubt.