BANGKOK — Newly-wed Rachel Alejandro and Spanish journalist Carlos Santamaria were on honeymoon mode (they still are!) when they treated my friend Raoul Tidalgo (formerly of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter) and me to a dimsum dinner at the Chinese restaurant of Arnoma Hotel one drizzly evening. The hotel is located right across from the mall (now fully restored) which was one of the buildings bombed during the bloody demonstrations that rocked this city two years ago.
Rachel was visiting Carlos at that time (third week of last month). They were married in Boracay on April 9 and, barely a week later, they went to Maldives for a week-long honeymoon. Then, Rachel flew to the Philippines to start rehearsals for Aida in which she plays the Egyptian Princess Amneris who is in a love triangle with the Nubian Princess Aida (played by Ima Castro) over Radames (captain of the Egyptian army, played by Myke Salomon); and Carlos, to this city where he has been assigned for three years now as reporter for EFE News Agency (“the leading Spanish-language news agency and the fourth largest news agency in the world”).
They have no choice but to adjust to this set-up for the meantime — you know, hopping back and forth between Bangkok and Manila to be with each other when they are free from work. Living apart but loving well.
They arrived at Arnoma at the appointed hour — 8 p.m. sharp — not in a cab (traffic was, as always, bad) but in a “water taxi” (ferryboats in Manila) which travels in the canals and rivers that crisscross this metropolis. Faster and more convenient.
How soon will they settle down together in one place?
“In a matter of months,” said Rachel who flew in two days earlier from Manila after attending the launching of the new company OB Star 5, the managing company that owns Sexy Chef headed by her mom Myrna Demauro. (Rachel co-owns and co-manages Sexy Chef with her sister Barni.)
It could be in New York. Carlos lived in the US for a long time, although he was born in Spain. (Rachel is a greencard-holder.) That’s where they plan to start a family.
It was work that brought Carlos to Asia where, while based in China, he covered mostly challenging events (such as the violent clashes between the Reds and the Yellows in Bangkok) and disasters (such as the tsunami and the ensuing nuclear meltdown in Japan). He would make side trips to the Philippines where he made friends and, eventually, met Rachel in June 2009 during a Quiz Night at a bar in Makati City. It was Barni who introduced Rachel and Carlos to each other.
Asked what they have discovered about each other so far, Rachel said, “We are actually opposites. Carlos is more of a back-packer while I love to stay in fine hotels.” But they both love the water, they like to go diving, and that’s what they did mostly in Maldives.
Carlos has easily blended with Rachel’s family, especially her dad Hajji Alejandro who is also in the cast of Aida, playing Zoser, the Chief Minister of Egypt.
“I’m glad to be working in theater with my dad again,” said Rachel. “The last time we did was in Larawan 13 years ago.”
Hajji was quoted as saying that, besides singing, he enjoys doing theater work “where I find true artistic fulfillment.” He has actually done a few, including Tales of the Manuvu; Manila, Manila as Time Goes By; Alamat ni Batibot; Sa Mata ng Daluyong; The Fantasticks; and The Wiz.
Two days after our dinner date, Rachel was flying back to Manila for Aida which opens on Friday, June 24, at the Carlos Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, and will run until July 10. It’s produced by Atlantis Productions, directed by Chari Arespacochaga. (Note: For ticket inquiries, call Atlantis at 892-7078.)
(POSTSCRIPT: At presstime, I got this message from Girlie Rodis, Rachel’s manager: Carlos is here. He will watch Aida and then he’ll go to Spain where Rachel will join him. Then, they will fly together to New York.)
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