Trina Yujuico Kalaw rocks the boat, overeats and dislikes Joan of Arc

As the first chairperson of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Trina Kalaw changed the course of Philippine history. It all started when an investor from Hong Kong bought shares in the gaming firm of BW Resources Corporation. Trina felt suspicious when the BW share prices increased so quickly. From an initial value of 10 pesos, the shares rose to 110 pesos within four months. Trina authorized the investigation of the BW stocks.

The BW share prices collapsed. The Senate began the Erap impeachment trials. The facts of the price-rigging scandal were revealed. It was reported that President Estrada had BW shares and allegedly made a huge profit by trading them.

While Trina prides herself on being a peaceful person, she gets involved in political issues because of her passion. Lobbying to change the revised security act, being active with other business colleagues in the "Danding for President" movement, and running her First Orient Securities brokerage firm keep our pretty bachelorette happily occupied. She reflects here on her sanity, overeating and not wanting to be a Joan of Arc.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

By lobbying. Raul Roco was responsible for the revised security act. It was so haphazardly done that it tied up the possibility of growth of the stock market. It has to be amended; I meet with people who can help change this.

Which living person do you admire most?

Mother Mary is my example for my own life.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

My two children, Teddy and Aldy, and my two baby Whippets, Shiva and Shamby.

What is your passion?

My family is the center of my life. I love cooking to entertain and can prepare a meal for up to 30 people.

What is your most fervent wish?

That my two sons, a Harvard lawyer and an investment banker, will find someone to love, and who will love them and love me in turn.

What is your greatest fear?

To see my loved ones suffer physical pain.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Trusting people too much.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Envy.

What is your current state of mind?

Sane. There is a solution for every problem.

If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?

I am happy where I am now. If my husband were alive, I could have been a senator’s wife but he might have spent many years in jail during martial law.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Jewelry.

What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?

Character.

What is the first thing you look for when you meet a man?

Honesty.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

Not Joan of Arc who defied the king. She could have retracted and laid low. She didn’t have to go against the people who wanted her to retract.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

My childhood. When I was spoon-fed, protected and with no problems at all. I am the eldest of five children, by the way.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being the first chairperson of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

When my husband, Teodoro Kalaw III, died following a motorcycle accident. At the age of 25, I was a widow with two babies.

What does your dad often say to you?

The integrity of a person is very important. You cannot buy it.

What is your greatest regret?

I could have touched more lives but sometimes I just keep quiet because I am disappointed with how people often turn out. I want to see them help themselves first.

How do you see your life?

Well-accomplished… but I could do more.

What do you feel guilty about?

Overeating.

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E-mail babycamp2@yahoo.co.uk.