It’s exciting to have souvenir shots with famous celebrities when you least expect it. Even well-known personalities in Manila do get star-struck, most especially with foreign celebrities. Seeing and getting to talk to these famous personalities, even for just a moment, can really make one’s day. Read on our local personalities share their encounters with celebrities!
Gretchen Fullido, TV personality
I chanced upon Hugh Hackman in West Hollywood back in 2009 before his Wolverine premiere. We were eating in the same resto (Nobu). Meant to be, right? I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to have a pic with my super crush! He was with his family and when he was heading out of the resto to his car, I ran out and screamed out loud, “Hugh!†It grabbed his attention. I got tongue-tied but still had the photo of my life! He was so nice to stop and allow me to have a photo with him. I almost died!
Theresa Herrera, yoga and dance teacher, model, actress
Most famous person I’ve met are my idols Carine Roitfeld and Stephen Gan. I was so thrilled and excited that we were able to interview them for Runway TV Asia.
Christopher Tantoco, executive vice president, International Duty Free Shops in Morocco
I was part of a delegation that met former US President Bill Clinton when he visited Rabat, Morocco, last February. It was so flattering that he pulled me aside and even remembered my name. “So Chris, how’s the Philippines? And how is my former classmate Gloria Arroyo?†My encounter with him lasted only 10 minutes as I also walked him to his car, but I fully saw how his charisma and wit make him still a very popular figure worldwide. I learned that the Clintons visit Morocco regularly because Hillary has a relative who resides there.
Alelee Aguilar Andanar, businesswoman
I met the Princess Marie Chantal of Greece in Beverly Hills just recently. It was a surreal moment because she has been my fashion icon ever since. I was very nervous, even shaking the whole time. But what surprised me the most was her humility and kindness. To top it all, it was even her daughter, Maria Olympia, who took our photo! Definitely an unforgettable experience.
Chef Fernando Aracama
I was in Lyon, France in January 2011 to watch the finals of the Bocuse D’Or — one of the best, if not the best, and the most prestigious culinary competition in the world. Culinary luminaries and giants were milling around the event — chefs Paul Bocuse, Joel Robuchon, Daniel Boulud and this genius, chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry, Per Se and Bouchon. He was representing the United States of America as an esteemed member of the international jury. I’m not a big photo-op kind of guy but this was a mighty good exception. I was absolutely thrilled to meet him.
Commissioner Grace Padaca, Comelec
In 2008, I was gifted with a trip to the Netherlands by the Dutch shoemaker who made my orthopaedic shoes. I lined up along with other disabled people on wheelchairs during the Queen’s Day Parade and was able to tell Queen Beatriz that I’m from the Philippines. Prince Willem-Alexander heard it and he said “I’m going there next year!†It was for a conference in Cebu on sustainable environmental programs. I saw the Prince there and was able to share with him about our forest protection program in the Sierra Madres. The prince is now the king.
Karen Davila Sta. Ana, broadcast journalist, ABS-CBN
Tall and regal but extremely warm, Diane Sawyer was so gracious when I visited her at ABC Studios doing the 6 p.m. ABC World News. I told her how I followed her career — from the early investigative stories she had done to her controversial interviews – she asked me about my TV programs in the Philippines and was shocked how I could keep at it with my schedule and two little kids! She says she remembers the Philippines most because of Cory Aquino, whom she interviewed many years ago. It was such a treat that after our conversation, she invited me to come back the next day and join her for her story conference!
Rhoda Campos Aldanese, GM, P.T. Mitra Adiperkasa, Jakarta
Karl Lagerfeld. He was pure innovation, unlimited, never-ending vision, pure genius. And he was very nice, engaging, inspiring. Nothing at all like the enfant terrible they described him to be. So it felt like time stopped and I wished I could live in that moment forever.
Rica de Jesus, blogger, Heart2Heart
So timely that you asked me this. My husband James and I just recently met the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson! We were walking down towards the London Bridge and we saw him walking towards us. His office is near the bridge. We were amazed at how simple he was, it was good we spotted him. He did not have any bodyguard or entourage following him. He was alone walking. And whenever we tell people we met the Mayor, we only hear good things about him and that he is liked by many.