Liza Macuja-Elizalde could have danced all night – in St. Petersburg
August 4, 2002 | 12:00am
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is surely a revelation. Consider this. A loving wife of businessman-artist Fred Elizalde. Devoted hands-on mother to two young, adorable, active children Missy and Mac. A serious, goal-inspired and achievement-oriented, on-line sophomore student of the University of Arizona. Creative and talented artistic director of Ballet Manila, a company she founded in 1995. And as if she had all the leisure time in the world, she was named vice chairperson of the Philippine UNESCO National Commission. She is all this and more – too many roles and affiliations to mention. So by the end of my interesting visit to the Elizalde ancestral home, one stormy afternoon, I somehow wondered if there were other Lisa Macuja-Elizaldes I had not met. There wouldn’t be too many of them, I suppose.
She is simply extraordinarily exceptional. Upon graduation as class valedictorian from the Academy of Russian Ballet – formerly known as the Vaganova Choreography Institute – the scholar of the USSR Ministry of Culture, she joined upon their invitation the prestigious Kirov Ballet. And she has not stopped twirling and swirling, swaying and gliding, leaping and pirouetting. Since then, she has performed, as no one else can, in over 160 ballets – both full length and contemporary – all principal roles at that, where she has continuously captivated audiences in more than 80 cities in five continents.
She remembers with great pride the well-received performances of her own company in various Russian cities.
Endearingly known as the "Ballerina of the People," she says she is "committed to bringing ballet closer to hearts of the Filipino masses."
For her wholehearted dedication to dance – some say it’s her passion and obsession, others claim it’s her life – with her "virtually unerring techniques and style, yet unassailable musicality and artistry," Lisa is the recipient of various awards and citations which include the Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS), The Outstanding Young Filipino (TOYP), The Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP-USA) and the much-coveted Order of International Friendship, awarded by no less than the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
A lady who has brought honor and recognition to herself and her country has yet another dream – to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and hopes someday perhaps be a teacher specializing in children’s education. So there you are, a ballerina who has the world on the palm of her hand, and both her feet firmly on the ground.
Philippine STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde: I was in the seventh grade at St. Theresa’s College when Daddy took the entire family to Hong Kong. What I remember most was the fact that we were given a hundred dollars each as pocket money for the entire duration of the trip, to spend it any way we wanted to, on anything we so desired. It was my first try at budgeting. I was only 13 years old. I also recall our tour to the Tiger Balm Gardens, full of over-sized, grostesque and colorful statues, where I had my fortune told. After going through the ritual which included tossing wooden tablets in the air while the smell of incense permeated our immediate surrounding, the Chinese gentleman, responsible for all interpretations had this to say, "Keep on doing what you are doing and because of what you’re doing, you will be famous one day."
Other than your spouse or member of the family, who would you like to be seated next to on a flight?
(Smiles) An empty seat would be nice.
Who is your ideal traveling companion?
Osias Barroso, my partner for 15 years. We have traveled together many times before, to several countries in all sorts of conditions – even under the most dire circumstances. Through all the journeys he has remained a true gentleman and a very entertaining one at that.
Name your favorite city abroad.
London. It offers a balance mix of activities and entertainment for all members of the family. And I love the theater – ballet, opera, plays, musicals. Name it – they’ve got it. Besides it’s always great to be in a place where everyone speaks English. St. Petersburg was a favorite too. But at this particular stage of my life, being a mom with two active growing children, this Russian city – a gem of an area without a doubt – is not exactly the most favored location to bring toddlers who have to be kept busy and entertained.
What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel?
Grab my handbag, pull out my wallet and tip the bellboy so he can be on his way. Once the door is closed, my husband Freddie and I take turns in the bathroom.
What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?
Dine at a local restaurant that caters a full-fledged, true-blue, honest-to-goodness local meal – exotic as it may come. However, with certain limitations please. No monkey brains for me, though I understand it’s a delicacy.
Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite museum?
The Museo Capitolino in Rome. As you appreciate the sculptures – both huge and small – you simply marvel at all this beauty and somehow continuously wonder how, most especially in those early days, were they able to produce such masterpieces. Such talent – geniuses all! Freddie, who is a businessman-artist, and I are madly in love with everything they have. As an added bonus, the Museo offers a majestic view of the Roman Forum. Every visit is always an exhilirating experience.
If you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?
Definitely, it’s got to be a painting as there is no place in the house for any sculpture. My choice would be Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. After several visits to the Louvre, I have hardly seen it in all its full glory. I usually see the top of the heads of people in front of me. When I am lucky to finally get closer to the portrait, the reflection on the glass used to protect it creates a problem. At home, she would sit at a prime location. Oh yes, the glass will have to go. Once that’s all done, there is nothing else to do but enjoy the pleasure of her company.
Favorite hotel?
The Covent Garden Hotel in London where we stayed for over two months within the last two years. It is a boutique hotel and as expected is rather small, quite luxurious, very subtle, extremely discreet and reasonably affordable. The loft suite is our favorite. The personnel – both managers and staff – comes from all the corners of the globe. And everybody knows everyone. The location? Right smack in Covent Gardens. We walk to the theaters, dine at exciting restaurants, shop in the market and watch the excellent street entertainers. We just love being billeted at this hotel.
Favorite resort?
Amanpulo. It’s the site where the romance with my husband began, the romance that changed my life, the romance that is continuously changing my life.
Favorite park?
Kensington Gardens where the squirrels are friendly, where we feed the swans and the ducks by the man-made lake. It also encompasses the Princess Diana Children’s Park, an ideal area for toddlers.
Favorite musical?
Lion King. Only because my sister Gia Macuja plays the role of Nala. But judging solely on the merits of the music, it would have to be Les Miserables. The melody is so people-friendly that by the end of the show you hear almost everyone humming a familiar tune or singing a popular refrain.
Favorite store?
Due to our present lifestyle and our kids’ active lives, I go for one-stop shops such as Gap. That’s where we seem to get everything from. For anything connected with ballet, the choice is Bloch.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home?
I would say my desk computer for obvious reasons. And my own blanket. It spells a world of difference. At home, we sleep on two single beds joined together but with two individual blankets. However, in most hotels, we end up on one big bed with a huge but shared blanket. Can you imagine the pulling and more pulling of the blanket to one’s side? Do you understand why I miss my blanket? (laughs)
What is the best travel advice you can share?
Dress well whenever you travel. You will be surprised. Everyone treats you better.
Describe your most memorable trip.
There have been so many memorable ones. The one that comes to mind is our honeymoon – the very first time I traveled as Mrs. Fred Elizalde. Contrary to my formative years as a struggling artist living a rather spartan way of existence which included dogmas such as "no room service" or "don’t ever touch the mini bar," this was my introduction to an entirely new world of travel – first-class all the way, in every possible way. First-class flights, the best hotels, finest restaurants, personalized tours – the works! Imagine the drastic change. The grandiosity of it all. The unforgettable impact. It was truly most memorable.
What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?
(Laughs) Funnily enough, it was when I pretended not to understand, much less speak Russian. I was at a hotel coffee shop alone in Tbilisi, Georgia for a guest performance with the State Ballet. A giant of a Georgian man – oh, they are so huge – approached and inquired if he could share my table, an accepted mode of conduct in the Soviet Union. But soon after, he attempted to start a conversation – more of a come-on. I immediately played dumb. Didn’t say a word. But he went on and on. The waitress came to my rescue and ordered him to leave the poor girl alone. I understood perfectly well what was going on and was secretly highly entertained.
Who would you like to bump into – dead or alive – during your travels?
It would be nice to bump into old friends from the past whom I have not seen for such a long time and have more than just a cup of coffee. Perhaps dinner or do the sights together. It would be great to renew friendships, share experiences and just soak into it, as if nothing has changed through the years.
Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in?
Witness the gymnastic competition of the Summer Olympics.
Let’s fill in the blanks. "Where in the world . . . only in the Philippines?
Do people laugh at anything and everything?
Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you do upon returning home?
Go right upstairs and have a shower in my bathroom. Put on something comfortable and relish the thought that I am back home.
Name a city you have never been but would like to someday.
The city of Monte Carlo in the principality of Monaco.
Name a country you wish to explore.
Greece. It’s so relevant to the degree in humanities I am currently pursuing.
What would you say then is the worst part of travel?
The jetlag where I feel my body has been rolled down a cliff and the precious time wasted recovering from it.
If you could be transported anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to be?
Back in St. Petersburg. At the moment the Ballet Manila 2002 season is on and I am about to dance a full-length ballet. How I wish I could arrange for a rehearsal or two or even three under my mentors who are simply marvelous and excel in what they do.
Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.
Boracay for we have a home there – the Elizalde resthouse. From just two rooms it has expanded to seven cottages without my husband cutting a single coconut tree. Most comfortable as you can ever imagine. Both Freddie and I are divers. That’s why we like it even more.
If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?
I would have to say London. The language poses no problem. The quality of life is excellent and the city serves as an ideal convenient home base for trips around the European continent.
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