The partner for life and the perfect hostess for the Philippines’ leading consumer advocate, Raul (Ronnie) Concepcion, the devoted mom who is more than a comrade and colleague to her only daughter Rica and her four sons, Robie, Jojo, Patrick and Ton, she is likewise the much-sought after, full-of-fun company for all her 15 grandchildren.
To discover the other interesting worlds of Menchu, who is equally at home in palaces and flea markets, please read on.
What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?
Menchu de las Alas Concepcion: My first plane ride ever, on my first trip abroad to Europe and the United States, together with my mother Natividad de las Alas, my sister Lily de las Alas Padilla and my niece Josie Padilla (now Rufino) was on June 1957. I was very afraid to take the several flights involved during the trip for President Ramon Magsaysay had perished in a plane crash a few months back and it certainly brought back unpleasant memories as the Magsaysay children were all my very good friends.
What won’t you leave home without?
I always have my scapular medal on me and I am never without my rosary. In my handbag I have some hard candies that come in handy when hunger pangs set in and when the ordered meals at restaurants are not quite ready yet. I likewise bring along my ever-present little notebook where I record relevant data of my passport, detailed itinerary, hotel reservations and important telephone numbers. I also use it to jot down names of new acquaintances complete with contact information and other interesting observations that catch my eye which I would like to keep a record of.
Other than your spouse or a member of the family, who would you like to be seated next to on a flight?
Honestly, when I am on an aircraft in flight, I hope to relax and catch up on my sleep. So I would prefer someone who won’t talk too much and leave me in peace – alone with my thoughts and possibly rest in no time at all.
Who is your ideal traveling companion?
My husband. We are completely comfortable with each other. I feel very secure with his presence. Whenever the plane ride gets bumpy, I just hold on close to him and almost instantly the fear somehow disappears. My daughter Rica would be my second choice. Lately, I relish the company of my grandchildren – the older ones, Nikki aged 21, Katsy, 18, Maita, 15 and Carsy, 13. When I am with them, I feel young again. There are no formalities. I do what they do. I go where they go. I even dress up the way they do. Heaven bless them!
Name your favorite city abroad.
San Francisco. My husband and I, since we got married, have never missed a summer in the city by the bay. Weather is perfect, food is excellent, there are shops galore and the activities never seem to end. And to think it’s not as far away as the other destinations that we visit and have learned to love.
What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel?
First and foremost, I give my husband his pair of comfortable slippers. I always have one set in the suitcase, just in case some hotels do not provide bedroom slip-ons. Then I search for the safe deposit box in the room and I stash away the passports, the airline tickets, cash if any, jewelry if I brought some along and other important documents.
What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?
It entirely depends on the city we’re at. For example, in Rome, it is imperative to hear mass at the Basilica of St. Peter. In New York, I have to watch a Broadway play. In Sydney, it is essential to take a boat ride by the harbor. And in London, drop by Harrods.
Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite restaurant?
In San Francisco, the light lunch at the Rotunda in Neiman Marcus. In Paris, the onion soup and the moules at Chez Ribe. In Florence, the Florentine beef at the Il Latino and in Vancouver, the roasted squab at the Sun Sui Wah.
Favorite museum?
Last summer, we went to the Prado Museum with some friends. Though I have been there before, it was only at this particular time that I truly appreciated it. With an excellent guide, we viewed more masterpieces and learned more about the masters and their priceless works of art.
If you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?
The Immaculate Conception by the Spanish national painter Murillo which is at the Escorial.
Favorite hotel?
I do not seem to care for huge nor modern hotels even if they are grand and beautiful with several amenities. I am enchanted by the rather small charming hotels where I can feel the warmth of home. I always prefer a good breakfast where the rolls are warm, the eggs are cooked when you ask for them and done the way you like it. My favorites are the Paradores of Spain – each property is unique in its own distinctive way.
Favorite resort?
I truly believe the beach resorts in the Philippines are the best. Early this year, the family went to El Nido. It was paradise – exquisite food, impeccable service and the activities lined up for us were tailor-made just for us.
Favorite landmark?
Union Square in San Francisco. The monument has a marker that states: Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Commodore George Dewey, April 2, 1898, "War has commenced between the United States and Spain. Proceed at once to the Philippine Islands and capture or destroy the Spanish Fleet."
Favorite park?
Stanley Park in Vancouver. Aside from being very beautiful – it’s full of trees and flowers – it brings back pleasant memories of picnics in the park when my grandchildren were growing up.
Favorite musical?
My all-time favorite is the Phantom of the Opera. But for the more recent ones, I would choose Mamma Mia; it’s super entertaining with catchy songs. After the show, together with my husband and some friends, we found ourselves all dancing on the theater aisles.
Q. Favorite store?
A. I must confess I enjoy shopping in inexpensive stores such as Target in Serramonte, California. Whenever I have my grandchildren with me, I announce that all the items they have in their carts, Lola will pay – but only if they are at the paying counter when I check-out. You should see all of them follow me and stick by me. But as I said, Target is such a bargain that the bill never adds up to a huge sum. For the high-end stores, my choice is Neiman Marcus in San Francisco. The actual store space is not so big, the clothes are my type and the collection of costume jewelry is fabulous. Besides I have all the time to browse around when I am on holiday in San Francisco.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home?
My driver! Abroad I am at the mercy of my husband and our sons. I have to request them to drive for me and at times they are not patient when some waiting is involved.
What is the best travel advice you were given?
May I reverse the question and ask – what is the best travel advice I can give? Before you leave home, have photocopies made of the relevant pages of your passport complete with visas, essential information of credit cards and all other important travel documents. Should the original ones get misplaced or lost, you do have a record.
Describe your most memorable trip?
This year, my husband and I went on a religious pilgrimage – cleansing trips to Lourdes, to Fatima and to the Vatican. Lourdes was a humbling and purifying experience when we took a dip at the Grotto Baths. Fatima was a renewal of the commitment to pray the rosary with the family. I was touched by the Holy Father at the Vatican. His Holiness simply radiates. The pilgrimage truly strengthened my faith.
What is the strangest thing you have done in a trip?
We were on our merry way to Milan in Italy with my son Ton as the driver of the van. We stopped at a gas station to fill up, stretch and buy some snacks. Ton left the van door open with his portfolio on the driver’s seat while I stayed inside the van. Very soon after, three male teenagers suddenly appeared and got my attention to check on what could be a rear flat tire. Unsuspecting and concerned, I turned my back but luckily immediately looked front. That’s when I noticed one of the three grabbed the portfolio and ran away. I quickly jumped out of the van and chased him. There were lots of people around but no one moved, cared or dared to help. I initially shouted "Ladron, ladron," not knowing what the Italian word for thief is. Then I cried, "Magnanakaw, magnanakaw," hoping my husband, Ton and his wife Karen would hear me. Believe it or not, I was able to catch up with the snatcher. He instinctively threw away the portfolio and denied that he stole it. I continued to hold him by the collar till the other members of my family came to my rescue. Come to think of it, it was a foolish thing to do. Can you imagine all the possible consequences? Oh yes, in the end we got the portfolio back.
What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?
Actually it was not a souvenir but a laughing box toy I got for my grandson while in Hong Kong. Whenever the toy is pressed, it starts to laugh and will not stop until the pressure is released. Coming home, I packed it inside my suitcase. Upon check-in at the airport counter, the toy began to laugh and laugh. At first, it was cute. But then when it went on and on, it got to be irritating. The key for the lock was nowhere to be found and we could no longer open the bag. Without any warning, the suitcase disappeared. It was loaded into the aircraft. Upon retrieving the suitcase on the luggage carousel at NAIA, the box was still at it – laughing even more loudly now. Don’t ask me how. We were all amused, surprised and perhaps even a bit shocked.
Who would you like to bump into – dead or alive – during your travels?
Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana. I am curious to see how beautiful they really were. And if lucky enough to have a chat, find out how such gentle women could be so strong to make such a difference in other people’s lives.
Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in.
When my late father Antonio de las Alas was the head of the Philippine Olympic Committee, he would lead the Philippine delegates to the summer Olympic Games and the Asian Games. My mother and I, in our personal capacity, would always accompany him. I was forever fascinated by the women swimmers who would perform ballet underwater with such ease and grace. How I wished I were one of them. I still do watch them now, but only on television.
If you could enforce one law to the fullest, what would it be?
The discipline of motorists on the road. I feel traffic is caused by drivers who are not considerate. The Tagalog term I can think of is bigayan.
Let’s fill in the blanks. "Where in the world . . . only in the Philippines."
"Where in the world can you request the restaurant waiter to do variations on your food order, only in the Philippines." I will share with you an example. When my husband wishes to have a halo-halo, he informs the order taker to add more langka, remove the leche flan, only use red beans and not the white, forget the ice cream, fill up to the brim with crushed ice. And he goes on and on.
"If I had more time, I would . . ."
". . . stay longer in the different countries - long enough to learn the foreign language and speak it fluently.
What are your pasalubong – outbound and inbound?
Outbound, I bring preserved fruits like dried mangoes and mangorind (mango/tamarind) chicharones, pastillas de leche. Lately a friend in San Francisco wants canned laing and bottled dulong. Inbound, for my family, I ask them before I leave the country, what vitamins do they need that are not yet available here so I can purchase abroad. For the children, I buy the latest VHS tapes. For friends, my pasalubongs depends on the cities I have visited – Rome, rosaries, Vancouver, smoked salmon; Geneva, chocolates.
Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you would do upon returning home?
While still in the car on the way home from the airport, I would get in touch with my five children through the cell phone. Upon reaching home, I go straight to the altar and thank our Lord for a safe trip.
Name a city you have never visited before but would like to someday?
Cities in South Africa – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban for I wish to go on a safari and be in close contact with the animals in the vast, untamed, unspoiled wilderness in its natural glory.
Name a country you wish to explore.
Russia. Though I have been to Moscow when my husband and I joined the presidential party of former President Fidel V. Ramos, we only stayed for two days as usually the case in such trips. I was only able to catch glimpses of some famous monuments, parks and squares and tour the subway stations that look like underground palaces. Time was certainly not on our side. I long to see more of Russia.
What would you say is the best part of travel?
Enriching one’s knowledge, developing new friendships and feeling rejuvenated.
What would you say then is the worst part of travel?
Packing and unpacking. The long waits at the airports.
If you could be transported anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Baguio where I can have the entire family together in one house. There is a lot of family bonding coupled with so much fun together.
Looking back at your travels abroad, what would you say is your biggest regret?
I never used to bring along a camera. I have lost the opportunity to take some pictures of all the beautiful and memorable places we have been to and the many friends we were with.
What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?
Baguio, without a doubt.
If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?
We maintain a house in Vancouver. It is the same house where my children grew up while at school. Some of my grandchildren were born in Vancouver. It is our home away from home.