How Mely Hechanova cooked sinigang at Lungarno suites

Mely Concepcion Hechanova is one great lover of la buena vida.

Truly one of Manila’s best-dressed ladies, with her own panache and flair, she is among the nation’s sterling hostesses.

Widely known for her fabulous prized jewelry, a serious — no, make that almost fabled — collection of much-coveted shoes and bags, formal evening gowns and more couture creations meticulously stored away in a grand walk-in closet beyond compare, Mely, who makes things happen in her own signature way, continues to find time to be actively involved in several charities.

Through the years, she has earned well-deserved recognition with numerous citations and awards bestowed upon her for her genuine concern for the marginalized.

Married for over half a century to Paing Hechanova, an Olympian basketball hero and a tower of strength and inspiration to Rotary Clubs both here and abroad, Mely is extremely supportive of the organization’s many community-oriented programs and projects in food and health, literary and vocational service.

One afternoon not too long ago, we got together with Mely and her eldest daughter Renna Hechanova Angeles at the former’s palatial home to reminisce over their many travels to capital cities of the world and intriguing destinations — journeys she has taken with her husband, their four children and their respective spouses together with six grandchildren plus dear friends from her childhood days.

Architectural masterpiece: Daughter Renna Hechanova Angeles dotes on her parents during a tour of the Duomo and its surroundings in Milan, Italy.

Little did I realize while enjoying a delicious merienda (which, I must confess, looked more like a full-course gourmet dinner) that I would leave the well-appointed home with enough interesting stories and tales, anecdotes and observations to fill up a book.

For more of the glamorous and gracious icon with all heart, kindly read on.

PHILIPINE STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

MELY CONCEPCION HECHANOVA: My first trip abroad took all of six months, as my mom kept herself busy searching for an all-girls school for me. I remember we stayed at the Buckingham Hotel. Also in New York at this time were groups of friends. We kept bumping into each other in Manhattan and we did things together. The year was 1950. Oh, I can’t believe it was that long ago. (Sighs)

What won’t you leave home without?

Though it was a completely different list in the good old days, today, it’s my cell phone. I love the idea that no matter where you are, you can reach anyone, everyone. I value that feeling.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

Showering grace: Pope Paul VI blesses Paing and Mely Hechanova together with 10-year-old daughter Renna during a Papal Audience at Castel Gandolfo at the outskirts of Rome, Italy.

My husband Paing and my family cause they are very patient and caring. Nowadays, in a city we’ve been before, I seldom leave the hotel except for dinners in choice restaurants with family and friends. Most of the time, my children shop for me, while Paing and I stay in, relax and watch television.

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel or at a resort?

First thing I do, is to call the housekeeping department and request more hangers, more luggage racks, more towels — more of almost everything. (Smiles) Then I unpack. I try to relax and take a nap especially if I didn’t sleep at all on the flight the previous night. Having rested, I get ready for a great dinner.

What would you consider a must-do activity in any foreign city that you visit?

I’m not much for sightseeing — even if it’s a place I have never been before. The most I would do is hire a car with a driver plus a personal tour guide, with strict instructions that all I wish for is a brief tour touching on a bit of history, culture and other aspects — all these with a maximum duration of between two and three hours only and without my having to step down from the car. So in reply to your question, the answer would be shop, shop, shop, and dine, dine, dine. I love doing both! (Smiles)

Describe your most memorable trip.

Reversal of role: Gift-bearing household help of the Hechanovas, mostly sans uniforms, host an endearing birthday party honoring one of the country’s top hostesses. Beside her is the ever-supportive Paing.

It has to be our honeymoon in 1955. But for all the wrong reasons. We took a cruise to Tokyo onboard one of the ships of the American President Lines. I was so seasick throughout the voyage that I could not eat at all. So to this very day, due to that particular horrible, never-again experience, we have not been on a cruise since then.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

My sinigang and adobo and, of course, my rice. On our last trip to Europe a few months ago, I missed it so much that I cooked my pork sinigang and beef adobo while were staying at the Ferragamo family-owned Lungarno Suites in Florence, Italy. Though it’s an all-suite hotel, it barely had a kitchenette, with only two burners, a couple of pots and pans. But I managed. Oh, it was heaven! (Laughs) Somehow during all my European trips, I also crave both Chinese and Japanese food. So in cities that we frequently visit such as Paris and Madrid, Rome and Milan and even Berlin and Florence, we already have our tried and tested sukis. However, in places we are not very familiar with, the search is conducted early for the leading and popular Chinese and Japanese restaurants.

What is the best travel advice you can share?

Number one is travel light, which I must admit I seldom or normally don’t do, but definitely should. Whenever you’re on a holiday, splurge a bit on hotels and excellent food. It’s worth your money and creates memories that last a lifetime. Whenever possible try to spend a few nights in each destination to enable you to see, hear, feel and smell of the place even more. Besides you don’t have to pack and unpack so often.

Heavenly sent: In silence, Mely and Paing flank Mother Teresa before she delivers her much-applauded, much-discussed speech during the Rotary Asian Regional Conference in November of 1984 in Manila.

What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?

Oh, listen to this. (Smiles) After attending Mass one Sunday morning in Helsinki, Finland sometime in 1987, a Filipina eagerly approached me and readily started a conversation with so much gusto. I could feel she was so homesick for some interaction with fellow Filipinos and for some news from back home. This was before the wide use of mobile phones and the Internet and the Filipino Channel. Before parting ways, she sincerely invited us — by then, the rest of the family had joined in the very animated conversation — to her cousin’s house for an all-Filipino Sunday lunch. It so tempting to grab the invitation, for after all, we liked how she described the menu. We initially made excuses, one of which was the size of our group — all eight of us, four children, two in-laws, Paing and I. But the charming, amiable Filipina insisted and constantly assured us that her cousin would be thrilled and delighted. We finally said yes. Before long we were on our way for a leisurely drive through the countryside. We all had a fiesta and memorable time. And that’s not all. The following night we all gathered once again but this time at the apartment of the Filipina where we cooked more Filipino dishes. Imagine, we never met her before and yet she opened her home to us, complete strangers — and more so her heart. How can I ever forget her? An extraordinary, remarkable individual.

Let’s talk favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

In my younger days, say the 1950s, ‘60s or even the ‘70s, there was no place like New York for me. The city was simply unbeatable in everything that I could think of, or care about. It was a series of nonstop fun and more fun. Now that I am happy to be 78 years old, I prefer San Francisco and Mendocino in California, and Milan and Florence in Italy.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Simplicity reigns: Princess Caroline of Monaco smiles with gratitude at the unprecedented success in raising funds at an event chaired by Mely, one of the nation’s leading philanthropists for the Virlaine Foundation.

My choice would be Tagaytay, where we have a home. I love the cool weather, the clean air, the flowers, the vegetables, the fruits.

Favorite airport?

Locally, the Japanese-designed Iloilo airport. It’s new, clean and efficient. International, the Hong Kong Airport. It’s relatively smaller and therefore manageable. Changi Airport in Singapore is another favorite of mine, but it’s forever expanding and getting more and more too big for me. Sorry to say, both Heathrow in London and Charles de Gaulle in Paris do nothing but confuse me.

Favorite museum?

I must confess I don’t like museums. Could be because when I was young, we had to visit several and I must have seen too many museums and studied all their treasures. Today I find myself “museumed out.” Seriously, I’m burned out with museums. There came a time that my favorite signs within museums were “Exit,” “Salida,” “Utchita.”

Favorite hotel?

I get thoroughly excited every time, whenever I return to the Peninsula Hong Kong. My daughters claim it’s my second home. Come of think of it, there’s some truth to it. The Four Seasons in Milan, Italy is also so dear to me,

Favorite landmark?

They were my favorite when I was 18 years old. Not surprisingly, they have remained among my favorite ones today. My choices are the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Palace of Versailles, just on the outskirts of Paris.

Favorite musical or play?

Worthy of praise: Some members of the family congratulate Mely Concepcion Hechanova after her acceptance of a coveted honor, the Pinnacle Award from the Philippine Tatler at their Annual Ball (From left): Ed and Renna Angeles, Riana Trajano, Mely, Raissa Posadas, Paing and Monet Posadas.

Phantom of the Opera tops my list.

Favorite mall or store?

I don’t like malls at all. No exceptions. (Laughs) I either find them too big for comfort or too confusing to shop. I prefer boutique stores such as Prada in Milan, Chanel in Paris and Valentino in Rome. (Sighs)

Favorite restaurant or bar?

Oh my. My list is long. Are you ready? (Laughs) Bice in Milan, Celestino in Florence, Spring Moon at the Peninsula Hong Kong, Unkai also in Hong Kong and Kinugawa in Paris. (Sighs again)

Name an event anywhere in the world in which you would like to participate?

Oh, I’d like to experience a Valentino fashion show in Rome. Though too late now, and now impossible, I would have wanted to be at the wedding of Princess Diana.

You’re the type that buys pasalubong both inbound and outbound. Share some samples with us, please.

From home, all Filipiniana items from Rustan’s. All types and all kinds. Returning from abroad, it’s usually food items such as parma ham, Italian cheeses, a variety of chocolates from all over the world. At times I bring shawls, wallets and even Harrod’s hand-carry bags.

Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you would do upon returning home?

Would you believe when I get home, I don’t unpack right away. I try to remember where the food items are and those are only maletas my household help unpacks first. By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. So forget the other maletas first. I rest, read the newspapers and watch television.

Name a city you have never visited before but would like to someday.

At present I have two dream cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

I love the opportunity of staying in grand luxurious hotel and loving every minute of it. Such hotels with exquisite service are very important to me as I could stay in the suite all day and yet be very happy.

What would you say, then, is the worst part of travel?

The packing and the unpacking. I dread it! That’s why I stay a minimum of at least six days in one place. Another thing is the long, seem-never-to-end flights to Europe or to the States. Though I’m pampered during the flights, it’s the jet lag that automatically follows at all times. And believe me when I say it takes me there weeks to get over it. That’s the reason why I have to be away such long periods to get over it. It’s horrible!

If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

San Francisco where the weather is always pleasant, the food excellent, the shopping… what can I say. The other place would be Mendocino in California where you wake up to the sounds of the waves and see deer crossing your property. It’s such a place of tranquility, peace and quiet. It’s pure bliss. (Sighs)