Gloria Romero can’t forget Hollywood encounters with Ava Gardner, Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford

The face is one of the most recognizable in the country. The name is one of the most revered by our countrymen. The lady has logged a phenomenal 62 years in the Philippine entertainment industry, and she has loved every minute of it. “It is a passion that I have,” she proclaims. The name is Gloria Romero.

Born in Denver, Colorado, United States of America to Filipino Pedro Galla and American Mary Borrego, Gloria was only four years old when she arrived in the islands for a visit. But her father kept on postponing their departure date. Soon, World War II broke out, so they stayed.

It was Nene Vera Perez of Sampaguita Pictures who helped groom the beautiful girl into a sophisticated actress. Gloria considers her a second mother.“She taught me everything — how to walk, how to talk, the table etiquette, the choice of wardrobe. She did so many things for me. She adopted me as a daughter and I gratefully adopted her as well,” she says.

As a polished young lady, she was constantly invited by the Perezes to join them on trips. It was, as Gloria describes, a series of vacaciones grandes. First, they flew to Bangkok, and then Europe where the hosts bought a van and toured them around the continent by land for over two months. Among the memorable stopovers included perfume houses in France, the Alps in Switzerland, the catacombs in Italy, the lifestyle in the French Riviera, the serenity of Fatima in Portugal, the solemnity of Lourdes, where, call it a miracle, her ulcers were cured. The list of other destinations goes on and on.

Wherever they would be, Gloria, who has remained a movie and television fan all her life, was always in search of stars. In Madrid, she saw Ava Gardner during a bullfight. The Hollywood star was then in love with bullfights and, as expected, a leading bullfighter. Gloria inched her way to be close to her. “She was glamorous and gorgeous,” she says. “I can still remember her flat brown shoes.”http://www.philstar.com/node/901405/edit?destination=admin/dashboard/articles/scheduled?qviews/ajaxtypeAlltitlefield_section_tid11tidfield_publication_date_valuevaluedate2013-01-27

Speaking of Hollywood, she toured the MGM Studios, where she observed Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford in rehearsals. Both were very accommodating and Debbie was “so gracious,” Gloria remembers. The Filipina admired MGM’s magnificent movie archives — rows and rows of films from way before the digital age, all well preserved in temperature-controlled rooms.

Gloria is in awe of theater performers who enact an entire production with no retakes, all live. She marvels at how they can remember everything — lines and movements — how they still have a zest for performing night after night and how they do it without losing interest year after year. She has only done one play in her life, the actress reveals, and her role was the Blessed Virgin Mary. And with no lines at that.

When prodded, Gloria admits her favorite films are love stories, true accounts, and anything that “touches my heart.” She also enjoys a good comedy “because I love to laugh.”

For fun, she goes on outings with her daughter Maritess, a full-fledged chef, and her 20-year-old, 6’1” grandson Christopher, also a master of the kitchen in his own right. She looks forward to their dinners, which she calls “talk time” with the family.

Show business, she reveals, has changed completely. Then, the local entertainment industry was patterned after the great Hollywood studios. Stars were put on pedestals. They made no personal appearances. And whenever they stepped into the outside world, they would always appear glamorous, from head to toe. People seldom saw them as everyday creatures.

Today, actors and actresses are regarded as more human. They do ordinary things like going to the grocery store or walking their dogs. The varnish of studio packaging has disappeared.

The most important truth that Gloria has learned about being an actor is that nothing is ever easy in life. “It is hard to make a living. It is not easy to make a peso. Acting is a job, really, a trabajo this is,” she attests.

“Whenever I receive a script, I read it from the first to the last page to understand and appreciate the big picture,” the actress adds.

 The schedules are tough. She may wake up at 4 a.m. and work until past midnight. Gloria always knows her lines for the scene to be taped by heart. In addition, she must produce tears on cue and deliver the needed emotion. Most importantly, she has to take care of herself and maintain a right attitude.

Together with the entire crew, she always prays on the first day of shooting and dedicates it “for you, Lord.” Then, she confidently steps into the light and delivers her already memorized lines flawlessly.

“Yes, there is the glamour and the adulation of fame, but this is no walk in the park,” the legendary actress muses. “People pay to see you, so you have a great responsibility in your hands.”

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

GLORIA ROMERO: I went to Hong Kong in 1955 to film Hong Kong Holidays. We stayed there for a month, and though we worked hard, it felt like a vacation due to the place, which was full of new and strange sights, and the people I worked with — Ric Rodrigo, who was my love team partner, Dolphy, who was already funny even back then, Paraluman, a true beauty and a lady, and her daughter Baby O’Brien, whose screen name was Liza Ferrrer, Daisy Romualdez, and Tony Cayado, our director. We were also accompanied by Nene Vera Perez of Sampaguita Pictures.

One day, while waiting for my turn to shoot a scene, who do I see? One of my favorite movie stars, William Holden of Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing and later on The Bridge on the River Kwai and The World of Suzie Wong. He was handsome — tanned, smiling, and dressed in a beige trench coat. I readily approached him. I could not breathe. I was tongue-tied. I behaved like a true fan of the era and just stared at him! Amused, he asked me what country I was from. I proudly said that I was from the Philippines. It is a moment that is etched in my mind. I am such a fan of his films.

What won’t you leave home without?

A wooden rosary that I have had for the longest time. I also usually bring a golden wrist rosary from my dear friend Boots Anson Roa. I’m not sure if it’s made of black glass or onyx. Both give me an assurance of a safe trip. I likewise bring my medicines — then, for my ulcers and now, for my vertigo.

Describe your present passport photograph.

A very simple photo of me taken almost 10 years ago for my American passport. I have light makeup on and my long hair is in a pusod. Per regulations, you were not supposed to smile. I followed it, so it was not the best portrait.

How do you pass time at airports?

Having checked in and attended to all immigration requirements, I relax by reading or, if I’m hungry, have a snack. Speaking of airports, I had a memorable encounter at the San Francisco Airport when martial law had just been lifted in 1986. I was returning home from a visit with my brother, a medical doctor residing in Delaware. My connecting flight was delayed, and I was tired and sleepy. But when I spotted Genny Lopez with his grandchildren being interviewed after years in exile, I perked up. Soon, I found out that we were booked on the same flight. Approaching him, I requested, “When you reopen your television station, please don’t forget me.” Guess what? He didn’t. I love the man!

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

Back then in the earlier days of my travels, they would be the Sampaguita Pictures matriarch Dolores Vera together with Dr. Jose Perez and wife Nene Vera Perez. They were great mentors who I always considered my second set of parents. They treated me like their own child. These days, my ideal travel companions would be my daughter Maritess and my only grandson Christopher.

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

Wherever I may be, I immediately draw the curtains and take in the view. As far as I’m concerned, it’s always a pinch-me moment: “Oh my God! I can’t believe this is all happening to me.” Me, pa, a provinciana seeing and experiencing the world.

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

No shopping muna. (Laughs) The Perezes always insisted on visiting the sights the city is known for such as, say, the pink Grimaldi Palace in Monte Carlo, which was even made more famous by Grace Kelly. Next would be the museums to understand and appreciate the destination, its history, tradition, culture, arts, and people better. Then, activities like operas in Italy, circuses in Germany, or apple and strawberry picking in America. Also, they insisted on trying the restaurants that serve local cuisine. After all these, we rush to shop. (Laughs) This is the formula that I have followed throughout the years. And so far, no regrets.

Describe your most memorable trip.

All my trips are memorable. Back then, during the heyday of my travels with the Perezes, I took planes and cruises, limos and trains, buses and vans around Europe, Asia and America. I went to capital cities and important towns for holidays and relaxation, pilgrimages and film festivals. I would strictly always follow a travel itinerary.

Now, at this time in my life, I mostly visit family, my 80-year-old sister Louise in Sacramento, California and my 70-year-old brother Gilbert in Wilmington, Delaware. We do things that family usually do — recollecting, chatting, sharing and assuring everyone that we’re here for each other. There are lots of eating and lots of laughter with nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. The oldies reminisce about the good old bygone days, the way things were done. Meanwhile, the young ones boast about the modern way of doing things. Both generations learn something from each other. It always brings out the best of times.

However, my siblings and I miss my brother Tito Galla, who was also in Philippines movies. He passed on at a rather young age, 44, due to a brain tumor. We always feel his presence during family gatherings.

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

All the pampering that this country easily provides. We are spoiled here — the driver, the household help, the home service that includes the entire package of manicure, pedicure, and foot massage. The list goes on and on. (Laughs)

What is the best travel advice you were given?

Travel light, travel light, travel light, but how I wish I could. I always try, but I am never successful. Never! It may be too late to learn. As my friends say, matigas ang ulo ko. (Laughs)

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

My only daughter Maritess gave birth to my only apo Christopher in the States, and I stayed with them for a total of 10 months — 10 months! I was so totally engrossed with taking care of my grandson that I forgot about time. And in doing so, I forgot about myself. I just ate and ate and ate! I became so very fat — as in fat! (Laughs) In the end, I had to resort to dusters and muumuus. That was never me. But I must admit that I was most, most happy — the happiest I have ever been. There were moments when I even thought of seriously withdrawing and turning back from the industry completely. The very thought of leaving my apo behind was simply beyond me, so I asked for a series of extensions of my leaves, and Johnny Manahan was very patient and understanding. I was an absolute wreck when I finally said goodbye to my daughter and my grandson.

Name your favorite city aboard.

My favorites are all the cities that have defined my life! New York, the city where dreams can come true. Hollywood during the time of the big studios, which was similar to the world I was in, though in a smaller scale. And Venice, simply because I found it uniquely romantic.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Baguio and Tagaytay, both for its cool weather and laidback attitude. I have wonderful memories of both mountains and resorts.

What are your pasalubongs — inbound and outbound?

I used to bring pasalubongs, both inbound and outbound. But that has all changed due to the shrinking of our world, globalization, or whatever you like to call it. Whatever they have abroad, chances are we have it here, too. For example, all the commercial perfumes are now available in our shops. Friends and family, who reside abroad, have advised me not to bring anything local, especially food, since they are now readily available in Filipino stores or, if there are none in the area, the Korean or Asian stores would be good sources of such items. Just save yourself the worry of excess kilos, they have warned me. How the world has changed. To satisfy their yearning, call it urge, I remember the Perezes and their baon of laing, which they packed in cans, for their extended trips abroad.

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

I check the entire house to see what needs to be attended to. Then I review the bills that may have come in while I was away. I settle back to reality mode right away.

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

Denver, Colorado, my birthplace. My mother, who was American and who died at the age of 28, shared with me very few stories about her family and the city that she came from. Since then, I have lost track of my relatives. It would be wonderful to be able to search for my roots. The curiosity increases more and more each day. I honestly need to do a pilgrimage to Denver soon. It is a missing part of my life.