C'est Magnifique!

The most beautiful thing about Paris is that you can conquer its beauty — nothing is really off limits. Perhaps only the stiff conversion from peso to euro (1 euro is about P60) is the only thing that will stop you from living the life in Paris.

The city is like one big, well-planned Luneta, with landmark buildings (the Louvre, the Opera House, the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais), churches (the Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur), gardens (like the Tuileries Gardens), museums (the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay) and structures (like the Arc d’ Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower) etched into strategic parts of the city. I don’t think any other city in the world has as many identifiable landmarks as Paris has. You can “conquer” Paris by foot, by Metro (the easiest way), by car or a boat ride along the Seine.

The city has successfully wedded history and modernity as shown by the way the glass Pyramid (built by I.M. Pei in 1989) at the Louvre enhances the regal beauty of the old 16th-century main building (where the Mona Lisa is in a glass-encased panel in a climate controlled room). Or the way the 123-year-old Eiffel Tower stands proudly over centuries-old buildings and cobblestoned streets. The Eiffel is the most magnificent man-made structure I have ever beheld — especially when it is all lit up. The structure actually blinks its lights at the beginning of the hour, every hour, at night.

There are about 40,000 to 50,000 Filipinos in Paris and most of them are “productively employed and hardworking,” says Consul General Rose Prospero, charge d’ affaires of the Philippine Embassy there.

Hardworking domestic helpers are able to send to their families back home as much as P150,000 a month because they earn from 10 to 12 euros per hour in Paris. According to Rose, Parisians are fair employers and the French government, very humane. There are about 30 active Filipino associations in Paris.

I was told that even so called “illegal aliens,” as long as they have an address in Paris, are provided medical care or hospitalization when needed, free of charge. When it comes to social services, they are not discriminated against by the government.

The Philippine embassy in Paris is a handsome place, with touches of Filipino culture. Former Ambassador to Paris Jose Zaide made sure Pinoy culture was showcased in the embassy — there is an ice cream cart used during events painted over by artist Manuel Baldemor. The counter in the consular offices is the backdrop of another Baldemor mural, so those applying for visas to the Philippines already have a first good look at its vibrant culture. Rose says there is a renewed interest among Parisians in visiting the Philippines.

Among the few prominent Filipinos in Paris is Babette Aquino-Benoit, who lives with her French husband in an elegant apartment not far from the Elysee Palace, where French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his pregnant wife Carla Bruni live. Babette tries to help the Filipino community in Paris bond tightly — she holds Bible study groups in her house, and when she knows of Filipinos who can render invaluable services to other visiting Filipinos (like, say, a tour guide you can trust), she recommends them. She wears her Celestina croc bags (designed by Tina Maristela Ocampo) as proudly as she wears her Hermes bags.

Another long-time Paris resident is designer Roy Gonzales, a product of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Once with the house of Pierre Cardin, he now shuttles back and forth between Paris and Manila. In Manila, he is the man behind the legendary House of Paras in Quezon City. He is known for his “classic with a twist” designs.

Another rising Filipino star in Paris is chef Aaron Isip of Ze Kitchen Galleries. He infuses Asian touches to French dishes, like wonton dumplings in the aperitif.

On our last Saturday in Paris, my sister Valerie, niece Patricia and I took a stroll down the Champs Elysees when we noticed a commotion on the sidewalk. People were just going ga-ga over the lady — Lady Gaga herself. She had just signed autographs at the Virgin music store and she was strolling (unsuccessfully) down the beautiful, tourist-packed Champs Elysees. Though surrounded by bodyguards, she was approachable. Patricia was able to get her autograph! Now, wasn’t that a small miracle, since we had all just been to Lourdes?

The trip to Lourdes fortified me in more ways than one. I did not emerge from it with a miracle (or knowing of a miracle) worthy of the standards of the Lourdes Medical Bureau — but as the days pass, I know many of my prayers were answered. In fact, even before I utter a prayer, I find it already answered.

After my trip to Paris, I was entirely by myself as I proceeded to business meetings in Italy and the Netherlands, sometimes travelling by train. There were times when I thought I would have to spend the night in the train station because my bags were so heavy and there were no escalators. But each time, there would be kind-hearted strangers who would help me with my luggage. One even gave up his seat for me in a crowded train to Venice.

My late mother-in-law always used to tell me, “To travel is to see God.” Indeed she was right. You see God in the wonders of His creations, in the magnificence of the creations of men, and in the kindness of strangers — including Lady Gaga. C’est magnifique!

Pinoy tops NYU class

Felipe ‘Ipe’ Cruz III emerged at the top of his class with a Master of Science in Publishing at New York University and received the Award for Excellence in Magazine Publishing with a cumulative grade of 3.95 out of 4, bringing honor to himself and the Philippines.

Former US President Bill Clinton was guest speaker at the 2011 New York University commencement at the Yankee Stadium. Ipe’s mother, Rep. Gina de Venecia, father Felipe Cruz II, aunt New York fashion designer Josie Cruz Natori and stepfather former Speaker Joe de Venecia attended the ceremony.

The young Cruz was able to beat editors and digital executives from top US media outlets, including Time Magazine, Esquire Magazine, Elle Magazine, AOL and the Associated Press. It’s proof that the Filipino journalist can compete in the global arena — and prevail.

Ipe began his print media career in 2003 as a columnist in The Philippine Star and in 2005 transitioned to business development to the magazine publisher’s section of ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., where he was promoted to Associate Publisher, overseeing for lifestyle magazines various categories of youth, shelter and fashion.

Earlier, Ipe Cruz attended the Stanford University “Professional Publishing Course” for magazine executives in Palo Alto, California.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected])