All the world’s a stage for Maritina Romulo

Maritina Romulo has lived more lives than nine. And she’s "just a bit over 30." Consider these:

An honor student at the International School in Manila, she attended Saint Louis University in Madrid, Spain, the American University in Paris, France and graduated from the Vesalius College at Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, Belgium.

Theatrical Maritina took up extensive courses on drama in New York at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, the Stella Adler Conservatory and at the New York University. Graceful and supple, she has likewise undergone intensive training in ballet and jazz dance in Manila, Brussels, New York and Bangkok. "I have danced on several occasions for the royal family of Thailand," she shares.

A TV and print commercial model and a radio and voice talent, her theater performances include musicals and plays both here and abroad. Maritina serves as the acting instructor-teacher and assistant director at the Colegio de San Agustin and has successfully produced international Filipino shows in foreign capital cities for several Manila-based organizations.

Recently, she has attended several sessions on Pilates – both theory and practical – from equilibrio, linea and postura to floor exercises for fitness professionals, highlighted by the Body Arts and Science International Pilates Mat Teacher Training course in Hong Kong.

Presently, she holds one-on-one Pilates workouts for individual clients and conducts Pilates group mat classes.

And that’s not all. The list of activities goes on and on.

But what can you say of a grandchild of Carlos P. Romulo, a hero who walked with heroes during his lifetime and the youngest daughter of concerned achievers Olivia and Bobby Romulo who themselves are living active, meaningful lives?

It must be in the genes!

Over glasses of cold lemonade, the expressive and never-seeming-to-tire Maritina took us on an interesting , often times amusing, tour to places where she has resided through the years and more with lots of laughter and the always-present hand gestures.

Read on.

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

Maritina Romulo: My first trip abroad to Darien, Connecticut lasted for over two years. We joined Dad in his new foreign assignment with IBM. Strange as it may seem, even at a very young age, I do recall some snippets of life in a wholesome American suburbia. We knew all our neighbors. I had a blonde blue-eyed American girl as my best friend. We walked to Hollow Tree School for Kindergarten. But not without saying hello to Mr. Kieler, the friendly policeman who always assisted us to cross the street. Oh how we felt so safe. We had no yaya and were pretty independent in our own little way. I also remember Mom did volunteer work at the school library and it was a thrill to see her at school among so many books. I cherish the memories.

What won’t you leave home without?

My stampita of St. Raphael the Archangel which I bought at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. It comes with a powerful prayer and it protects me whenever I am on the move, whenever I travel.

Other than some members of your family, who would you like to be seated next to on a flight?

Madonna, hands down! I am intrigued by her life and the transformation she undergoes year after year. She fascinates me no end. I want to know what lies beneath the hype, the packaging, the image – what’s image and what’s not.

Name your favorite city abroad.

Rio de Janeiro – it moves me ! The mountains, the beaches, the infrastructure, the architecture, the cuisine, especialmente la musica. And the people – how they take care of themselves.

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

Check the bathroom thoroughly. I have this mania for clean, spotless bathrooms.

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

Drop by the music shops and purchase several CDs capturing the local beat as performed by home-based talents. Oh, I could gladly spend hours just going over what they have to offer.

Let’s talk favorites now. Favorite restaurant?

Lo siento mucho but I have two. Personally, I strongly feel that the best food in the world is in Belgium. So my first choice is Le Truffle Noir (The Black Truffle) in Brussels. I love their truffles that are served with pasta and a few drops of olive oil. The second is El Candelero in Mexico City. The food is excellent, the service impeccable and the ambiance unbeatable. I can even see the entire place before me as we talk – the high ceilings, the mirrors, the veranda, the strolling guitarists and in a especially-designated area, the dancefloor. Y la musica – que musica!

Favorite museum?

Once again, two come to mind. The Musee d’ Orsay in Paris showcasing contemporary arts and El Museo Nacional de Antopologia in Mexico City with its intricate ancient artifacts.

Favorite hotel?

The Hyatt Regency in Santiago, Chile. Totalmente impresionante!

Favorite landmark?

The massive Statue of Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado overlooking the beautiful harbor and the city of Rio de Janeiro and the Pyramids of Teotihucan in the outskirts of Mexico City – a resounding reminder of the advanced civilization at the time.

Favorite museum?

Parque del Retiro in Madrid especially in the spring time. A stroll around the park takes away the never-ending party mode of the city – if only for a few precious moments.

Favorite musicale?

A Chorus Line – my very first Broadway play. I was only 12 then but all the while I knew I wanted to be on stage. However, it took me some 10 years to jump on the stage. Another favorite is the song-and-dance Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk – all black, all soul, all energy.

Favorite store?

Believe or not, I have no favorite store. I enjoy going through the exciting Rastro de Madrid where I can spend an entire day. Everything is in there and yet I may end up with no purchases at all.

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

The family. The night life. Every venue has a theme, its own distinct attraction, everything different from the next. The music is varied as well. The whole set-up gives you enough reason to go where you want to be. And that I miss.

What is the best travel advice you were given or you wish to share?

Travel light. Dad always warned not to bring the world when you travel. I know it can be done. When I left to reside in Madrid for two years, I only had one maleta. But, oh!

Describe your most memorable trip?

Sin duda, it has to be the trip to the various cities in South America with several friends of my parents in 1997. I was the youngest in the group but everyone became my barkada. It was fun. It was great fun. I soon realized the locals lived the kind of life they wanted to and nothing stopped them. It was different from anything I had experienced before.

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

When I was a student in Spain, together with some schoolmates we rented a van and drove to Gandia near Valencia for a beach holiday. Whenever we got stuck in traffic, we did a Chinese Fire Drill, a quick change of places. Como locos. We were a moving attraction, a sight to reckon with on wheels.

Who would you like to bump into – dead or alive – during your travels?

Mi abuelo Carlos P. Romulo. I would like to listen to his own cuentos, most especially the funny ones. I would love to hear what he would have to say about anything and everything.

Let’s fill in the blanks. "Where in the world...only in the Philippines."

"Where in the world can a people actually start a revolution via text messages, only in the Philippines."

"If I had more time, I would..."

"... master more languages – both spoken and written."

What are your pasalubongs – outbound and inbound?

Inbound – algo tipico such as rosaries from Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Mexico. Outbound – ensaymadas and excellent items for the home that we do so well such as exquisite placemats.

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

Switch on the air conditioner to full blast.

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

Any destination in the Caribbean.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Cuba and everything that goes with it.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Not having to follow a schedule at all. It provides a great opportunity to people-watch, get to know them seriously and learn what makes them tick.

What would you say is worst part of travel?

The filling up of application forms for visas and actually filing them. The packing and unpacking of suitcases which seem to go on forever and ever.

If you could be transported anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to be?

New York City. I used to live there and loved it.

Looking back at your travels abroad, what would you say is your biggest regret?

Not mastering enough languages – French in particular.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Kasayahan – the family compound at 74 McKinley Road. We all lived close by and naturally it brought about stronger family ties. I can still see the different homes, the lawn, the fish pond. This is where I grew up. Admittedly, I didn’t spend as much time there since I was the youngest of 10 cousins. But I do have wonderful memories. How can I ever forget it?

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

It would have been Buenos Aires but...so my final choice today is South Beach, Florida.