There, just to show everybody the example. Everybody, even backstage, would wear masks. Oh and we are fully vaccinated and we are practicing social distancing. I wore a mask and face shield. There you go. But we've been talking already. Good to go. I just want to show everyone that we're prepared. We are following protocols. Yes, yes. Okay. Right. Because of her life as a journalist and politician, we know her as someone who is brave and who'd never back down. But behind all the strength she has, is a story of a woman too, who went through sacrifices, hardships, heartbreaks and of course, loss. Today, I'm very honored and excited to get to know the life and journey of our three-term senator and now deputy speaker and Antique's congresswoman Miss Loren Legarda. Hi, Ma'am Loren. Hi, Toni. It's nice to finally meet you. Yes, of course. I see you virtually. Yes. And you're thinner than in pictures. Growing up, I used to watch you in the news. I know right. I know you're born in the 80's and that's when I started. I just came back from America. And then ABS-CBN-- The World Tonight. Actually, your age, that's when I decided to run as senator. Yeah. You're thirty-seven. It was as young as your age. And I was as thin as you as well. We're here today in Malabon, at Ms. Loren's ancestral house, where she grew up. Where I was born, where my parents took care of me, and of course, my nanay, Three people raised me. My mother was from Antique and Marikina, but I was born here in Malabon. My father, however, is from San Pablo, Laguna and Manila. Now, we stay here in Malabon. My nanay who is an Ilocana, is very strict and she's still here with us at 87 years old, she's the one who molded me to become who I am now. So that's how you became an industrious student when you were younger? Maybe it came naturally to me too, because my mother graduated as cum laude too in school. But the type of discipline of my nanay reaches a point where she would put all my toys in an inventory list, and my studies-- She wouldn't force me. I just enjoy learning. Ever since, I really had this thirst for knowledge. I really like reading, I love to- I would also paint when I was young during the 70's and 80's. I can show you some pictures. In fact, in my teenage years, somebody noticed them. Your paintings? Yes, my paintings. They're simple. Usually flowers or nature. Do you also right poems? Yes, haikus. And poetry and some essays. Very contemplative. They have a very introverted feel. Because I enjoy being alone in the room or in the garden right there. Then I always felt like I was different, I loved to study, to be alone, and I don't like noise. Listen to it, I like listening to the wind-- To nature. To feel the wind on your face. So at a very young age, you felt already in your heart that you were different from others. That's why you were bullied as a kid, too? It was just right because I loved to study as a kid, and I'd just be at home. Then they would say, "Oh, the matured one." I was in grade school, about eight or ten years old, they'd call me "matured," because I always acted more mature than my age, because I was the eldest and only girl. So your dream as a kid was... to become an astronaut. For real, that was the time when- It was 1969, - the landing on the moon.
- Neil Armstrong. So I stared, I was so inspired by Armstrong. I think that was the late 60s. But at the age of 15, you were discovered in a commercial. Oh, gosh. That was an accident, right? Accident, yes. We were in the compound, five houses, I was playing jackstones in my cousin's house. She was older than me, pretty, and has a handsome boyfriend, and was going to sign a contract with J. Walter Thompson. I was on the floor, playing, wearing plain tokong shorts, wearing dragon rubber slippers, and a sleeveless top. And then the account executive or talent caster said, "Can you smile?" So I smiled. "Here's my card. You might want to do a VTR test." For a commercial? It was called VTR back then. What do you call it these days? I was 15 years old. Next day, I borrowed my grandmother's driver. When I went to the site, there were lots of applicants. There were managers, parents, and I was by myself. To make a long story short, I did a VTR for a role of an extra. But alas! They changed the casting mechanics, and made me the lead. But something happened before that, right? Oh, you really did your research. I did a VTR, then they made me read something-- there were no prompters before. Then I said, "No, take it away." I was so proud, wasn't I? I was able to memorize their script, because ever since I was a kid, I had photographic memory. Then they said, I said, "Really?" Imagine, I was 15 years old. I looked matured, even with the way I dressed and presented myself. So they got a 25-year-old doctor to play the part of my co-actor. So that was my first commercial. Then I earned nine hundred bucks. - For the commercial?
- For the commercial. That's huge already. And, I didn't stop there. After that, Pond's girl. Oh wow! I was a Pond's girl. I became J. Walter Thompson's favorite and believe me, I was on the bottle of Sunsilk. Wow! Okay, don't pay too much attention to this. For 18 months, there was no-- I know what you're going to say. 18 months with no haircut nor hair dyes. Well, it's not that long anyway. They'll say, "What? How was this for Sunsilk?" Ah! So when you were younger, you were like the most sought-after commercial model. Toni Gonzaga. Wow! But really, if I can enumerate... When you became a commercial model, were you shocked that your path turned out that way? You were the type to really prioritize your studies, then suddenly, you're into commercials. Did you ever see that coming? It was really accidental. Maybe, I was around 18 years old when I got television gigs. Because I do commercials-- I took up mass communication in UP. My professor was Orly Mercado. Did you ever get to know him? Before he became senator, he was my professor in UP Mass Communication. Then he asked me whether I wanted to co-host with him in a Sunday quiz program at GMA 7. Imagine, I was in second year college, 18 years old, Then he said, "Would you like to join me in my Sunday program?" I said, "Sir, you can do it. I believe in you." Then when I turned 21, right after I graduated, he called me right after midnight. He said, "My co-host, Tina Monzon- Palma, is on leave." And she was the biggest name in journalism. - Miss Tina Monzon.
- Yes. She was traveling as a journalist with the First Lady Imelda Marcos. He said, "Can you come tomorrow, GMA 7 at 6 o'clock?..." "You join me on an early morning show." I said, "Wow professor, sir?" Yeah, I was so happy. And that really opened doors for me. And I never forget those people who believed in me, who gave me the break, who opened doors for me. And that's the reason why also now, I like to train people. I like to open doors for people who have talent and passion. I applied in a news channel, Channel 9, at that time. And when I was there, I wanted to go abroad. I sent out my U-matic tape before to Hong Kong for the PVB news channel. Of course, I didn't get the part. Why did you want to go abroad? Martial law. As a teenager, I didn't know what my future would be-- In the Philippines? In the Philippines. Second, I thought that maybe- I see their training, and it's good what they do. I would watch before and see-- Did you ever know about Barbara Walters? She's still there. Peter Jennings, he was so handsome and brilliant. The likes of Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw. Then I remember in California, there's Tritia Toyota. So you wanted to become an international or world-renowned journalist? That was the dream I never achieved. That's why I went to America in 1985. It was my first time in America. I knocked on doors, literally. I even knocked on the doors of the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles. I saw that they had an editing machine and camera. Every time I see a-- a camera like that, that's your life, your job, so you document everything. Then I said, "What's your show?" They said, "Who's this kid?" I said, "Oh, I have a show on Channel 4." I came from Channels 9 and 4. I'm here. I'd ask if they had shows, and they say there's none. Why isn't there any? There's no budget? Yes, no budget. I said, "You don't need to pay me. Let's just do something..." "Just give me a cameraman and an editor." "I'll be the producer, host, marketing, everything..." How old were you then? I was 24. They said, "How is this? If there's no budget, there's no airtime." Then I'd watch on television, there's one channel-- Of course, I can't do ABC, CBS and NBC news. So I looked at what they had during Saturdays. And that was KSCI Channel 18. There were Korean blocktimers, even Chinese. There has never been a Filipino-American show ever. So I started the first ever magazine show for the Filipino community in California. There was no TFC back then? None, that was 1984 or 1985. So that's where you started? Yeah so I bought airtime... Where would I get the one thousand dollars for thirty minutes? I didn't have money. My salary before was a thousand dollars every month. I couldn't use that to buy airtime. How would I survive there? So I focused on the Filipino communities. First, yellow pages. Where are the Filipino stores located? The supermarkets, and those that sell Filipino food, I was thinking of advertising them. If it's in cash, I use it to pay for airtime. Anyway, I didn't have any salary there because I have salary from the Philippine consulate. The cameraman also gets salary from there. I am eligible enough to write and produce on my own too. I'm the one who holds the tripods, the makeup artist, the hairdresser-- Who does the editing? Still you? Yes. I'm the one who'd go through the edits, The cameraman knows how to edit too, and he's the driver too, so it's just the two of us. And then I saw that there was the Los Angeles Press Center or LAPC. So of course, I applied. I was the first Asian member, and also Filipino at the LAPC. And then we were invited to the USS Enterprise where US Vice President George H. W. Bush. I was a part of that, side by side with ABC and NBC. That's my dream. Why were you doing those things? Number one, there was no source of information for the Filipino community. Number two, it was challenging. It was all new to me, right? And number three, I wanted to produce it for the Philippines. Think about it, how was I sent there? There was no emailing system and satellite at that time. Okay, so what I did was my cameraman slash editor and I would produce. When it's done, I'd ask him to drive me to LAX. - The airport.
- Airport. Filipinos would be lining up in the PAL counter. And I would try to talk to the ones who look kind and polite and say, "Can you please bring my U-matic tapes?" And it'd be wrapped already. "This person will wait for you. Mr. Antonio Legarda, Here's his phone number." We'd ask, "What's your name?" "Please, help us. This will come out on television." "We will acknowledge your name." "I'm asking you to please bring these tapes with you." So what I would do is I would call my colleagues at Channel 4, including Mr. Ed Finlan, very supportive, and I would say, "We have airtime at Channel 4..." "You don't need to pay me here in LA." "The content is for you." We have content. - it's a waste of airtime.
- So 1980's, you'd make your own content... Then I would say, "We have 24 hours of airtime, information for the Filipino people." Imagine if you get the chance to see everything that's been happening to the Filipino and the world in California And they said, "Why not?" They even put it on prime time. So the tape I brought in LAX, they'd wait for it-- My father was so supportive, I would call him through the consulate's landline, "Dad here, ABC, this is the time of the flight. Please meet them at NAIA." Dad would pick it up, and he will bring it to Bohol Avenue, and the production coordinator would get it. They wouldn't need to do anything to it. They just need to air it. Because the airtime there is free. So it works out for all of us. What stories do you feature? Oh, the really interesting ones! Really exemplary. Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles. You interviewed him? Yes. Shirley Temple too, the young one who became ambassador. You interviewed her too? Yes. California Secretary of State March Fong Eu, I interviewed her too. Senator Gary Hart as well. And Filipino community gatherings too. How did you get Tom Bradley and Shirley Temple? Is the lack of resources like internet a hindrance? Of course not. Well, of course, I was a member of the Los Angeles Press Center already. So I would get insights on their activities. Wherever ABC, NBC and CBS News would be-- You'd be there too? Yes. I would bring the tripod, I had a bag. Come on, let's interview-- Where's the interview happening? I do things a specific way. I'll request, "Can I just have sir a few minutes of your time after all the ambush interviews, just a one on one?" "We can sit here by the lobby of the hotel." "Okay? Yes." Big celebrities and politicians go to events. So I'd be there by the entrance. You couldn't go near anymore, there's a lot of security around. I would inch my way. And I would talk to them. "I'm Loren Legarda from the Philippines. I'm a member of the LA press center. The Filipino community is a large community in Los Angeles. They would love to hear what you have to say and we're aired in the Philippines. Could I have a few minutes of your time, sir? Please?" Something like that. That's amazing. Where did you get the courage, the confidence and the strength of character? My passion. I don't consider it work. It's something I love to do. And I think bringing information to the people and maybe pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, the "It won't work," should become "there is a way." You can't say, "the problem is..." It has to be "No, the solution is..." So Ma'am Loren, you were Diane Sawyer's intern too? Diane Sawyer was brilliant, a great interviewer and beautiful. Yes, I interned with them for a couple of days. It wasn't lengthy, but I was able to observe them in their work. So it was very fulfilling. What year did you come back to the Philippines? 1986. So right after martial law? Yes. So 1986, you came back to the Philippines, you got an offer from-- I went straight to-- I hadn't even taken a shower coming from the airport, I went straight to the Chronicle building for ABS-CBN, for a meeting... I was one of the pioneers of the reopened ABS-CBN, after '86, The World Tonight and Pep Talk. It's because I really loved Diane Sawyer's shows, magazine shows, and the show, Eye on L.A. which I've been watching too. So I wanted to do something like that. That's why we made "Pep Talk," a multi-award winning program. And then it became The Inside Story. That was from 1986 to 1998. I really enjoyed that. And even that time, when ABS-CBN opened, there was no budget from June to September, we wouldn't even have salaries. We'd even rent out cameras and use my car, because we formally opened in September. So you weren't getting any salaries too? None. June, July, August, September. We were still planning and producing for the opening in September. But it was okay, because I was enjoying what I was doing. Maybe the training I got since I was 15 years old, me being a commercial model, and then doing the news in Channel 9, and then doing Business Talks in Channel 4, and then doing Manila Envelope in Los Angeles, and running after stories and coming home here after EDSA helped me. And I started very, very young. You were so equipped with all these experiences that made you one of the most respected and top journalists in our country. I thank you for that. Yes. That was the 80s and the 90s. Yes. At the peak of your career in 1997, 1998, did you ever think of getting into politics? Oh no. I really enjoyed journalism. I envisioned myself to be like a Barbara Walters, until the age of maturity. I was a journalist, a broadcast journalist. Until you interviewed Fidel Ramos. It was like this. Okay. In the Rizal room. You might become a senator, because you asked me-- - There.
- So here we are. He asked me-- You interviewed Fidel Ramos in 1997. Maybe, the interviews were as good as Toni Gonzaga's. So I was interviewing President Ramos in '97. Then he asked me, "Do you want to become a senator or do you have plans?" I said, "Mr. President, no. I'm enjoying my career as a journalist." I was the producer of The Inside Story. I was doing The World Tonight. I was doing documentaries. We went to the same school, National Defense College. He was class one, and I was part of a later one of course. And I was the top of my class. Topnotcher. He knew that. He said, "People like us who are national security experts should be the one running this country." I said, "Oh, I don't think so." I just took my masters because I really loved studying. But I don't intend to. He said, "Try it out. Test the waters." The rest is history. Thirty-eight years old, almost your age. Yes. You were topnotch too. More than 15 million. Number one in-- Number one senator in 1998 with 15 million votes. Yes, yes. Honestly, at the time, I had mixed feelings. I had to be happy because I won and became number one. But... Believe it or not, I don't want to sound ungrateful... - I was partially happy, but I had sadness...
- Because? because I was leaving a career I loved so much. My career for almost twenty years, I put aside. Then I was going to take on a new path. Everything I've learned and discovered with all the stories I saw, let's say child miners, child laborers, women who were abused, our Pasig River that's so filthy, I did so much stories as a journalist, so I thought that after showing all those, what happens next? You created laws. Yes. It may be a fulfilling thing to make laws that could cure the problems of our society. Never in my wildest dreams did I dream-- I never dreamt of becoming a senator. I wanted to be a Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer. But when that happened, I thank the people, the Lord, but I wasn't sure if this was really it. But when I was able to have my first law approved-- Which is? One of that would be the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law. That's really applicable these days. Dumpsites aren't allowed and trash should be sorted properly. There. That's really effective especially now in the pandemic. And another one is the Anti-Child Labor Law. A law that prohibits the abuse of minors. And the other one is the Anti-Trafficking in Women's Act. The prohibition of trafficking women, especially those that are being taken abroad to become prostitutes. The stories that I find, documentaries in television, I was able to make a law that helps them. I was listening to you, and I realized that, because you pursued your passion, it led to your calling. So I already felt that, "Okay, this is my calling." And I was able to create that law, and I hope it helps all those people I've featured, as broadcast journalist before. What was the hardest part for you? I felt guilty because I felt like I wasn't able to become a full-time mother. I left my two young children. But when I look back now and my sons tell me, "Yeah mommy, you were not there during my birthday." Or, "You left me." "I grew up spending more time in front of the computer more than you... because you were in the mountains, mommy. You went here--" I said, "I'm sorry, son." Good that nothing bad happened there. And even as a journalist, when I'd go to dangerous places, the risks that we take... So I would advise you as a young mother, don't take unnecessary risks, that might take you away from your children. But if there's one thing that you learned about yourself, after everything that you've been through, what would it be? The more I know, the more I don't know. There's a lot of things I need to learn, and I realized that that I still have a long way to go. Sometimes, my confidence just goes away. But good thing my home environment, the encouragement provided by my mother, father and my nanay, "You are great." With nanay, there's nobody else who's great in this world except for who she's taking care of. Yes, that's true. What's the greatest lesson you've learned from your nanay? Oh, nanay can do anything. Nanay taught me that if you are resilient, and you have a persevering attitude, and you have the will to learn, you can do anything. And nanay... Oh, nanay... I really cannot imagine my life without my nanay. Just really... I am who I am because of that Ilocana. She knows all my state secrets, she'd know if my playmates are bullying me, if I have problems in school, if I have problems with my love life, she knows all of that. I would keep secrets from my mother and father. I would sneak out with her, we'd ride a cab. Why am I telling this story? Anyway, I remember nanay because she's 87. What's the greatest lesson you learned about love? A huge sigh when it comes to love. To love again. Yeah, I'm never a cynic. Even if I failed in love several times, I always look forward to loving again. What's non-negotiable for you when it comes to a relationship? Monogamy. Oh wow! That really can't be because I'm honest. Because I will only ask what I can do myself. Right? If there's one thing for you that you think you're good at, what would it be? Finding a solution in everything we do. What's one thing that you always teach your children? I always tell them that life isn't easy. Struggles will always be there. As well as challenges. There's always pain. Just do your best. And if you fail, you try again. Tenacity, if you would call it, persistence, grit, courage. But deep inside, it's having a big heart. I mean, I just seem courageous, but I'm really very sensitive and I have a big heart. What touches you? Oh... What makes you cry? Abuse on children and women because I am also a mother. And when you see children being neglected, or abused, even online sexual abuse, it makes me so angry. That makes you angry. What makes you happy? Oh, it's so easy. Really easy. The beauty of the trees... Trees, flowers, vegetation... Nature. Vast oceans, rivers... Yeah, nature and heritage. They always say, if you ask me to choose between an imported bag or a bayong-- This is for real. I thought maybe I shouldn't cite the brand, but a very expensive foreign brand. Someone gifted me an Hermes bag, I gave it away. Someone would even say, "You should've just given it to me." But if you give me something like this, I'm really happy. This Modern Ilongga, she'll be so happy. I'll put it here so everybody can see it. Anyway... But you know, Miss Loren, you have achieved so much. You have accomplished so much. If there's one thing that you are proud of, what would that be? The laws I've made and the programs that truly helped the people. The concern for others and life, the people we've helped. It may not come out in the news, not even talked about, but When you save a life, literally, Toni, I went up many mountains, in different provinces to help them be set free. As head of a humanitarian mission, of course you know, you can't say no to families asking for help. But when I think about it now, if something happens to me, and my child is just an eight-year-old, and five years old-- I had no fears when I was young. Mission accomplished. Major Noel Buan is home at last after 22 months in captivity. I think, it is really an experience. It's very touching. The reward and fulfillment from the work you do is immeasurable. How were you able to convince them to release? The ones they abducted? How do you talk to them? Do you use your heart? Do you use your intellect? What do you tell them? Everything, your intellect, wisdom, experiences, heart, compassion, and my persistence. I would not leave the negotiating table unless you committed to me that you would release the captives. I said sorry to my sons after all the successful peace missions. I said, "My sons--" I told my sons, "I cannot do it again. I'm sorry, I took the risk." What if? God is good. They say that two of the greatest moments in your life is the day you were born, and the day you find out why. What do you think is the purpose of Loren Legarda? Maybe yes, you're correct Toni. I had a purpose. To save lives, literally. I never imagined. Maybe as a young journalist, I would cover those stories of a senator climbing a mountain, literally, to rescue a general. Maybe, as a journalist, I would cover someone rescuing someone from the Abu Sayyaf. I never imagined that I would be the one negotiating and rescuing. Perhaps, not many people know the inside story of all those humanitarian and peace missions. Toni, in fact, you're the only one who asked that because the interviews were just ambush interviews, one-liners. If you look back, you give tremendous thanks to God who really protected you, and you were grateful that nothing happened to you. If there's one thing that you're thankful for in your life right now, what would it be? I'm so grateful for life. That He protected me and saved me from any harm while I was saving lives. So every morning, I wake up, I always say, "Thank you Lord." One thing, maybe with me, if you ask me, what's one character trait I have? I have a grateful heart. Oh, the breeze is nice. Oh thank you, there are trees. I'm like that. I'm grateful for everything. I always look at the glass half full rather than half empty. Do you still have a dream? Yes, Toni. For as long as I breathe, I would have dreams. Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly... That's why since I was a kid, I'd always have a dream. And your dream is to? To remain alive and healthy, believe it or not. In this pandemic, every day that I wake up, I'm grateful I'm alive. So that we all survive this. Second, that those who are experiencing pain will be relieved from that. Third, that my children would not have to undergo the pains I went through in my decades of existence. My dream is so simple, life, happiness, good health, to continue to be able to do good, to leave this place in a better state than when I found it.
