I must confess — I had met Gloria Romero only once in my life. But that one encounter of an afternoon left a lasting memorable impression through the years. She was simply exceptional, extraordinary, una fenomenal. With her recent passing on, memories came rushing back.

During my former once-upon-a-time job promoting our islands here and abroad, I wrote a weekly travel column featuring former first ladies, presidential children, industry captains, sports legends, cabinet members, senators, ambassadors, celebrities, personalities and several others, some who were famous for being famous. Yet, I had never spotlighted a movie star — the face of the silver screen.

With the assistance of my good friend and confidant of actors and actresses, the late Ricky Lo, that wish came true in the person of the Queen of Philippine Cinema.

Her face was one of the most recognizable in the country. Her name, one of the most revered. She had dedicated by then over 70 incredible years to the Philippine entertainment industry, and claimed she loved every minute of it.

We arranged to rendezvous in a pastry shop within a mall. Upon arrival, she was every bit the icon — poised, elegant and regal! Before long, passers-by took notice and stopped briefly with a reverent nod. It wasn’t the age of phones with cameras and selfies yet, but the whispers increasingly grew louder. And soon, autograph requests. Realizing we weren’t making much progress with our conversation due to interruptions, she graciously suggested we transfer to a quieter spot — to a restaurant in a mid-service lull.

In such a peaceful setting, the interview continued, and she gladly reminisced while I listened, enraptured.

She spoke fondly of Hollywood, where she once toured MGM Studios and watched Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford in rehearsals. She recalled being awed by the vast movie archives — rows and rows of classic films, meticulously preserved in temperature-controlled rooms.

A fan all her life, she happily recalled she saw Ava Gardner in a bullring in Madrid and was tongue-tied when introduced to one of her favorite film stars, William Holden. But she admitted despite her love for film, it was the theater that left her truly astonished — memorized lines, live performances, no retakes whatsoever!

A passionate traveler — mostly in the company of Doc and Nene Vera-Perez of the Sampaguita Pictures — Gloria adhered to strict, well-organized itineraries. Shopping was never the first priority. The top sights, instant beeline. Next, the museums, key to understanding a destination’s history, traditions, culture and people. Then came the experiences: the solemnity of Lourdes and Fatima, the lifestyle at the French Riviera, operas in Italy, circuses in Germany, and even apple and strawberry picking in America. Oh yes, to savor the local cuisine was always a must. This has been her unfailing formula for years.

She recalled how she used to bring pasalubongs, both inbound and outbound. She soon realized, “Whatever they had abroad, chances were, we had it here, too.” Call it globalization. How the world has changed!

Reflecting on her own career, she shared how much show business had transformed. In her early years, the local entertainment industry mirrored Hollywood’s studio system. Stars were put on pedestals. Nowadays, she observed, actors are regarded as more human. They engage in mundane tasks such as grocery shopping.

She then smiled and said one of her most unforgettable trips was when her only daughter, Maritess, gave birth to her only apo Christopher. She ended up staying in the States for 10 months. In her own words, she just ate and ate and ate! In the end, she admitted she became so fat, she had to resort to dusters and muumuus. We both shared a hearty laugh! She considers it as her happiest time.

It was an afternoon like no other, sharing passionate travel experiences.

Later, on the same day, I found myself at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with my usual partner-in-crime, the late Bambi Lammoglia Harper. She immediately blurted out I had a different aura. When I mentioned that I had just met Gloria Romero, she smiled knowingly. “We were together for the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962,” she recalled.

It was a prestigious event, where Gloria, together with Amalia Fuentes, Barbara Perez, Jojie Felix Velarde and Bambi herself represented the country at the Philippine Pavillion. Fashion luminaries such as National Artist for design Ramon Valera, the Dean of Philippine Fashion Ben Farrales, and the Prince of Philippine Haute Couture Aureo Alonzo showcased their designs. The entire delegation was a sensation.

“Gloria was never a prima donna,” Bambi said. “She was a favorite among the organizers and the crowds. We were a big hit!”

Hearing this only reinforced what I had already felt upon meeting Gloria: She was a true class act, beloved not only for her beauty and talent, but also for her kindness, humility and grace.

Looking back to our shared moments in the restaurant, I remember her yearning for an unfulfilled journey.

Denver, Colorado, her birthplace. Her American mother passed on when she was just 28. Her mom shared very few anecdotes about her family back then and the city she called home. She admits she would love to explore and uncover her American roots — a missing puzzle piece of her identity. Her curiosity increased each and every day.

Today, as I end this piece, I wonder, did she ever fulfill her dream?

Vaya con Dios, Gloria, vaya con Dios. Amen.