NEWSFLASH 

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UPDATE ON DAWN ZULUETA
(from the Philippine Star By Edu Jarque)

London, U.K., Feb. 27, 2000 - Edu Jarque writes from London: Dawn Zulueta, sunbathing topless in Malaga? Wow!

When my London neighbor and friend Anton Lagdameo announced that he was getting married to Dawn Zulueta, the multi-awarded actress of Philippine movies, I couldn't help but whisper to myself a little prayer as he told me more about her. Before the night was over, I had asked all my questions about his decision which he successfully answered convincingly. I slept peacefully that evening.

Finally meeting Dawn during their London stopover as part of their European trip last summer was a revelation. She was the woman Anton claimed her to be -- a true lady. After spending more time with her at his grandparents' city home at Kensington Court and the country residence in Ascot, I had become a fan.

Welcome to my friend Dawn's world of travel. Read on.

Describe your first trip abroad.

I was 13 years old and together with my mom and my brother we went to Hong Kong to celebrate the coming of the New Year. I was so excited that I remember I hardly rested at all. I wanted to go everywhere and see everything. I didn't want to miss anything. Surprisingly, I never felt sleepy nor tired throughout the entire trip. Oh, I loved that holiday. My mom and I still talk about it.

Tell us about your present passport photo.

I am very happy with it. I went to a studio for a proper portrait. After all, it was for my new passport and would be valid for many years. I didn't want to have any regrets like blaming myself, "If only I did it this way and now it's too late." Imagine carrying a photo of yourself that you don't really like and you are forced to present it to people concerned proclaiming "Here I am." How awful, how terrible.

What won't you leave home without?

My security blanket of a lipstick, my box of tissue which I can't go anywhere, and I mean anywhere without, my bottle of Alcogel for all my emergencies and my cellphone which I thought I could survive without, but realized can't.

How do you pass time at airports?

I park myself at magazine stands and bookstores. I enjoy reading, especially on trips, so I get myself the latest bestseller or perhaps a book on astrology. I also buy several copies of lifestyle, fashion, Home and Garden magazines. What seems to be my obsession is going through each and every card designed for all occasions which I can get my hands on. You see I collect such cards which come in handy when I communicate with friends.

Name your favorite city abroad.

London. It has successfully preserved all the wonderful things of its glorious past while it has beautifully incorporated what the best of the rest of the world has to offer today. London is truly a cosmopolitan city.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Davao. My new home where my husband Anton and I settled in a few months ago.

Who are your ideal companions for a holiday?

Ideal? I can't think of anyone else but my husband Anton. He always transforms the entire holiday into a heaven in paradise.

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

Filipino food. Whenever I travel, I abstain from familiar Filipino potajes. I always attempt to try the local cuisine and several variations of it. I am not a tourist who hunts endlessly for a Filipino restaurant. Therefore, on a trip I really miss Filipino food. But understandably that's all part of the experience when one travels.

What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?

I can't think of any. Honestly, I am very frugal and I only buy what I really, really like. So there are no bad souvenirs for me.

What is the best travel advice you were given?

Carefully study the currency exchange rates. If you don't have a firm grasp of the entire structure and mechanism, it could only mislead you and create horrors in everything you do. Disasters could arise. And you will be more than sorry.

Describe your most memorable trip.

It was summer last year when I traveled with Anton and several members of his family. We visited London, Madrid, Malaga, Sotogrande, Tangiers, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakesh and met friends throughout the trip. It all seemed like a dream -- a dream I had wished would go on and on and on.

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

I went sunbathing in Malaga. Topless. Though I was completely surrounded by countless women of different shapes and sizes who were doing the same, I still felt so very strange. Don't know why. Can't say why.

Where would you like to be right now?

In Bethlehem, my grandfather's birthplace, and in Jerusalem for obvious reasons.

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