The Amazing Love Story of Hilda Koronel
by Cynthia De
Castro
One of the best and
most beautiful actresses in Philippine cinema is Hilda Koronel. Born Susan Reid to a Bisaya mother and an
American serviceman whom she never knew, she lived in the slums until she was
discovered by Lea Productions at the age of 12. The multi-awarded actress has
done so well in her career that has spanned over 40 films in four decades. But
while her movies have all been successful, Hilda has not been as successful in
love. After a tough childhood and
several failed romances, Hilda almost came to the point of giving up on ever
finding true love.
But while Hilda’s
love life seemed to be without direction, an American came to the Philippines
on business, who has been destined to be her true love.
In an exclusive
interview with Balikbayan Magazine in California where they have been living
since 2006, Hilda and her husband, Ralph Moore, shared their story.
Born and raised in
America, Ralph has had an affinity with the Philippines because his mother,
Priscilla Dulay, is a native of Aringay, La Union. She immigrated to the States
more than 50 years ago and has had a varied career as a singer and as an astute
businesswoman. Following his mother’s steps in business, Ralph decided to become
an entrepreneur in the Philippines.
First Sight
“In 1994, I just
started a business in Manila and I lived in a condominium in Greenhills.
Everyday, I jogged around the Greenhills Shopping complex. One day, as I turned
around the corner, I almost knocked down another jogger who was coming from the
opposite direction. I was transfixed when I saw her. She was so beautiful! It’s like time stood still for me. Since I
came from the States, I had no idea who she was. I kept running around the
Greenhills complex hoping to run into her again, but she was gone. On the
subsequent mornings I kept looking for her, hoping to see her again,” recalled
Ralph about their first meeting.
“I was living along
Wilson in Greenhills at that time,” shared Hilda, who didn’t really remember
that first incident with Ralph.
Since he failed to
see Hilda again after that first encounter, Ralph put the matter behind him.
But, an amazing thing happened. Ralph
shares, “About three weeks later, I was in my home office in Greenhills when my
secretary excitedly told me that Hilda Koronel was in the lobby, looking for
the distributor of my product which she liked.
I had no idea who Hilda Koronel was, but I went down to meet her. When I
reached the lobby and saw her, I gasped, “Oh my God! It’s her! The beautiful
woman I’ve been looking for!”
Hilda wanted to
inquire about Ralph’s product, a health drink, which she liked.
“When I learned
that Hilda is a very popular celebrity in the Philippines and she liked my
product, I asked her to be the endorser. We began a business relationship, with
Hilda getting shares in my company in return for the endorsement of our
product. Thus, we got together on a business level. We didn’t have any date for
four years. Though I was attracted to
her, I didn’t want to mix our business relationship with romance. Besides, our
personal lives were messy at that time.
We were then with different people. I was still married, about to be
divorced. And she was going through some tough times herself. It just wasn’t
the right time yet,” admitted Ralph.
The right time came
four years after their first meeting. “I remember when and where I got brave
enough to even think of getting romantic with her. It was in 1998. We flew up
north, in Ilocos, for a business presentation. We were supposed to leave the
same day but a typhoon came. We got stranded there for one week. In that week,
I got to know her personally. And at that time, we were both single. So, thanks
to the storm, our relationship developed into a romance,” Ralph said.
Hilda pointed out
that initially, there was some hesitation on her part. “I wasn’t really
interested in going into another relationship at that time. I had just
separated. I felt I had enough of that. I was just focused on raising my son,”
she said.
But Ralph and Hilda
soon realized they were meant for each other. They got married in 2000 in the
United States. They continued to live in Manila after their wedding, to be near
Hilda’s children: Leona , Isabel , Gabby , and Diego and adopted daughters, Patricia
and Ivy. She is now a proud granny to four grandchildren.
Moving to the States
In 2006, while on
vacation in California to celebrate his mother’s birthday, Ralph got an offer
that would change his life again. “After a month here in LA, Hilda went home to
Manila ahead of me. Then, my mother and step-father, David Hunt, offered me a
position in their real estate business.
I decided to take the offer so I called up Hilda to come back again
after a few weeks. When I picked her up at the airport, I told her, “Honey,
you’re not going home anymore.”
Hilda was surprised
but didn’t commit right away. “I said, let’s talk about this. At that time, my
girls were all adults already and had lives of their own. But my only son,
Diego, was only 15 then and still studying in Xavier High School. But Ralph
convinced me that we will get Diego to live with us and everything will be all
right. So, after the first week, I finally agreed,” said Hilda.
The transition from
living in the limelight in Manila to living as a housewife in California was
not easy. “I missed my maids and my driver,” she laughed. “I miss my other
children. I was so lonely. The first three years were the hardest.”
“Although I did
housework when I was a child, I have been used to having household help since I
became an actress. So, nanibago talaga ko sa buhay America, where you have to
do everything yourself. In fact, when
they were getting my fingerprints at the immigration, they noticed I had so
many calluses. I told them, “that’s because I have no maids here. I have been
doing the laundry, the dishwashing, etc., which made them laugh,” revealed
Hilda.
Admitting to
spending a lot of time shopping, Hilda likes her semi-retired lifestyle the
past years. “I like my quiet life. Not
too much stress. I don’t miss the limelight. It’s not harassed. I’m just
relaxing and having a great time with my husband. All my kids are now
professionals. My only son is now 21 and taking up Nursing. So, most of the
time, it’s just me and my husband. You know, when you get to be at a certain
age, you prefer to live simply. I’m not
stressed out. I just take care of my husband, my son, and my pets.”
The Comeback Movie
After an absence of
six years in the movies, Hilda recently starred in the blockbuster movie, Star
Cinema’s The Mistress, along with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo.
Coming back home
for several weeks for the filming of the movie, Hilda and Ralph enjoyed their
homecoming. “It was fun going back home.
We enjoyed eating Filipino food every day,” said Hilda who only went
home once since 2006 for her daughter Leona’s wedding. “But it was so hot, and the traffic was
terrible,” she added.
Asked about the
changes he saw in the homeland in his last visit, Ralph said, “More buildings.
The Global City was awesome. It’s so beautifully planned. I love the people, so
friendly and warm, unlike here. And of course, the food. I think Filipino food
is the best in the world.”
Hilda said, “Iba
talaga duon. I miss the people, their warmth. And I got to do what I couldn’t
do here often. I had my hair done a lot. We had massages every night. We went
shopping at tiangges. Masaya talaga sa atin.”
With the success of
The Mistress, Hilda has been asked when her next movie will be. “Every year, I
have been getting offers for movies. But I actually prefer to be choosy. After
43 years, I think I don’t want to make a lot of movies now. Maybe once in a
while, if the script is really good. I don’t want something that will be too
hectic. Not too much crying.”
“It’s too much for
her, when the scenes call for a lot of crying,” revealed Ralph.
“That’s because I
don’t do Vicks. You know, putting some Vicks Cold rub near the eyes to make you
cry. I really get into the character I am portraying. So when the role calls
for a lot of crying and anguish, I get drained physically and emotionally. It
is very tiring,” Hilda explained.
Family Life
Asked if her
children have tried to follow her footsteps, Hilda was quick to shake her head
and say no emphatically. “It’s not something that I encourage. It’s a very hard
life. Very tiring and stressful. If you don’t have the stomach for it, it’s not
something you should make a career of. I started in showbiz when I was 12. It’s
been more than 40 years. I don’t want my kids to go through some of the stuff I
went through.”
Knowing how
difficult and uncertain the life of an actress can be, Hilda has put great
value on education. Despite her flourishing career and very hectic film
schedule, Hilda made sure she finished college. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in International
Studies from Maryknoll College (now Miriam College). And she instilled in her children the same priorities.
“I’m very close to
my children and grandchildren. I have had no contact with my father since I was
a child. And my mother didn’t want to connect with him anymore. So I only had
the side of my mother for a family but they were very few,” said Hilda. “Family
is my number one priority. I love my kids and being lola to my apos,” she
added.
When at home, Hilda
likes to be in the kitchen. “I’m very domesticated and I love to cook,
especially Filipino food. My children all cook and bake, like me. I have
recipes from my aunts, mom, friends that I collect, like tightly guarded
secrets,” she said.
Ralph smiles and he
said, “I often tell her, ‘Please don’t cook anymore.’ Because I can’t stop
eating what she cooks especially her prawns with taba ng talangka with lots of
garlic, and her food for the gods. They are really good!”
Since Hilda and
Ralph got together, they have been inseparable. “We always travel together. You
see, I don’t like travelling alone. I don’t enjoy flying so I want Ralph with
me, holding my hand throughout the flight,” Hilda said as she laughed.
Reflecting upon
their love story, Ralph said he realized that perhaps the only reason God took
him to the Philippines and stayed there for 15 years was to find and get Hilda.
“I thought the business was the reason why I came to the Philippines. But
eventually, the business closed down. When I came back home to America, all I
brought back with me was Susan (Hilda). I think I came for her, because when I
came back, I just had her. God put us together,” shared Ralph.
Perhaps the lyrics
from the song The Broken Road by Rascall Flatts best describes the love story
of Ralph and Susan “Hilda” Moore.
Every long lost dream led me to where you
are
Others who broke my heart, they were like
northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you!
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