Long live Anita!

The 3 most influential women in my life:

1. My Grandmother

2. Dame Anita Roddick

3. Madonna

The last two are celebrities in their own right that I worship and light candles for.

Not everyone is fortunate to meet their icons.

Not only did I meet mine, but I also worked with and was mentored by Dame Anita Roddick in 2004.

Having worked for The Body Shop, I was given the rare opportunity to be with Anita during her visit in Manila in November 2004. I personally attended to her – from ensuring that she got her favorite bergamot cologne inside the hotel room up to joining her in press conferences and interviews to answer beauty editors and Boy Abunda’s questions.

We spent time together day in and day out – with only her speeches and sleep interrupting our mundane banters about hair and make-up and deep conversations about her advocacies and freeing political prisoners in Angola.

I was so stars-truck. I adored her so much. I admired her courage, generosity and good heart.

In my book, she is the epitome of a Superwoman. She was a fireball.

Anita Roddick is passion personified.

As a tribute, I named the first car I bought after her.

I forever keep the African bracelet she gave me wrapped in my bedpost.

Yesterday, I was saddened by the news of her sudden passing away. She succumbed to brain hemorrhage on Monday.

Dame Anita, you will be awfully missed. The whole world lost a very important pioneer and champion. From the UK, to Africa, to Asia, this terrible lost is felt.

As I do.

For those of us who are left, we will keep the fire burning.

We will continue to hold the torch of passion.

Long live, Dame Anita.

Long live life’s passion and purpose.

For more information on her advocacies, please visit anitaroddick.com.

(photo courtesy of Anita Roddick web site.)