Style and Substance
A look into a day in the life of the effortlessly elegant Fortune Aleta Ledesma, who values her faith and family above all
Can you walk us through your typical day?
The first thing I do upon getting up is to say my morning prayers, thanking God for the gift of life and family and to ask that He guide me throughout the day. Then I eat breakfast and after about half an hour, I put on a workout video and exercise. I find that the physical activity gives me the energy and alertness I need. The rest of the time I spend in the den, doing my work, which includes writing my column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and carrying out my duties as consul general of the Principality of Monaco to the Republic of the Philippines, adviser to the Consular Corps of the Philippines and chairman of the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines. In the evening, I catch up with my children and grandchildren and unwind by watching TV with my husband. Before going to sleep, I say my evening prayers.
What are your favourite spots in your home and why?
For working, my favourite spot is the den. I can really focus on my work [there] because it is quiet. Moreover, when I need a short break, I can look out the window into the garden. For relaxing, I like to stay in the living room. There are two nice, plush couches that face each other, making it a perfect spot for conversation.
In which area do you spend your time the most? Why?
In the bedroom because we have set it up so that we can take our meals, watch TV and movies, surf the Internet and exercise.
What your A painting home? are your of the favourite old Manila pieces in Hotel/ Manila Bay by the National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz is one of the more interesting pieces I have at home. It is one of the only paintings he donated for a raffle in a charity ball and I happened to be the lucky winner!
It was featured on the cover of a book by Unilever, dedicated to the various groups and individuals who are untiringly pursuing the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
As consul general of Monaco to the Philippines, I treasure the awards that I have received from His Serene Highness Sovereign Prince Albert II such as the Officer
(Oficier) in the Order of St Charles and the Knight of the Order of St Charles (equivalent to the French Légion d’honneur). I also received medals such as Chevalier de l’ordre National du Merit (Knight of the National Order of Merit) from the president of the French Republic François Hollande; Decoration of Honour in Gold from the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Dr Heinz Fischer; and FICAC Medal of Honour from the Federation Internationales des Corps Associations Consulaires (FICAC). [But of course,] closest to my heart are the photos of my family. I love looking at those pictures and seeing how we have grown [together] as a family.
“I am grateful that it has been a place where I could have people over prepandemic and ... has proven to be a good home office and refuge throughout the quarantine”